Americans aren’t exactly celebrated for their international savvy. Most speak just one language, and forget about asking them to name foreign heads of state. But that doesn’t mean you can’t buck the trend.
Whether you want to read up on the drug czars in Mexico, or the Taliban in Pakistan, your iPhone is a good place to start. So check out these international news apps, they are the best of the bunch. All apps are free unless otherwise noted.
The Associated Press app is a good choice not only because of its excellent content, but also for its customized features. When you first open the app, it allows you to select what region of the globe you are in, as well as in what languages you would like to view the news. Its wire rival, Reuters, also earns a spot on our list for its impressive collection of video clips. The Reuters app is a good wire source for international news too.
For really innovative, alternative reporting, check out the PRI (Public Radio International) app. A great recent story examined corruption in the Ukraine through the eyes of American businessman trying to open a business in Kiev, without paying out bribes. (He didn’t succeed).
You can’t go wrong with the BBC News app, either. The content is terrific, and it comes from every corner of the globe. You can browse stories by geography and by topic. In addition, the app includes lots and lots of news in a dozen foreign languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Urdu. There is plenty of audio and video clips in addition to written content.
To western ears, Al Jazeera may have been accused of flirting with terrorist propaganda produced by the likes of Osama bin Laden, but its role in the Arab world cannot be overlooked. It offers fascinating and important news from non-western sources. Recent stories took a look at the United States’ mid-term elections: They are even more a spectacle to the outside world than they are to us!
Other good sources of international and national news via your iPhone include The New York Times app and The Wall Street Journal app. Yes, both are based in the Big Apple and run a little heavy on East coast stories, but considering they employ many of the best journalists in the world, they can hardly be ignored.
Finally, if you could only select one iPhone app to supply all your international and national news go for the NPR News (National Public Radio) app. The quality of reporting is outstanding, the writing is superb and the multimedia features are second to none.
