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 culture and lifestyle editor Jessica Steinberg and science and health correspondent Nathan Jeffay, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We open the show with a look at Steinberg's recent interview with the creators of the hit series Shitsel, Dikla Barkai and Alon Zingman for our Times of Israel Community's Behind the Headlines video series. Without giving anything away, we hear what viewers can hope for in the newly released season 3, and the challenges of filming during the coronavirus pandemic among Israel's ultra-Orthodox communities.

Next, we move onto a rundown of the latest coronavirus developments from Israel, starting with the new "blue and white" variant which has been found in hundreds of COVID-19 patients. How is the Israeli variant different? Does it pose any more danger? And could it be resistant to the vaccines?

While Israel has led the western world with its inoculation drive, it is currently experiencing vaccination stagnation, with only about 6,000 Israelis a day now getting their first shots. We look at how health providers are trying to entice the final one million unvaccinated Israelis. And, new hope for international travelers with the rollout of a super-speedy Israeli COVID test that eliminates the need for complex lab equipment by giving relatively accurate results after just 20 seconds.Discussed articles include:

Join ToI Community to meet the producer-director duo behind hit series ‘Shtisel’

Third season of ‘Shtisel’ arrives on Netflix in late March

Israeli COVID variant found, has infected hundreds, doesn’t challenge vaccines

Vaccination stagnation: Only about 6,000 Israelis a day now getting first shots

Super-speedy Israeli COVID test gets European approval; airport rollout planned

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PHOTO: Actress Shira Haas during the filming of the third season of 'Shtisel,' which is coming to Netflix on March 25, 2021 (Courtesy Vered Adir)

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