Teva Pharmaceutical goes bargain hunting, picks up Barr Pharmaceuticals for $7.46b

Posted on July 22, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Business, Healthcare | Tags: Tags: , , , | Leave a Comment

Teva Pharmaceuticals Logo

According to Haaretz,  Teva has been going on a “little” shopping spree, buying companies as if they were cute pairs of shoes they just had to have. (And FYI, this Teva company has no connection to the Israeli hikers’ beloved Teva sandal co., incidentally made in China.) Recently, Teva purchased Barr Pharmaceuticals, “the fourth largest generic firm in the U.S., for $7.46 billion.” Teva had previously bought “Ivax in January 2006 for $7.4 billion and Sicor in October 2003 for $3.4 billion.” Even though Teva is already the world’s biggest generic drug maker, maxing out its credit cards on all these ’steals’ will elevate Teva to a “generic powerhouse employing about 37,000 people globally and operating directly in more than 60 countries.”

The big reversal

A quick look at Globes or Techcrunch, will leave you numb from repetitive headlines such as “Company X acquires Company Y for Z million dollars”. However, if these headlines refer to Israel, it’s usually because an American company is buying out an Israeli hi-tech startup. Just search for “Microsoft buys Israeli startup” in Google and you’ll see what I mean. Here’s a few examples of startups Microsoft has bought lately:

But Teva’s takeover has turned the tables proving that an Israeli company can buy out a huge US company. And, at 7.46b, it’s mighty impressive!

 

Israel is selling snow?!

Posted on July 21, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Featured, Technology | Tags: Tags: , , , , | Leave a Comment

Skiing

Anyone who’s been to Israel knows that catching a glimpse of snow is rare, and even a welcomed treat. Come to think of it, I’ve never even met anyone in Jerusalem who owns a shovel. Perhaps a longing to play in the snow has pushed IDE Technologies to become a major player in the man-made snow market.

First Tracks , an online ski magazine reports that IDE Technologies , based in Tel Aviv, is introducing unique refrigeration technology to produce man-made snow.  The ice technology was originally developed for seawater desalination in the most unlikely place - the hottest, your-face-will-melt-right-off, beach city of Eilat in southern Israel.

So what makes Israel’s snowmaker so much better than the rest? It works regardless of the season or air temperature, ensuring ski resorts can open up  the slopes for an early ski season, and obviously early profits are not far behind.

Existing snowmaking technologies spray tiny water droplets into the air, which freeze into crystals before reaching the ground. Such technologies depend upon ambient temperatures being at or below freezing, depending on humidity. IDE’s snowmaking facilities produce large quantities of snow regardless of air temperature.

If you’re interested in getting your own snowmaker, it’ll only cost you a mere $2 million. Now paying the ski resorts doesn’t seem quite as expensive, does it?

[photo by: bevcraigwhite ]

 

Newsweek asks: Who Exports the Most TV to the U.S.?

Posted on June 30, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Art and Culture | Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment

Your choices (think very carefully…)

A. Italy
B. Sweden
C. Israel
D. India

You may not have guessd it, but Newsweek confirms that the winner is Israel! I’m not sure the last time I saw a Swedish-based show, so it may not have been a very tough competition. Regardless, Israel is starting to appear in Hollywood headlines by contributing shows such as "B’tipul (In Treatment)" and "The Ex List". Apparently "too dark" for Americans, these shows are being adapted to American tastes and then produced. Read more»

 

Joke: Why it’s better for Jews to read the Arab papers

Posted on June 24, 2008 • By Miriam Schwab
Category: Jokes | Tags: Tags: , , | 1 Comment

Here’s a joke that’s been going around the web for a while, but I thought I’d share:

A Jewish man was sitting in Starbucks reading an Arab newspaper. A friend of his, who happened to come in the same store, noticed this strange phenomenon.

Very upset, he approached him and said: “Moshe, have you lost your mind? Why are you reading an Arab newspaper?”

Moshe replied, “I used to read the Jewish newspapers, but what did I find? Jews being persecuted, Israel being attacked, Jews disappearing through assimilation and intermarriage, Jews living in poverty.

So I switched to the Arab newspaper. Now what do I find? Jews own all the banks, Jews control the media, Jews are all rich and powerful, Jews rule the world.

The news is so much better!”

 

Tourism in Israel is growing fast with big plans for even bigger numbers

Posted on May 28, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Business, News, Social | Tags: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment

Not only is Israel breaking Guiness World Records for largest amount of people saying Hatikvah simultaneously, largest national flag, and the World’s largest Humus plate, we also keep breaking previous tourist records. According to the Ministry of Tourism, in April of 2008 alone, there were 290,000 tourists, a 41% increase over April 2007 and 26% over April 2006.

But the Ministry of Tourism has set its goals much, much higher, hoping to bring 5 million tourists in 2012. The Director of Tourism Shaul Tzemach is already nervous about a room shortage. As they say, that should be our worst problem! Anyone want to rent out their apartment for a few days? I volunteer. Tourists usually mean m-o-n-e-y. I say, bring it.

drevil.jpg

You know what this major increase in tourism will mean for Israel, don’t you? More hotels which means more construction! And Israelis just love construction and detours. There are 90 million shekels going towards encouraging tourism and millions more for the construction of more hotels in Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee area, Acre, Ashdod, Kiryat Shmona and the Upper Galilee. That brings the total cost to 1 billion shekels. The number feels too big to comprehend and reminds me of Austin Powers’ Dr. Evil suggesting the largest amount he could fathom “1 milllliion dollars”.

 

Israeli busker leads the London underground scene

Posted on May 18, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Art and Culture | Tags: Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

Few people riding the Underground in London realize that the amazing voice they hear on their way to work belongs to Hadar Manor, a former Lieutenant in the Israeli army. A recent “Ear to the Underground” contest, which votes on the best talent in the London-wide underground scene, crowned Manor as Queen.

According to TotallyJewish.com, Manor is appreciative of the support she received from the London Jewish community. She has performed for a number of Jewish organizations in London including Limmud, the ZF and JNF. Hadar has been in London for five years and considers herself an “ambassador for Israel. I think every Israeli abroad is an ambassador”. She plans to return to Israel for a show in Tel Aviv later this year.

Here she is, Hadar Manor singing “Queen of the Underground”. One very talented lady indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw07qemf68o

 

Celebrating Israel’s 60th with Videos, Websites, Blogs, Birthday Cards, Conferences, Snacks, and more

Posted on May 5, 2008 • By Rebecca Markowitz
Category: Art and Culture, Multimedia, Social media | Tags: Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dear Israel,

I know we have neglected you a bit on our site in the past few months, but this birthday has put our priorities back in focus. As I get alerts and updates on all of the celebrations in your honor, I get that warm fuzzy feeling about how special it is to live here (despite the wacked out taxi drivers and funny hours at the post office).

As a mini-present (and it’s the thought that counts, right? we’re done with the buying each other things stage I hope), I’ve compiled a list of as many websites, videos, blogs, conferences, snacks (?!), etc. that I could possibly find that are dedicated in entirety to you, your innovations, your accomplishments, and your commitment to being an open home to the Jewish people. (cheesy enough? stole it from another Hallmark card I saw in the Israel birthday card store)

Thanks for making us proud and Happy b-day from israelplug! Read more»

 

Israeli duo come out “on top” down under with Australian Open tennis win

Posted on February 7, 2008 • By Jon Bartov
Category: Art and Culture | Tags: Tags: , , , , | Leave a Comment

Israel’s top tennis pair made history this weekend, winning the Australian Open doubles title and becoming the first Israeli pair ever to win a Grand Slam event. The Australian Open is one of four major tennis tournaments that take place during the year, and Israeli duo Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich came out “on top” down under, thanks to inspired play which included not losing one set! In addition to a check of 400 thousand dollars, their efforts awarded them national admiration, including a phone call from Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert.

A bit of background on Andy and Yoni

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggoXN-2uJw0

“We really have to thank the great Israeli crowd,” Erlich said of the Israeli fans that made the long trip to Australia to cheer them on. The win was a long time coming for the duo, which several times has gotten close to a coveted Grand Slam title, always coming up just short. Starting off the tennis season in such great form, as well as the relief of finally “getting the monkey off their back,” the Israeli pair is in a good situation to repeat their historic win during this year.

Follow all Israeli tennis results

 

Cisco CEO John Chambers speaks highly of Israel

Posted on February 7, 2008 • By Jon Bartov
Category: Business | Tags: Tags: , , , | Leave a Comment

ciscoJohn Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems, likes Israel. He even said so at President Simon Peres’ special-invite-only business dinner with Israel’s hi-tech leaders.

“Venture capital is not about money, it’s about expertise,” he said, referring to Israel’s strength as an innovator.
“We’re deeply committed to Israel and intend to expand,” Chambers said adding that he was “very satisfied” with his company’s activities in Israel.

Cisco Systems Inc (Nasdaq: CSCO) with a market capital of $145 billion, is the world’s premier networking company and is responsible for many innovations, particularly in the world of Web 2.0. Cisco has acquired nine Israeli companies, and it seems he may be doing some shopping on this trip as well:

“I’m going to continue to acquire companies here,” Chambers said, noting Cisco has bought more companies in Israel than in any other location other than the United States. “I think you are going to continue to see us being very proactive in this country. We see a lot of innovation occurring here across everything.”

Chambers has been pretty busy during his trip in Israel. In addition to the dinner, he has unveiled two community projects (with a total investment of 2.5 million dollars) which use technology to advance the peace process and help underprivileged youth.

 

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