Daily Briefing Jan. 23: Some diplomacy with Kyiv; fusing insects with robots

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman discusses Ukraine relations and a US official’s visit, as science writer Nathan Jeffay looks at robots with senses and medical clown research

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 health and science writer Nathan Jeffay join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s podcast.

Berman discusses plans for Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to visit Kyiv, 11 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, possibly signaling a new direction for Israel-Ukraine relations.

Jeffay explains the components of a new robot made with the antenna of a locust that is intended to replace sniffer dogs and high-resolution cameras.

Berman talks about the visit of US official Jake Sullivan last week, the first opportunity of the Biden administration to discuss the new Netanyahu government as well as the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Jeffay reports on new research into medical clowning, a well-known aspect of hospital life in Israel, that looks at better collaboration between doctors and clowns.

Discussed articles include:

FM Cohen to visit Ukraine, most senior Israeli official to do so since war began

Israeli robot fitted with locust antenna gains scent superpowers

Meeting US national security adviser, Netanyahu stresses bid to build Saudi ties

Science of silliness: Israeli study deconstructs medical clowning so MDs use it more

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