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 environmental reporter Sue Surkes, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

Horovitz provides perspective on the fallout generated by the Knesset cabinet committee chaos that broke out on Tuesday night over a vote over the next Justice Minister. Has this spurred unlikely forces towards teaming up as the clock winds down on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chance to forge a coalition?

The Jewish-founded, New York-based Human Rights Watch has come out with a new 213-page report condemning Israel as an "apartheid state" and stating that Israeli Arabs face widespread discrimination. What are some reactions?

Tonight the Jewish world marks Lag B'Omer. Have coronavirus restrictions gone up in smoke? Also, what is the environmental impact of this festival of pyromania?

Surkes discusses two man-made environmental issues facing Israel and the need for "eco-corridors" to protect biodiversity.

And, finally: Whale speech may soon be deciphered, thanks to Project CETI, some robot fish recorders, and a whole lot of intelligence -- artificial and human.

Discussed articles include:

Bennett, Sa’ar meet to talk unity gov’t, as Shaked said hoping to thwart efforts

Gantz appointed justice minister after Netanyahu U-turn; court cancels hearing

Rivlin: Constitutional functionality collapsed in fight over justice minister

Human Rights Watch lodges ‘apartheid’ accusation at Israel, which dismisses it

US rejects Human Rights Watch’s accusation of Israeli ‘apartheid’

For Earth Day, leading green group sets out its 10 priorities for Israel

A key stop on the great bird flyway, Eilat sees steep dive in migrating flocks

Deep thought in deep blue: 5 Israelis in pioneering project to decode whale talk

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Illustrative image: An ultra-Orthodox Jewish boy runs near a giant bonfire, during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer in Jerusalem's Meah Shearim neighborhood, April 28, 2013. (Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)

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