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.

Environment reporter Sue Surkes and health and science correspondent Nathan Jeffay join host Anne Gordon, in for Amanda Borschel-Dan, on today's episode.

With a heatwave in Israel's forecast this week, and the mercury rising dramatically elsewhere throughout the world, we might ask if this is the future. Surkes reports on a dire claim that meeting the terms of the Paris accords will not do enough to save humanity. But, she says, there are several plans afoot that may do the trick.

Jeffay explains Israel's policy on the monkeypox vaccine, including who may be at risk and who can avoid too much worry.

He also recalls US President Joe Biden's fist-bumps, in light of his recent infection with COVID-19, with a reminder about how the virus is transmitted.

Surkes tells the story of how the Tottenham Hotpur soccer (football) club came to be particularly meaningful to her family. Tottenham plays A.S. Roma in a friendly game on Saturday in Haifa.

Discussed articles include:

UN official sees Israel primed to lead globe in developing carbon capture tech

Israel’s monkeypox vaccines strategy: Stop sexual spread to those most at-risk

Moderna’s new variant-busting COVID vaccine starting trial in Israel

Fist-bumping Biden isn’t reducing COVID risk in Israel by avoiding handshakes

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IMAGE: Illustrative. Gian kelp growing in the ocean, near the Channel Islands in California. (iStock)

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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.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and Settlements, Police, and Legal Affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon join Anne Gordon, in for Amanda Borschel-Dan, on today's podcast. Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent, also checks in from Ukraine.

Fabian reveals that the Israeli military censor is finally allowing publication of one of the Israel Defense Forces' worst kept secrets: the drones.

He also explains the significance of IDF chief Aviv Kohavi's trip to Morocco, and what it means for Israel's ties to the country, going forward.

Berman describes how Ukraine has changed since his last trip to the region, and shares his recent somber experience in Vinnytsia. 

Nachala, an activist group promoting new settlements in the West Bank, has been busy. Sharon tells us about their efforts this week, and why they keep at it.

Sharon also fills us in on the unreliable, yet influential poll that suggests Itamar Ben Gvir is the man to watch in the November elections.

Discussed articles include:

After almost two decades, IDF finally admits to using armed drones in airstrikes

Kohavi meets Morocco’s defense minister, army chief on second day of landmark trip

Between security briefings, IDF chief meets Jewish community in Marrakesh

Thousands of settler activists create mayhem in West Bank campaign

Poll shows Religious Zionism party would soar if headed by Ben-Gvir

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IMAGE: A drone flies above the Gilboa region North Israel on July 13, 2022. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)

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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.

Political correspondent Tal Schneider and Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben-David join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Schneider briefly discusses possibility of former Meretz leader Zehava Galon taking on the party's leadership role once again.

She also dives into a piece about the Straits of Tiran and Sanafir, the Saudi-controlled islands that were briefly under Israel's control, and where Schneider's father spent a month, more than 50 years ago, as the officer of an IDF unit that was the first to step foot on the island.

Ben-David discusses more Saudi Arabian news, as Israeli-founded smart energy tech firm SolarEdge Technologies signed an agreement last week with a Saudi entity.

She also looks at how Israel is moving ahead with plans to lay the foundation for quantum computational ability, which harnesses quantum mechanics to quickly solve problems too complex for classical computers.

Steinberg speaks about Israeli wine, and the newly tinted appellations of Judean, the lower Judean Foothills and Judean Hills, with 30 boutique wineries in place.

Discussed articles include:

Zehava Galon announces political comeback in bid to recapture Meretz leadership

Israeli-American energy tech firm SolarEdge inks investment deal with Saudi group

Israel to establish quantum computing R&D center, build quantum computer

It’s a quick ride from Bordeaux red to sparkling Champagne in the Judean Hills

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IMAGE: A facility outfitted with SolarEdge's technology. Illustrative. (Screenshot/YouTube)

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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.

Political correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn and environment correspondent Sue Surkes join host Amanda Borschel-Dan in today's episode.

Yesterday, MK Merav Michaeli was victorious in a strangely unprecedented win to head Labor for a second term. What is her vision heading into these elections?

Meretz is the other left-wing party with a leadership jostle. What’s happening there?

As the right-wing parties seem to strengthen, are these stalwart left-wing groups fighting over the same electorate?

We hear about a massive fight over wind turbines in the Negev and Golan. What are the different sides saying?

Surkes wrote a about a fascinating study that explains coral’s fluorescence, including those that live between the shallow reef area and the deep, completely dark zone of the sea.

And finally, Modiin’s unofficial mascot, Ruti the hyena, was run down this weekend. We learn about this most determined animal.

Discussed articles include:

Michaeli clinches second elected term as Labor leader, a first in party’s history

Merav Michaeli, recapturing Labor leadership, vows to tackle cost of living

Deep sea corals glow in the dark to lure prey, Israeli researchers find

Ruti the celebrity hyena run over and killed near Modiin

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Image: Renewable energy wind turbines as seen next to the snowy peaks of Mount Hermon on January 3, 2021, in the northern Golan Heights. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)

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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.

Religions and Diaspora Affairs correspondent Judah Ari Gross and news editor Amy Spiro join host Anne Gordon, in for Amanda Borschel-Dan, on today's episode.

Gross updates us on reactions to the Western Wall conflict regarding the harassment of several bar and bat mitzvah celebrations a few weeks ago. Where the State of Israel has been lukewarm in its response, the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency is seeking a hard line against the disruptive conduct.

Gross also sets the scene for the 21st Maccabiah Games, which are now going on in Israel. These so-called Jewish Olympics are a kind of ingathering of the exiles, bringing Jewish athletes from all over the world to compete. But will they drum up support on the local front?

Sticking with the sports theme, Spiro elaborates on the most recent woes of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club, from the team's need for a budget to the furious fans who fear their team will be disbanded.

She also explains why Israel has already chosen its Eurovision 2023 contestant. But will pop star Noa Kirel go the distance to compete?

Discussed articles include:

Jewish Agency demands boosted security at Western Wall after ‘despicable’ protest

Rainbow of flags as largest-ever Maccabiah kicks off in Jerusalem with Biden on hand

Paying the penalties: The stranger-than-fiction rise and fall of Beitar Jerusalem

Chart-topper Noa Kirel chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision 2023

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Image credit: US President Joe Biden poses for a picture with US athletes competing in the Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)

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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.

Editor David Horovitz and United States correspondent Jacob Magid join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Magid, who is part of the journalists' pool covering the trip of United States President Joe Biden to the Holy Land and Saudia Arabia, shares what it's like being a Jewish journalist in Jeddah, where casual antisemitism is a way of life.

We hear about the dissonant narratives regarding what could appear to some as warming ties between Israel and Saudia Arabia -- but is being soundly debranded of that idea by the Saudis.

Magid also reported on a frosty beginning to the meeting between Biden and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. What caused the chill?

Horovitz weighs in on the Israel-leg of the Biden visit. Was it a success? And what is very different in the messaging of this president vis a vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Discussed articles include:

Contradicting Biden, Saudis deny opening of airspace is step toward ties with Israel

Saudi minister: Peace with Israel ‘strategic option’ but not before 2-state solution

Biden hails ‘historic’ Saudi decision allowing Israeli flights over its airspace

After Biden raises Khashoggi murder, MBS retorts with question on Abu Akleh killing

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Image: President Joe Biden arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport, July 15, 2022, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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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.

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig-Gur and legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

Israel has welcomed US President Joe Biden with all due official pomp and circumstance, and he has been busy, paying a poignant visit to Yad Vashem, viewing Israel's defense technology, and meeting with Prime Minister Yair Lapid. But some analysts are scratching their heads trying to figure out why he is really here and what he hopes to accomplish with this trip to the Middle East. Rettig-Gur provides some important context for Biden's travels -- and goals.

We also hear whether or not part of the Biden visit is to influence the upcoming November 1 Israeli elections.

Sharon updates us about the ongoing trial of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including details that emerged from the explosive testimony of key prosecution witness Hadas Klein. Klein is the personal assistant of Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and an aide to Australian billionaire James Packer, both of whose luxury gifts to Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are at the heart of Case 1000, one of the cases for which the former premier is standing trial.

Sharon updates us on a potentially game-changing step on the way to Israeli civil marriage.

Discussed articles include:

Why Biden’s 10th visit to Israel must be his most productive

Biden, Lapid to sign ‘Jerusalem Declaration’ – a platform for US-Israel cooperation

Witness details Sara Netanyahu suicide threat over pool refit; $46,000 bracelet gift

Court rules online civil marriages valid, upending Israel’s religious status quo

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IMAGE: United States President Joe Biden during a welcoming ceremony, at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on July 13, 2022, for his first official visit to Israel since becoming US president. (Sraya Diamant/Flash90)

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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.

United States correspondent Jacob Magid and health reporter Nathan Jeffay join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

United State President Joe Biden is in Israel through Friday. Magid speaks to us about some last-minute housekeeping Israel has been doing to reduce potential friction.

One of the stops on Biden’s itinerary is a rare evening appearance for the opening ceremonies of the Maccabiah games. Some 10,000 Jewish athletes and support staff have arrived in the Holy Land to participate in a variety of sporting events over the next three weeks. What's Biden's role here?

Unquestionably, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the trip will result in an expansion of the Abraham Accords to Saudi Arabia. Is this just media hype, or a realistic achievement?

Jeffay updates us on a major study that shows that fourth COVID-19 vaccine shots have provided a 72 percent reduction in death rates among the most vulnerable Israelis.

In light of a successful vaccination campaign for polio boosters over the past few months, the Health Ministry said it would stop administering the vaccine to children over the age of six. Jeffay explains this change of heart.

Jeffay reports on Diindolylmethane (DIM), a chemical found in broccoli and cauliflower, that could be used to speed up the healing of skin wounds.

And finally, in a promising super preliminary study, scientists measure if coma patients are processing relatives’ voices and other sounds around them.

Discussed articles include:

Ahead of Biden visit, Israel delays hearing on construction in East Jerusalem

Major Israeli study: COVID death rate among elderly slashed by 72% after 4th vaccine

Health Ministry touts 99% polio vaccination rate among babies

Israeli study: Chemical heals wounds twice as fast, could be antibiotic alternative

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Image: The sky illuminated by lighting at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, as Air Force One is seen in the foreground ahead of President Joe Biden departing for a trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, July 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

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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.

US reporter Luke Tress and real estate writer Danielle Nagler join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast.

Nagler discusses the current housing protests in Tel Aviv, led by young protesters and focusing on rental prices for now.

Tress looks at a particular conviction for a violent antisemitic act in New York, and how it compares to the growing number of antisemitic events in New York City.

He also talks about the accusations of antisemitism at CUNY, the City University of New York system, and whether there is real basis to the discussion taking place.

Nagler looks at the rise of glamping as an alternative accommodation for tourists in Israel, and the different options available.

Discussed articles include:

Thousands gather in Tel Aviv to protest housing prices, cost of living

US feds charge pro-Palestinian protester with hate crime for antisemitic attack

NYC lawmakers lash city colleges’ chancellor for skipping hearing on antisemitism

Jewish group calls for investigation into NYC public college over BDS support

With glamping, an Israeli tourism growth sector gets in tents

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IMAGE: Israelis protest against the soaring housing prices in Tel Aviv and cost of living, on July 2, 2022. (Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

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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.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman and military reporter Emanuel Fabian join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode.

The regional leaders are getting ready for United States President Joe Biden’s trip to Israel Wednesday with a series of phone calls. Who has been talking with whom?

While Biden is here, he’s going to check out some of our military technology. What can he expect to see?

On the final day of the trip, Biden will go virtual with our Prime Minister Yair Lapid for a unique conference called I2U2. What do we need to know?

Fabian updates us on the expected traffic complications. And there are a lot.

We’re hearing reports that bodies of dozens of Egyptian commandos who fought Israel during the Six-Day War were discovered in a mass grave near Latrun in central Israel. Fabian updates us on what's happening so far.

Discussed articles include:

Rare dialogue: Ahead of Biden visit, Lapid, Herzog hold phone calls with PA’s Abbas

Lapid speaks to Erdogan, Sissi, as Israel bolsters links with neighbors

Lapid, Jordan’s King Abdullah discuss ties, upcoming Biden trip in phone call

Biden visit set to cause traffic chaos in central Israel; 16,000 cops to be deployed

Lapid tells Sissi he’ll probe reports of mass grave for Egyptian soldiers from 1967

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Illustrative: US President Joe Biden walks down the steps of Airforce One on arrival at the Torreon air base in Madrid, Spain, June 28, 2022. (J.J.Guillen/Pool photo via AP)

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