Pocket Reader - News in English

When the Oscars Were Held Amid Another Divisive War NYT » World News Three days before the 2003 ceremony, the United States invaded Iraq. Despite pleas to delay the awards, the academy went ahead with what became a politics-suffused evening.

In Parliamentary Vote, Iranians Vented Their Rage With the Ruling Elite NYT » World News Whether handing in blank ballots or voting for fringe candidates, analysts say, citizens registered their frustration with the status quo.

‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Akira Toriyama Dies Age 68 NYT » World News His popular manga inspired numerous television, film and video game adaptations, reaching fans far beyond Japan’s borders.

‘Decolonizing’ Ukrainian Art, One Name-and-Shame Post at a Time NYT » World News Oksana Semenik’s social media campaign both educates the curious about overlooked Ukrainian artists — and pressures global museums to relabel art long described as Russian.

On Foreign Policy, Biden’s Agenda Faces Multiplying Challenges NYT » World News The president’s call for aid to Ukraine and his pledge of assistance for Gaza came against a backdrop of Republican opposition, splits in his own party and tension with allies.

Friday Briefing NYT » World News President Biden’s forceful State of the Union address.

The I.C.C. arrest warrants for Russian officers will echo beyond Russia. NYT » World News The warrants for two commanders over alleged war crimes may set an interesting precedent, legal experts said, including for the conflict in Gaza.

Ireland’s Referendums on Women and Family in the Constitution, Explained NYT » World News The country will consider two amendments: one to remove the reference to a woman’s domestic duties and another to expand the definition of family.

A ‘Tipping Point’ for News in New Zealand NYT » World News “There was no single trigger that caused this,” James Gibbons, a regional executive at Warner Bros Discovery, said.

Hong Kong Pushes Strict New Security Law With Unusual Speed NYT » World News The law targets political offenses like treason and insurrection with penalties as harsh as life imprisonment, giving officials more power to curb dissent.

U.S. Military to Build Floating Pier to Ferry Gaza Aid, White House Says NYT » World News U.S. officials said that a temporary port, built from ships and then moved close to shore, would allow hundreds of truckloads of aid to reach Gazans on the brink of starvation.

Prison Escapees Are Charged With Murder of American Couple in Grenada NYT » World News The couple, Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, went missing while sailing off the coast of Grenada.

Female Genital Cutting Continues to Increase Worldwide NYT » World News Campaigns in some countries have reduced the practice, but it remains widespread in those with high rates of population growth.

José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen, Central to U.S. Gaza Aid Plan, Aims to Ramp Up NYT » World News The organization, founded by the Spanish chef José Andrés, has served more than 32 millions meals in Gaza, and he hopes to do more.

Who Are the Gangs That Have Overrun Haiti’s Capital? NYT » World News The Caribbean nation has plunged into disorder and violence with gangs controlling access to the main airport and seaports, and taking command of many parts of Port-au-Prince.

Hundreds Are Feared Seized in Nigeria, as Kidnapping Epidemic Worsens NYT » World News A mass abduction reported in a region terrorized by Boko Haram, and another days later at a primary school, highlighted the government’s inability to control crime and armed insurgency.

Zelensky Names Ukraine’s Ex-Top General Ambassador to U.K. NYT » World News The former top general, Valery Zaluzhny, was dismissed last month amid tensions with the civilian leadership. He has been a very popular figure in Ukraine.

Friday Briefing: A New Plan for Gaza Aid NYT » World News Also, President Biden’s annual address and Oscar predictions.

Middle East Crisis: U.S. to Build Pier to Allow Aid Into Gaza by Sea NYT » World News Officials said President Biden was expected to announce in his State of the Union on Thursday that the U.S. military would construct a floating pier off the Gaza Strip to let ships deliver tons of food and other aid.

Hamas Negotiators Leave Cairo With No Breakthrough in Cease-Fire Talks NYT » World News Weeks of indirect negotiations appear to have stalled over Hamas’s insistence on a permanent cease-fire during or after any hostage releases, a demand that Israel has rejected.