180318
In the 18th Mar 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
eyedrops repair corneas and could replace spectacles.
·
Israelis
have sent aid to earthquake victims in Papua New Guinea.
·
Israeli
low-cost infra-red sensors can help see in the dark.
·
Two
Israeli women have set-up a retail hub for 170 startups.
·
The flag
and anthem celebrated an Israeli Judoka gold medal in Morocco.
·
Jerusalem’s
Western Wall tunnels reveal more Jewish treasures.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Eyedrops could replace spectacles. Israeli scientists at Jerusalem’s
Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Bar-Ilan University have developed eyedrops
that repair the corneas, improving near-sighted and far-sighted vision. The
“nanodrops” are scheduled for human trials next year and could eventually
replace multifocal lenses.
Crohn’s gene
mutation identified. International scientists, including
from Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University of Haifa, have discovered
a genetic mutation associated with Crohn’s disease. Those with the LRRK2 gene mutation
are at high risk of developing the inflammatory bowel (IBD) disease.
Destroying
tumors the size of golf balls. I’ve reported
previously (several times) on Israel’s IceCure and its IceSense3 cryoablation
(freezing) system for destroying even large tumors. This article and video
provide an excellent explanation of how the system works, in conjunction with
other medications and the immune system.
Medical tools
for developing countries. Israel’s Engineering for
All (EfA) is developing RevDx - a small, portable device that can perform
automated blood tests, diagnostics, and data analytics on the spot; a kind of
hand-held hospital to assist under-equipped medical workers and technicians in
rural areas.
Former Kenyan
President has treatment in Israel. 93-year-old
former president of Kenya, Daniel Arap Moi is being brought to Tel Aviv for
medical procedures. The ailing leader will also take the opportunity to visit
holy sites around the country, Kenyan TV reported.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Employment for Bedouin women. Israeli textile company Iota empowers unemployed women through the
art of crochet. Each one of Iota’s rugs, pillows and home accessories is
hand-crocheted by Arab Bedouin women from their own homes, providing them with
meaningful work and an independent source of income.
Generators for Papua
New Guinea. Last week I reported (here) that Israelis
restored eyesight and built a dairy farm on Papua New Guinea. Now an earthquake
has struck and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Agency for International
Development Cooperation (MASHAV) has delivered 40 generators to affected
communities.
First response training for Guatemala. Israel’s volunteer ZAKA International Rescue Unit provided a UN-sponsored
3-day search-and-rescue training course in Guatemala to 45 volunteers from
local community and emergency organizations. ZAKA conveyed the skills necessary
to handle mass-casualty incidents.
MDA awarded for helping Ecuador’s Red
Cross.
Israel’s Magen David Adom has received an award of appreciation for
strengthening the paramedic training programs of Ecuador’s Red Cross. It was
presented during the 14th anniversary of the Higher Technological Institute of
the Ecuadorian Red Cross (ISTCRE).
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
A fast solution to Cape Town’s drought. I reported previously (27th
Nov) on Israel’s Tethys and its solar-powered desalination system. Its CEO
Moshe Tshuva says the Tethys product would be an ideal solution to Cape Town’s
water shortages, making use of the city’s long coastline and plentiful sunshine.
Collaborating with Israel is a
‘strategic priority’. Sam Gyimah is the UK’s Minister
of State for Universities, Science, Research and Development. He plans to visit
later this year “to deepen our collaboration not just in scientific research
but in innovation and opportunities that are mutually beneficial for
high-growth business.”
Even Israeli oranges are hi-tech. Israel is well known for its abundance of juicy citrus fruits in
many delicious varieties. Much of that success is due to the Volcani
Agriculture Institute, a world leader in farming technology.
The water shall flow from Jerusalem. Video (in Hebrew) of the massive NIS 2.5 billion 40km water
pipeline construction project that will satisfy the water needs of Jerusalem
and its surroundings until 2065.
Israelis experience life on Mars. I reported previously (4
Feb) about the six Israeli astronauts who experienced simulated Mars
conditions at the Ramon crater in Israel’s Negev desert. Here is a video of their activities.
Infra-red sensors to
help see in the dark. Researchers at Ben-Gurion
University have developed a low-cost infrared sensor that can be used as
night-vision glasses or for self-driving cars. The device converts infrared
light into visible light, allowing better vision in fog and darkness.
Smart production of video clips. I reported previously (see here) about Israel’s AnyClip
which has built up an inventory of 600,000 video clips to help businesses
promote their products. AnyClip has now developed Luminous - an AI (artificial
intelligence) platform that automatically edits video into clips to match a user’s
requirements. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3733973,00.html
Removing toxic mercury. Israeli startup MercuRemoval has developed a novel process for
removing toxic mercury from flue-gas streams. Originating in the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, a unique absorbent liquid formulation oxidizes the
mercury into a stable complex which is then precipitated out for safe disposal.
Ultra-high-resolution imaging radar. I reported previously (twice) on Israel’s Arbe
Robotics and its radar imaging technology for drones and self-driving cars.
Arbe has now won Berlin’s Automotive Tech.AD Award 2018 for outstanding achievements
in the autonomous driving industry, including being “the first to demonstrate
ultra-high-resolution imaging radar.” http://nocamels.com/2018/03/tel-aviv-startup-arbe-robotics
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Israel’s currency reserves. I often report (see
here) on Israel’s reserves of foreign currency which increased by $14.6
billion in 2017 to a record $113 billion. The Bank of Israel invested this,
earning a 3% return – nearly twice the average rate of return for the previous
three years.
Hundreds attend Anglo-Israel conference. Hundreds of English-speaking men and women participated in the
Anglo-Israeli Empowerment Conference in Jerusalem. The Orthodox Jewish Chamber
of Commerce’s Israel branch brought dozens of VIP presenters to help Anglo-Israeli
entrepreneurs and professionals.
Another Israeli investment for DiCaprio. I reported previously (here) on two investments
by Leonardo DiCaprio in Israeli startups.
Now he has become a partner in the building of a new eco-friendly hotel
at the Herzliya Marina. DiCaprio, runs the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which
promotes environmental awareness.
Israeli women launch
retail tech hub.
Two Israelis - Yael Kochman and Alla Foht, have partnered with eBay to
launch “Re: Tech”, a Retail Tech Hub in the heart of Tel Aviv. It has attracted
170 Israeli startups and over 2,000 entrepreneurs and investors who use offices
for up to 16 people and an open space with 20 workstations.
Whisky Live.
(TY WIN)
Whisky Live is an international exhibition held at locations around the globe
and is considered the premier industry trade event. The convention arrived at
Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Mall, where Israeli distilleries displayed their
increasingly popular products to the world.
From Zurich to Eilat. Switzerland’s Edelweiss Airlines, which is part of the German
Lufthansa group, will offer direct flights from Zurich to Eilat beginning
October 28th. “Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel, offers numerous
possibilities for active and varied holidays,” Edelweiss announced.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Thou shalt innovate. Avi Jorisch recently published his book “Thou Shalt Innovate: How
Israeli Ingenuity Repairs the World”, a fascinating telling of how many Israeli
inventions have made the world a better place.
Dead Sea Scrolls go to Denver. Two Dead Sea Scrolls will be shown for the first time in an Israel
Antiquities Authority exhibition in Denver, Colorado. The six-month exhibit
includes 18 other Dead Sea Scrolls, a three-ton stone from the Western Wall,
and some 600 artifacts from the Biblical to Bar Kochba periods.
Going into bat for the Jewish State. A new documentary has premiered at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
“Heading Home” features the Birthright Israel-type trip for the professional
Jewish American baseball players who as “Team Israel” surprised everyone by
finishing sixth in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Judoka gold and
Israeli anthem in Morocco. Israeli judoka Timna Nelson-Levy won gold in
the under 57kg event at the Agadir Judo Grand Prix in Morocco. As she stood
proudly on the podium to receive her medal, the “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national
anthem, was played and the Israeli flag was raised.
Israeli cyclist makes history. Guy Sagiv made history at
the Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy in becoming the first Israeli cyclist to
participate in a World Tour race. The Israel Cycling Academy team has been
performing well, in advance of the Giro d’Italia which starts in Jerusalem on 4th
May - the first time a Grand Tour event will be held outside of mainland Europe.
http://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/chris-froome-israel-beaten/
35,000 run the Jerusalem marathon. 35,000 participated in the Jerusalem
Marathon, rated among the top 10 marathons in the world. They included 4,000
people from over 72 different countries. Some 10,000 Jerusalem hotel rooms were
filled for the event.
THE JEWISH STATE
Belated
Bar Mitzvah for survivor. 83-year-old Hanoch Shachar, who lost his whole family in the Shoah,
fulfilled his dream by celebrating his Bar Mitzva in Safed, Northern Israel. Shachar
is a marathon runner and during the ceremony hoisted without effort the Torah
scroll in its heavy metal casing.
The secrets under the Western Wall.
The tunnels deep below the Western Wall Plaza reveal some amazing
sights. A Roman theatre; the largest
stone in Israel and a map of Israel that wasn’t drawn by any human hand.
UN
exhibition of the Truth. (TY Avi) I reported previously (10th
Mar) on the new exhibition at the United Nations of the 3,000-year
continuous history of the Jewish people in the city of Jerusalem – Israel’s
capital. This article about the opening
event contains a video that is highly recommended to watch.
Watch
the truth being uncovered. Every day, significant archeological discoveries that reinforce the
historical connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem are revealed in the
excavations at the City of David.
180311
In the 11th Mar 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli technology
can analyze biopsies automatically.
·
On International
Women's Day, Israel celebrates its female Ambassadors.
·
The first
official UK Royal visit to Israel has been announced.
·
Israeli
sensors can detect when trees are thirsty.
·
Israeli
unemployment is the lowest in 45 years.
·
HP flew in
750 of its customers to see its latest Israeli innovations.
·
Israeli
youths won two World Ju-Jitsu gold medals in Abu Dhabi.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Glucose analyzer
gets Europe approval. I reported previously (twice) about Israel’s
DreaMed Diabetes monitors for analyzing the data from Continuous Glucose
Monitors (CGMs). DreaMed has just received the CE mark from the European Union
for its Advisor Pro product.
Excellent
results for new prostate cancer test. (TY Hazel) I
reported previously (July
2016) that Israel’s Micromedic Technologies had good results in an
18-patient trial of its CellDetect prostate cancer diagnosis solution. Latest
tests on 59 samples were 80% successful – far exceeding the 25% for existing
PSI tests.
Lifestyle
controls your microbiome. Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute
have found from a study of over 1,000 Israelis that there is no genetic link to
the good bacteria in your gut (microbiome). A person’s health (cholesterol,
weight, blood glucose levels etc.) however, can be controlled by maintaining a
healthy stomach.
A diagnostic
kit on a USB drive. The tech-transfer company of
Ben-Gurion University, plus Israeli-founded, Singapore-based Biosensorix, are
developing $5 disease diagnosis kits that connect to a smartphone via its USB
port. Instead of sending samples for lab tests, medical staff can get immediate
blood test results and decide on a course of action. https://www.israel21c.org/new-usb-like-diagnostic-kits-provide-faster-results/
Using AI to analyze biopsies. Israeli startup Nucleai is developing
computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to help overworked pathologists
process and analyze biopsies for cancer quicker and more accurately. Nucleai
founders have years of experience of computer vision gained during their IDF
service.
UK-Israel fund
to research aging process. The UK has launched a
new £5m fund to promote scientific collaboration and research between Israel
and the UK into the aging process. The Britain Israel Research and Academic
Exchange (BIRAX) Aging fund will also promote research that into aging-related
diseases.
$20 million
donation for nuclear medicine center. Russian Jewish billionaire Roman Abramovich
has donated $20 million to Israel’s Sheba Medical Center to build a new medical
center for nuclear medicine and research. Its cyclotron particle accelerator will
use radioactive ion beams to pinpoint and kill cancer cells.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Israeli women leaders of the future. (TY Sharon) In advance of International Women's
Day on 8th March, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin hosted 22 outstanding female
students (Jewish and Arab). Each took on the role of a Government Minister and
presented their ideas for that ministry.
Israel’s female
Ambassadors. To mark International Women's Day,
this video features Israel’s Ambassadors to Japan, Austria, Ethiopia and
France. Yes, they are all women.
Arab women’s education and employment
improves. A Taub
Center study shows that Arab-Israeli women are slowly managing to close the
educational and employment gaps with Jewish Israeli women. Matriculation
results are close to those of non-ultra-Orthodox Jewish women and numbers in
higher education have risen.
Most Jerusalem Arabs choose Israeli
sovereignty. (TY Hazel) A new survey, conducted by
the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion among the Arabs of east Jerusalem
shows that 52% now prefer to live as citizens with equal rights under Israeli
sovereignty. Seven years ago, the figure
was only 35%.
US Jerusalem embassy to open in May. (TY Hazel) The new US Embassy in Jerusalem will open in May 2018 to
coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel declaring independence. Initially,
the embassy will operate out of the US’s current consular premises.
20,000 extra PA work permits. (TY Hazel) Israel is increasing
the number of work permits for Arabs from the Palestinian Authority by 20,000,
bringing the number of permits to 100,000.
Agriculture training for 10 Russian-speaking
countries. Israel’s Agency for International
Development Cooperation (MASHAV) recently hosted 24 professionals from 10
Russian-speaking countries who underwent an intensive agriculture training program
on entrepreneurship, marketing and post-harvesting.
Helping Europe counter terrorism. MK Anat Berko, a criminologist, represented Israel at a meeting in
Vienna of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe. It was the first time that Israel participated as a full
member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism.
Prince William to
visit Israel.
Kensington Palace has announced that the Duke of Cambridge, Prince
William, who is second in line to the British throne, will visit Israel and the
Palestinian Territories in Israel’s 70th anniversary year. It will be the first
official royal visit to Israel in the history of the Jewish State.
Thwarting terror attacks in 30
countries. Israel’s
Economic Minister Eli Cohen said at a law conference at Tel Aviv University that
Israel had issued warnings about specific terror plots to some 30 countries in
2017.
Treating trauma in South Florida. Specialists from the Israel Trauma Coalition are now in South
Florida, providing trauma counseling training to around 600 professionals assisting
the Parkland community in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High
School shooting tragedy.
Climbing Kilimanjaro to benefit sick
children.
(TY WIN
& I24 News) In its 22 years, Israeli charity Make a Wish has helped 3,500
sick children realize their dreams. To raise awareness (and half a million
shekels), 14 hikers from Make a Wish climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest
mountain in Africa.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Research center to fight crime. The Israeli police and
Ben-Gurion University have partnered to launch the Center for Computational
Criminology in Be'er Sheva. Its aim is to use hi-tech methods such as big data
to transform the nature of criminal investigations and help law enforcers prevent
crime.
A computer mouse for amputees. Israeli startup 6Degrees has
developed an armband that replaces the computer mouse, enabling users with
disabilities to control devices through arm movement. The motion is translated
by Bluetooth into cursor movement on a tablet, smartphone or computer, just
like a traditional mouse.
Another alternative to GPS. I reported previously (4th
Feb) that Israeli startup Hoopo has developed a geolocation estimation
algorithm as an alternative to GPS. Now Israel’s Deeyook has invented a mobile
wireless location sensor that utilizes direction data from all available Wi-Fi networks
and cellular base stations.
Cisco to help digitize Israel. Chuck Robbins, CEO of US
technology giant Cisco, has come to Israel to participate in the launch of Cisco’s
country digitization acceleration (CDA) program. CDA will install tech hubs in
24 peripheral communities and connect them to Tel Aviv’s economic and
technological center.
SEAT incorporates Israeli driver
monitoring system. Volkswagen’s Barcelona subsidiary
SEAT is integrating in-car driver monitoring systems from Israel’s eyeSight
Mobile Technologies in its vehicles. EyeSight’s infrared sensors monitor the
driver’s alertness and will warn the driver or take proactive action.
AI contract analysis beats human
experts. I reported previously (30th
Apr) on the artificial intelligence (AI) of Israel’s LawGeex that saves
businesses of the time and expense required to review and approve everyday
contracts. Now a US study shows that the software is 94% accurate compared to
85% for experienced lawyers.
When trees are thirsty. Israel’s Saturas develops
sensors that are planted in the trunks of trees, and vines, and provide accurate
hydration status reports that enable farmers to optimize irrigation. Saturas
has completed field trials in citrus, apple and almond orchards and has raised
$4 million of funds to market in Spain and the USA.
WakeUp gets US patent. I reported previously (twice) about WakeUp - the natural
beverage solution to post-lunch fatigue developed by Israel’s InnoBev. WakeUp
has just received a US patent, which is timely as energy drinks are under
scrutiny due to concerns over negative health effects.
Mentoring global aerospace startups. Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) is partnering with the US-based Starburst Ventures – a global aerospace
startup incubator. IAI will take part in selecting the startups and offer
mentoring, technological collaboration and investment to startups whose
technology is applicable to IAI.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Lowest unemployment in
45 years.
Israel’s unemployment rate at the end of Jan 2018 stands at 3.7%, down
from 4% at the end of Dec 2017. The last time unemployment was this low was in
the early 1970s, before the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when it stood at 3.4 percent.
For the first time, more women than men are in work.
Public transport fares to be cut by 40%. (TY Janglo)
The Israeli government plans lowering public transport fares on inter-urban
routes by 40% in 2018. Daily and monthly tickets will also be available for
unrestricted travel throughout the country.
Loan guarantees for startups. Israel’s Innovation Authority is to provide government guarantees
for bank loans to Israeli startups. The loans will enable cash-strapped
startups to raise funds without resorting to foreign venture capital funds or
investors that often pressure the startup to relocate its activities abroad.
Productivity training for managers. Israeli companies with up to
NIS 100 million turnover and/or up to 100 workers will be granted a workshop
for senior management on how to improve productivity. Those companies will also
get a government grant of NIS 10,000. Google will help implement changes with
another NIS 10,000.
Easier to hire non-Israeli tech experts. Israel has cut the red tape involved in hiring non-Israeli experts.
Tech companies can now get a license of up to one year for their non-Israeli
contracted experts, compared to the previous 45 days a year maximum. Their
spouses can now work for any Israeli employer.
Tech fund to promote Haifa startups. The Israeli city of Haifa is to sponsor a new tech fund focusing on
early stage startups that commit to establishing their operations in the city. Haifa
currently hosts only 4.5% of Israeli startups. Proposals from private investors
have committed up to $52 million to the fund.
Israel’s growing whisky industry. There are now three Israeli
distilleries producing single-malt whisky, and plans for two more. Milk and Honey in Tel Aviv, Golan Heights in
Katzrin and Pelter, also in the Golan.
UST Global’s cybersecurity center. Multinational IT service company UST Global has announced that its recently
launched Tel Aviv development and service center will handle all its cybersecurity
activity. UST Global provides end-to-end
IT services for 1,000 companies and has over 14,000 employees worldwide.
HP bring 750 to see
Israeli ingenuity. HP Indigo employs 3,000 in
Israel with $1 billion of annual exports. It recently flew in 750 customers
from 50 countries to showcase HP’s newest technologies in digital printing, all
of them made in Israel. For many it was their first visit to the Jewish State.
Intel CEO flies to Israel to test
self-driving car. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich arrived
in Israel for a two-day visit. His aim was to spend one day driving around
Israel in an autonomous vehicle along with Mobileye co-founder and CEO Amnon
Shashua. Mobileye expects serial production of autonomous cars to start by
2021.
Stoudemire’s Israeli wines. (TY Janglo)
Six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire has launched a line of
kosher-for-Passover Israeli wines. After 3 years of talks with the Israel Wine
Producers Association Stoudemire realized the opportunity when he relocated to Israel
in 2016 to play for the Israeli team Hapoel Jerusalem.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
King David laser show. The Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem is launching a new
multimedia exhibit - the King David Night Experience. The majestic story of
David, from shepherd to king, comes to life in a new cinematic production
projected onto the walls and archaeological excavations of Jerusalem’s Citadel.
A Jewish theme park in Dimona. (TY UWI)
The Negev city of Dimona is planning a “Park of Wonders” theme park, similar to
Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida, but with Jewish and Israeli themes. Its five
“worlds”, called “Oasis”, “Spirits”, “Jewish Nation”, “Society” and “Time” will
each have four or five rides.
Jethro Tull’s tour of Israel. (TY Janglo)
Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull’s vocalist, flutist and guitarist, is bringing his
Jethro Tull 50th anniversary tour to Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in October.
Streaming the Beach Volleyball Major
Series. Austria’s Red Bull Media House has
partnered with Israel-based video broadcasting startup Pixellot to broadcast the
2018 Beach Volleyball Major Series in Florida. Pixellot broadcasts live,
multi-angled, panoramic HD video without the need to deploy personnel on site.
Ju-Jitsu gold medals
in Abu Dhabi. (TY Hazel) At the Abu Dhabi Ju-Jitsu
World Championship Juniors and Aspirants 2018, Israel’s Meshi Rosenfeld won the
U21 Under 55kg class and Nimrod Ryeder won the U21 Under 77kg class, with Amir
Alroy winning bronze. Three Israelis won silver medals including Sara Kovaliov
who is deaf. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5144646,00.html
THE JEWISH STATE
Hospital
kids have fun on Purim. (TY UWI)
Purim in Israel is very exciting. Even in hospitals, youngsters don’t miss out
on the fun. At Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, the staff makes sure that the
young patients at the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital are not forgotten.
Arab
women in the Jewish capital city. (TY Sharon) An oldie but goldie (but
first time included in this newsletter) highlighting the freedom that Arab
women have to walk, ride, drive, work, shop, eat and simply enjoy life amongst
the streets of Jerusalem. http://rjstreets.com/2011/03/08/israeli-apartheid/
Celebrating
bar mitzvot with a difference. 18 Ethiopian Jews, who immigrated from Ethiopia a year ago, celebrated
their Bar Mitzvahs at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. They each received tefillin
donated by the Lev L'Ahad organization and were joined via a live video call to
the students of the Ben Porat Yosef School in the United States. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/242444
180225
In the 25th Feb 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
scientists have developed a compound to starve cancer cells.
·
An Israeli
5-minute blood test can save thousands of heart attack victims.
·
A new
Israeli law will make it easier to donate food to the needy.
·
Israeli
doctors restored eyesight to 80 citizens of Papua New Guinea.
·
An Israeli
system helps plants grow by warming or cooling their roots.
·
Egypt has
agreed to purchase $15 billion of Israeli natural gas.
·
Intel is investing
$5 billion on expanding its main Israeli factory.
·
Isaiah’s
seal has been discovered near Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Compound to target enzyme that powers cancer cells. (TY Nevet) I reported previously (21st
Jan) on the discovery by Professor Uri Nir, at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University
of the FerT enzyme key to the energy source of cancer cells. Professor Nir has
now developed a compound E260 which targets FerT and kills the tumors.
A treatment
for inflammatory diseases and more. Israeli scientists have developed
half-a-dozen proteins to treat either inflammatory diseases (see here
and here)
or neuro-degenerative diseases (here and here) But the 5-mer
peptide, developed by Professor David Naor of the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, treats them all.
Treatment can
re-grow any bone in the body. I’ve reported
previously (seven times) on
Israel’s Bonus Bio’s innovative treatment that re-grows damaged bone external
to the patient using the patient’s own fat cells. Bonus Bio has just begun its
second trial of 60 operations. It says that the technology can replace any bone
in the body.
Bio-markers indicate
pregnancy complications. Tel Aviv University researchers have
discovered molecular biomarkers in the blood for preeclampsia, a pregnancy
complication that can lead to underweight or premature babies and even death. A
new blood test, when available can initiate the early application of simple
treatment.
No-blade
dental surgery. (TY Hazel) Researchers at Israel’s Technion
have developed nanotechnology that replaces the dentist’s scalpel with the
target release of the enzyme collagenase to break down collagen fibers in the
gums. It spares the pain associated with orthodontic surgeries and
significantly reduces tissue recovery time.
Bandage goes
global. I reported previously (27th
Aug) on the amazing WoundClot bandage made by Israeli startup Core
Scientific Creations (CSC). Woundclot is now sold in 32 countries, including Italy,
India, Vietnam, the UK, Poland, Romania, and France. It was used to save the
lives of victims of recent stabbings.
5-minute blood test to diagnose heart attack. (TY Hazel) Israeli startup Novamed has developed the SensAheart device
which tests blood for antibodies produced in a heart attack. Existing blood
tests take up to six hours to get a result, but SensAheart takes only five
minutes, lessens damage to heart tissue and saves lives.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Amended Israeli law will
help feed the needy. (TY Jacques) A new Ministry of
Health bill will protect restaurants, event halls, hotels and other food
institutions who wish to donate unused food to those in need. It states that good
faith donations no longer need worry about being sued if the food causes health
problems.
Israel’s first female Haredi judge. The Judicial Selection Committee has appointed Havi Toker to serve
in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, making her Israel’s first female ultra-Orthodox
judge. Toker was born in England and grew up in Bnei Brak as the eldest of 12
siblings. She has 4 children - her eldest son serves in the IDF.
Persecuted Ahmadi Muslims have freedom
in Israel. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community is persecuted
across the Middle East. But as their leader Muhammad Sharif Odeh says, the
1,400 living in Kababir, Haifa, enjoy full religious and cultural freedom. They
also pray at the only Ahmadi mosque in the Middle East.
Huge rally in India to support Israel. At least 50,000 marched through the streets of Kolkata, India in
support of Israel. Participants carried banners reading; “India Israel
friendship forever”, “Jerusalem eternal capital of Israel”, India-Israel
ancient cultures, modern miracle” among others.
The third most-educated adults in the
world. The OECD (Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development) has ranked Israel as the 3rd most educated
country in adult education. 49.9% of Israeli adults between the age of 25 and
64 have completed some form of adult education - almost 4 percent above the US.
Taiwan to open Israeli tech division. Taiwan’s Ministry of Science
and Technology is to launch a new tech division in Israel, expected to be in
operation this summer. Taiwan is seeking to draw on Israeli research and
expertise on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biomedical tech.
Good relations with Serbia. Serbian National Assembly
President Maja Gojkovic visited the Knesset, Israel’s parliament as a guest of
Speaker Yuli Edelstein, where she lauded the close ties between the two
countries. Economic and cultural links are helped by a sizable community of
Jews from former Yugoslavia in Israel.
Restoring eyesight to
80 in Papua New Guinea. Israeli medical specialists
from the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital have restored the eyesight
of over 80 visually impaired people living in the eastern half of the island of
New Guinea. Most of the patients had been blind, due to neglected cataracts in
both eyes.
Fighting snail fever in Ethiopia. The NALA Foundation, founded by Israeli immunologist Dr. Zvi
Bentwich, is using its behavioral model and treatment from Merck to help
millions of Ethiopians fight schistosomiasis, commonly known as “snail fever.” The
disease is caused by parasitic flatworms and poor hygiene.
Knesset welcomes global parliament
heads. (TY Sharon)
Israel hosted 49 representatives from 25 countries and organizations at the
Conference for Heads of Parliamentary Administration. Knesset Speaker Yuli
Edelstein said the event “demonstrates the high regard in which we are held by
parliaments around the world.”
Israel helps foil plot to blow up UAE
plane. (TY Hazel) Israel helped avert an ISIS plot
in Australia to bring down a UAE plane in 2017. Australian Home Affairs
Minister Peter Dutton said, "The Etihad flight was almost blown out of the
sky and would have resulted in hundreds of people losing their lives, so we are
very grateful for the assistance Israel provided in that matter." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-43149722
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Stress relief for crops. Israeli agriculture startup Roots Sustainable Agricultural
Technologies has built a system that can both heat and cool crop roots to
increase yields while consuming very little energy. Roots has just broken into
the lucrative Chinese agriculture market via Israeli agricultural integrator
company Dagan.
Breeding high-yield rubber plants. Israel’s NRGene is helping Bridgestone Americas to breed the
guayule rubber plant to provide enough latex to create a new rubber production
industry in the US. The first-ever two
guayule genomes have already been sequenced and completely assembled.
Ecological products from wood pulp. Israel’s Melodea has
developed a process for extracting cellulose nano crystals (CNC/NCCs) from wood
pulp. These are then made into packaging, insulation panels and reinforcing
acrylic paints and plastics. Melodea has just received $5 million of funds from
Brazilian forestry giant Klabin.
Cybersecurity defends against moving
targets. Israeli startup Morphisec develops
cybersecurity products that use moving target defense technology to protect
against ransomware, evasive attacks and cyber threats that have no current
protection.
Arrow 3 defense system tested
successfully.
Israel has successfully tested its Arrow 3 long-range missile
interceptor. The Israel Defense Ministry tested the system together with the US
Missile Defense Agency. Arrow 3, a joint Israel-US development, is one of the
most powerful missile defense systems in the world.
Dairy farm for Papua New Guinea. I’ve reported previously (several times) about Israel’s amazing
dairy technology. Ronen Feigenbaum of Israel’s Alefbet is now building the first
dairy farm for Papua New Guinea. Israeli
companies supplied the equipment for milking, growing silage, and collecting
and treating river water.
65 international research agreements. Israel’s Chief Scientist, Dr Ami Appelbaum, is in London as a guest
of Israel Bonds and revealed that his Israel Innovation Authority has signed 65
bilateral research agreements all over the world, most recently in Uruguay. He
views Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Israel’s key tech growth area.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Egypt buys $15 billion
worth of Israeli gas. I reported previously (several times) on the desire
by Egypt to buy natural gas from Israel. Now finally, Egypt's Dolphinus
Holdings has signed agreements to purchase 64 billion cubic meters of gas from
Israel’s Tamar and Leviathan fields. The 10-year deal is worth $15 billion.
400 Israeli startups in the UK. About 400 Israeli startups
or tech companies now operate in the UK, primarily in Greater London. More than
a dozen Israeli firms are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Israelis choose London
for its proximity plus specializing sectors of forex, creative content
services, ecommerce and fintech.
Healthcare’s expansion at Philips. Philips Healthcare is increasing the number of
employees in its cancer informatics division in Israel. The total number of
Philips Healthcare’s employees in Israel will rise to 1000.
Ben Gurion opens new extension to
Terminal 3. (TY TIP
& Jacques) Ben Gurion airport’s new wing E includes telescopic glass
pathways, eight plane exit gates, four bus exit gates, along with shops,
restaurants and a VIP lounge. It can handle up to 1,800 more passengers per
hour, allowing for dozens of extra daily flights.
Visa launches another innovation lab. I reported previously (May
2015) that Visa Europe had opened a start-up center in Tel Aviv. It is now launching
an innovation studio in Tel Aviv for Israeli FinTech startups to develop the
next generation of payment solutions. https://www.visaeurope.com/il/innovationexchange/
Merck’s 3rd biotech incubator. The Merck Group and Shanghai’s WuXi AppTec have launched the
biotech startup incubator ExploreBio. It is Merck’s 3rd Israeli biotech
incubator, based at Merck’s existing complex in Yavne and will focus on early
stage biotechnology startups. The program has a five-year budget of $25
million.
Orcam becomes a Unicorn. Artificial vision device
company OrCam (see here) has
just raised $30.4 million of funds that values the company at $1 billion – giving
it the financial status known as a “Unicorn”. OrCam’s founders Aviram and Amnon Shashua also co-founded Mobileye and sold it later to Intel for
$15.3 billion.
$5 billion expansion
of Intel’s factory. (TY TIP)
Intel, the global chip-making giant, is planning a $5 billion expansion of its
Kiryat Gat cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Southern Israel. It follows
the company's $6 billion investment in 2016 to upgrade the facility to produce
advanced 10 nanometer chips.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Japanese duo sample more Israeli snacks. Readers may remember (Nov
2016) when my friend Pamela Levene sent a selection of Israeli snacks to Japanese
video bloggers Satoshi and Shinich. Pamela recently sent them another batch to
taste and comment on. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nki9EyLsK34?rel=0
Your soundtrack to Purim. (TY Hazel) DJ Antithesis plays some of the modern Israeli songs
connected to the Jewish festival of Purim – undoubtedly the happiest time to be
in Israel. I can’t wait to get back there!
Israel is the best travel destination
for vegans. Israel is popular with vegans, mainly
thanks to vegan-friendly Tel Aviv. The Israeli non-profit VeganFriendly
recommends places for vegans to stay and many hundreds of restaurants to visit.
You can go on vegan tours, and there is even a vegan Birthright tour.
Ashley Blaker does Teshuvah. Yes, the unique Orthodox Jewish
UK comedian, Ashley Blaker is returning to Israel for another
tour, entitled “Meshuga Frum”. He will perform (Y”H) from March 4-8 in
Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Netanya and Raanana. “Not to be missed” says his
publicity. But we surely have
missed him!
Alley-Oop to Aliyah. (TY Sharon) Nefesh B'Nefesh and
Fun in Jerusalem sponsored an event in Jerusalem to promote the book, "Alley-Oop
to Aliyah" by David A Goldstein. It describes the good experiences of African-American
basketball players who came to play in Israel. Some even converted to Judaism
and made Aliyah.
THE JEWISH STATE
The
truth about Apartheid. Great video, highlighting how Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens have
equal rights.
Latest
Israeli stamps.
(TY Jacob Richman) New Israeli stamps issued in February include Yotvata
Hai-Bar (animal reserve) - 50 Years; WWI in Eretz Israel Centenary; Israel
Television - 50 Years and Trains in Israel.
The seal of Isaiah found in Jerusalem. Hebrew University archaeologists
have discovered an 8th century BCE seal impression in First Temple remains near
Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. It is inscribed with the Hebrew letters that seem to
spell out the name l’Yesha’yah[u] (belonging to Isaiah) and part of the word navi
(prophet).
180211
In the 11th Feb 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli 3D
printers are making prosthetic limbs for amputees globally.
·
An
Israeli-Ethiopian girl won X-Factor Israel.
·
An Israeli
sanitation system is saving lives in India.
·
10,000
delegates attended Israel’s largest investment summit.
·
An Israeli
singer takes on lead role in Broadway musical.
·
Members of
the lost tribe of Menashe return to pray in Jerusalem.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Printing prosthetic arms for amputees. Israel’s Stratasys is teaming up with multinational 3D software
company Dassault Systèmes and robotics innovator Easton LaChappelle to provide
amputees with affordable, custom-made, battery-powered prosthetic limbs,
created using 3D scanners for printing anywhere in the world.
British girl’s
leg is saved.
I reported previously (7th
Jan) that the only chance Kyra Warrell, of Brighton, UK had of saving her
leg from amputation, was for surgery at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center by
visiting US (Israeli-born) surgeon Dr Dror Paley. Many Israelis helped Kyra’s
family and the operation was a success.
Israel marks
World Cancer Day.
This video of five major Israeli cancer detection and treatments was
released to mark World Cancer Day on 4th Feb. They are Velcade for multiple
myeloma; IceCure; RAD51 gene research; bone marrow transplants for leukemia;
and Doxil’s delivery direct to the tumor.
On the trail
of the malaria virus. I reported previously (Mar
2015) that Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists made progress
countering the way the malaria virus hides its genes from the immune system.
Now Weizmann Institute scientists have disabled the gene that fools the immune
system into attacking decoy cells.
Doctors remove
battery from infant’s stomach. 10-month-old Ram Jannam from the Druze/Arab
town of Maghar, broke his toy telephone and swallowed the battery. Doctors at
Israel’s Padeh-Poriya Medical Center in Tiberias, extracted the battery
endoscopically under anesthesia. Ram is
now back home and doing well.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Helping kids fight cancer pain. The non-profit Kids Kicking Cancer has enlisted 15 martial arts
teachers to become volunteers, helping children with cancer and other serious
illnesses achieve a sense of physical and emotional well-being through free
martial arts classes, counseling, and other kinds of support.
Ethiopian-Israeli wins
X-Factor Israel.
Ethiopian-Israeli Eden Alene, 17, of Jerusalem, won Israel’s “X-Factor
2018. Her performance of pop star Demi
Lovato’s song “Stone Cold” went viral.
Alene, who was raised by her Orthodox Jewish single mother, sang “Human”
by Christina Perri for her final performance.
Training for all. At the non-profit Akko
Center of Arts and Technology (ACAT), among the students of the Entrepreneurship
in the Travel Industry course are a Druze beekeeper, a Bedouin mother and
daughter who serve homemade meals in their home, and a Jewish woman with guest
cabins near the Lebanon border.
Young Jerusalem Arabs are integrating. 22-year-old Ro’aa is typical of a growing number of Jerusalem
Arabs. She works in a Jewish area of Western Jerusalem. “On the Israeli side you get paid more and
receive all your benefits, and if they see you are working hard you get
promoted.”
No politics in Knesset backgammon tournament. Jewish and Arab Israeli
lawmakers from the coalition and opposition competed together at the Knesset
(parliament) backgammon tournament. The competition was won by Oren Hazan
(Likud) who ironically has been suspended from the Knesset for his bad behavior.
The weekly influx of Syrian wounded. Operation Good Neighbor –
the transportation of wounded Syrian children to Israeli hospitals – isn’t a
one-off event; every week Israel receives a busload of sick kids. There
is also a field clinic for non-emergencies. Read the individual stories.
Owls for Peace. (TY Irene) I reported previously (3 times) on how Israelis
have convinced farmers in Israel and Jordan to use owls as a natural control of
rodent pests. This article brings us up to date and suggests that the
cross-border solution is even helping Israel’s relations with Egypt, Cyprus,
Greece, Tunisia and Morocco.
Knesset members develop Jewish-Muslim
ties in Croatia. Israeli-Arab Member of Knesset
(MK) Esawi Frej (Meretz) and Avraham Neguise (Likud) visited Croatia last week
to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Panama gives award to United Hatzalah. Panama’s Homefront Command
has presented an award to Israeli emergency response organization United
Hatzalah. The award is to honor the life-saving aid that United Hatzalah has
provided to the Central American nation.
Planes from Israel may overfly Saudi
Arabia. Early reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has
approved Air India to cross its airspace for direct flights between New Delhi
and Tel Aviv. If confirmed, it will be the first time that flights to Israel
have been allowed through Saudi skies.
A cyber security superpower. Former CIA director Gen (Ret) David H. Petraeus hailed Israel as “a
small country in all aspects, but it is a cyber superpower.”. He was speaking
in Tel Aviv at CyberTech 2018. The 3-day event attracted 15,000 attendees from
80 countries, including 160 international delegations.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Earthquake warning systems. Israel is installing a
tsunami warning system along its Western coast at Ashdod, Hadera and Haifa. It
is also installing a 120-sensor earthquake early-warning system in the East, adjacent
to the Great Rift Valley. Both systems
are expected to be operational by 2019.
Protecting trains from cyber-attack. Israeli startup Cylus is developing technology to protect railway
and metro systems from cyber-attack. Its solution enables rail companies to
detect cyber-attacks in their operational network (including signaling systems
and rolling stocks) and block attackers before they can cause any damage.
Satellite broadband for Australia. Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks reported that its satellite
platform has been selected by NBN and Speedcast to provide broadband services
to businesses and government customers across Australia, especially remote
areas. The deal is worth tens of millions of dollars spread over several years.
A new sanitation
system.
Israeli startup Soapy has set-up simple hygiene stations in Bagepalli,
India to provide children with hand-washing facilities in rural areas and slums
where there is no running water. The station takes water from the air, adds
soap and dispenses the cleaning solution 24/7.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Investment grade, with a positive
outlook. Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has
reaffirmed Israel’s credit rating at its third highest “investment” grade, with
a positive outlook. S&P praised Israel’s prosperous and diverse economy,
strong external balance sheet, and flexible monetary framework.
Currency reserves increase by $4.6
billion. Israel’s reserves of foreign currency
jumped by a record $4.6 billion to a new high of $117.6 billion at the end of
January, compared to the end of December.
The OurCrowd Global
Investors Summit.
(TY Sharon) On 1st Feb, OurCrowd, a
leading global equity crowdfunding platform, held its largest annual investor
conference in Jerusalem. 10,000 attendees from over 90 countries; 1,000
startups, 500 multinationals and 500 venture capitalists. See Jon Medved’s
video preview.
Tech startup is now a $2 billion giant. Israel’s Ori Allon founded Compass in 2012. It has been reshaping
the real estate market in the US with its algorithm-based platform. Having sold
his Orion search algorithm to Google and his Julpan social analytics company to
Twitter, Ori says that he will hold onto Compass this time.
Frutarom’s 32nd takeover. Israeli flavors and fine ingredients company Frutarom has just
bought Israel’s IBR (Israeli Biotechnology Research) for $21 million –
Frutarom’s 32nd acquisition since 2015. IBR produces active ingredients for
cosmetics and dietary supplements.
Opening a new barrel. I reported previously (twice) about Israeli startup Weissbeerger
and its technology to monitor beer taps in a bar. Weissbeerger has just been
acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the makers of Budweiser, Corona, and Stella
Artois.
Better by design – together. Israeli-founded home
remodeling and design company Houzz has just acquired Tel Aviv-based IvyMark, a
startup developing online business management tools for interior designers.
Half of Merck healthcare revenue is due
to Israel. Kai
Beckmann, CEO of Performance Materials at German giant Merck, stated that Israeli
innovation is behind almost half of Merck’s healthcare revenues. Merck has just
opened a new technology innovation laboratory at its subsidiary, Qlight
Nanotech in Jerusalem.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Israeli gets lead road
in Chicago on Broadway. (TY UWI)
Israeli singer and actress Shiri Maimon is set to play the role of Roxie Hart
in the Broadway production of Chicago in September. She will follow Liza
Minnelli, Brooke Shields and Melanie Griffith, who have all played Roxie in the
long-running Broadway hit.
Liev Schreiber gives master class at
TAU. Actor
director Liev Schreiber, star of the “Ray Donovan” TV series, came to Israel to
attend a friend’s wedding, enjoy some “warmer weather, good humus, and lots of
fizzy bobolah!” He also gave a master class in drama at Tel Aviv University.
Video is of a previous trip in 2009.
Super blue-blood moon over Jerusalem. Although I missed it, the “once in a lifetime” event of a super
blue blood moon was visible from Israel. A super moon is when the moon is at
its closest to the Earth. A blue moon is a second full moon in one month. And a blood moon is an eclipse of the moon,
which turns it reddish.
Extreme female cyclist. Israel’s Noga Korem recently joined the famous GT Factory Team - a
professional extreme endurance bicycle racing team in the United States. As the
only woman on the “Enduro” team, Noga follows the same rigorous training and
competition rules as her male counterparts.
Israel’s rowing center is making waves. In memory of potential Israeli Olympic rower Daniel Amichai Marcus,
his family built the Daniel Rowing Centre on the banks of the Yarkon River.
(They even widened the river.) It is a place that Israelis come to compete,
heal from injuries and enjoy the beautiful sport of rowing.
More about Israel’s skeleton Olympian. Sharon (Real Jerusalem Streets)
has written a feature for Israellycool about AJ Edelman – Israel’s first-ever
Winter Olympics competitor in the Skeleton bobsleigh event.
THE JEWISH STATE
Na
Na – it cannot be! It’s common to see (and hear) the sub-group
of Breslover Hasidim dancing and singing on Israeli streets. But this sight of one dancing on top of a car
with a Palestinian Arab is somewhat unusual.
My
choice is Israel.
Fred Maroun frequently writes blogs favorably comparing Israel against Arab
states. In this article he explains why although he is Arab by birth, he is
Zionist by choice.
180204
In the 4th Feb 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israel’s
emergency preparedness conference attracted 1000 from 35 countries.
·
Israeli
tech secured the funeral of the former King of Thailand.
·
Tel Aviv
University has started building micro satellites.
·
An Israeli
company is now saving water in 4 continents.
·
A record
number of Israelis will compete at the Winter Olympics.
·
Archaeologists
have found ancient building remains of the Kings of Judea.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Treatment for
Fabry disease fast-tracked. I reported previously (Jan
2015) on the promising trials for the Fabry disease treatment PRX-102 from
Israel’s Protalix. PRX-102 is currently in Phase III trials and has just been
granted fast-track status by the US FDA. Fabry disease damages the kidneys and
heart and has no cure.
How iron
levels are maintained. Researchers at Israel’s Technion have
uncovered the mechanism by which the body transports the essential protein
ferritin around the body. Ferritin
maintains iron levels in the red blood cells that bring oxygen to the brain.
Iron deficiency is a major cause of many brain diseases.
Breakthrough
brain device. I reported previously (4 times) on Israel’s
MedyMatch, whose software gives more accurate assessments about strokes and
intracranial bleeds. MedyMatch has now been granted Expedited Access Pathway
and Breakthrough Device designation by the FDA for intracranial hemorrhage
detection.
$18 million
donation for Health Discovery tower. I reported previously (30th
Apr) about the new 20-story medical research tower being built at Rambam
Medical Center in Haifa. Now the Helmsley Trust is donating $18 million to the
project and the building is to be named the “Helmsley Medical Discovery Tower”.
Recovery is in
the balance. Israeli startup Bobo has developed a
smart board that records, analyses and gives feedback to physiotherapists on a
patient’s ability to maintain balance during rehabilitation following surgery
or treatment. Trials in Hadassah Medical Center have proved Bobo’s usefulness
and it is now heading to the USA.
Latest news on
POP repair device. I reported previously (Aug
2016) on the minimally-invasive inter-uterine device from Israel’s POP
Medical that repairs Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) affecting 50% of women. The
FDA-approved NeuGuide is soon to undergo new trials in the US and Israel to
build confidence and data.
Disaster training for 1000. (TY Nevet) The fifth IPRED international
conference led by Israel’s Ministry of Health and the Home Front Command
attracted 1000 emergency responders from 35 countries. It ended with a
simulated mass-casualty exercise in Petah Tikva that received media attention
from as far away as China.
New Center for
Translational Medicine. Tel Aviv University is
establishing an innovation center for translational medicine. The aim is to
reduce the time for bringing a new treatment to market by combining academic
research with clinical trials. Only
afterwards will the treatment be licensed to a commercial company.
The first
International Biomedical Informatics conference. In
December, Israel’s Technion hosted the first international conference on
biomedical informatics – where data collected by universities, hospitals and
health funds is analyzed and the results used to adapt treatments to individual
patients.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
US Second Lady supports Israeli creative
arts therapy. US Second Lady Karen Pence’s champions
Art Therapy and the Israeli PM’s wife Sara Netanyahu is a child psychologist.
Both participated in a roundtable in Jerusalem with top Israeli creative arts
therapists. (Seated on Mrs. Pence’s right is my wife’s cousin Dalya.)
Hi-tech scanning increases PA trade. Israel has implemented a new system for scanning cargo containers that
will enable 200 containers to cross between Jordan and the Palestinian
Authority each day - double the current number. The PA Economy Minister said it
“will save exporters and importers a lot of efforts and costs”.
NASA honors Israel’s first astronaut. NASA honored the astronauts killed aboard shuttle Columbia 15 years
ago, with a special musical tribute by Tal Ramon, the son of Ilan Ramon - Israel's
first astronaut. Tal recalled how his father's spaceflight was "a huge thing"
not only in Israel, but the United States as well. Also see video.
Cape Town starts water rationing. I reported previously (Jun
2016) that Israel had offered to help South Africa with its water
management. Sadly, the government refused help and now residents of Cape Town
are rationed to 50 liters per day. Worse, from April, they will have to stand
in queues to get water.
Protecting Thai
funeral. The
Red Sky 2 drone defense system from Israel’s IMI Systems was operated for the
first time by the Thai Air Force in October to protect the 250,000 attendees at
the funeral of the former King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej. The system
intercepted and neutralized two unauthorized drones.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
A pen for dyslexics. I’ve reported previously (see here) about Israeli help for
dyslexics. Now Israeli startup Wizcomtech has developed a reading pen that scans
text and breaks words down into syllables using a digital voice. It then gives
synonyms for the words to aid understanding and remembering.
An alternative to GPS. Israeli startup Hoopo has developed
a geolocation estimation algorithm as an alternative to GPS. It uses low-power
wide-area (LPWA) network data transmissions to generate a precise location.
Hoopo has just received $1.5 million of funding.
Simulating Mars in the Negev desert. A specialized structure
simulating the Red Planet Mars’s unique environment is currently being built
near Mitzpe Ramon in Israel’s Negev desert. Six Israeli astronauts will
experience Martian conditions, communicating to the Rehovot control center via
Israel’s AMOS 7 satellite.
Making the physical world searchable. (TY Israel21c)
I reported previously (Sep
2013) about four Israeli startups providing indoor GPS-like location
services. Now Israel’s Oriient provides visitors to megastores, malls, offices,
hospitals and universities with better accessibility. No additional hardware
needs to be installed.
CyberTech 2018 opens in Tel Aviv. Israel’s CyberTech
conference (29-31 Jan) is the most significant gathering in the industry
outside the United States. The 3-day event brought 15,000 attendees, 170
speakers and 120 companies to discuss challenges facing the cyber industry.
Building miniature
satellites. Tel Aviv University has launched a new
space exploration center focused on constructing 4-inch cube-sized satellites. A
team of engineers will build the “CubeSats” in collaboration with university researchers.
Costs are around $500k each compared to tens of millions for the current large
satellites.
No flies on Orri Jaffa mandarins. Israel's Plant Production and Marketing Board (PPMB) has announced
the launch of Orri Jaffa, an easy peeler mandarin, fully protected using
biological controls. To repel Mediterranean fruit flies (Medflies) Orri Jaffa
farmers use natural baits and sterile insects to reduce fly populations.
Predicting car crashes. I reported previously (16th
July) on one Israeli system that can predict and prevent car crashes. Now scientists at Bar Ilan University has
also developed artificial intelligence-based crash prediction software using 13
years of car accident data. The technology will soon be tested by Israel's
traffic police.
IBM sets up its largest lab outside US. Multinational IBM has
inaugurated a new cybersecurity laboratory in Beer Sheva – its largest outside
of the United States. The lab will focus on researching systems to detect
insider threats – one of the biggest current causes of data security breaches.
Construction begins on Israel’s most
efficient power plant. Construction has begun of the 450-megawatt
Israel Power Management (IPM) power plant at Be'er Tuvia. When complete in
2020, the natural gas-fueled plant will provide 3.5 % of Israel’s electricity
at an efficiency rating of 60% - the highest in Israel.
Self-driving Cadillacs on Israeli roads. General Motors' development
center is carrying out trials on Israeli public roads of prototypes of
Cadillacs with high-level autonomous driving systems. GM’s Super Cruise needs
no driver intervention on high-speed roads, including overtaking, emergency braking,
and moderate turns.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Highest hotel occupancy in a decade. Tourism to Israel is booming with hotel overnights by overseas
tourists totaling 10.6 million in 2017 - 23% more than in 2016 and the highest
since 2007. The nationwide hotel occupancy rate in 2017 was 67%, compared with
62% in 2016.
$814.5 million raised by cybersecurity
firms. Israel’s
420 cybersecurity firms raised a record $814.5 million in 2017 – a massive 16%
of global investment in cybersecurity and 28% more than in 2016. There were 14
exits totaling more than $1.4 billion. Several major international security
companies opened Israeli R&D centers.
Fund for AI startups. Jerusalem-based OurCrowd
global equity crowdfunding platform has launched Cognitiv, a specialized $100
million global fund focused on early-stage companies in artificial intelligence
(AI), deep learning, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and digital
manufacturing.
Million-dollar startup competition. Jerusalem Venture Partners
(JVP) is offering $1 million to the winner of “The New York Play” competition
for startups wishing to move between New York and Israel. Specialty areas
include AI, big data, cyber, fintech, mobile, storage, cloud tech, IoT, media,
agritech and digital health.
A map of the Israeli retail startup scene. There are over 250 retail
technology startups operating in Israel currently. Jerusalem Venture Partners
(JVP), Nielsen Innovate Fund (NIF), Deloitte and The Shelf have published a map
of the Israeli retail technology landscape, featuring the sector’s 100 “most
promising startups.”
TaKaDu’s global
expansion. I’ve reported previously (several times) about Israel’s
TaKaDu and its water-saving systems for water utilities. It has acquired new
customers in Australia and its first one in Vietnam. Meanwhile, its first US
customer Knoxville Utilities Board is already showing major benefits. Inspiring
video.
CollPlant to list on NASDAQ. Israeli human tissue repair
company CollPlant is shortly to list on NASDAQ. Collplant uses tobacco plant
DNA to develop and manufacture collagen-based regenerative medical treatments
and bio-ink used in 3D printing of human tissues and organs.
$150 million for InSightec. Israel’s InSightec’s MRI-focused ultrasound (see here) is curing patients
of tremors, prostate cancer and fibroids. It has just raised $150 million of
funding.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
On-line exhibitions. Israel21c has made some
alterations to its on-line exhibitions.
Here are the new links to its “18 Ways Israel is Changing the World” and
its new exhibition “The Guide to Hipster Israel”.
After the rains, the waterfalls. Beautiful photos of Israel’s
spectacular waterfalls, boosted by recent rains.
The perfect sport for
an Israeli.
On 15th Feb, Israel’s A.J. Edelman will begin his participation in the Winter
Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. As Israel’s first-ever competitor in the
skeleton bobsleigh competition, he joins nine other Israeli qualifiers (a
record), which includes seven figure-skaters. Great videos.
The other Israeli Olympic athletes. Israeli competitors at the
Winter Olympics include figure skater Alexei Bychenko – Israel’s best prospect
for a medal. Others include speed skater Vladislav Bykanov, alpine skier Itamar
Biran, and pairs skaters Paige Conners and Evgeni Krasnopolski
THE JEWISH STATE
11-year-old
girl raises money for Puerto Rica. 11-year-old Israeli Meital Sterntha is halfway to raising $4000 to purchase
100 water filters for the citizens of Puerto Rica still rebuilding after
devastating hurricanes. In honor of her Bat Mitzvah, Meital founded PuertoTiko,
which hand-makes and sells textile bags to raise aid money.
Fulfilling a dream. Israeli cancer charity Ezer Mizion has a special program called “Fulfilling
A Dream” that enables lonely, disabled elderly housebound people to choose an
event they wish to experience. In this article two holocaust survivors (one 90,
the other 99) are taken on the trips of their dreams.
70
orchards for 70 years. Between now (Tu B’Shvat – New
Year for Trees) and the 70th birthday of the State of Israel, Israeli farmers
aim to plant 70 new orchards each containing hundreds of fruit trees and
vines. To join in the Mitzvah of
planting fruit trees in the Land of Israel, please visit this site and watch
the video.
Remains from the time of Judea’s Kings.
After five years of excavations, Israel has inaugurated a Nature Park at
Ein Hanya, near Jerusalem. Finds at the site include a column capital typical
of royal structures from the First Temple era 2,400 to 2,800 years ago, and one
of the oldest coins ever discovered in the Jerusalem area.
Aliyah
“On Eagles Wings”.
This week’s Torah portion includes the famous phrase “I carried you on the
wings of eagles and I brought you to Me”.
As this video explains, this links to the 1950s Aliya of Yemenite Jews
in Operation Magic Carpet. But it also reverberates with every new immigrant
who arrives at Ben Gurion airport.
180128
In the 28th Jan 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
pancreatic cancer treatment shows positive results in just five days.
·
Israel’s
PM announces NIS 1 billion digital health project.
·
Israel is
top of the Middle East Freedom list – again.
·
An Israeli
app is helping the French public and police resolve crimes.
·
Israeli
tech is generating water from the air in India.
·
An Israeli
wireless charging system won an international award.
·
At least
nine major business deals signed during the PM’s trip to India.
·
The US
Vice President’s historic visit to Israel.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Good results in pancreatic cancer treatment trials. Israel’s BioLineRx has
announced encouraging initial results from its Phase 2a trials of its BL-8040
treatment on patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. After only five days
of treatment the treatment substantially increased the numbers of T-cells
fighting the tumors.
Predicting and
preventing PIE.
Post Injury Epilepsy (PIE) occurs several months after a stroke in at
least 10% of patients. Scientists at Ben Gurion University have been able to
detect likely PIE sufferers using EEG (electroencephalographic) recordings of
theta brain waves. Early treatment with medication can prevent attacks.
The gene that
causes colon cancer. Israel’s NRGene has confirmed
the identity of a genetic mutation that causes colon cancer in 60% of its
hosts. NRGene was contacted by scientists at Stanford University and used its GenoMagic
software to genetically screen the DNA of inherited colon cancer sufferers.
European
approval for stroke analysis system. (TY Atid-EDI) Viz.ai
has received the CE Mark for its Israeli-developed Direct-to-Intervention
system, ContaCT, a novel approach to stroke care that automatically analyzes
brain CT-scans and notifies a specialist that a suspected large vessel
occlusion has been identified.
Personalized
cancer treatment.
(TY UWI
and TIP) This video shows that Israeli doctors are saving lives of cancer
patients by testing different treatments on samples of the tumors outside
of the patient’s body. They can then determine the best cancer treatments to
offer patients based on the success of the treatment.
Gene cancer
therapy prepares to launch. Israel’s VBL Therapeutics has opened its new
gene therapy production facility to manufacture VBL’s lead cancer therapy
ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), when finally approved. The Modiin gene therapy
plant is one of the largest in the world, and the first in Israel.
An app to
monitor the brain.
Israel-based startup Montfort Brain Monitor won Israel’s Henry Ford
Health System's artificial intelligence challenge. Montfort’s "master
app" uses a smartphone's sensors to track a patient's motor, cognitive,
and affective activity. It can be tailored for the specific neurological
disorder.
NIS 1 billion digital health project. In Davos, Israeli PM
Netanyahu met with William McDermott, the CEO of SAP who agreed to partner with
Israel on a new five-year NIS 1 billion digital healthcare project. The project
aims to develop personalized and preventative medicine – regarded as a
revolution in the health sector.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
The most free country
in the Middle East. (TY UWI)
Israel is the only free country amongst its Middle East neighbors, according to
the latest report from Freedom House. With Turkey becoming “Not Free” and
Tunisia about to lose its “Free” status, it is about time that the UN gave
Israel due respect.
Volunteers give free roadside
assistance.
(TY Janglo)
Echoing the Jewish principle that everyone is responsible for everyone else,
Israeli organization Yedidim (Hebrew for “loved ones” or “good friends”) has
over 6,000 volunteers ready to help drivers on Israeli roads. Especially useful
during winter storms.
Special dog handlers. (TY Hazel) 20 members of the IDF’s “Special in Uniform” unit have
graduated from the IDF’s dog handling program. They developed skills to direct,
feed and exercise dogs and will now work on bases with guard-dogs, detection
dogs and search and rescue dogs.
More Arabs at Israeli universities. (TY Hazel) Arab students made up 16.1 percent of Israel’s
undergraduates in 2017, a 60% rise from 2010, according to the latest survey by
Israel’s Council for Higher Education (CHE). They also constitute 13% of
Masters’ students, double that in 2010. 41% of Haifa University students are
Arab.
Projects to benefit Palestinian Arabs. The Israeli delegation to the UN’s Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) presented
Israeli projects for the benefit of Palestinian Arabs. They include an improved
cellphone network, an enhanced water supply system, a PA industrial zone in
Tarqumiyah and water desalinization in Gaza.
Wounded Syrians received with Arabic greeting. A Druze Staff Sergeant from
southern Israel is saving wounded civilians from Syria. "When I meet the
wounded,” he says. "I just go up to them and say in Arabic, 'Hi, my
medical team and I are here to help you,' and then just treat them."
Powerful and innovative. U.S. News and World Report ranks Israel as the 8th-most-powerful
nation based upon defensive strength, strong international alliances, and
economic and political influence. Bloomberg ranks Israel as the
10th-most-innovative country based on spending on R&D and number of listed hi-tech
companies.
And food secure. The United Nations ranked Israel 19th out of 180 in its 2017 State
of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report on how well countries can
feed their populations.
Hundreds of foreign students at TAU. (TY Atid-EDI) 370 international
students are beginning the spring semester at Tel Aviv University – the most in
two decades. They hail from the USA, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Panama
and UK. The average age is 20 and 69% are female. Most are on TAU’s study
abroad program.
Reporting crime in
Nice. I included previously (Apr
2016) an article about Israel’s Reporty which forms the basis for an
emergency video app used by Israel’s Magen David Adom. Now Reporty is being
piloted by 2000 members of the French public in Nice to film and report crimes
or incidents to the police.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Generating water in
India.
Israel’s WaterGen is launching a water generation pilot with India’s
Tata. A joint entity in India will oversee local manufacture and installment of
mid-size AWG (Atmospheric Water Generators) GEN-350G units.
Agriculture for good. Israel’s agricultural group
Yakhin is joining with Israeli non-profit Tech for Good, to set up Yakhin
Impact - an accelerator to mentor agri-tech entrepreneurs. It will help
sustainable development start-ups develop solutions with the potential to
transform agriculture in Israel and globally.
Saving Africa’s crops from going to
waste.
Israel’s Farmster links Tanzanian farmers to buyers for their crops even
if they can’t access the Internet. They are given a simple SMS (texting)
facility on their low-tech mobile phones and the buyers (who have smartphones
and the FarmZee app) can quickly see what is available.
TAU’s Russian Intelligence ally. No, not a spy story. Tel Aviv University is partnering Russian tech
company Yandex to provide courses in artificial intelligence (AI). The Yandex
Machine Learning Initiative, will feature courses on machine learning, deep
learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
Boot camp for hi-tech developers. Muhammad Zahalqa, CTO of
Experis Israel (part of Manpower group), came on ILTV news to explain how his
company trains Israeli graduates for the hi-tech industry. In his words,
turning them into “ninja developers” to help address the shortage of technical
skills in the Startup Nation.
Smartphone case and selfie stick in one. Why carry your smartphone in
one pocket and a selfie stick in another?
That’s what the son of David Sherman, CEO of Israeli startup Stikbox,
thought. The promotion video for Stikbox received nearly 10 million hits on
Facebook and over 380,000 on Youtube.
Superfast Internet cable by 2020. (TY Janglo)
A new sub-sea Internet cable will connect Israel with Spain in 2020 that will
have 40 times more capacity than existing Internet cables. The new 7,700 km
cable will reach Bilbao, Spain, where an equally powerful internet cable already
connects Spain to the main Internet backbone.
Cutting energy costs for hotels. I reported previously (see here) on two
Israeli startups with energy-saving solutions for hotels. Now Israel’s Vortex
Energy uses sensors to compare a hotel’s internal and external temperatures to
control heating and air conditioning systems. It can save up to 20% of a
hotel’s operating costs.
Upgrading India’s optical network. (TY Atid-EDI)
Israel’s ECI has been chosen by Idea Cellular Ltd (Idea), the third largest
mobile operator in India and sixth-ranked in the world, to upgrade its optical
network. Idea has nearly 200 million subscribers. ECI is a global provider of
flexible network solutions.
WiFi charger wins CES
innovation award.
(TY Atid-EDI)
I reported previously (here)
about Israel’s WiFi charging system Wi-Charge that charges mobile phones using
infra-red beams in the ceiling lights. Wi-Charge received FDA approval in 2017
and won the Best of Innovation (Smart Energy Product) award at CES 2018.
Secure cashless payment. (TY Atid-EDI)
Israel’s On Track Innovations (OTI) makes secure cashless payment solutions for
the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, vending machines and petrol pumps.
OTI’s UNO-8 (SATURN 8700) system has just been granted EMVCo Visa &
Mastercard approval.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
More money for social causes. (TY Atid-EDI)
Israel’s 2019 budget has just been approved. It includes large increases in
spending on education ($18 billion), welfare ($13 billion) and healthcare ($11
billion).
Israel’s sustained growth. Ambassador Yoram Ettinger
highlights Israel’s economic successes in 2017. Tourism up 24.6%; unemployment
down to 4.1%; exports up 5% (despite strong shekel) to $100 billion; low
inflation and debt to GDP below 60%. And Israeli startups raised $5.24 billion
- up 9%.
Over 50 Israeli wineries exhibited. More than 50 Israeli
wineries, together with international brands, were displayed in the “Sommelier
2018” exhibition in Tel Aviv. Israel’s largest annual wine event is normally
just for industry professionals, but this year it opened to the public during
the evenings.
Bringing leading-edge startups to
multinationals. Israeli venture fund Jerusalem Venture
Partners has launched JVP Play. It aims to connect Israeli startups, developing
artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning solutions, with major retail and
financial services such as Tesco, Microsoft, Barclays and Deloitte.
Schroders to open Tel Aviv offices. One of Britain’s largest investment management firms, Schroders
plc, announced that it is opening offices in Tel Aviv in response to growing
demand from clients. Schroders has been active in Israel for about a decade but
has been working from its London headquarters until now.
Israeli AI firm becomes French. French e-commerce company Akeno has acquired Sigmento, an Israeli
startup that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to help
online vendors better describe their products. The company plans to keep
development in Tel Aviv with Akeno staff relocating to Israel.
More deals with India. In addition to the WaterGen
– Tata pilot above, at least eight other projects began during the Israeli PM’s
visit to India. They include Israel’s Phinergy and Ashok Leyland for energy
from aluminum-air batteries. And the Israel Electric Company with Andhra
Pradesh state, for critical infrastructure.
Israel’s SCD buys US Quantum Imaging. Another example of an
Israeli company taking over a US firm. Israel’s SemiConductor Devices (SCD)
(jointly owned by Elbit and Rafael) has bought Colorado’s Quantum Imaging,
makers of short-wave Infra-red cameras. The aim is to strengthen SCD’s US
activities.
An Israeli cybersecurity merger. (TY Atid-EDI)
Hod Hasharon’s Allot Communications is to acquire Tel Aviv’s Netonomy, a
developer of software-based cyber security for the connected home. Allot’s multi-service platforms are deployed
by over 500 mobile, fixed and cloud service providers and over 1000
enterprises.
Palo Alto opens new Israeli R&D
center. (TY Atid-EDI) Since
acquiring two Israeli companies (Cyvera and LightCyber), Palo Alto Networks
Israel has grown to 200 employees. Hence it just moved into new Tel Aviv
offices - the only R&D site for Palo Alto Networks outside of its global
headquarters in Santa Clara, California.
All-consuming geothermal energy. I’ve reported previously (12 times) about Israeli geothermal energy
company Ormat Technologies. Ormat has just acquired US Geothermal for a “cool”
$110 million. Acquiring US Geothermal’s projects in Idaho and Oregon
significantly broadens and diversifies Ormat’s US operations.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Land of wine, film and art. The nonprofit Israel
Innovation Fund (TIIF) develops innovative programs to feature Israeli culture
through wine, film, and art. 250
attended TIIF’s “Wine on the Vine” project launch. TIFF supporter MK Michael
Oren stressed the need to change the conversation to one about technology and
culture.
New museum for iconic artist. A museum dedicated to the
colorful works of world-renowned kinetic artist Yaacov Agam recently opened its
doors in Rishon LeZion, the birthplace of the 89-year-old artist whose career
has spanned 65 years. One of Agam’s works is the famous Dizengoff Square “Fire
and Water Fountain”.
Tu B’Shvat events in Jerusalem. (TY Janglo)
Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish new year of the trees, falls this year on January 30-31.
Here's a roundup of Tu B'Shvat related activities, from nature walks to
mystical fruit seders.
Ex-England soccer coach re-energized. (TY Hazel) Former England soccer
manager Steve McClaren feels “re-energized” after five months in Israel,
assisting Jordi Cruyff (son of Johan) at Maccabi Tel Aviv. “Tel Aviv was
beautiful. Modern, but with history, too. Mediterranean. Multicultural,
fantastic restaurants, great beach.”
THE JEWISH STATE
How
he saved his daughter’s life. When Yisrael Amar’s grandmother
collapsed, he was so impressed by the response from United Hatzalah that he
started its paramedic training course. One of his first lessons was how to
treat a choking victim. Shortly afterwards, his daughter choked on some plastic
and Amar knew what to do.
Welcome
Vice President.
(TY Sharon) Great scoop by my friend
Sharon, of the red-carpet welcoming ceremony for US Vice-President Mike Pence
with a military honor guard. US flags adorned main streets along the route of
the Vice-Presidential motorcade and supporters outside the Knesset waved “thank
you” signs. Sharon also captured his visit to the Western Wall (Final video is
by Arutz Sheva)
The first US Vice President to address the Knesset. (TY Jacob Richman) On 22nd Jan, U.S.
Vice President Mike Pence made history as the first American Vice President to
address the Israeli Knesset. His references included the end of the
Shechechyanu blessing, which gives thanks for a significant event in one’s life.
What
it means to be a Zionist – from a non-Jew. Despite
being a non-Jew from a UK center-left political background, Luke Akehurst has
made it his mission to teach people about Zionism, as he does in this video. Luke
is Director of “We Believe in Israel”. To find out more and sign up, please visit
their website.
When
immigrating to Israel is a senior moment.
Reasons retirees give for making Aliya include a view over the
Mediterranean; or following the kids or grandkids; or fulfilling a dream.
Whatever the reason, this article gives advice on how to get here. And the
second article (TY Janglo)
gives advice about retirement homes.
Israelis
crack code to Dead Sea scrolls. Israeli researchers have finally decoded two of the Dead Sea Scrolls
discovered in the 1960s. Believed to be written over 2000 years ago by a Jewish
sect known as the Essenes, the scrolls revealed their 364-day calendar and four
previously unknown festivals.
180121
In the 21st Jan 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
scientists can kill cancer cells by cutting off their energy.
·
At one
Israeli winery the wine is produced by people with special needs.
·
A
delegation of 150 business people went to India with the Israeli PM.
·
Israeli
in-car sensors can detect a baby’s heartbeat.
·
Israeli
government’s new 30-year bonds were 19 times over-subscribed.
·
The new
Einstein museum will be in the Jerusalem university he co-founded.
·
An Israeli
family discovered a Jewish 2000-year-old storage site under their house.
·
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
New target for cancer treatments.
Researchers at Israel’s Bar Ilan University have discovered a new enzyme called
FerT, which exists only in the energy-generating mitochondria of cancer cells.
When the enzyme was targeted in lab tests, the malignant cells were unable to
produce energy and died.
US approval for Leukemia treatment. Following a Priority Review, the US FDA has approved Israel TEVA’s Leukemia
treatment, TRISENOX® (arsenic trioxidec). Trisenox is to be used in combination
with tretinoin for treatment of recently-diagnosed low-risk adults with acute
promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Lymphoma treatment approved. I reported previously (3rd
Sep) on the US takeover of Israeli biotech Kite for $12 billion. The US FDA
has now approved Kite’s Yescarta treatment for adults with relapsed or
refractory large B-cell lymphoma. The treatment uses Israeli-developed CAR-T
therapy from the patient’s own T-cells.
Stem cell treatment inhibits cancer. I’ve reported previously (18 times) on Israeli biotech
Pluristem’s PLX stem cell treatment for many life-threatening conditions.
Recent lab trials with modified PLX cells showed significant inhibitory effect
on various lines of breast, colorectal, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and skin
cancers.
Successful trials of implant to prevent
OAB. (TY Atid-EDI) I reported
previously (July
2016) that the minimally invasive RENOVA leg implant from Israel’s BlueWind
to treat Overactive Bladder (OAB) had been granted European approval. Recent
trials show that device gave over 50% improvement to 71% of participants.
Creator Award
for MyMDBand. I featured previously (twice) the Israeli-developed
MyMDBand QR-coded wristband that provides paramedics with a patient’s vital
medical data. Israeli Asaf Luxembourg, just won a WeWork Creator Award for
it. United Hatzalah have distributed
thousands of MyMDBands to the elderly.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Special wine made by
special people.
Israel’s Kishorit winery and vineyard was founded in 1994 to support
local teenagers with special needs. The students now run the wine production
process from the beginning to the end. Kishorit (from the Hebrew “to connect”)
links 160 adults with the land, their community, and their work.
Jews and Arabs work together on huge
solar project.
(TY WIN)
I’ve reported previously (several
times) on the Ashalim project to build the world’s tallest solar tower in
Israel’s Negev desert. The project employs Jews from the nearby town of Ashalim
and local Arab Bedouin from Bir Hadaj, including 50 members of one
family.
Abandoned Gazan girl reunited with her
mother. An Arab man from Gaza escorted his sick
daughter to Israel for treatment but on the return journey abandoned her in the
taxi. Israeli police calmed, fed and cared for the girl and then reunited her
with her mother at the Erez crossing to Gaza. Her father was found and
arrested.
Bridge of Peace. I reported previously (2nd
July) on Israel’s plan to link Haifa to Jordan via the Jezreel Valley
railway. Israel’s Minister of Transportation, Yisrael Katz, has now allocated NIS
15 million in the 2019 budget to extend the Israeli railroad from Beit She’an
to the Sheikh Hussein crossing at the border with Jordan.
Who is IsraAID? I’ve previously featured a total of 56
articles (see here) about
Israel’s emergency response NGO IsraAID. This article gives an insight as to
their setup and some of their missions in America.
The
largest overseas delegation ever. India’s PM Narendra Modi changed
his schedule and met Israeli PM Netanyahu personally on his arrival in India.
The 150 members of the business delegation that flew with the Israeli PM makes
it the largest that has ever accompanied an Israeli prime minister on an
official visit.
Israeli science in
Philippines school. (TY UWI)
One of the public high schools Davao, Philippines, is to pilot the Israeli Sci-Tech
Schools’ i-STEAM education model to improve math, science and technology.
I-STEAM won the European Training Foundation’s Good Practice award and has been
adopted in Europe and the US.
Iran allows access
to Waze. It looks like the Iranian regime can’t find
its way around the country without Israeli technology. Use of the Israeli-developed app Waze was
blocked in Iran in March, reinstated in September and blocked again in October.
It is now available again, according to Iran’s Tasnim News.
United With Israel reaches 5 million. There are now over five
million followers of United With Israel (UWI) – the largest grass-roots Israeli
support organization. Former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar became the
5-millionth follower. UWI has supporters in 170 countries and helps promote
VeryGoodNewsIsrael.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Artificial Intelligence on display. (TY WIN)
The recent GPU Artificial Intelligence conference at Tel Aviv’s Fairgrounds
showcased smart city plans, cyber-security and healthcare apps. It featured
virtual reality headsets, audio-driven facial recognition, police cars with drones
on the roof, and Viper sensors from Israel’s Adasky.
First-ever conference on 3D printing. The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem hosted a one-day conference entitled “3D Printing and Beyond: Current
and Future Trends in the World of 3D Printing.” It featured startups focusing
on printing objects including buildings, prosthetics, electronic circuits,
ceramics and medical devices.
In-car sensor detects
heartbeats.
I reported previously (here,
here,
here and here)
on devices to prevent parents from leaving infants in hot cars. Israel’s Guardian Optical Technologies uses
optical motion analysis to detect tiny movements within the car, including an
infant heartbeat. (See video for more benefits)
4 cameras for autonomous car vision. (TY Atid-EDI)
I reported previously (28th
May) on Israel’s Foresight’s 3D Eyes-On camera Advanced Driver Assistance
System (ADAS). Foresight demonstrated its upgraded QuadSight 4-camera (visible-light
and infra-red) all-weather all-lighting solution at CES 2018 in Las Vegas.
Smart TVs for South Africa. Israel’s Comigo has won a $7 million deal to develop and
manufacture set-top boxes for the recently launched content service of South
Africa’s Cell C. Comigo’s interactive
set-top box is a broadcasting and video-on-demand device that uses Artificial Intelligence
(AI) to enhance the TV experience.
WiFi interference solved in South
Africa. (TY Atid-EDI) South
African ISP Bioniq had promised its WiFi customers 130 Mbps Internet speeds but
was only providing 1Mbps due to five other ISPs using the same frequency
band. Bioniq turned to Israel’s Radwin,
who solved the problem with their JET AIR PtMP solution.
Turning highways into smart roads. Israeli startup Valerann has
developed a road monitoring and traffic control system that uses wireless
sensory systems installed on the road itself. Its sensors, algorithm and
communication system send data on (e.g.) traffic, icy roads and stranded cars, to
drivers and road operators.
Improve your system performance. Israeli startup Centerity performs real-time analysis of critical
business systems including for banks, airports, seaports and tech companies. Its
clients include Dell EMC, Siemens, IKEA and the Israeli Parliament. Centerity just
received a $10 million investment from Merlin International.
Satellite tugboat startup signs first
contract. I reported previously (Sep
2014) on Israel’s Effective Space Solutions (ESE) which has built space
drones to maneuver satellites that fail to get into their correct orbit. ESE
has signed the first-ever in-orbit service contract – a $100 million deal for a
“major regional satellite operator.”
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
High demand for new
Israeli bonds.
Israel’s latest sale of $2 billion of government (10-year and 30-year)
bonds was over-subscribed by a massive $16 billion. Interest rates were only
slightly above the equivalent US government debt, indicating investors'
confidence in the Israeli economy.
A success in the collapsing Middle East. Daniel Krygier summarizes
Israel’s 2017. For the first time average GDP per capita ($44,019) exceeded
that of Britain, Japan and France. It is 5 times Lebanon’s and 20 times
Egypt’s. Krygier recommends The Rise of Israel: A History of the Revolutionary
State by Jonathan Adelman.
A toolbox for startups to navigate US
healthcare.
Start-up Nation Central, PwC Israel and Health Research Institute have jointly
set up a digital health toolbox for Israeli startups, to help them navigate the
intricate US healthcare system. It includes details of hospitals for
trials/pilots, stakeholders, contracts and the FDA process.
India and Israel sign trade agreements. During his trip to India, Israeli PM Netanyahu signed agreements
with Indian PM Modi, on cybersecurity, energy, the film industry, and air
transportation. They also launched a $40 million Industrial R&D fund I4F
that will finance 50% of tech projects involving startups from both states.
Indian tech company invests in Israeli
startups. Mumbai’s IT and consulting firm Tech
Mahindra Ltd. is launching a startup collaboration program in Tel Aviv. Tech
Mahindra NxT will invest in twenty Israeli startups in its first year, across
the domains of cybersecurity, mobility, artificial intelligence, fintech and
data analytics.
A Chinese Israeli innovation center. Haier Electronics, China’s largest home appliance maker, has opened
its first innovation center in Israel, in Tel Aviv. It will focus on finding
Israeli technologies for Haier product lines, specifically sensor technology,
materials, chips, Internet of Things (IoT), smart homes, and energy innovation.
Launch of Orthodox Jewish Chamber of
Commerce. (TY Sharon)
The Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce (OJC) launched its Israel Division by
hosting an Anglo Business Networking Event in Jerusalem. OJC's mission is to
help people interact and the program helped business owners in all industries
to network.
Israelis help commercialize US
University tech.
Harvard and UCLA have chosen experienced Israelis to direct their
technology-transfer offices. Universities urgently need to streamline the
transfer of inventions from lab bench to market. Israelis generate more revenue
from Intellectual Property sales than any other country except the US. https://www.israel21c.org/why-israel-rocks-at-commercializing-academic-innovations/
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Einstein Museum to be
in Jerusalem. (TY Janglo
& WIN)
A former planetarium at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is to be converted into
a museum dedicated to Albert Einstein, father of the theory of relativity.
Einstein bequeathed his personal archives to the Hebrew University, of which he
was a founder.
Eilat Chamber Music Festival. This year’s Eilat Chamber
Music Festival takes place from 7th to 10th Feb. Artists include: Ensemble
Pygmalion, the Hermès Quartet, The Busch Piano Trio, Daniel Ciobanu and Mark
Padmore. The festival also offers Master classes led by Israeli and
international musicians.
Jerusalem’s Winter Noise Festival. Jerusalem’s Winter Noise Festival features artists, musicians, and
small businesses lighting up Monday nights and awakening the streets of
Jerusalem with numerous festivities.
Darom Adom – Red South 2018. Each year, the Darom Adom
Festival, follows the rainy season, when the ordinarily green landscape of the
northern Negev is covered with a magnificent carpet of scarlet red anemones.
The festival events (mostly on weekends during Feb) include bike races, poetry
readings and concerts.
THE JEWISH STATE
70 hours for
70 years.
(TY Janglo
and UWI)
Israel’s 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Jewish state begins on
18th Apr with 70 Hours of Celebrations. Torch lighting, global singing, folk
dancing, fireworks and parties. The overall theme is “Heritage of Innovation”.
It will link modern and Biblical; earthly and Heavenly.
New
ambassadors welcomed to Israel. President Rivlin
welcomed new foreign Ambassadors to Israel from the EU, Italy, Denmark and
Nigeria. EU Ambassador Giaufret’s son was born in Israel during previous service.
And Italian Ambassador Benedetti is an academic who initiated the translation
of the Talmud into Italian.
The Zionism
University.
Readers who are interested in the events and individuals crucial to the
founding and development of the Jewish State are recommended to enroll (free)
in the online Zionism University (Zionism U). It replaces the site Zionism 101
and contains resources to over 40 excellent short videos and other materials.
Roman-era caves found under Galilee house. It’s amazing what you can find in
your own backyard in Israel. One family in the Galilee town of Eilabun
discovered a 2000-year-old labyrinth of caves under their house that was used
for storage by the Jewish residents of Eilabun during the Roman occupation.
Moishe’le
returns to Mumbai.
As promised, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu brought Moshe Holzberg with him on
his trip to India. Moshe visited the site from where he was rescued as an
infant by his Indian nanny from the terrorists who killed his parents nine
years ago. His nanny (now Israeli) keeps in close contact with Moshe.
Instead of a
lecture, they saved a life. When two United Hatzalah EMTs came to Netanya
to give a presentation to WIZO, they were interrupted after only 5 minutes by
having to respond to a call nearby. They
managed to revive a 77-year-old man who had no pulse. They returned to the WIZO
hall to a standing ovation.
180114
In the 14th Jan 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
breakthrough stem cell treatment saved five patients from leg amputations.
·
50 Israeli
doctors saved a baby born with a 1kg tumor.
·
Israel
brought a kidney donor from Algeria to save his Gazan brother.
·
Israel is
the first overseas aid team to fight Zambia’s cholera outbreak.
·
An Israeli
invention provides undisturbed listening without earphones.
·
Israelis
have invented nano-cellulose ink for 3D printing tasty nutritious meals.
·
Intel has
opened a film studio that uses Israeli Virtual Reality technology.
·
A Jewish
mother got help for her sick son in New York from paramedics in Israel.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Stem cells save limbs
from amputation. (TY Stuart) Israel’s Laniado
hospital used groundbreaking stem cell treatment from Israel’s BioGenCell to
save amputating the legs of five diabetic patients with poor circulation. Stem
cells from the patients’ blood injected into their leg muscles grew new blood vessels
to bypass blockages.
Sinus stent gets US approval. Israel’s STS Medical has
received regulatory clearance from the US FDA for its composite sinus stent. Following
nasal surgery (e.g. on sinusitis and allergic rhinitis sufferers where other
treatments have not worked) the stent keeps the nasal airways open to allow the
sinus tissue to heal.
Europe
approves colon screening pill. Israel’s Check-cap
has just received the CE Mark for its C-Scan ingestible capsule for
preparation-free, colorectal cancer screening. The capsule (see here) uses low-dose X-rays
to obtain 3D images of the colon whilst allowing patients to go about their
normal daily routines.
Colon cleaning system to launch on
NASDAQ. Israeli
startup Motus GI has developed the FDA-approved Pure-Vu system, that allowing doctors
to clean poorly prepped colons during a colonoscopy. It would make preparing
for a colonoscopy much easier. Motus is preparing a NASDAQ launch to raise up
to $28.8 million.
Gold target
for radiation treatment. I reported previously (Oct 2012) that Israeli
bio-tech Metallo Therapy was using gold nanoparticles to improve radiotherapy
treatment for cancer. Unfortunately, Metallo folded in 2016, but now a team of
Israeli researchers are headed down the same precious “yellow-brick” road.
Fast cancer
diagnosis. The Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Unit at
Sheba Medical Center uses new diagnostic oncology technology developed by Dr.
Damien Urban. It cuts patient waiting time from previously 3 months to just two
weeks. Its goal is to help overcome the devastating delays in the diagnosis and
treatment of cancer.
An alternative
to Dr Google.
Israeli health fund Maccabi has launched K Health - an app to give its
customers medical advice that many seek currently by using search engines such
as Google. The information is sourced from thousands of similar cases in
Maccabi’s records database. Currently in Hebrew and Israel only.
Israeli solutions
for aging and brain health project. (TY NoCamels)
Israeli companies HeartBeat Technologies and Brainsway have been selected for a
joint Israel-Canada partnership program. They will test their innovative aging
and brain health solutions at two Canadian seniors care organizations.
The right
color for your denture. ILTV News interviewed
Shlomo Emanuel, CEO of Israel’s Dentalics which has developed an app to help
dentists and dental technicians match up the color of implants, bridges, crowns
etc. with the patient’s real teeth. It is planned to launch globally in Feb
2018.
50 doctors save newborn with 1kg tumor. 50 doctors at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center have performed “the
impossible”. They conducted three highly complex operations to save a 2kg
premature baby that was born with a rare “teratoma” – a 1kg tumor attached to
her brain, jaw, neck, chest, airways and blood vessels.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Inspiring Israeli
women. (TY Janglo)
Israeli Barr Yaron has setup the “Women of Startup Nation” Facebook page to
raise awareness of successful Israeli women in high-tech. The site features
around 50 stories of women who have succeeded in hi-tech and serves to inspire
women all over the world to change their own lives.
13 Bedouin become
emergency responders. Israeli emergency medical service United
Hatzalah has just completed training a team of 13 Bedouin women and four men to
become EMS first responders. They will now serve their Galilee home towns of
Shibli and Umm al-Ghanam plus other Arab and Jewish towns in the area.
Israeli surgeons put PA teenager back on
his feet. Yousef
Rabaya from Jenin was born with Cerebral Palsy. His curved back caused much
pain and he couldn’t stand. After a previous operation in the US failed,
surgeons at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center performed reconstruction
surgery and now Yousef can walk again.
Israeli specialists
help Zambia fight cholera. (TY Nevet)
Israel’s Sheba Medical Center is the first and only international medical team
in Zambia combating the current cholera outbreak. They have assembled a team of
epidemiologists and water engineers who have already identified the source of
the contamination. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/01/prweb15072115.htm
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
For your ears only. Israel’s Noveto has invented “sowlo” - the virtual headphone – that
beams the sound from your device directly into your ears. Sowlo’s 3D sensors
and algorithms find your face and a tiny speaker focuses the sound at your ears.
No sound leaks out even when you move your head. My wife can’t believe this.
The smallest and sweetest tomatoes. The Kedma company, in Israel’s
southern Arava desert, has developed the Tipa (meaning "drop”) tomato,
about the size of a blueberry - the smallest ever cultivated in Israel, perhaps
even in the world. It has also developed the Bon Bon Tomato, the world’s
sweetest tomato.
New source of food for animals. I reported previously (10th
Sep) on Israeli startup Flying SpArk which is developing protein powder from
fruit fly larvae for human consumption.
Now Israel’s BioBee is doing the same with soldier fly larvae, except
they are using it as an animal feed.
Lishtot wins CES startup competition. Israeli water tech company
Lishtot, Hebrew for “drink,” won the 2018 CES Startup Night competition in Las
Vegas. The 15 finalists had just 60 seconds to showcase their technology. CEO
Netanel Raisch demonstrated Lishtot’s TestDrop Pro device that detects water contaminants.
Free travel on Israel’s new high-speed
train. Israelis
will be able to get a free ride for the first 3 months after the launch of the
new high-speed train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, due 30 Mar 2018. The train is
expected to transport its passengers from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in just 28
minutes.
Intel’s Israeli WiFi chip is 40% faster. Intel unveiled its new “made
in Israel” 802.11ax WiFi chip at the CES consumer electronics show in Las
Vegas. The chips increase maximum speeds by 40% but average supply to users
will improve by 400%. The chips are to be used in household routers and many
other devices.
The first nanosatellite formation. Israel’s Technion and the
Israel Space Agency have arranged for a group of three nanosatellites to be
launched into space in late 2018. The goal of the Adelis-SAMSON Project is to fly
multiple satellites in a controlled formation for one year while orbiting at an
altitude of about 600 km.
Israeli life-changing technologies. (TY UWI)
New video showing how Israeli innovations ReWalk, EyeControl and OrCam are
giving the disabled back their lives.
3D printing of
vegetarian food to order. (TY Zvi) The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s
Yissum Research Development Company has unveiled breakthrough 3D printing of food
based on nano-cellulose (calorie-free, edible natural fiber). It can lead to
instant, low-calorie, vegetarian meals geared to satisfy all personal tastes.
20% increase in corn yield. I’ve reported previously (many times) on Israel’s Evogene
which improves crop strains. Its partnership with DuPont-Pioneer (Nov
2013) has literally born fruit, with second-year trials showing a 20%
increase in corn yield thanks to Evogene’s bio-simulant microbial seed
treatment.
Smoke less, live longer. (TY UCI)
Smokers in the US, Canada, France, Israel and Turkey are trialing a “quit
smoking” app called SmokeBeat from Israel’s Somatix. It detects smoking from
hand-to-mouth gestures picked up by sensors built into smartwatches and
wristbands and provides analysis and support via your smartphone.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Record-breaking year of tech deals. The combined value of
acquisitions of Israeli-linked technology companies and Israeli-linked
technology IPOs totaled at an all-time high of $23 billion in 2017. Numbers of
exits decreased, but values increased - the largest being Intel’s $15.3 billion
takeover of Mobileye.
Foreign reserves rise by almost $1
billion. Israel’s foreign exchange reserves
increased in December to end at $113 billion – $931 million higher than their
end Nov 2017 position. They represent 33.2 percent of GDP.
IKEA to open in Beersheva. Swedish ready-to-assemble retail furniture chain IKEA will open its
fourth store in Israel next month. The new store in Beersheva will join
existing Israeli outlets in Rishon Lezion, Netanya and Kiryat Ata, near Haifa.
Another partner for Mobileye. I reported previously (5th
Mar) that Chinese car-maker SAIC is opening an R&D center in
Israel. Now it is partnering with
Israel’s Mobileye (part of Intel) to develop autonomous (self-driving) vehicles.
Meanwhile, Virginia State is to install Mobileye systems all its public
transportation vehicles.
Eilat tourist numbers to quadruple this
winter. 70,000 tourists came to Eilat on direct
flights last winter. The Tourism Ministry expects 280,000 this winter. The
Ministry of Tourism has made agreements with low cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz
Air to bring overseas tourist directly to Eilat.
Wizz flights from Tel Aviv to Vienna. Low-cost Hungarian airline
Wizz is to operate direct flights between Israel and the Austrian capital of
Vienna four days a week, starting in June. Wizz Air currently offers 22 routes
between Israel and nine countries in Europe.
Intel film studio for
Israeli VR technology. Intel have begun filming its first Virtual
Reality / Augmented Reality content using the 360-degree 3D technology from its
Israeli subsidiary Replay Technologies. The 25,000 square-foot Intel Studios in
Los Angeles features the world’s largest volumetric video capture stage.
Israeli bourbon-style whiskey. (TY Janglo)
Norm Cohen and Alan Cohl are creating Israel’s first distillery for American
bourbon-style whiskey. The Legends Distillery in Israel’s Elah valley is on the
site of the epic fight between David and Goliath. Legends joins Milk and Honey
(single malt) and Golan Heights (two-grain).
Nine new Israel-USA projects. (TY Atid-EDI)
The BIRD Foundation is to fund $7.5 million for 9 new joint Israeli-USA
projects. The Israeli companies include AgRobics, Axon Vision, Farm Dog, ImageSat,
MyndYou, NSLComm, RunEL NGMT and Taranis. They involve agrotech,
communications, medical devices, digital health, environment, homeland security
and more. http://www.birdf.com/?CategoryID=427&ArticleID=515
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Israeli-Chinese dance. Israeli dance choreographer Eyal Dadon spent two months in China
creating “DU-K” - a work for 14 Israeli and Chinese dancers. DU-K refers to the
Hebrew term du kium (coexistence) overcoming language, training, and cultural
gaps in the two countries. DU-K is showing across Israel from Jan 16 -19.
Salt Years. Israeli sculptor Sigalit Landau is producing
her book “Sigalit Landau Salt Years” containing images of her “love affair”
with the Dead Sea. Sigalit is famous for
her salt crystal impregnated creations formed by suspending everyday items in
the super-concentrated salt water of the lowest sea on Earth.
Baby it’s cold outside (not really!) Just in case anyone is
unhappy being outside in Israel’s 18 degrees Centigrade winter, here are
details of 22 indoor activities for all the family to enjoy. You can
even fly!
Wonder woman is the face of the future. Israeli actress Gal Gadot,
star of the movie “Wonder Woman”, has been chosen as “celebrity spokesperson”
to Huawei Technologies, the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer
in the world. Gadot was also named a Global Ambassador for Revlon’s Live Boldly
campaign.
THE JEWISH STATE
The
father of modern Hebrew’s 160th birthday. (TY Jacob Richman) Eliezer Ben Yehuda was
born on the 21st Tevet 160 years ago. Chiefly due to his efforts, biblical
Hebrew was revived from its over 3000-years-old roots into today’s spoken
Hebrew language - Ivrit. Another modern miracle.
Digging
up the Bible in Jerusalem. (TY UWI)
Archaeologists looking for evidence of the existence of biblical characters and
events are succeeding. They can almost search with a bible in one hand and a
trowel in the other! https://www.youtube.com/embed/VU0gv4i3zlA?rel=0
Free
meal to lone soldiers. (TY Janglo)
Orit Dahan and her family own the well-known downtown Jerusalem restaurant
Piccolino. Every Friday, Dahan - with The Lone Soldier Center - brings lone
soldiers in the IDF to her restaurant for a free hot meal, as her way of
thanking them for their selfless service to the country.
Learn
Torah with Israel’s President. (TY Sharon) Israeli President Reuven
Rivlin and First Lady Nechama Rivlin have regularly hosted Torah study sessions
at Beit Hanasi – the President’s House. Guests at their latest session included
the President of the Supreme Court, a top judge, a famous actor and a
well-known writer.
Druze
firefighter saves Torah scrolls. Druze firefighter Wiam Nevuani arrived at a fire in a synagogue at the
northern city of Nahariah and did not hesitate when he burst into the burning
building to save the Torah scrolls. Wiam said that he realized the importance
of the site and felt he was saving a soul.
Ten Israeli hedgehogs go on a diet. The land of milk and honey
was too tempting for ten Israeli hedgehogs. Overfed and overweight, they were
unable to roll into balls to fend off predators. Locals found them waddling
through Israeli streets and brought them to Ramat Gan Safari where they went on
food and exercise regimes.
How
did he know? When a baby born with Wiscott-Aldrich
disorder was given just five years to live, Israeli charity Ezer Mizion found a
perfect match on their bone marrow database. Two years after the successful
transplant, Ezer Mizion brought donor Lior to meet his stem cells recipient for
the first time. And the shy little boy ran to the “stranger” and kissed him! http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/like-magnet-to-metal/
Going the extra mile (or 5,000). When a distressed mother phoned the dispatch
service of United Hatzalah in Israel about her sick son in Monsey, New York,
they didn’t hang up on her. Instead they contacted NYC paramedics and arranged
his transfer to a hospital where he had successful surgery.
180107
In the 7th Jan 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
An Israeli
discovery has identified a new way to treat pancreatic cancer.
·
Israeli
blood glucose monitors are being supplied to 200,000 Indian diabetics.
·
Women are
in charge at many of Israel’s top financial organizations.
·
Tel Aviv
residents honored the memory of an Arab boy with a 36m-high toy tower.
·
Israeli-developed
100% bio-degradable packaging has now gone global.
·
The
Israeli kibbutz is now a major part of the hi-tech Startup Nation.
·
Israel’s
women’s Thai boxing world champion is now also European champion.
·
Clay seal
found of the Jewish governor of Jerusalem from 700 BCE.
·
Please
click here, to donate
a small amount to help me expand the reach of VeryGoodNewsIsrael.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Breakthrough in pancreatic cancer research. Tel Aviv University
researchers have discovered that 7% of pancreatic cancer sufferers survive more
than five years due to high levels of the gene miR-34a and low levels of the
gene PLK1. They then devised a nanoparticle to deliver miR-34a and a PLK1
silencer direct to the tumor.
Vitamins and
folic acid reduce autism risk. A study of 26,702 Israeli expectant mothers
and 45,300 children by a team led by Haifa University researchers, has revealed
that mothers who take folic acid and multivitamin supplements before and during
pregnancy are 73% less likely to have an autistic child.
Surgeons separate baby’s fused jaws.
Doctors at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center successfully operated on a
two-month-old baby born with a very rare defect in which his jaws were fused
shut. Worldwide, there have been only about 50 cases. The team comprised orthodontists,
anesthetists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
More smart
socks. I
reported previously (Feb
2016) on the Israeli SenseGo socks that spot incorrect posture or
ill-fitting shoes. Now an Israeli startup has developed Elastimed – smart socks
that improve circulation in the legs for treating venous and lymphatic
diseases. Electric pulses compress and massage calf muscles to increase blood
flow. http://nocamels.com/2017/12/elastimed-smart-socks-market-2019/
Israeli biotechs merge. I reported previously (28th
May) on Israeli biotech BiomX which develops treatments using human
bacteria (microbiome). BiomX has now acquired
Israel’s RondinX, which has built a cutting-edge technology platform set to
unlock the potential of microbiome therapeutics.
200,000 Indian diabetics to get Israeli glucose meters. I reported previously (see here) on Israel’s
GlucoMe blood glucose monitors for diabetics.
Now, Apollo Sugar - the Indian national chain of 55 diabetes clinics –
is to supply kits containing a GlucoMe monitor to each of its 200,000 diabetic
patients.
A cancer patient’s “virtual” legs. When a cancer patient is
unable to walk, even simple tasks such as making coffee, selecting a magazine
or doing the laundry becomes impossible.
Volunteers from Israeli charity Ezer Mizion become a patient’s “virtual”
legs. They also cheer up the patient,
which helps them battle the disease.
Only Rambam can save her leg. (TY Stuart) Six-year-old Kyra Warrell from Brighton in the UK has proximal
focal femoral deficiency in her leg, which UK doctors want to amputate. But her
parents are raising £58,000 to go to Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center where
visiting US surgeon Dr Dror Paley says he can cure her condition.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Women running banks is
the norm in Israel.
(TY Hazel) Three of Israel's top banks (Leumi, Israel Discount and First
International) are currently led by women. So is the Bank of Israel. At Leumi
40% of top management are women. So is the supervisor of banks, the director of
the capital markets, insurance and savings authority and others. https://www.americanbanker.com/opinion/in-israel-women-running-banks-is-the-norm
Female lone soldier home opens in
Jerusalem. (TY Sharon)
Over 6,000 lone soldiers (without families in Israel to support them) serve in
the IDF - over 30% female. On Dec 29, the first lone soldier home for young
women, The Norton and Sylvia Alvery Bayit L'Chayalot, opened in Mekor Chaim,
Jerusalem.
Arab woman has triplets and new grandson
on same day. Tahrir gave birth to healthy triplet
boys just hours after the wife of her eldest son Muhammad had given her a first
grandson at the same hospital – Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem. The high-risk
pregnancy team of specialists and nurses all wished her Mazel Tov.
36m toy brick tower in Arab boy’s memory. (TY WIN)
Thousands of Tel Aviv residents built a 36-meter tower in Rabin Square from
500,000 K’nex and Lego bricks. They were honoring the memory of Omer Sayag, an 8-year-old
cancer victim from Tel Aviv who used to love constructing with plastic bricks.
From
spaghetti to snakebite antidotes. This extensive article describes some of the humanitarian aid that
Israel provides to the Syrian victims of their civil war. It includes spaghetti,
flour, baby formula, diapers, school supplies, fuel, generators, snakebite antivenom and even
piping for water wells.
Illinois delegation visits Israel. Illinois governor Bruce
Rauner made his first official visit to Israel as head of a delegation from the
University of Illinois looking to expand its collaboration with Israeli
universities. Governor Rauner’s wife is Jewish and two of their children have
spent some time in Israel.
Israeli
world-saving water technology.
(TY WIN)
Watch this new video from Israel’s WATEC highlighting experts from Canada,
China and the Czech Republic, extol the virtues of Israeli water
technologies. Examples featured are
WaterGen (water from the air) and Kando (wastewater treatment).
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Working with South Korea on robotic and vehicle
tech. (TY Atid-EDI and Nocamels)
Israeli and South Korean robotics researchers signed a memorandum of
understanding to cooperate on robotics and autonomous vehicles. The agreement, came after the annual
Korea-Israel Industrial Collaboration Conference in Seoul.
Water research partnership with
Wisconsin. The Water Council of the US state of
Wisconsin has signed accords with Ben-Gurion University and the Israel
Innovation Authority to collaborate on water research. Israeli and Wisconsin
water technology startups will develop joint applications for Wisconsin water
utilities.
High-school training by IDF intelligence
services. Unit 8200, the Israeli military's NSA
equivalent, is working with the Israeli Ministry of Education on a new big data
training program for the country's high schoolers. A military service at Unit
8200 is regarded as a sure path to higher income jobs in Israel.
How is the Jerusalem underground station
project doing? I wrote previously (Sep
2016) about Jerusalem building its largest, deepest train station. It’s
progressing well. And the link to Tel Aviv is almost on track!
7 very intelligent companies. (TY Nevet) Seven Israeli companies appear the
latest prestige AI (Artificial Intelligence) 100 list compiled by San
Francisco-based CB Insights. They are Applitools (new to VGNI - see links),
Cybereason, Dynamic Yield (new to VGNI - see links), OrCam, Prospera, Twiggle and
Workey.
Awards for 3 young scientists. (TY Nevet) Israeli
scientists Oded Rechavi (Tel Aviv U), Charles Diesendruck and Anat Levin (both
Technion) have won $100,000 Blavatnik Awards, which recognizes exceptional
scientists and engineers aged 42 or younger. The awards are administered by the
New York Academy of Sciences.
Jerusalem clean air plan. (TY Janglo)
Jerusalem City Council has approved a new municipal “reduced emission area”
bylaw that restricts the entry of heavy and polluting vehicles into the city
center. Cameras and a computer system will analyze the details of entering
vehicles, according to the vehicle’s license plate.
SodaStream wins Sustainability
Award. (TY Atid-EDI)
Israel’s SodaStream has been recognized as a 2017 Sustainability Award Product
winner by the Business Intelligence Group for its line of eco-friendly
sparkling water makers. Studies show that SodaStream owners save an average of
550 plastic bottles each year.
Eco-friendly packaging
startup gets re-fueled. (TY Atid-EDI) I
reported previously (see
here) about TIPA’s 100% bio-degradable packaging startup founded by two
Israeli mothers. TIPA is now available in the USA, UK, France and Netherlands.
TIPA has won three global awards and has just raised $11 million of funds.
Award for kinetic battery. (TY Atid-EDI) I reported previously (see here) on Israel’s
Chakratec and its flywheel battery technology. Chakratec recently won the award
for Electric Mobility & Autonomous Driving, Energy Storage category, held
at the eMove360° Europe 2017 international trade fair for Mobility in Munich.
Gesture tech doesn’t distract drivers. South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics has selected Israeli gesture
recognition company eyeSight Mobile Technologies as a supplier of control
systems for its car information and entertainment systems. The co-developed
product will decrease distracted driving.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
2017 exports top $100 billion. Israel’s Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) has
calculated that Israel’s exports of goods and services exceeded $100 billion in
2017 - 5% more than in 2016. Goods exports to the European Union (EU) grew 20%
to $16 billion, accounting for 35% of Israel's 2017 total.
NASDAQ to help grow Israeli startups. I reported previously (Jan
2016) on the NASDAQ joint venture with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to setup
a new private exchange for Israeli startups. Now, NASDAQ and Israel’s LeumiTech
have launched a joint program “Gateway to Global Growth” to help expand these
companies.
A cyber incubator with Japan’s NEC. Tel Aviv University (TAU)
and Japanese electronics giant NEC are founding AlphaC - a new incubator for
early stage cyber startups. Ten early stage ventures will join an intensive three-month
program, receiving access to TAU resources, workspace, business contacts and mentors.
A $240 million bio-tech fund. Israel-based venture capital firm Pontifax raised another fund of
$240 million – its fifth such fund. Excess demand for the fund saw it closed
within two months, and Pontifax is expected to invest most of the money raised
in the life-sciences industry.
More direct flights. At December’s International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conference in Sri Lanka, Israel signed new
air transport agreements with the U.K., Switzerland, Chile, South Africa,
Vietnam, Canada, Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Uganda and Jordan. These will
increase direct flights to Israel.
El Al to fly direct to San Francisco. I reported previously (Jun
2016) that United Airlines increased their direct service between Tel Aviv
and San Francisco to a daily schedule.
Now El Al have announced they are to launch a 3-times-a-week direct
service between the two leading technology hubs later this year.
Co-working reaches new heights. Israel’s tallest building -
the 238m Azrieli Sarona tower in Tel Aviv - is near completion, but already on two
of its top 61 floors Israel’s Teddy Sagi Group has launched Labs - its shared
office venture. Labs will have offices, meeting rooms, shared workspaces, a
convention hall, studio, projection room, lounge and a gym. http://labs.com/location/azrieli-sarona-tower-tel-aviv/
Wireless
charging in co-working offices. Israel’s Powermat (see here) has partnered with
Regus Israel, supplying wireless charging services to Israeli co-working
offices. Regus is the world's largest provider of flexible workspace solutions.
Regus has 15 co-working locations in Israel, mostly in Tel Aviv and Herzliya.
Get your purchase money back. Israel-based Boom25 offers a
unique opportunity for UK shoppers who purchase from any of the 600 retailers
affiliated to Boom25’s website. Every 25th purchaser gets their purchase money
back. Its an alternative to accumulating
points.
Meatless meat in 3 years. I wrote previously (July
2016) about Israel’s SuperMeat which is developing lab-produced meat from
animal cells. SuperMeat has just raised $3 million and plans to bring its “clean
chicken” products to market within three years, at a price similar to current conventional
chicken products.
Billion-dollar prediction coming true. I reported previously in 2014 (see
here) that Forbes predicted that Israel’s Kaltura was most likely to be
“one of the next billion-dollar exits” thanks to its wide-ranging video
solutions platform. Well guess what - Kaltura is planning a 2018 launch on
NASDAQ, at a value of $1 billion.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
The Master guitarist. Legendary US guitarist, composer,
singer, songwriter, and producer Steve Vai will hold a master class in Tel Aviv
in March. The three-time Grammy Award winner was voted the “10th Greatest
Guitarist” by Guitar World magazine, and has sold over 15 million records. It
is Vai’s third visit to Israel.
Seinfeld flies in. American comedian Jerry Seinfeld
returned to Israel in December for two more shows, performing at Tel Aviv’s
Menorah Mivtachim Arena. Later that week
he visited the IAF’s Ramon airbase near the Egyptian border, with a brief
photo-op in front of an IAF F-16I fighter jet.
Things to do in January. Comedian Chris Rock is
performing in Tel Aviv on 8th Jan. And Jan 16-20 sees the first edition of the
African Film Festival in Tel Aviv. The
second link suggests activities in Jerusalem.
World champion Thai
boxer wins European championship. (TY Nevet) Four-time world champion Israeli
Nili Block claimed another title, winning the gold medal at the Thai Boxing
European Championships in Paris.
THE JEWISH STATE
Guatemala
offers relocation help to others. Guatemala’s foreign minister Sandra
Lovel not only hopes other countries will move their embassies to Jerusalem, but
she indicated her government’s readiness to help them. “We as a country are
willing to support other countries who want to follow Guatemala’s example,” she
said.
What
goes around … Quick
action by Shlomi Bergman saved the life of Gadi Rimon who was shot by a
terrorist. Gadi’s mother Tamari searched in vain to thank the savior of Gadi. A
year later, Shlomi’s mother Anat visited Ashdod and discovered Tamari in her
grocery store. Anat then realized they had met 22 years earlier. Please don’t
miss this amazing story….. https://www.youtube.com/embed/e_Om7BkH6QQ?rel=0
Clay seal of Jerusalem’s governor 2700 years ago.
A tiny clay seal impression inscribed in ancient Hebrew script,
'Belonging to the governor of the city' was found in ongoing excavations at
Jerusalem’s Western Wall plaza. It has been dated to 700 BCE – i.e. 2,700 years
old, when the First Temple stood in Jerusalem.
