The New York Times: Μια απόφαση ορόσημο δικαστηρίου στο Ισραήλ και ένας σεισμός στην Ιαπωνία – Αφιερώστε πέντε λεπτά για να ξεκουραστείτε – Το ανώτατο δικαστήριο του Ισραήλ απορρίπτει νόμο που περιορίζει τη δικαιοσύνη – Ισχυρός σεισμός χτυπά την Ιαπωνία – Ο Πούτιν δεσμεύεται να συνεχίσει τους βομβαρδισμούς – Μια παράδοση της Πρωτοχρονιάς στο Ρίο ντε Τζανέιρο έχει τις ρίζες της στον αφρο-βραζιλιάνικο πνευματισμό-η πιο τολμηρή νομική υπεράσπιση του Ντόναλντ Τραμπ; Ότι είναι απολύτως απρόσβλητος από τη δίωξη για ενέργειες που έκανε ενώ ήταν στην εξουσία-Μερικά μεγάλα έργα, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της αρχικής έκδοσης του Μίκυ Μάους, μπήκαν στον δημόσιο τομέα χθες στις ΗΠΑ — πράγμα που σημαίνει ότι αυτοί οι χαρακτήρες και οι ιστορίες μπορούν να ξαναδημιουργηθούν στη σελίδα, στη σκηνή ή οθόνη χωρίς άδεια

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. Pool photo by Menahem Kahana

Israel’s top court rejects law limiting judiciary

In a momentous 8-to-7 ruling that could ignite a constitutional crisis, Israel’s Supreme Court struck down a law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government in July to limit the court’s own powers. The law would have barred judges from overruling decisions made by government ministers. Read the latest news.

The decision is likely to rekindle the grave domestic situation that began a year ago over the government’s judicial overhaul plan — which sparked mass protests that brought the country to a near standstill at times — even as Israel is at war in Gaza. The ruling heralds a potential showdown between the top judicial authority and the ruling coalition. Here’s what the justices wrote.

In a country that has one house of Parliament, no formal written constitution and a largely ceremonial president, many defenders of Israel’s liberal democracy view 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 overreached its authority and subverted the will of the voters and the function of the elected government.

In other news from the war:

Wajima was one of the areas hit hardest by the quake in Japan. Yusuke Fukuhara/Yomiuri Shimbun, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

A powerful earthquake strikes Japan

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale hit western Japan around 4:10 p.m. yesterday. The quake triggered evacuation orders in several prefectures, trapped people under collapsed buildings and disrupted electricity for tens of thousands in Ishikawa Prefecture, the epicenter of the quake, officials and Japan’s public broadcaster said. See a map of the earthquake.

Officials issued tsunami warnings, then downgraded them to advisories, signaling a lower risk of dangerous waves hitting the western coastline. Still, the authorities urged people to remain cautious and to avoid going near the coast until the advisory was lifted.

“We will build up the strikes,” President Vladimir Putin of Russia, right, said. Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik, via Reuters

Putin vows to continue bombardment

In rare public comments, President Vladimir Putin of Russia vowed to continue missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, in retaliation for what he called a “terror” attack that killed at least 22 people in the Russian city of Belgorod on Saturday.

Russia’s armed forces have in recent days pummeled Ukrainian cities with some of the largest rocket strikes since the start of the invasion. The cycle of strikes and retaliation is raising fears of escalating civilian casualties in the conflict, which began in February 2022.

Quotable: “They want to scare us, to create a certain uncertainty inside the country,” Putin said. “From our side, we will build up the strikes.”

In Moscow: A prison wedding offered a glimpse into the lives of Russia’s political prisoners.Continue reading the main story

Around the World

Dado Galdieri for The New York Times

From the U.S.

Jordan Gale for The New York Times

A Morning Read

LMPC, via Getty Images

Some big works, including the original version of Mickey Mouse, entered the public domain yesterday in the U.S. — meaning that those characters and stories can be remade on the page, stage or screen without permission.

Free agents in 2024: The soccer players who can now sign precontract agreements.

Men’s golf circuits: The PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league extended their deadline to finalize a deal on a partnership.

The best that money could buy: How an influx of cash has changed college sports.

The voice of soccer: Life as a Premier League commentator.

Find five minutes to rest

Research suggests that taking short revitalizing breaks can help you fortify yourself throughout the day. These breaks aren’t naps, but they offer similar benefits, by restoring attention, reducing fatigue, increasing vitality and improving well-being and mood.

Dr. Sue Varma, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the N.Y.U. Grossman School of Medicine, calls these “oasis moments” — five or so minutes in a calming spot, spent doing something you enjoy. It could be a quick walk or a coffee, or simply taking slow, deep breaths away from your work.

Afterward, notice how you feel: Are you a little more refreshed? If you enjoyed this exercise, consider scheduling a five-minute break every day this week, and in the weeks and months following, to keep the rewards coming. Try a guided daytime rest exercise here.Continue reading the main story

Craig Lee for The New York Times

Cook: Let the humble baked potato be your blank canvas.