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When an event occurs that is of sufficient importance to interrupt current news coverage, it is called a “breaking story.” In North America, this used to mean a severe weather alert (such as tornado warnings) or a major political event (such as the assassination of John F. Kennedy), which often required national broadcast stations to interrupt regular programming in order to provide live coverage. This was the origin of the term “Newsflash” or, more commonly, the phrase “special report.” During these breaks, lower thirds and other graphics are frequently altered to convey a sense of urgency. Similarly, an audio cue may play.
