Pocket Reader - News in English

After black smoke at noon, the crowd in St. Peter’s hopes for white smoke at night. NYT &rt; World News Reacting as black smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday morning.

How Accurate Is the Movie ‘Conclave’? NYT &rt; World News A scene from “Conclave,” a fictionalized account of the selection of a new pope.

Putin and Xi Present a United Front as They Face an Unpredictable Trump NYT &rt; World News The two leaders, meeting in Moscow, hailed their alliance a day ahead of events to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Merz and Germany’s New Government Face a Tricky Challenge: an AfD-Led Opposition NYT &rt; World News Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition is weighing how to confront the Alternative for Germany party, which has been rising in the polls.

Trump Administration to Announce Trade Deal With Britain NYT &rt; World News A deal would be a positive sign for both governments, which have eyed an agreement since President Trump’s first term.

Overnight Clashes Strain Diplomacy Efforts for India and Pakistan NYT &rt; World News The United States and other regional players converged to try to head off war between the neighboring nuclear powers. But more clashes seemed to keep hostilities roiling.

Documentary Identifies Israeli Soldier as Shooter of Palestinian American Journalist NYT &rt; World News After Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in the West Bank in 2022, the Israeli military never revealed the identity of the soldier who fired at her. A documentary said it had confirmed his name.

A convent asks people to spiritually adopt a voting cardinal. NYT &rt; World News On a convent’s website, people can pick a cardinal to support with prayer in the election of the pope.

Victory Day in Russian-Occupied Ukraine: A Muted Celebration NYT &rt; World News Events to mark the holiday in the occupied territories seem to be an effort to show Russian control of land it has captured.

Merz and Germany’s New Government Face a Tricky Challenge: an AfD-Led Opposition NYT &rt; World News Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition is weighing how to confront the Alternative for Germany party, which has been rising in the polls.

Russia’s Military Show of Strength Masks Economic and Diplomatic Cracks NYT &rt; World News The annual Moscow parade marking victory over Nazi Germany is expected to be the largest in years, with world leaders in attendance, as the Kremlin tries to link that triumph to the war in Ukraine.

For Embattled Starmer, U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal Will Count as a Win NYT &rt; World News Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spent months nurturing his relationship with President Trump. Is that about to pay off?

Crowds begin to gather in St. Peter’s Square. NYT &rt; World News Gathering in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday.

No Phones, No Internet: The Vote for a New Pope Is Held in Extreme Secrecy NYT &rt; World News The process of selecting a new pope, which takes place in the Sistine Chapel, is intended to be leakproof.

Here’s the latest. NYT &rt; World News

How Long Will the Conclave Take? NYT &rt; World News There is no formal time limit for cardinals to elect a pope. Past papal selections have lasted from a few hours to three years.

At What Times Will the Cardinals Vote Next for a New Pope? NYT &rt; World News People watching a screen in St. Peter’s Square showing cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Wednesday.

Agatha Christie, Who Died in 1976, Will See You in Class NYT &rt; World News An avatar of the long-dead British novelist is “teaching” an online writing course. But do we want to learn from a digital prosthetic built by artificial intelligence?

Thursday Briefing NYT &rt; World News Tensions between India and Pakistan.

Europe Alone and in Shock on V-E Day NYT &rt; World News On the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat, echoes of tyrannies past shake a continent that is trying to find its footing in the face of President Trump’s hostility.