Pocket Reader - News in English

Monday Briefing: Al-Assad’s Final Days in Power NYT » World News Plus, parody as protest in South Korea.

Small Plane Crashes Into Buildings in Brazilian City NYT » World News Initial reports suggested it was unlikely that those on the plane survived. At least 14 other people were believed to have been injured on the ground.

Germany Searches for Motives in Christmas Market Attack NYT » World News The authorities said they were struggling to understand the motives for the attack with a car in the eastern city of Magdeburg, in which a 9-year-old boy was among the five victims.

Removing Carbon From the Sky Could Be the Next Climate Gold Rush NYT » World News Investors are betting that they can make a dent in global warming, and healthy profits, with companies that alter the atmosphere.

On the Prowl for the Perfect Wave, and a Chance to Proselytize NYT » World News Christian Surfers, a group of missionaries who surf, have expanded to a remote part of Costa Rica, where people come from afar looking for the “perfect wave.” And maybe a little Jesus?

U.S. Fighter Jet Shot Down Over Red Sea by Apparent Friendly Fire NYT » World News A U.S. Navy ship mistakenly fired at the F/A-18, whose two pilots were safely recovered, the military said.

Niger Buckles Under Relentless Jihadist Fire NYT » World News In the West African nation of Niger, killings by insurgents have surged since the military seized power in a coup, expelled U.S. and European troops and stopped negotiations with Islamist groups.

‘Nutcracker’ Is a Casualty of a ‘Quarantine’ of Russian Culture in Lithuania NYT » World News Lithuania’s national opera house had stopped showing Tchaikovsky’s 1892 masterpiece in solidarity with Ukraine over the war with Russia. Then a new minister expressed fondness for the Russian composer, igniting a furor.

Iran’s Energy Crisis Hits ‘Dire’ Point as Industries Are Forced to Shut Down NYT » World News Although Iran has one of the biggest supplies of natural gas and crude oil in the world, it finds itself in a full blown energy emergency, coming just as it also suffers major geopolitical setbacks.

Inside the Final Days of the Assad Regime in Syria NYT » World News President Bashar al-Assad, who wielded fear and force over Syria for more than two decades, fled the country under the cover of night — and a fake political address.

Germany Bulked Up Christmas Market Security. An Attack Still Happened. NYT » World News The latest deadly assault on a beloved German tradition illustrates the challenge of holiday safety.

Pope Uses Christmas Message to Chide Advisers About Gossiping NYT » World News Francis urged the Vatican inner circle to bless more and talk less badly of others. It wasn’t the first time he had used the occasion to scold them.

Your Favorite Things NYT » World News Today, your highly personal, hyperspecific best-ofs of 2024.

In Top Minister’s Resignation, Shades of an Earlier Political Crisis for Trudeau NYT » World News Chrystia Freeland’s departure this week recalls the 2019 SNC-Lavalin affair, in which Jody Wilson-Raybould quit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet after a demotion.

How Canada’s Voters Turned on Justin Trudeau NYT » World News Canada’s prime minister gained global renown 10 years ago for his unabashedly progressive politics. But at home, voters turned sour on him long ago.

Amid Russian Attacks, Ukraine Seeks New Ways to Power Its Cities NYT » World News The Ukrainian energy network has been so battered by Russian attacks that officials are seeking out new options to prevent a crisis, like renting floating power plants and scavenging scrapped ones from the region.

German Officials Search for Motive in Christmas Market Attack NYT » World News At least four people were killed and more than 200 others injured after a driver rammed an SUV into a crowded Christmas market in eastern Germany.

A Restaurant Is More Than a Workplace for People Often Shunned by Employers NYT » World News A popular restaurant in Buenos Aires is staffed almost entirely by workers with neurological challenges, tapping into often-overlooked talent and harnessing their skills.

Pakistan Faces Resurgance of Terrorism NYT » World News Political instability, dwindling public support and economic constraints are eroding the costly gains that the country made in combating militancy after a ghastly school attack in 2014.

For Syria’s Economy, the Way Forward Starts With Sanctions Relief NYT » World News Years of strife ruined the energy sector, battered the currency and strangled growth. The West must ease financial controls to help the economy, experts say.