Pocket Reader - News in English

What Are Ballistic Missiles? NYT » World News A look at the kind of weapons fired into Israel.

France’s Prime Minister Urges a Divided Parliament to Give Him a Chance NYT » World News Michel Barnier vowed to slash spending and temporarily raise some taxes, but his plan must contend with three bitterly opposed political blocs and an aversion in France to working across party lines.

Israel Has Destroyed Half of Hezbollah’s Arsenal, U.S. and Israeli Officials Say NYT » World News The Lebanese militia is seeking more weapons from Iran, the officials said. It has yet to fire large barrages at Israel, and its top ranks have been crippled by Israeli strikes.

As Iran Launches a Missile Attack, Israel’s Next Move May Determine Course of War NYT » World News A look back to an exchange of strikes in April suggests one possibility for what could unfold over the coming days.

Four Killed and Several Injured in Tel Aviv Shooting NYT » World News The shooting took place on a major thoroughfare just as an eerie quiet descended on the city ahead of a widely anticipated Iranian missile attack.

Is That a Panda at the Zoo? Or a Dog in a Disguise? NYT » World News Zoos around the world have occasionally used a little dye, or just brazenness, to pass off one animal as another.

U.S. Raises New Concerns Over Chinese Lending Practices NYT » World News A Treasury official will call for greater transparency over emergency currency “swap” loans to struggling countries by China’s central bank.

Map: Israel’s Ground Invasion of Southern Lebanon NYT » World News While details of the operation are scarce, Israel has ordered residents of many southern towns to move north.

Can Rugby League and Drag Queens Coexist? A U.K. Mill Town Finds Out. NYT » World News A gay couple embraced inclusion after buying an English rugby team. To their surprise, the fans bought in, too.

A History of Israel’s Previous Invasions of Lebanon NYT » World News In its earlier invasions, Israel said its aim was to secure its northern frontier and stop cross-border attacks, but it achieved less decisive results than military planners and political leaders intended.

School Bus Fire in Thailand Kills at Least 23 People NYT » World News The vehicle was returning from a field trip and caught fire outside Bangkok. Rescuers were still searching for bodies in the wreckage.

Pope Francis Gets a Cool Reception in Belgium NYT » World News Francis drew attacks over clergy sexual abuse, the role of women in the church and his stance on abortion, reflecting difficulties the church faces in the West.

3 Children Injured, One Seriously, in Zurich Stabbing Attack NYT » World News The police in Switzerland’s largest city said they had arrested a 23-year-old Chinese man after a midday stabbing attack.

Germany Accuses Woman of Spying for China on Arms Exports NYT » World News The woman, who worked at an airport that is one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs, is accused of passing along “flights, freight and passengers” related to arms exports.

In a Shattered Ukrainian Town, a Long Battle Nears a Sudden End NYT » World News The loss of Vuhledar, at the intersection of two fronts, would complicate the defense of a regional transit hub and strengthen Russian supply lines, Ukrainian soldiers say.

Live Updates: Israel Launches Invasion Into Southern Lebanon NYT » World News Israeli troops crossed the border for the first time since 2006 in a ground operation targeting Hezbollah. The Israeli military called for evacuations of more than two dozen villages in southern Lebanon.

Mexico’s First Female President Takes Office NYT » World News A climate scientist and former mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum will be inaugurated on Tuesday as the first woman to lead the country.

As Crisis Builds, Lebanon’s Government Is Nowhere to Be Found NYT » World News Already crippled by years of economic decline, political paralysis and other crises, Lebanon has little but its own citizens’ grit to survive the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Assange, in First Speech Since Release, Says He Was Jailed for Journalism NYT » World News Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, said in public remarks in Strasbourg, France, that his imprisonment had set a dangerous precedent.

Why Did Israel Send Troops Into Southern Lebanon? NYT » World News Israel says it aims to cripple Hezbollah’s forces in an area of southern Lebanon that the armed group controls, and where it has built tunnels into Israel.