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15 sources · Updated 2m ago
Economy·6m ago

Travel Coats Go Viral as Flyers Try to Beat Baggage Fees

Social-media videos are reviving “wearable luggage,” travel coats with many pockets meant to help passengers avoid baggage fees. The most prominent example is Voyage Coat, but the article says the idea is costly, uncomfortable, and legally gray. Airlines have not targeted it yet, though they may act if it becomes widespread.

Ynet
Security·7m ago

Former IDF Intelligence Chief Says US-Iran Deal Falls Short of War Goals

Former intelligence chief Tamir Hayman said a new US-Iran memorandum largely favors Tehran and falls short of Israel’s war aims. He warned it gives Iran regime survival, economic relief, regional leverage, and only a fragile, still-undefined freeze on its nuclear program.

Mako
General·11m ago

Unistream Teams Up With Israeli Ministries to Turn Teen Ideas Into National Solutions

Unistream is working with Israeli government bodies and the Israel Electric Corporation to mentor youth from the periphery on agriculture and energy projects. The initiative includes 16 agriculture programs and five energy teams, with several AI and sustainability startups already in progress. Leaders say the effort is meant to turn teenage creativity into a national asset.

Calcalist
General·11m ago

Life Sentence and Two More Years for Murder of Sigalit Baruch in Lod

Moshe Atiyas was sentenced by the Central District Court in Lod to life in prison plus two years for the aggravated murder of his partner, Sigalit Baruch. The court also ordered him to pay 258,000 shekels in compensation to her family and rejected his claims of mental impairment and reduced responsibility.

Now 14
Politics·12m ago

Supreme Court Hears Petitions Against Michael Ravilo’s Appointment as State Comptroller

Israel’s High Court heard petitions against Michael Ravilo’s appointment as state comptroller, focusing on alleged conflicts of interest and claims about a secret vote being recorded. The court also saw a public courtroom clash, while Ravilo and the Knesset legal adviser defended the appointment as lawful.

Channel 13·+9 outlets · 60% center
World·12m ago

Reports of Three More Israeli Strikes in Southern Lebanon

Lebanese sources reported three more Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, including a drone strike in Tabnit and another between Haddatha and Kharayeb. A separate Israeli drone reportedly dropped grenades in Beit Yahoun, causing injuries.

Kikar HaShabbat·+1 outlet · 50% center
Politics·14m ago

Judges Question Whether Ravilo’s Appointment Should Be Voided Over Netanyahu Ties

Israel’s Supreme Court justices Ruth Ronen and Gila Kanfi-Steinitz questioned a petition to cancel Michael Ravilo’s appointment over ties to Benjamin Netanyahu. They suggested a future conflict-of-interest arrangement might be enough, and said any challenge may need to focus on that arrangement once it is set.

Ynet
General·14m ago

Channel 13 embarrassment after impostor employee is exposed

Channel 13 News said it was duped by a woman who worked there for only one week and posed as a staffer. The impostor was exposed by "Big Brother" contestant Abraham Aklum, who was contacted by her and then alerted the company. She was fired immediately.

Arutz Sheva·+1 outlet · 50% center
Culture·15m ago

Daveigh Chase, Voice of Lilo in 'Lilo & Stitch,' Dies at 35

Daveigh Chase, who voiced Lilo in "Lilo & Stitch," died at 35 after meningitis and a blood infection. She had recently been hospitalized for malnutrition, and her partner had launched a GoFundMe campaign as her condition became critical.

Now 14
Tech·20m ago

Meta adds live-shopping tools for Facebook and Instagram

Meta is launching new live-shopping tools on Facebook and Instagram over the coming weeks. The update lets brands sell during live broadcasts and gives creators new ways to earn commissions from product links and tags.

Walla
Security·24m ago

Israeli Ministry Exposes Iranian Social Media Campaign Aimed at Spreading Fear

Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry said it uncovered an Iranian social media campaign using fake accounts to spread fear and division among Israelis during the war. The operation used X, AI-generated content, and impersonation tactics, and the findings were handed to security officials.

Now 14·+4 outlets · 80% right-leaning
Health·26m ago

Geriatric Hospital Director Investigated After Patient Abuse Complaint

A geriatric hospital director in central Israel is under police investigation after a Health Ministry complaint alleged abuse of a vulnerable patient. Security footage reportedly shows him pushing the patient, but investigators say the circumstances are still being checked. He was released with restrictions and removed from the facility.

Ynet
Politics·27m ago

Knesset broadcasting bill talks canceled amid ultra-Orthodox boycott

The Knesset canceled debate on the broadcasting bill after the coalition failed to gather enough votes to delay thousands of opposition objections. Ultra-Orthodox parties are boycotting coalition votes, while Netanyahu is trying to pair the bill with several religious measures before elections.

Calcalist
Economy·31m ago

How to Avoid Summer Bankruptcy When Teenagers Go on Vacation

The article says the summer break turns Israeli teens into a major expense for parents. It explains how summer jobs, concerts, food, subscriptions, and impulse spending quickly drain money, then offers two budgeting rules for families.

Srugim
General·31m ago

Will Smith’s Former Friend Says He Is Broke and Homeless After Losing Jada Pinkett Smith Lawsuit

Bilal Salaam, a former close friend of Will Smith, says he is homeless and broke after being ordered to pay more than $32,000 in legal fees to Jada Pinkett Smith. He had accused her of threats at a 2021 hotel party and later of retaliation after the Chris Rock Oscars slap, claims she denies. Salaam is also being sued by Will Smith’s ex-wife, Sheree Zampino, over alleged online defamation.

Ynet
General·32m ago

Orit Strock appoints Adi Vels as head of the National-Civil Service Authority

Orit Strock appointed Adi Vels as director-general of the National-Civil Service Authority after a search that reviewed about 130 candidates. Vels, 42, currently heads a welfare division at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and said she views the role as a major national mission.

Arutz Sheva
Politics·33m ago

U.S.-Iran Memorandum Grants Tehran Major Nuclear, Missile and Economic Concessions

The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding overnight that grants Tehran major concessions on missiles, regional influence, oil and sanctions. The text also leaves Iran’s ballistic missile program and proxy network outside the final negotiations, while keeping the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon tied to the deal. The agreement includes immediate sanctions relief and may lead to a final accord with broader nuclear and economic changes.

N12·+4 outlets · 60% right-leaning
Politics·36m ago

Huge anti-Trump billboard sparks outrage in Monsey after Iran deal

An illuminated anti-Trump billboard in Yiddish was installed Monday night in Monsey, New York, across from Evergreen Kosher Market. The sign appeared amid anger in Orthodox Jewish communities over the U.S. administration’s expected deal with Tehran and quickly became a local sensation.

Kikar HaShabbat
Economy·40m ago

Shimon Gershon launches 12 million shekel fintech to disrupt rental guarantees

Shimon Gershon has launched "Aravuyot Yashir," a new fintech company for Israel’s rental market, backed by 12 million shekels. The platform offers tenants a digital guarantee without a cash deposit in about five minutes, and the company is already working with major real estate firms and planning a partnership with Phoenix Smart.

Walla·+3 outlets · 100% center
Economy·40m ago

Apple Signals Price Hikes as Memory Chip Costs Surge

Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company will likely raise prices on some products because soaring memory and storage chip costs have become unsustainable. He blamed surging AI-driven demand, warned the chip shortage could last through 2027, and said Apple has not yet decided timing, scope or affected products.

Globes·+2 outlets
World·41m ago

Trump Signs Iran Understanding at Versailles as Rift With Netanyahu Deepens

Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran at Versailles, while Iranian officials hailed it as a victory and talks are set to continue in Switzerland. A Wall Street Journal report says the deal has widened a sharp rift between Trump and Netanyahu over Iran and the war’s next steps.

Ynet
Politics·45m ago

Reserve Officer Oz Ben Nun Calls for a New Israeli Civic Order

Oz Ben Nun, CEO of the Ribuo Center, told Arutz 7 that Israel should rebuild its civic order around service and shared responsibility. He tied that view to his October 7 reserve experience and used it to argue for a tougher approach to Haredi enlistment, economic incentives, and political reform.

Arutz Sheva
Politics·46m ago

Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tells Samaria Leader: ‘We Have a Common Goal’

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan met Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer in Ljubljana at the request of Prime Minister Janez Janša. The talks focused on Judea and Samaria, while Janša’s new government has rolled back anti-Israel measures and signaled a major policy shift.

Srugim·+1 outlet · 100% right-leaning
Culture·46m ago

Lil Nas X Says He Has Been Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder

Lil Nas X said he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after treatment in rehab and mental health care. He said he feels better, is making new music, and is preparing his next album, Dreamboy.

N12·+1 outlet · 100% center
World·47m ago

Israel and U.S. Clash Over Troop Deployment in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli official said Israel is in tough talks with the U.S. over keeping forces in southern Lebanon and will not withdraw from its positions. The comments followed an Israeli strike on a rocket launcher and a sharp public critique from Donald Trump of Israel’s Lebanon operations.

Walla·+2 outlets · 67% center
Economy·49m ago

Study Finds Family Businesses and Private Equity Can Thrive Together

A Hebrew-language analysis by Dr. Nava Michaeli-Tabri and Eilon Pinhas says private equity can succeed in family firms when it values the family’s intangible assets. Based on research into three Israeli family companies, the article argues that the best deals combine professional management with preserved family knowledge, trust and culture.

Globes
Politics·50m ago

Coalition figures warn U.S.-Iran memorandum hurts Israel's security interests

Israeli officials sharply criticized the new U.S.-Iran memorandum that took effect overnight, saying it harms Israel’s security and regional interests. Minister Ofir Sofer and Likud MK Avichay Buaron both said Israel will not accept a withdrawal from Lebanon, while Trump and Pezeshkian signed the deal in France and Tehran.

Kan News·+2 outlets · 67% right-leaning
General·50m ago

Karlin-Stublin adopts school uniform policy to cut costs and curb competition

Karlin-Stolin announced a gradual new uniform policy for boys in all of its Torah schools in Israel starting in the 5787 school year. The move aims to reduce competition, preserve modesty, and lower costs for large families, with discounted uniforms arranged through clothing companies.

Kikar HaShabbat
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Original
Tech06:52 · 1h ago

Google Loses AI Pioneer Noam Shazeer to OpenAI

Center
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
The story · English

OpenAI has hired Noam Shazeer, a former Israeli-born Google executive and one of the field’s pioneers, in a major talent raid that Google cannot afford to ignore. Shazeer announced on Thursday that he is leaving Google, where he served as vice president of engineering and helped lead Gemini AI models, to join OpenAI. Google had previously paid $2.7 billion to bring him back.

In a post on X, Shazeer wrote that he was “happy to share” he would join OpenAI and said he was looking forward to working with its team. He added, “This was a hard decision to move on. I am very proud of the amazing team at Google and everything we built together.” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman replied that Shazeer was “one of the people I most wanted to work with since we founded OpenAI,” adding, “It only took 10 years, but I think it was worth the wait.”

Shazeer had returned to Google in August 2024, when the company brought him and researcher Daniel De Freitas into DeepMind through a partnership with their startup Character.AI. The two had left Google in 2021 after the company would not aggressively advance a chatbot project they supported. They then founded Character.AI, which became one of the most prominent AI startups.

The move comes amid intense competition among tech companies for AI talent, and only weeks after Google unveiled new products at its annual I/O developers conference, including Gemini 3.5 Flash and the Gemini Spark AI agent. It also comes as OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, filed confidentially earlier this month for an initial public offering, with OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX expected to be among the biggest IPO stories in recent years.

Shazeer, who began working at Google US in 2000, is credited with helping develop the Transformer architecture, the foundation of modern AI models and the “T” in GPT. His papers at Google are seen as key milestones in AI development. He left Google in 2021 after concluding the company was not moving fast enough on AI, then built Character.AI, where the team created chatbot personas modeled on figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk.

Read the original at Mako