Pocket Reader - News in English

Austria Coalition Talks Collapse, Raising Prospects for Far-Right Freedom Party NYT » World News The leader of the anti-immigrant Freedom Party of Austria, founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, was expected to be asked to enter into talks to form a new government.

In Reversal, Musk Trashes Farage, U.K.’s Anti-Immigrant Populist NYT » World News Elon Musk, the billionaire backer of Donald J. Trump, had been promoting Nigel Farage. But on Sunday Mr. Musk said Mr. Farage “doesn’t have what it takes.”

Ukraine Attacks Kursk Region of Russia Anew NYT » World News Ukrainian forces’ assault was in the Russian region where they made a surprise incursion last summer.

Israel’s Military Pounds Gaza as Pressure Mounts for Cease-fire NYT » World News Gaza’s health ministry said that 88 people had been killed over the past day. Israeli and Hamas officials have been holding indirect cease-fire talks via mediators in Qatar.

Costas Simitis, 2-Time Prime Minister of Greece, Dies at 88 NYT » World News Mr. Simitis imposed financial measures to prepare for Greece’s entry into the eurozone and laid the groundwork for the Olympic Games’ return to Athens.

On the Run, a Hit Man Gives One Last Confession NYT » World News Edgar Matobato says he killed again and again for former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. Now he’s trying to stay alive to testify.

Israel’s Military Pounds Gaza as Pressure Mounts for Cease-fire NYT » World News The Israeli military said it struck more than 100 targets across the enclave over the weekend. Israeli and Hamas officials have been holding indirect cease-fire talks via mediators in Qatar.

On the Run, a Hit Man Gives One Last Confession NYT » World News Edgar Matobato says he killed again and again for former President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. Now he’s trying to stay alive to testify.

A Gas Cutoff Sends Shivers Through a Russian-Backed Breakaway Region NYT » World News A renegade part of Moldova once boasted it would become a Russian-speaking Switzerland. Now without gas, its leader assured residents, “We will not allow a societal collapse.”

In Damascus, Syrians Reclaim Spaces and Freedoms After al-Assad’s Fall NYT » World News Residents of Syria’s capital are picnicking on a once-forbidden mountaintop and trading openly in dollars and imported Nescafe. They say the city seems theirs again.

Hong Kong’s Cabbies, Long Scorned and Frustrated, Face the End of an Era NYT » World News A government push to modernize taxi services comes up against the habits of drivers known for driving fast and accepting only cash.

A Frigid First: Chile’s President Visits Antarctica to Bolster Claims NYT » World News Chile’s president traveled to the South Pole, the first visit of any sitting Latin American president, according to his office.

Italy’s Prime Minister Visits Trump in Mar-a-Lago NYT » World News Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, joins just a handful of other world leaders who have been to the president-elect’s Florida estate since his victory.

Hamas Releases Video of Teenage Israeli Soldier Held Hostage in Gaza NYT » World News Liri Albag, 19, is one of about 100 hostages believed to remain held in the enclave nearly 15 months after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

Syria’s International Airport to Reopen as Government Presses for Stability NYT » World News Tensions are high on Syria’s border with Lebanon. The ouster of President Bashar al-Assad led to worry that violence could spill over into neighboring countries.

The Year Ahead NYT » World News There’s an empty calendar spread out before us. What meaning will we give to it?

Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116 NYT » World News Born in 1908, she raised four children, ran a family textile factory during World War II, and remained an avid hiker into her 80s.

How Hybrid Tactics Targeted NATO Allies in 2024: Drones, Exploding Parcels, Sabotage NYT » World News Russia and other hostile states have become increasingly brazen in adopting “gray zone” attacks against Europe and the United States, leaving defense officials with a dilemma: How to respond?

Jimmy Carter Helped Clean Up Canada’s Chalk River Nuclear Accident NYT » World News The former American president, who died this week at 100, was among those who came to clean up a partial meltdown at Chalk River, Ontario.

‘The Interview’: Antony Blinken Insists He and Biden Made the Right Calls NYT » World News At the end of a tenure marked by war and division, the outgoing secretary of state defends his legacy on Gaza and Ukraine and says he’s made America stronger.