The present is a period of indeterminate duration and variable scope
The present is called actuality : that is, the time that is passing . What happens at a certain moment takes place in the present of that period.
Indeterminate duration
Current events cannot be limited or limited to an exact period . Although the concept refers to the present, it can cover hours, days, weeks, months or even years ago, depending on the context .
Suppose an older adult expresses: “Nowadays young people do not understand the importance of effort.” This subject is not referring exactly to the present, but to a broader period that has diffuse limits.
Let's look at another example: “There are many people who are currently suffering from economic problems.” As can be assumed, the difficulties in the economy to which reference is made are recorded in the speaker's present, although also some time ago and will also possibly continue in the near future.
A subjective view
No matter how much we want to avoid it, our opinion of current affairs will always be subjective. The reason is very simple: it is the reality closest to the present , the one that surrounds it, envelops it and takes it through a sea of uncertainty. Today is not a minute or a day, or even a month: it is a period that we cannot delimit until it is over, and that has ups and downs in all aspects of life, from the emotional to the economic.
As a curious fact, we do not usually think about the present until we reach a certain age, although we are always immersed in one. It is then that we acquire a broader perspective, which exceeds the limits of our person and reaches those of a society and even the entire world. Today can be characterized by technological advances, natural disasters or fashion trends, among many other topics that are only connected under this concept.
Events of interest
The concept of current affairs, on the other hand, is usually used with respect to the set of events that are of interest to people at a given time . The news, in this framework, is given by the events that attract the attention of public opinion, which are usually disseminated and analyzed in the media.
The news published by newspapers and information portals deals with current issues. A chronicle about a bank robbery, an economic measure announced by a president, the results of the latest soccer games and a review of a book that went on sale a few days ago are current content. Due to its degree of relevance in society, all of this usually arouses great interest in the public, who access their favorite information channels every day to stay up to date.
The main function of the newspaper is to cover current events
In this sense, it is common to use the term alone to refer to this definition, something that is very common in the media . For example, in a news program they can say "and now, let's move on to current events" to move on to the news section. Something that happened a few days ago or a prediction is not part of the news, although exceptionally it could be if certain conditions were met.
A piece of news must be something that has not been announced so far; From this point of view, therefore, it is true that even if the event took place a few hours or days ago it can fall into this category, be part of the present, but only if its consequences reach the present and modify it in some way. . Regarding predictions, if they are used to qualify the news, such as an estimate of the direction the country's economic situation appears to be taking, then it is also acceptable.