Pocket Reader - News in English

Palestinians Gather in West Bank to Welcome Prisoners Released by Israel NYT » World News Throngs of people eagerly waited on Thursday for more than 100 Palestinian prisoners who were released from Israel in exchange for hostages held in Gaza.

Friday Briefing: 67 Dead in Washington Air Collision NYT » World News Plus, Beyoncé vs. Swift at the Grammys.

3 Are Arrested in Dutch Museum Heist NYT » World News The police said they had yet to recover the golden helmet of Cotofenesti, a prized artifact from Romania, and other artifacts stolen from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands over the weekend.

Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoners After Chaotic Hostage Handover NYT » World News Hamas freed three Israelis and five Thai nationals in exchange for more than 100 Palestinians. But the militant group struggled to control crowds, prompting a delay.

Married Russian Figure-Skating Stars Are Among Victims of Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. NYT » World News A Boston skating club confirmed that Yevgeniya Shishkova, 52, and Vadim Naumov, 55, were on the plane that crashed after colliding with a military helicopter.

Naming of New Syrian President Is Met With Some Wariness at Home NYT » World News While some Syrians celebrated Ahmed al-Shara as head of state, others questioned how the decision to elevate the rebel leader was made.

Father Slays New York Girl, 14, in TikTok ‘Honor Killing’ NYT » World News After being lured to Pakistan, Hira Anwar was fatally shot by her father and an uncle over online posts that her parents believed were immodest, the police said.

Zakaria Zubeidi, Militant Who Briefly Escaped Israeli Prison, Is Among Released Palestinians NYT » World News Mr. Zubeidi, who was also once a theater director, stunned Israelis and Palestinians alike when he and others broke out of jail in 2021.

Live Updates: Israel Begins to Release Prisoners After Chaotic Hostage Handover NYT » World News The release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners as laid out in the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal had been in doubt after crowds in southern Gaza surrounded hostages who were being freed.

Security at ISIS Camps in Syria Threatened by U.S. Funding Freeze NYT » World News A halt in foreign aid may undermine American organizations’ support for forces that guard the two largest camps holding Islamic State members and their families.

Kyiv’s Mayor Feuds With President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine NYT » World News The mayor, Vitali Klitschko, who has had a tense relationship with President Volodymyr Zelensky, accused him of trying to usurp the powers of elected officials in the capital.

In Thailand, Faraway Vigil for Hostages Ends in Happy Tears NYT » World News The father of a Thai farmhand who was held hostage in Gaza for 15 months could barely get the words out at hearing the news of his son’s release.

Who Is Syria’s New Interim President? NYT » World News The rebel chief who led the overthrow of the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad has been declared the head of government for a transitional period.

Who Are the 3 Israeli Hostages Released Thursday? NYT » World News Hamas released eight hostages, including three Israelis and five Thais, as part of a hostage-for-prisoner exchange.

After Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede, Concerns of Cover-Up NYT » World News The late release of casualty figures at the gathering of millions of people was seen as shielding the political fortunes of a local leader with national aspirations.

Rescuers in Japan Try to Reach Driver Trapped in Sinkhole For Days NYT » World News Emergency workers have been hampered by unstable ground since Tuesday, when a truck and its driver were swallowed north of Tokyo.

What Israel’s UNRWA Ban Could Mean for Palestinians NYT » World News Legislation that goes into effect on Thursday bars UNRWA from operating in the country. That will affect aid delivery to Gaza and beyond.

Salwan Momika, Who Burned a Quran in Sweden, Is Killed NYT » World News Salwan Momika, an Iraqi immigrant in Sweden, set off enormous protests when he burned a Quran in 2023. He had been scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Thai Families Wait in Anxious Hope for Gaza Hostage Release NYT » World News Five families hoped that their loved ones were finally being released from Gaza after 15 months as hostages.

Pause on U.S. Funding Spreads Fear of H.I.V. Spike Across Africa NYT » World News Patients and health care advocates said the abrupt decision to halt U.S. funding for a lifesaving H.I.V. program led to widespread confusion. The backtracking didn’t help.