Pocket Reader - News in English

Is Bird Flu Coming to People Next? Are We Ready? NYT » World News Unlike the coronavirus, the H5N1 virus has been studied for years. Vaccines and treatments are available should they ever become necessary.

McDonald’s to Buy Back 225 Franchised Outlets in Israel After Boycotts NYT » World News The move highlighted deepening political rifts facing multinationals in the region and follows boycotts after the fast-food chain’s Israeli franchise owner donated thousands of meals to soldiers.

Tensions Run High at Al Aqsa Mosque on the Last Friday of Ramadan NYT » World News The Israeli police said they arrested eight people at the compound in Jerusalem, where thousands of Muslim worshippers had come for dawn prayers amid heavy security.

Israel Says Combat Helicopter Strike Most Likely Killed a Hostage on Oct. 7 NYT » World News An inquiry found that a combat helicopter had “fired at a vehicle that had terrorists in it” but also, “in retrospect,” hostages.

Why Real Madrid Is Soccer’s Model Club NYT » World News The club is strutting into a future different from the one envisioned by its president, Florentino Pérez. But its prospects are as bright as ever.

Author Who Defected From North Korea Wins Defamation Lawsuit NYT » World News Jang Jin-sung​, known for his memoir “Dear Leader,” was accused of rape by a fellow North Korean defector. He sued her and a South Korean broadcaster and won.

Israeli Military Says Series of Failures Led to World Central Kitchen Attack NYT » World News “It’s a serious event that we’re responsible for, and it shouldn’t have happened,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said of the strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers.

Middle East Crisis: U.S., Aid Groups Cautiously Welcome Promise of New Routes Into Gaza NYT » World News Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said that the United States was “looking to see” if Israel prioritizes getting more food and other aid into Gaza.

After 6 Months of War, Some Israelis Ask: Is Netanyahu Dragging It Out? NYT » World News Despite growing pressure from President Biden, the Israeli prime minister appears in no rush to end the war in Gaza. Some think he has political reasons for extending the stasis.

Dwindling Ammunition Stocks Pose Grave Threat to Ukraine NYT » World News What few munitions remain are often mismatched with battlefield needs as the country’s forces gird for an expected Russian offensive this summer.

A Breakthrough in Plastic Recycling Is Coming Up Short NYT » World News Big brands like Procter & Gamble and Nestlé say a new generation of plants will help them meet environmental goals, but the technology is struggling to deliver.

Documentary Filmmaker Explores Japan’s Rigorous Education Rituals NYT » World News Her movies try to explain why Japan is the way it is, showing both the upsides and downsides of the country’s commonplace practices. Her latest film focuses on an elementary school.

In Australia, a Nation’s Banh Mi Love Affair NYT » World News “We’ll make the best of it here. And they can call it a pork roll.”

Friday Briefing NYT » World News The Times’s Jerusalem bureau chief on six months of war between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu Faces Pressure at Home and Abroad, From Foes and Friends NYT » World News Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the challenge of trying to defeat Hamas while preserving both his government and Israel’s international alliances.

Israel Agrees to Open Erez Crossing for Gaza Aid After Biden Pressure, U.S. Says NYT » World News Israel has come under rising pressure from U.S. officials and humanitarian agencies to allow more aid into Gaza, amid warnings that famine is looming.

NATO Wants to Show Support for Ukraine, but Only So Much NYT » World News Admitting Kyiv is a nonstarter as long as the war with Russia is raging. But the member nations want to show they are supporting Ukraine “for the long haul.”

Richard Benedick, Negotiator of Landmark Ozone Treaty, Dies at 88 NYT » World News He played a key role in securing the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental pact to protect the ozone layer by reducing the use of certain chemicals.

Iran Says 17-Hour Battle With Separatists Leaves 28 Dead in 2 Cities NYT » World News Jaish al-Adl, an ethnic Baluch group designated by the United States as a terrorist organization, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Friday Briefing: Six Months of the Israel-Hamas War NYT » World News Also, the rise of “carefluencers.”