Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Today’s panel comprises editor David Horovitz and health reporter Natahn Jeffay, alongside host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Diaspora Minister Nachman Shai vowed in his first days of office that he would strengthen Diaspora-Israel relations. Horovitz met with him last week and reports on steps taken, those on the horizon, and those that are sadly not planned at all.

Israel is facing an increasing surge of serious COVID cases. Could another lockdown be on the horizon? At the same time, there is increased scrutiny over which politicians are -- or are not -- participating in the Knesset's COVID cabinet.

Jeffay expounds on two new studies -- one regarding a precision medication for COVID and the other dispelling myths regarding fertility and the COVID vaccine.

Discussed articles include:

Minister: Reviving Western Wall compromise is on cabinet agenda, backed by PM

Enough of the legal gymnastics: Why Israel should let its gold medalist marry

Uncertainty and confusion as 250,000 ultra-Orthodox kids return to school

Like Lapid, Liberman also not attending coronavirus cabinet meetings

Lapid vows he’ll now attend coronavirus cabinet meetings ‘as often as possible’

88 patients, 0 intubated: Israeli ‘precision’ COVID drug wrapping up early trial

Israeli MD analyzes billions of sperm, finds COVID vaccines don’t harm fertility

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FILE IMAGE: Minister Naftali Bennett unveils a temporary platform built for pluralistic prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in August 2013. (Ezra Landau/Flash90)

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