Israelis protest PM’s plan to weaken the judiciary

Tens of thousands of Israelis have gathered before the Knesset to protest against Netanyahu’s plan. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Israelis protest PM’s plan to weaken the judiciary [Israelis wave national flags during protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Feb. 13, 2023.] Credit: Ohad Zwigenberg/AP Israel At least 90,000 Israelis have gathered in front of parliament to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to weaken the judiciary. His far-right coalition is seeking the [most sweeping overhaul]( of the nation’s legal system since its founding. The reforms include allowing a simple majority in the Knesset to overturn rulings by the Supreme court and changes to the the way judges are selected, among others. Despite a plea from President Isaac Herzog on Sunday night not to move ahead, the government introduced the reform bill at the Knesset on Monday, which passed the committee vote and will likely face a first reading on Wednesday. Herzog suggested a compromise plan, warning that the country is “on the brink of [constitutional and social collapse](.” Many believe it’s Netanyahu’s attempt to halt his own corruption trials. Turkey Turkish officials have issued 113 [arrest warrants]( in connection with the construction of buildings that collapsed in last week’s earthquakes. At least 12 people have already been taken into custody. Many people maintain, however, that the arrests are a means to divert overall blame from the government. Experts have warned for years that corruption and government policies have led to the construction of many unsafe buildings, including so-called amnesties for contractors who [sidelined regulations]( to contribute to a construction boom, even in earthquake-prone regions. The combined death toll from Turkey and Syria is now more than 33,000 people. Iran-China Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is leading a large [delegation on a trip to China]( — the first visit by an Iranian president in 20 years — at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The two presidents first met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan in September. They hope to expand bilateral ties, as well as political and economic cooperation in the face of US-led [Western domination of international affairs](. Raisi’s delegation for the three-day trip includes cabinet ministers, the central bank chief and the country’s top nuclear negotiator. The two sides are expected to sign several agreements. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [New Greek law blocks far-right party from running in upcoming election]( [Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledges applause from his lawmakers during a parliament session for the budget of 2023, in Athens, Dec. 17, 2022.]( Credit: Yorgos Karahalis/AP/File photo A new law passed in Greece last week blocks political parties from participating in elections if their leaders have [criminal convictions](. Spyros Tsoutsoumpis, a lecturer in modern European history at the University of Manchester, discusses with The World's host Carol Hills the implications of banning the far-right Greek National Party from running. [Record-breaking inflation rates in the Philippines are pushing people to take on extra jobs]( [A worker fills up a plastic container with gasoline at a gas station in Pasay, Philippines, Oct. 11, 2022.]( Credit: Aaron Favila/AP/File photo The Philippines' inflation rate hit a [new 14-year high]( in January, putting a damper on what economists had previously hoped would be a leveling-off in 2023. And it's forced many people to look for extra work to support their incomes. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot Happy World Radio Day from The World! 🎙️📻 UNESCO decided to celebrate the day in November 2011 during its 36th conference. This year, the group states: "On World Radio Day 2023, UNESCO highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding." [Screenshot of United Nations tweet]( Credit: Twitter In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.