Tuesday briefing
The Israeli Supreme Court rejects the law that limits the judiciary
In a momentous 8-7 ruling that could trigger a constitutional crisis, Israel’s Supreme Court overturned a law passed in July by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government that limited the court’s own powers. The law would prevent judges from overruling ministers’ decisions. Read the latest news.
The decision is likely to reignite a dire domestic situation that began a year ago over the government’s judiciary overhaul plan – which sparked mass protests that at times brought the country to a near standstill – even as Israel is at war in Gaza. The ruling heralds a potential confrontation between the highest judicial authority and the ruling coalition. This is what the judges wrote.
In a country that has one parliament building, no formally written constitution and a largely ceremonial president, many defenders of Israel’s liberal democracy see the Supreme Court as the only bulwark against government power.
Background: Netanyahu’s governing coalition, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in Israel’s history, has argued that the Supreme Court has overstepped its authority and undermined the will of voters and the function of the elected government.
Other news from the war:
A powerful earthquake hits Japan
An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Japan Seismic Intensity Scale struck western Japan around 4:10 pm yesterday. The quake triggered evacuation orders in several prefectures, trapped people under collapsed buildings and disrupted electricity for tens of thousands of people in Ishikawa Prefecture, the quake’s epicenter, officials and Japan’s public broadcaster said. View a map of the earthquake.
Officials issued tsunami warnings and then downgraded them to warnings, indicating there was a lower risk of dangerous waves hitting the western coastline. Still, authorities urged people to remain cautious and avoid going near the coast until the advisory was lifted.
Putin promises to continue the bombings
In rare public comments, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin vowed to continue rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities in retaliation for what he called a “terrorist attack” that killed at least 22 people in the Russian city of Belgorod on Saturday.
Russian forces have in recent days bombarded Ukrainian cities with some of the largest rocket attacks since the invasion began. The cycle of strikes and retaliation is raising fears that there will be more civilian casualties in the conflict, which began in February 2022.
Quotable: “They want to scare us, create a certain uncertainty in the country,” Putin said. “For our part, we will build up the strikes.”
In Moscow: A prison wedding offered a glimpse into the lives of Russian political prisoners.
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ARTS AND IDEAS
Find five minutes to rest
Research shows that taking short, revitalizing breaks can help you strengthen yourself throughout the day. These breaks are not naps, but offer similar benefits: they restore attention, reduce fatigue, increase vitality and improve well-being and mood.
Dr. Sue Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, calls these “oasis moments” — about five minutes in a soothing place, spent doing something you enjoy. It could be a short walk or a cup of coffee, or just taking slow, deep breaths away from work.
Then notice how you feel: are you feeling a little fresher? If you enjoyed this exercise, consider taking a five-minute break every day this week and in the weeks and months to come to keep the rewards coming. Try a guided rest exercise during the day here.