Pocket Reader - News in English

Pollution May Affect the Color of City Birds, Research Shows NYT » World News Recent studies show that certain feather pigments can help neutralize toxic pollution. It means darker, duller birds might have a survival advantage.

U.S. Moves to Block a Popular Tariff-Free Path for Chinese Goods NYT » World News The Biden administration said it would clamp down on billions of dollars in small-dollar imports that ship directly to consumers.

Typhoon Yagi Leaves at Least 110 Dead in Myanmar NYT » World News Rescuers in Myanmar reported finding bodies swept away by the powerful storm, which left a trail of destruction there and in neighboring countries.

Some Gazans Say Polio Drive Is Futile While Israel Keeps Bombing NYT » World News Palestinians living with the daily fear of Israeli strikes see a level of absurdity in the international drive to vaccinate their children.

Diplomacy Over Ukraine War Is About Bolstering Forces NYT » World News For both Ukraine and Russia, battlefield gains now might provide an upper hand in any peace talks later. That’s reflected in their discussions over arms with allies.

China Raises Retirement Age for the First Time Since the 1950s NYT » World News The move, made in the hope of addressing an aging population, was decidedly unpopular.

Toronto Film Festival Pulls Documentary on Russian Soldiers NYT » World News The festival canceled the screenings of “Russians at War,” which has been criticized as Kremlin propaganda. The filmmaker has said it is an antiwar film.

Dejected Social Media Users Call ‘Garbage Time’ Over China’s Ailing Economy NYT » World News The sports term refers to a time during a game when defeat becomes inevitable. Officialdom is warning against using it to take veiled jabs at the country’s political and economic system.

Pedro Almodóvar, Master of Mystifying Films, Wrote a Book He Can’t Classify NYT » World News In “The Last Dream,” the Spanish director offers insights into his complicated relationship with creativity and mortality.

Russia Expels 6 U.K. Diplomats as Tensions Mount Over Missiles NYT » World News The move was made in response to “the numerous unfriendly steps taken by London,” Moscow said as Britain signaled a willingness to allow Ukraine to use its long-range weapons.

Why the Fight for Control Over the Philadelphi Corridor? NYT » World News The increasingly bitter dispute has not just affected cease-fire talks but also destabilized a once-strong security partnership between Egypt and Israel.

A Long Life, Thanks to Where You Live? Not Likely, Says Ig Nobel Winner. NYT » World News An Australian researcher found that many areas that supposedly produce lots of centenarians also produce shoddy record-keeping.

North Korea Reveals Weapons-Grade Uranium Factory NYT » World News Its leader, Kim Jong-un, visited the factory and urged his country to produce more highly enriched uranium to build “exponentially” more nuclear weapons.

Pope’s Grueling Asia Tour Points Toward a Less Western Church NYT » World News The long trip by a frail, 87-year-old pope was seen as a bold endeavor and a muscular step for a global church looking East.

Pakistan Begins Vaccination Program Against Polio NYT » World News The resurgence is part of a global revival of a disease once close to being eradicated, but geographic and cultural factors magnify Pakistan’s challenge.

The Contention Over Mexico’s Plan to Elect Judges, Explained NYT » World News A sweeping change would have thousands of judges, from local courtrooms all the way up to the Supreme Court, elected instead of appointed.

Mexico Remakes Its Entire Judicial System as States Back Vast Overhaul NYT » World News The plan, championed by Mexico’s president, would have voters elect judges at every level, dramatically restructuring the third branch of government.

U.N. and Britain Denounce Israeli Attack in Gaza That Killed U.N. Workers NYT » World News Israel said the former school had become a haven for militants and released a list of men it said were Hamas fighters targeted in the attack.

Biden Poised to Approve Ukraine’s Use of Long-Range Western Weapons in Russia NYT » World News The topic will be on the agenda Friday with the first visit to Washington by Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer.

Friday Briefing: U.S. May Let Ukraine Use Long-range Weapons NYT » World News Plus, will Taylor Swift’s endorsement affect the U.S. election?