Briefly

UNITED STATES

DOJ appeals Texas abortion pill order

The Justice Department, or DOJ, on Monday appealed a Texas court ruling that would halt approval of a drug used in the most common method of abortion in the United States, calling the decision "extraordinary and unprecedented". If allowed to stand, the order issued last week by US District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk could restrict access to the abortion medication mifepristone as early as this Friday. Hundreds of pharmaceutical executives on Monday also condemned the Texas ruling, saying it threatens the development of needed medications.

UNITED KINGDOM

Health service set for 'catastrophic' strike

The public health service in England was on Tuesday bracing for "the most disruptive industrial action" in its history as junior doctors walked out over pay and working conditions. The country has been hit by waves of strikes in recent months as soaring inflation eats into wages. But the four-day walkout by junior doctors threatens to be the most serious action yet, with officials warning it will pile "immense pressures "on the service.

SOUTH KOREA

1 dead, hundreds flee wildfire in seaside city

A wildfire fueled by strong winds on Tuesday burned parts of a seaside city on the eastern coast, killing at least one person and forcing hundreds to flee before being slowed by rain. It took eight hours and nearly 3,000 firefighters to put out the blaze that started on a mountain in a central part of Gangneung at around 8:30 am and destroyed around 70 homes and other buildings.

Agencies Via Xinhua