We've all been there: You've just poured yourself a fresh mimosa and are waiting to tuck into some eggs Benedict when the table gets a little quiet. You and your squad have already covered all of the usual topics: that office romance all of your friends think is a bad idea, the text one of you got after a second date, Target's amazing new Marimekko collaboration. You've already been over tips for an upcoming job interview while you had your first cup of coffee and covered the latest craziness in the presidential race over the second. What's next? If you're looking to expand your brunch-chat horizons instead of rehashing the same tired topics over sweet potato hash, Refinery29's World News team has you covered. We're always trying to make it easier to stay informed about the most important and interesting news out there. So each week, we'll aim to round up the must-know stories from around the globe that are sure to generate some meaty discussion over brunch — or wherever you find yourself this weekend.
Read on to ensure you're the smartest, most interesting woman at that café, cocktail bar, or house party. Let us know in the comments which stories you're watching this week. And be sure to follow R29 News & Politics on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the news in real time.
The Supreme Court Heard (Yet Another) Case On Contraceptive Coverage
The American courts are taking another ride on the never-ending merry-go-round that is the debate over access to reproductive care. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in another court case seeking to put limitations on birth control provided through employer-sponsored insurance, Zubik v. Burwell.
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, a case heard back in 2014, centered on whether for-profit companies could claim a religious exemption to contraception coverage — and the court said that, in some cases, they can. This time around, the question is whether the accommodations made for religious institutions, which are automatically exempted from the contraception mandate, are the "least restrictive" possible.
At the moment, the law requires that those institutions opt-out by notifying the government in writing that they won't provide contraceptive care. But the religious groups challenging that mandate— through seven separate cases — say that even that notification, which would allow authorities to take over contraceptive care, is participating in giving out birth control. Their stance is that the only way to comply with their religious beliefs is to take no action at all.
If the case is decided in favor of Zubik, or if the court is tied, it could create a patchwork quilt of contraception access across the United States. Because of different decisions in lower courts, women in some states would be able to easily access birth control through their employer and some wouldn't.
Dr. Nancy Stanwood is an Ob/Gyn with Physicians for Reproductive Health, an organization that filed a brief in support of the government. She told Refinery29 by phone that when it comes to whether or not the government has a good reason to require contraception coverage, the needs are clear. "The fundamental reproductive health of American women is tied in here," she said.
Donald Trump & Ted Cruz Had A VERY Strange Twitter Feud
It's one thing for this year's presidential hopefuls to exchange heated words about policy (or in this election season, hand size). But what happens when the candidates bring each other's spouses into the mix?
It all started when an anti-Donald Trump super PAC released a Facebook ad featuring nude photos of the candidate's wife, Melania. Trump blamed rival Ted Cruz for the sexist ad, even though it didn't come from Cruz's campaign. On Tuesday, Trump tweeted, "Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. [sic] shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!"
Cruz was quick to respond to Trump's message, posting this tweet in return: "Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought. #classless."
In another tweet on Wednesday, Trump clarified that the "Lyin' Ted" moniker is because Trump still believes Cruz was involved in the super PAC’s offensive ad. Trump then retweeted a meme featuring an unflattering image of Heidi Cruz next to an image of Melania. Cruz had the perfect response to that image, tweeting, "Donald, real men don't attack women. Your wife is lovely, and Heidi is the love of my life."
We're One Step Closer To The Gilmore Girls Revival
This week, Gilmore Girls fans got some major insight into the series' Netflix revival. The show's official Facebook page shared a video of stars Milo Ventimiglia, who plays Jess, and Jared Padalecki, who plays Dean, on the Stars Hollow set.
Netflix hasn't announced the premiere date for the new Gilmore Girls episodes, but there's been no shortage of news about the reboot. Aside from Rory's love interests being on set for the first time, TV Line also announced this week that Mae Whitman, who co-starred with Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham on Parenthood, will have a cameo.
Is Sarah Palin The Next Judge Judy?
The former Alaska governor wants to host a courtroom-style reality show, according to a report from People this week. Sources told the magazine that if the show is picked up, it could premiere as soon as next year. Palin reportedly signed a production deal with Warm Springs, a production company based in Montana, in February.
As People notes, there is one obvious problem with the idea — Palin doesn't have a juris doctor degree, which Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown both do. But if not going to law school didn't stop Palin from becoming a state governor and a vice presidential candidate, viewers might be willing to overlook that fact.
"Palin's telegenic personality, wide appeal, and common-sense wisdom make her a natural for this kind of format and she was Warm Springs' top pick for this project," the unnamed source told People.
A Former Nixon Aide Says The Government Made Up The War On Drugs
A Harper's Magazinestory published this week included a shocking quote. John Ehrlichman, a former Richard Nixon aide who was implicated and convicted in the Watergate scandal of the 1970s, said that the historic War on Drugs was made up for entirely political purposes.
"We couldn't make it illegal to be either against the [Vietnam] war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and Blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities," he told a reporter in 1994.
The potential racist and classist roots of the "war on drugs" policy (named in a Nixon speech in 1971) could give further evidence to support claims of racial disparity in policing of drugs. According to the NAACP, Black individuals suffer more heavily from drug policies, with higher rates of incarceration and longer sentences for drug crimes, despite using drugs at the same rate as white individuals.
Starbucks Is Taking An Awesome New Initiative To Combat Waste
Have you ever wondered what happens to leftover food that restaurants don't sell? Starbucks has an awesome answer to that question.
The chain announced Tuesday that it will work with Feeding America to donate its unsold food to food banks across the country. The food donations will include Starbucks' ready-to-eat meal options, including Bistro Boxes, panini, salads, and breakfast sandwiches. In the United States, 7,600 Starbucks locations will participate in the donation program.
"Our hope is by taking this first step, other companies will see the possibility for their participation, and together, we will make great strides in combating hunger," Cliff Burrows, group president of Starbucks U.S. and Americas, said in a press release.
Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Passed Away At 46
Rest in peace, Rob Ford.
On Tuesday, the former Toronto mayor died after battling a rare form of cancer called pleomorphic liposarcoma. "He was, above all else, a profoundly human guy whose presence in our city will be missed," John Tory, the city’s current mayor, told The Toronto Star.
Ford made international headlines for his struggle with alcohol and drug use before he left office due to his illness in 2014. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Brussels Was Rocked By Tragedy — & The World United In Response
And in news that was difficult to miss this week: the world is still reeling after terrorists killed dozens of people in a series of attacks in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday.
"This is a dark moment for our nation. We need calm and solidarity," Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said Tuesday, according to a report from The Associated Press."We know that there are many dead, many injured."
After the attacks, world leaders across the globe expressed support for Belgium. President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the attacks and the Eiffel Tower was lit with Belgium's national colors on Tuesday. The Brussels attacks are just the latest acts of terrorism in recent weeks.
Early on Friday morning two victims who lived in America, siblings Sascha and Alexander Pinczowski, were confirmed to have had died in the attacks. An American couple also remains among the missing.
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