The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they unfold.
Iran soccer legend Daei targeted by ‘threats’ after backing protests
Iranian soccer legend Ali Daei says he has been targeted by threats after backing ongoing protests in Iran triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini.
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin, died on September 16, three days after her arrest by the notorious morality police while visiting Tehran with her younger brother.
Daei, whose 109 goals at international level was long unsurpassed until he was overtaken by Cristiano Ronaldo, played in Iran’s legendary 1998 2-1 World Cup victory against the United States.
He decided not go to the World Cup in Qatar due to the Iranian authorities’ deadly crackdown on the protests.
“I have received numerous threats against myself and my family in recent months and days from some organizations, media and unknown individuals,” Daei says in a statement on Instagram.
“I was taught humanity, honor, patriotism and freedom…. What do you want to achieve with such threats?” he adds
In the post, Daei also called for the “unconditional release” of prisoners arrested in the crackdown on the protests in Iran.
WHO says monkeypox to be renamed mpox
Monkeypox is to be renamed mpox in English, the World Health Organization announces, in a bid to avoid stigmatization stemming from the existing name.
Monkeypox received its name because the virus was originally identified in monkeys kept for research in Denmark in 1958, but the disease is found in a number of animals, and most frequently in rodents.
“Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term ‘mpox’ as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while ‘monkeypox’ is phased out,” the UN health agency says in a statement.
“WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages others to follow these recommendations, to minimize any ongoing negative impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name.”
Civil rights groups urge Netanyahu not to pass ‘override law’
A coalition of 16 civil rights organizations send a letter to presumptive incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him not to allow an “override law” to be passed in the next government.
The incoming coalition plans to legislate an override clause that would allow lawmakers to reinstate legislation struck down by the High Court.
Negotiation teams from the right-religious coalition’s parties are currently debating the number of the Knesset’s 120 MKs that would be required to do so, but the clause itself is a legislative priority shared by all of the parties.
The petition cautions Netanyahu that passing such a law would lead to grave violations of human rights.
“Passing an override law may lead to a situation where the coalition, which is the majority at this time, will be given absolute and arbitrary control and unlimited power,” the petition says.
“In fact, the current political majority in Israel will give itself the authority to enact any law it wishes, even if the meaning of the legislation is a substantial violation of basic rights and a violation of the robustness and independence of the judiciary.”
