Pocket Reader - News in English

Venezuela Frees 6 Americans After Visit by Trump Envoy NYT » World News Richard Grenell, the envoy for special missions, said he was flying home with the detainees after he met with President Nicolás Maduro.

How Trump’s Tariffs Could Affect Americans NYT » World News President Trump relies on tariffs to address trade, immigration and drug issues. Ana Swanson, who covers trade and international economics for The New York Times, explains their potential impact on everyday Americans.

Belgium Forms a Government After 7 Months of Squabbling NYT » World News The country’s tense negotiations hinged on taxing and social spending — and they highlight issues facing Europe, and Western democracies, as a whole.

U.S. Considers Sending Israel 24,000 Assault Rifles Held Back Under Biden NYT » World News Democratic lawmakers had expressed concerns to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken about the rifles possibly going to settler militias or being misused by the police.

Italian Judges Block Meloni’s Plan to Hold Asylum Seekers in Albania NYT » World News It was the third ruling against the policy of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government by a court, which ruled against the transfers pending a review next month by an E.U. court.

The World Economy Awaits Trump’s First Round of Tariffs NYT » World News Economists, policymakers and investors are bracing for a trade war that has been brewing since Election Day.

German Opposition Gambles With Far-Right on Immigration, and Loses NYT » World News Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democrats broke a political taboo by working with the hard-right Alternative for Germany to toughen rules on immigration. It did not pay off.

Hamas to Free Yarden Bibas, Israeli Father Whose Family Was Taken Hostage NYT » World News Hamas said it will release the hostage Yarden Bibas, 35, on Saturday. His wife and children were also taken captive on Oct. 7, 2023, but may not have survived.

Gaza’s Border Crossing at Rafah Reopens to Let Sick and Wounded Leave NYT » World News The Rafah crossing has been shuttered for over eight months.

Norway Seizes Russian-Crewed Ship Suspected of Cutting an Undersea Cable NYT » World News The authorities said they believed the vessel may have been involved in damaging the cable, the latest act of apparent sabotage in the Baltic Sea.

Trump’s Deportations Only Work if Countries Agree to Take Their Citizens Back NYT » World News Sending people to another country requires bilateral negotiations and diplomatic strong arming.

In Zimbabwe, Rhinos Are the Focus of a Village Tourism Project NYT » World News On the fringes of an African game park, an ambitious project brings together tourists, local communities and white rhinos, emerging from the brink of extinction.

Egypt Fears Syria’s Revolutionary Fervor Could Be Contagious NYT » World News Since Islamist rebels overthrew the Assad dictatorship in Syria, Egypt, with parallels in its own recent history, has watched warily.

Hamas Names 3 Hostages It Says Will Be Freed This Weekend NYT » World News Keith Siegel, an American-Israeli, will be released along with Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon in exchange for scores of Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons, the group said.

How the World Is Reeling From Trump’s Aid Freeze NYT » World News President Trump’s order to halt most foreign aid has intensified humanitarian crises and raised questions about the United States’ reliability as a global leader.

Where the Taxis Are Motorcycles, and the Drivers Are Women NYT » World News Kenya’s “Boda Girls” are turning a male-dominated industry upside down. Their favored customers are pregnant women needing rides to the hospital.

What to Know About Trump’s Military Deportation Flights NYT » World News The president authorized the military to assist in deportations. The planes triggered a crisis between the United States and Colombia, and prompted questions. Here’s what to know.

Friday Briefing NYT » World News Here’s what you need to know.

Kremlin Chokes YouTube Service, but Russians Find Ways Around It NYT » World News The Kremlin is trying to cripple YouTube in Russia, internet experts say, pushing some people to state-controlled domestic alternatives. But many Russians have found workarounds.

North Korean Troops in Russia Taken off Front Lines NYT » World News North Korea sent its best troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. But after months of suffering severe losses, they have been taken off the front line.