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☆ Sudanese in Israel watch in anguish as Darfur violence unfolds
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Hannah Confino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Suad Fissa, 40, an asylum seeker and factory worker from Darfur in Sudan cries as she speaks about her children who are missing there, in a playground in southern Tel Aviv, Israel June 24, 2023. "There's no internet there but we still have connections to people who are telling us what is happening in El Geneina now," Usumain Baraka, head of the Masalit tribe in Israel, told Reuters. Going from home to home asking, 'Are you from the Masalit tribe?'" Just over 5,000 Sudanese people live in Israel, mainly in Tel Aviv, dating to when brutal conflict escalated in Darfur from 2003. Baraka said the community in Israel is collecting money to send to refugees in Chad so they can buy food, water and medicine.

Persons: Fissa, Amir Cohen TEL, Sudan's, Usumain Baraka, Masalit, Baraka, Hannah Confino, Aidan Lewis, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS, Rapid Support Forces, Reuters, Nations, Thomson Locations: Darfur, Sudan, Tel Aviv, Israel, Amir Cohen TEL AVIV, Sudan's Darfur, Chad, El, Khartoum, El Geneina

☆ Lacking land, Israel to cover its rooftops with solar panels
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Ari Rabinovitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] An aerial view shows solar panels, installed by Nofar Energy, on the rooftops of cowsheds and chicken coops in Kibbutz Or HaNer, Israel June 19, 2023. Cover it in solar panels. You can't just cover the entire Negev desert in solar panels," Eifer said. Roughly 60% will eventually be dual-use, he said, referring to solar panels that serve as roofing as well as to generate power. He said that developed countries often offer broader economic support, like loans and green bonds to promote renewable energy.

Persons: Amir Cohen JERUSALEM, Ron Eifer, Eifer, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Amit Bracha, Adam Teva V'din, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Nofar Energy, REUTERS, Energy, Thomson Locations: Kibbutz, Israel

☆ OpenAI CEO sees 'huge' Israeli role in reducing risks from the technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A view shows banners on the Tel Aviv University campus as Sam Altman, CEO of Microsoft-backed OpenAI and ChatGPT creator is due to speak in Tel Aviv, Israel June 5, 2023. REUTERS/Amir CohenTEL AVIV, June 5 (Reuters) - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicted on Monday a "huge role" for Israel in reducing risks from artificial intelligence and eyed investment opportunities in the country even as it debates whether and how to regulate the technology behind ChatGPT. "The energy on making use of the technology and its positive benefits is fantastic to see, and I am sure Israel will play a huge role." Visiting Microsoft Corp's R&D centre in Israel, Altman was asked whether his company might also open a local office. Israel published a 115-page draft AI policy in October and is collating public feedback ahead of a final decision.

Persons: Sam Altman, Amir Cohen TEL, Altman, Isaac Herzog, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Ziv Katzir, Benjamin Netanyahu, Dan Williams, Emelia Sithole, Alex Richardson Organizations: Tel Aviv University, Microsoft, REUTERS, ChatGPT, crisscrossing, Stanford University, European, Israel Innovation Authority, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Amir Cohen TEL AVIV, crisscrossing Europe, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, India, South Korea, United States, Britain, Canada, U.S

☆ Israel demands Egypt help in full probe of deadly attack at border
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] A soldier reacts near the site of a reported security incident near Israel's southern border with Egypt, Israel June 3, 2023. Soldiers then made contact and during an exchange of fire the Egyptian guard and a third Israeli soldier were killed. On Saturday, the Egyptian military said the three Israelis and Egyptian guard had been killed in an exchange of fire as the guard chased smugglers across the frontier. Coworkers and family members of the Egyptian guard have been interviewed to figure out if he belonged to any political groups or suffered from mental illness, they said. Egypt in 1979 became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and they share a more than 200-km (124-mile) long border.

Persons: Amir Cohen JERUSALEM, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Daniel Hagari, Dan Williams, Ari Rabinovitch, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Sunday, YNET, Thomson Locations: Israel's, Egypt, Israel, Cairo

☆ Holy cow! Endangered seal draws dozens to Jaffa shore
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] An endangered and rare female Mediterranean monk seal visits the shore of Jaffa in Israel, May 15, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYJAFFA, Israel, May 15 (Reuters) - An endangered Mediterranean monk seal swam onto a beach in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, to rest on the beach and shed her skin, drawing an excited crowd to watch. The female seal, or cow, was named Yulia by the boy who found her before notifying the Nature and Parks Authority. She will likely stay for a few days until she has finished shedding her skin, marine ranger Harel Baz said. The global Mediterranean monk seal population is estimated at between 400 and 500, placing it among the rarest marine mammals, Baz said.

☆ This is a 3D printed 'fish fillet.' Would you eat it?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Israel's Steakholder Foods and Singapore's Umami Meats teamed up to create grouper fish fillets in a lab. The process involves adding fish and plant cells to "bio-ink" for a unique 3D printer to create the fillets, Reuters reports. As the food technology industry makes strides in developing alternative nutrition sources, it's unveiling its latest invention — 3D printed fish fillets. "With our patent-protected printing capabilities, we know to 3D print exactly the same texture and flakiness of a real fish." Amir CohenBut don't expect to find the fish fillets at your local grocery store anytime soon.

☆ Dished up by 3D printers, a new kind of fish to fry
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An Israeli foodtech company says it has 3D printed the first ever ready-to-cook fish fillet using animal cells cultivated and grown in a laboratory. Israel's Steakholder Foods has now partnered with Singapore-based Umami Meats to make fish fillets without the need to stalk dwindling fish populations. Steakholder Foods then adds them to a 'bio-ink' suited for special 3D printers. It has the flakiness of traditional fish and when fried and seasoned it is hard to tell the difference. "The number of scientists, you can imagine, working on fish stem cell biology is a small fraction of those working on animal cells and human cells."

☆ Biden should invite Israeli PM to White House, McCarthy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy looks on during a bilateral meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (not pictured) at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem, April 30, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/PoolJERUSALEM, May 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. should invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for an official visit, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Monday, as a customary invitation has not been extended in the five months since Netanyahu's election. President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu have known each other for a long, long time. In an interview with the Israel Hayom newspaper on Sunday, McCarthy said that if the president does not invite Netanyahu to the White House, the speaker will invite him to Washington for his own visit. McCarthy also made clear on Monday that Israel's president, which is largely a ceremonial role, will be visiting the White House very soon.

☆ House speaker says Biden should invite Israeli PM to White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy looks on during a bilateral meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (not pictured) at the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem, April 30, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/PoolJERUSALEM, May 1 (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Monday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be invited to the White House for an official visit following months without an invitation from Washington. "I expect the White House to invite the prime minister over for a meeting, especially with the 75th anniversary." In an interview with the Israel Hayom newspaper on Sunday, McCarthy said that if the president does not invite Netanyahu to the White House, the speaker will invite him to Washington for his own visit. McCarthy also made clear on Monday that Israel's president, which is largely a ceremonial role, will be visiting the White House very soon.

☆ Some Israeli army reservists rule out call-up if judiciary weakened
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"I've told the army that if the judicial reform passes (in parliament) I won't continue to come," Colonel N told Reuters, asking not to be further identified. Most Israelis are conscripted into the military for 2-3 years, and some continue as reservists into middle age. While reservists have helped Israel prevail in a string of wars, the army has relied recently on standing forces. 'HUGE DAMAGE'Experts warn the Israeli military could be weakened by reservists rejecting call-ups. "This definitely inflicts huge damage on the capability and capacity of the Israeli forces," Israel Ziv, a former head of army operations, told Reuters.

☆ Netanyahu summons Israeli defence minister as judicial overhaul strains coalition
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM, March 23 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned his defence chief on Thursday after local media reported the minister had called for a halt to a planned judicial overhaul that has set off unprecedented protests, including within the military. Netanyahu's office did not elaborate on the reasons for the summons of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, a senior member of his conservative Likud party, but said the prime minister would deliver televised remarks at 8:40 p.m. (1840 GMT). Israeli media had earlier reported that Gallant, a former deputy chief of the armed forces, would convene his own news conference. Protesters heckled a Cabinet minister and unfurled a massive replica of the country's Declaration of Independence on a wall of Jerusalem's Old City. [1/7] Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant attends a news conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, Israel, March 9, 2023.

☆ Israel stocks slip on SVB failure, government vows aid for tech firms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sign is seen at the bourse in Tel Aviv, Israel November 4, 2020. With Israel's trading week running Sunday through Thursday, it was the first opportunity for Tel Aviv investors to react to the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, the largest bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis. Israel's tech sector is the country's main growth engine and its relationship with the Silicon Valley region is strong. NextVision (NXSN.TA), a maker of micro stabilised cameras, said in a regulatory filing in Tel Aviv that it withdrew on Thursday almost all of the $2.7 million it held in SVB. The Tel Aviv index of the five largest banks (.TELBANK5) was down 2.5% at midday, while the index of eight insurers (.TAINS) fell 4.2%.

☆ Pentagon chief visits Israel amid West Bank violence, anti-Netanyahu protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Idrees Ali | Thomson Reuters | National Security Correspondent Focusing On The Pentagon In Washington D.C. Reports On U.S. Military Activity | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hours earlier, Israeli forces killed three Islamic Jihad gunmen in the West Bank, among territories that have seen simmering violence amid the Palestinians' long-stalled goal of statehood. "We’re especially disturbed by violence by settlers against Palestinians," Austin said, adding that his discussions were frank and candid. Austin had originally been due to arrive on Wednesday and stay overnight in Tel Aviv, where Israel's Defence Ministry is based. FLASHPOINTSAmong West Bank flashpoints concerning the United States is the village of Huwara, where the Feb. 26 killing by a Palestinian gunman of two brothers from a Jewish settlement triggered revenge riots by settlers. The rampage triggered worldwide outrage and condemnation, which increased when ultra-nationalist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has responsibility for aspects of the West Bank administration, said Huwara should be "erased".

TEL AVIV, Israel, March 1 (Reuters) - Israeli police fired stun grenades and scuffles broke out in Tel Aviv on Wednesday during a nationwide "day of disruption", raising the intensity of weeks of protests against a contentious government plan to shake up the judiciary. In images not seen in Tel Aviv demonstrations in years, police on horseback tried to stop demonstrators breaching barricades as traffic piled up. [1/6] Israelis demonstrate as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its contentious judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 1, 2023. Ambassador Tom Nides said at Tel Aviv University's conference of the Institute for National Security Studies on Tuesday. Reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Rami Amichay and Amir Cohen in Tel Aviv; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Nick Macfie and Gareth JonesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Warren Buffett praised the practice of long-term investing in his annual shareholder letter. These are the 10 longest-held stocks in Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Warren Buffett has long praised the practice of long-term investing when it comes to stocks. "The world is full of foolish gamblers, and they will not do as well as the patient investor," Buffett said in Berkshire Hathaway's 2022 shareholder letter. These are the 10 longest-held stocks in Berkshire Hathaway's $299 billion stock portfolio. These are the 10 longest-held companies in Berkshire Hathaway's $299 billion individual stock portfolio. UPSJustin Sullivan/Getty ImagesTicker: UPSTime Held: 17 yearsPortfolio Value: $10.3 million7.

☆ Protests stay strong in Israel as govt forges ahead with judicial changes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] People hold Israeli flags during a protest against Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new right-wing coalition and its proposed judicial changes to reduce powers of the Supreme Court in Tel Aviv, Israel February 18, 2023. The marches have attracted huge crowds on a weekly basis since early January, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government took aim at the Supreme Court. "Here I am, in my armor and my shield, doing my best," said Daniel Guytsabary, 28, amid a crowd that filled a Tel Aviv thoroughfare. Proponents say the Supreme Court needs to be reined in from overreaching into the political sphere. "I'm determined to complete the legislation," Justice Minister Yariv Levin said in an interview with Channel 13 on Saturday.

Adani Group said last week it was considering independent evaluation of issues relating to legal compliance, related party transactions and internal controls following the Hindenburg report. Grant Thornton has been hired to conduct independent audits of some Adani Group companies, said the sources, declining to be named as the appointment is confidential. One of the sources added that Grant Thornton would look at whether related-party transactions at the Adani Group complied with corporate governance standards. Grant Thornton and Adani Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In its rebuttal, Adani had said "all related party transactions are at arm's length, properly disclosed and reviewed/audited by statutory independent auditors."

☆ Israel is considering sending its Iron Dome air defense system to Ukraine, Netanyahu says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Israel is looking into sending its Iron Dome system to Ukraine, Prime Minister Netanyahu said. The Iron Dome is arguably the world's most advanced missile defense system, designed to intercept barrages of rockets and artillery shells. In an interview with French TV outlets TF1 and LCI broadcast on Sunday, Netanyahu was asked about sending the missile defense system to Ukraine, in response to the country's continuing appeals for military support. Ukraine made a formal request to Israel for Iron Dome and other high-tech defense weaponry in October last year, as The Times of Israel reported. Asked about the attack, Netanyahu stopped short of denying responsibility, but gave no definitive answer as to whether Israel was responsible.

[1/2] Indian billionaire Gautam Adani speaks during an inauguration ceremony after the Adani Group completed the purchase of Haifa Port earlier in January 2023, in Haifa port, Israel January 31, 2023. On Wednesday, a $2.5 billion sale of shares by one of its companies Adani Enterprises ADEL.NS was called off. Adani Group and the stock market regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) did not respond to a request for comment. Cracking the code of how Hindenburg did the trade could lead to more short sellers taking positions against Indian companies, which have been rare, analysts said. But several bankers familiar with trading in Indian securities said the more profitable piece of the short seller’s bet would likely lie in the derivative trades it had placed.

Spokespeople for SEBI and Adani Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Among several allegations, Hindenburg accused Adani Group last week of using offshore tax havens and stock manipulation. On Tuesday, Adani Group mustered support from investors for a $2.5 billion share sale for Adani Enterprises, in what some saw as a stamp of investor confidence at a time of crisis. Reuters Graphics[1/5] Indian billionaire Gautam Adani speaks during an inauguration ceremony after the Adani Group completed the purchase of Haifa Port in Haifa port, Israel January 31, 2023. The U.S. dollar-denominated bonds of Adani Ports maturing in February 2031 led the losses, falling 3.59 cents to 67.58 cents.

[1/5] Indian billionaire Gautam Adani speaks during an inauguration ceremony after the Adani Group completed the purchase of Haifa Port in Haifa port, Israel January 31, 2023. "The kind of fall that we are seeing in Adani stocks is scary," said Avinash Gorakshakar, head of research at Mumbai-based Profitmart Securities. After losing $86 billion in recent days, the seven listed Adani Group entities now have a combined market capitalisation of about $131 billion. LIC owned a 4.23% stake in Adani Enterprises as of end-December and more than 9% in Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone. Siddhartha Mohanty, one of LIC's managing directors, said in interviews on Monday that the insurer was engaging with the Adani Group but was positive on its investments.

Before the critical report by U.S. short-seller Hindenburg, Adani had ranked third. The report by Hindenburg Research last week alleged improper use by the Adani Group of offshore tax havens and stock manipulation. Adani Power (ADAN.NS) fell 5%, while Adani Total Gas (ADAG.NS) slumped 10%, down by its daily price limit. Headaches for the Adani Group are expected to continue for some time. Hindenburg said in its report it had shorted U.S.-bonds and non-India traded derivatives of the Adani Group.

☆ Gautam Adani no longer Asia's richest person as stock rout deepens to $74 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Indian billionaire Gautam Adani speaks during an inauguration ceremony after the Adani Group completed the purchase of Haifa Port earlier in January 2023, in Haifa port, Israel January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Amir CohenBENGALURU, Feb 1 (Reuters) - India's Gautam Adani lost his title of Asia's richest person on Wednesday as a rout in his conglomerate's stocks deepened to $74 billion after a short-seller report. The Adani Group has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and saying it has always made necessary regulatory disclosures. Before the Hindenburg report, Adani had ranked 3rd. Adani Power (ADAN.NS) fell 5%, while Adani Total Gas (ADAG.NS) slumped 10%, down by its daily price limit.

☆ Exclusive: Indian market regulator examining Adani share rout, source says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Jayshree Pyasi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Indian billionaire Gautam Adani speaks during an inauguration ceremony after the Adani Group completed the purchase of Haifa Port earlier in January 2023, in Haifa port, Israel January 31, 2023. Spokespeople for Adani Group and SEBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The share plunge was sparked by a report by Hindenburg Research last week which alleged improper use by the Adani Group of offshore tax havens and stock manipulation. The source told Reuters the Indian market regulator is also looking into any possible price manipulation of Adani group stocks, as well as examining possible irregularities in the $2.5 billion share sale of the flagship firm Adani Enterprises (ADEL.NS), which concluded on Tuesday. On Wednesday, a day after the share sale closed, Adani Enterprises (ADEL.NS) plunged 28%, bringing its losses since the Hindenburg report to more than $18 billion.

[1/5] Indian billionaire Gautam Adani speaks during an inauguration ceremony after the Adani Group completed the purchase of Haifa Port earlier in January 2023, in Haifa port, Israel January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Amir CohenSummarySummary Companies Adani scripts comeback by completing share saleKey $2.5 billion share sale fully subscribed-dataShort-seller's report led to fall in Adani sharesMUMBAI, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Gautam Adani's crucial $2.5 billion share sale was fully subscribed on Tuesday as investors pumped funds into his flagship firm, despite a $65 billion rout in the Indian billionaire's stocks sparked by a short-seller's report. Support for Adani's share sale came even as the flagship's shares closed at 2,973.9 rupees, up nearly 3% but below the lower end of the sale price band of 3,112 rupees. So, what happens to one particular corporate group, is a matter between the market and the corporate group." Hindenburg said in its report it had shorted U.S.-bonds and non-India traded derivatives of the Adani Group.

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