Pocket Reader - News in English

Iran Accelerates Production of Near-Bomb-Grade Uranium, IAEA Says NYT » World News The United Nations chief inspector says production has quadrupled. But it is not clear whether Iran is trying to touch off a crisis or gather bargaining chips for negotiations with the United States.

A Second Trump Term Is Set to Scramble Trade Alliances NYT » World News Europe’s new pact with South America, its largest deal to date, could be a sign of how countries will diversify trade relationships as Donald Trump threatens tariffs.

Syria’s ‘Frozen Conflict’ Is Now Red Hot NYT » World News When equilibriums are disrupted, chaos can ensue.

As Syrian Rebel Advance Accelerates, Nervous Neighbors Close Their Borders NYT » World News The rebels’ gains prompted Lebanon and Jordan to close border crossings and Israel to reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights.

Leader of Syria’s Resurgent Rebels Lays Out Strategy to Oust Assad NYT » World News In an interview, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the Islamist rebel heading an offensive moving toward Damascus, said the operation was a long time coming.

What to Know About Ghana’s Election NYT » World News Ghanaians voting on Saturday are confronted with a choice familiar to Americans: Return a one-term former president to office, or promote the vice president, at a time when anger over the economy is widespread.

Israeli Attacks Around Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza Kill Scores, Doctors Say NYT » World News Airstrikes, gunfire, panic and orders to evacuate in the dark of night combined to cause heavy casualties in the area of Kamal Adwan, one of the last hospitals still operating in northern Gaza.

As India-Bangladesh Tensions Rise, So Do Fears of Tit-for-Tat Violence NYT » World News A diplomatic dispute over claims of persecution of Bangladeshi Hindus threatens to upend Bangladesh’s interim government.

Canada Moves to Protect Arctic From Threats by Russia and China NYT » World News Ottawa says its focus on the Arctic comes after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “has shaken the foundations” of international cooperation in the northern region.

Romanian Court Annuls Presidential Election NYT » World News The decision came days after the government asserted it had found an online campaign that promoted a little-known ultranationalist candidate, who emerged as a front-runner in the vote.

As Trump Threatens Tariffs, Europe and South America Strengthen Ties NYT » World News The European Union and five South American countries have reached an agreement to establish one of the largest trade zones in the world.

Syrian Rebels Push South, Despite Efforts to Slow Them NYT » World News Government forces are trying to cut off the road that connects the major cities of Hama, which the insurgents have captured, and Homs, which lies on a crucial land corridor.

Arsonists Set Fire to Melbourne Synagogue NYT » World News Witnesses saw two people pouring accelerant in the synagogue early Friday, the police said. Australia’s prime minister condemned the attack as antisemitism.

Inside the Faithful Restoration of Notre-Dame NYT » World News After Notre Dame caught fire in 2019, France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, promised to reopen the cathedral in five years. The timeline seemed a Hail Mary. Yet here we are. Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic for The New York Times, brings us a behind-the-scenes look at the faithful restoration of Notre Dame, which opens to the public on Dec. 8.

Clean Energy Program Races to Finish Work Before Trump Takes Over NYT » World News The Energy Department’s $400 billion program to support electric vehicles, batteries and other low emissions technology is hustling to get money out the door.

Sellers of Toxic Fertilizer Ask Congress: Protect Us From Lawsuits NYT » World News The fertilizer, made from sewage sludge, can be laced with “forever chemicals.” A company controlled by Goldman Sachs helps lead the lobbying.

South Korea’s Martial Law Declaration Stirs Memories in Gwangju NYT » World News The last time South Korea imposed martial law, Gwangju endured a deadly crackdown. Han Kang, the Nobel Prize-winning author, told its story in “Human Acts.”

How Notre-Dame Was Reborn NYT » World News It took about 250 companies, 2,000 workers, about $900 million, a tight deadline and a lot of national pride.

3 Climbers From U.S. and Canada Presumed Dead on New Zealand’s Tallest Peak NYT » World News The police suspended their search for two Americans and a Canadian who went missing while trying to reach the summit of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

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