Pocket Reader - News in English

The New Threat to Brazil’s Forests: Chemicals NYT » World News Authorities use satellites to track deforestation caused by chain saws or fire. Now criminals are using chemicals to degrade trees — and evade detection.

Part-Time Farmers, Part-Time Rock Stars: A Chinese Band’s Unlikely Rise NYT » World News The band, Varihnaz, has gained fans by offering an alternative to China’s hyper-polished, fast-paced modern life, with songs about pesticides and poultry raising.

Houthi Arrests of Yemenis on Spying Charges Alarm Diplomats and Aid Workers NYT » World News The Iran-backed Houthi militia has detained dozens of Yemenis linked to the U.S. Embassy or international organizations recently.

In U.K. Budget, Labour’s First Big Political Moment Offers Risk and Reward NYT » World News British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has stumbled since his party won a landslide victory, but the financial plan to be announced on Wednesday offers a possible relaunch.

Israel’s Parliament Passes Bills Banning UNRWA, Agency That Aids Palestinians NYT » World News Israeli soldiers next to UNRWA offices in central Gaza in February, photographed during an escorted tour.

He Told 911 a Bear Had Chased Him Off a Cliff. Now, He’s Wanted for Murder. NYT » World News The sheriff in a rural Tennessee county said his office is searching for a man who used a stolen identity to pose as a victim.

Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Resume, Overshadowed by U.S. Election NYT » World News Envoys from Israel, Egypt, the United States and Qatar took part in the negotiations, but no agreements are expected until American voters choose their next president.

Israeli Forces Withdraw From Northern Gaza Hospital After 3-Day Raid NYT » World News The Gaza health ministry said the staff of the facility, Kamal Adwan Hospital, had been expelled or detained and urged people in Gaza with surgical skills to go there to save those patients they could.

Iran Executes Jamshid Sharmahd, German-Iranian Opponent Who Lived in U.S. NYT » World News Jamshid Sharmahd had been accused of helping in a deadly terrorist bombing in 2008. Another Iranian prisoner, the Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, is in the hospital.

Tuesday Briefing: The U.S. Campaign’s Final Stretch NYT » World News Plus, the “Ketamine Queen.”

Ukraine Braces for Russian Assault in Kursk Using North Korean Troops NYT » World News Several thousand North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia’s western Kursk region, where they are expected to support Moscow’s efforts to dislodge invading Ukrainian forces.

British Labour Lawmaker Suspended After Punches Thrown NYT » World News Video that emerged over the weekend appeared to show Mike Amesbury, a Labour party lawmaker, hitting a man in the face and then repeatedly landing more body blows.

Gérard Depardieu’s Sexual Assault Trial Is Postponed Until March NYT » World News The French movie star’s lawyer said poor health kept his client from court on Monday.

Israel’s Knesset to Consider Conscription, UNRWA and Terrorism NYT » World News Israel’s Knesset opened its winter session on Monday against a backdrop of war in Gaza and Lebanon and with some contentious matters on the agenda.

Trump’s Vast Tariffs Would Rock Global Businesses and Shake Alliances NYT » World News Economists said Donald Trump’s plan to return trade barriers to levels not seen in generations would be “a grenade thrown in the heart” of the international system.

As Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Resume, Little Progress Is Expected Before the U.S. Election NYT » World News Analysts said Israel was expected to wait until the outcome of the election before deciding on its stance on a cease-fire in Gaza. Hamas officials seem reluctant to compromise.

One-Third of World’s Trees Face Extinction Risk, Report at COP16 Says NYT » World News They play an essential role in supporting life on Earth, but many species are in decline, researchers found.

‘Grate Cheese Robbery’ Scams Company Out of 22 Tons of Cheddar NYT » World News Neal’s Yard, a leading cheese retailer in London, said that a shipment of 22 metric tons of rare Cheddar had disappeared in the con.

Tommy Robinson, an Anti-immigrant Agitator in Britain, Gets Jail Sentence NYT » World News Mr. Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, was sentenced to 18 months for ignoring a court order to stop making false claims about a teenage Syrian refugee.

Ukraine Braces for Russian Assault in Kursk Using North Korean Troops NYT » World News Several thousand North Korean soldiers have arrived in Russia’s western Kursk region, where they are expected to support Moscow’s efforts to dislodge invading Ukrainian forces.