Podcast: Daily Briefing Apr. 18 – Israeli scientists take a bite out of obesity

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 health correspondent Nathan Jeffay and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman, along with host Amanda Borschel-Dan.

We open the show with a look at peer-reviewed Israeli research by the Weizmann Institute that claims to have found a way to turn off the brain’s “hunger switch.” Is this the miracle drug for obesity? And could it be rolled out to the masses?

With a plethora of news coming out of Iran in recent days, Berman gives us the lowdown on the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran and how the recent developments at the Natanz site are having an impact on them.

No masks in public. Kids back at school as normal. Jeffay assesses the recent COVID-19 developments in largely re-opened Israel and how the virulent British variant may be keeping other mutations at bay. And what of the 3rd dose of the Pfizer vaccine? When will Israelis need more shots — especially the kids?

Finally, following last week’s Memorial Day, we take a look at Berman’s piece on how one fallen immigrant soldier tells a powerful story of the challenges of memorial in modern Israel.

Discussed articles include:

Israeli scientists say they’ve paved way to turn off the brain’s ‘hunger switch’

‘Path is clear, won’t be easy’: Iran, EU report progress in Vienna nuclear talks

Israelis no longer required to wear masks outside starting Sunday, as COVID ebbs

Israel has not reached herd immunity, Indian variant a concern, says virus czar

Pfizer CEO: 3rd dose of vaccine likely necessary 6-12 months after first 2 doses

The legend of Michael Levin, and what it tells us about our need for heroes

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