Pocket Reader - News in English

China Keeps Building Stadiums in Africa. But at What Cost? NYT » World News This year’s Africa Cup of Nations, like several previous editions, played out in Chinese-built arenas. It will end with familiar questions about their legacy.

Ricardo Martinelli Vows to Run for President of Panama From Nicaraguan Embassy NYT » World News Convicted of money laundering, Ricardo Martinelli, a conservative ex-president who had planned to run again, has sought refuge in the embassy of leftist and autocratic Nicaragua.

On a Frozen Border, Finland Puzzles Over a ‘Russian Game’ NYT » World News As it votes on Sunday for a new president, NATO’s newest member says Moscow is testing it by turning asylum seekers into a political pressure point.

Manhattan or Pulau Rhun? In 1667, Nutmeg Made the Choice a No-Brainer. NYT » World News Growing a spice once worth its weight in gold, a tiny isle in Indonesia was so coveted that the Dutch traded Manhattan for it. Some 350 years later, life on the two islands couldn’t be more different.

Netanyahu Orders Military Evacuation Plan for Rafah in Gaza NYT » World News Many civilians in Rafah are sheltering in rickety tents made of plastic and wood and say there is nowhere left in Gaza to avoid Israeli shelling.

Moody’s Downgrades Israel’s Credit Rating, Citing Toll of War With Hamas NYT » World News Israel’s creditworthiness remains high, but the rating agency noted that the outlook for the country was negative considering the risks from the continued conflict.

John Bruton Dies at 76; Negotiated for Peace as Irish Prime Minister NYT » World News He made strides to end the sectarian violence that plagued Northern Ireland through the 1990s by collaborating with both Britain and the Irish Republican Army.

U.S. Rejects Putin’s Latest Call for Ukraine Negotiations NYT » World News Skepticism remains high about the Russian leader’s intentions after he told Tucker Carlson that the war in Ukraine could be settled with a peace deal.

In a Victory for Poland Spring, Maine Rejects New Groundwater Limits NYT » World News The bottled-water company last year tried to kill legislation aimed at protecting aquifers at a time when many are at risk nationally.

As Biden Shifts on Israel, Top Aide Expresses Regret for ‘Missteps’ NYT » World News In a closed-door meeting, the aide offered some of the administration’s clearest notes of contrition for its response to the Gaza war, a sign of rising Democratic pressure on President Biden.

They’re the Stanley Cup Champions. And That’s a Lot of Mugs. NYT » World News The ‘it’ mug’s selling point is sustainability — one cup to replace many disposable bottles. But what does it mean when people buy lots of them?

In Tucker Carlson Interview, Putin Suggests a Peace Deal (on His Terms) NYT » World News The Russian leader clearly believes he can now negotiate from strength, but the message in the Tucker Carlson interview was muddled, critics say.

How Two Irish Businessmen Almost Took Nigeria for $11 Billion NYT » World News A mundane contractual provision met with rampant corruption — revealing a serious vulnerability in one of the backbones of international commerce.

Prince Harry Gets Damages in Hacking Case and Calls Out Piers Morgan NYT » World News After settling his privacy claims with Mirror Group Newspapers, the prince criticized Mr. Morgan, saying the former editor of The Mirror “knew perfectly well what was going on.”

Is Soccer Ready to Retire Its Last Taboo? NYT » World News A new documentary about gay players tells a story that is, in some ways, no longer a story.

Ukraine Has a New Military Commander but the Problems Haven’t Changed NYT » World News As Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky assumes his role, he must reckon with a grim calculus: When does the cost of defending ground outweigh any benefit gained by inflicting pain on the enemy?

In Reversal, Guinness Gives a Frenchman’s Matchstick Eiffel Tower the Record NYT » World News Weeks after disqualifying a 24-foot tower made of matchsticks, Guinness World Records apologized and said it had been too “heavy handed.”

Biden sharpens criticism of Israel, calling its Gaza response ‘over the top.’ NYT » World News “There are a lot of innocent people who are in trouble and dying,” the president said in a session with reporters. “And it’s got to stop.”

Robert Badinter, Who Won Fight to End Death Penalty in France, Dies at 95 NYT » World News He spent decades as an esteemed defense lawyer but was best known as the justice minister who enacted a 1981 law abolishing capital punishment.

Demolition of Muslim Properties Sets Off Deadly Violence in India NYT » World News When officials arrived to raze a mosque and seminary ruled to be illegally located on public property, they encountered hundreds of protesters.