4.10.2023

Abortion Pill Ruling

A pair of opposing judicial decisions over the weekend left the status of a common abortion pill up in the air, with two federal judges issuing contradictory rulings on whether Mifepristone should remain on the market. The pill, one of two drugs used for medically induced abortions, appears likely to remain available in the short term. 

In the first ruling, Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk found the Food and Drug Administration ignored safety concerns during an accelerated decision-making process when considering the drug roughly two decades ago (read ruling). The judge also found mailing of abortion-inducing drugs violates the Comstock Act, passed in 1873. 

Minutes after issuing the decision, Washington state Judge Thomas Rice issued a separate ruling requiring Mifepristone to remain available—arguing, in part, it was unusual for the judicial wing to intervene in executive branch regulatory decisions (read ruling). Legal experts say the case is likely to be heard by the Supreme Court.

Mifepristone is authorized for use up to 10 weeks into gestation. Surveys suggest drug-induced abortions—as opposed to surgical procedures—account for more than half of all abortions in the US each year. 

Ukraine Leak

The Justice Department is investigating a leak of classified US intelligence documents uploaded to a Discord server early last month. Images of some of those documents were shared widely on social media last week in a significant breach of American intelligence. 

The leaked materials consisted of several photographs of files—portions of which are believed to be doctored—containing sensitive information from across the US espionage community. Most of the reports—which reportedly confirm claims the US has deeply infiltrated Russian intelligence—are US assessments of the Ukraine war. They also reveal sensitive information regarding China, Iran, and others, including a failed attempt by Russia's Wagner group to negotiate an arms deal with NATO member Turkey, as well as previously undisclosed advanced US satellite systems.

Analysts expect the leak to have widespread repercussions for current intelligence sharing among the US and its allies; on Friday, the Pentagon restricted the flow of intelligence in an attempt to minimize the chance of further leaks.

Jerusalem Tensions 

Israel carried out airstrikes in Syria yesterday, retaliating after six missiles were launched into Israel from Syria Friday. At least one rocket landed in Golan Heights, a strategic border region controlled by Israel since the Six-Day War in 1967 but still claimed by Syria (see overview). 

The exchange came days after dozens of rockets were fired by the militant group Hamas from both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, reportedly responding to an effort by Israeli police earlier in the week to remove protestors from the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Also over the weekend, an Italian tourist was killed and seven other people injured in what is believed to be a car-ramming attack in the Israel capital of Tel Aviv. 

The increase in violence comes as followers of the region's major religions—Judaism, Islam, and Christianity—flock to Israel on pilgrimage to their respective holy sites. Explore the country's major religious sites here.

Science & Technology

Business & Markets

Politics & World Affairs

How much you should tip in each country.

Mapping where retirees are headed in the US. 

Side-by-side shots of once-dry California lakes now filled. 

Imagining a New York-to-Paris intercontinental train. 

Why the big, flat Turbot fish is showing up on dinner menus. 

Rundown birthplace of novelist Willa Cather goes up for sale. 

Our Bronze Age ancestors likely enjoyed hallucinogens. 

Video captures stream of rats jumping from truck. 

Clickbait: A legal history of a popular emoji. 

Historybook: “The Great Gatsby” published (1925); Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta born (1930); Football personality John Madden born (1936); Paul McCartney leaves The Beatles (1970); Good Friday Agreement is signed (1998).