Mideast Report

TEL AVIV (JPS) -- Tel Aviv has granted same-sex couples the same city discounts as married couples in what Israel's gay and lesbian community hailed as a step toward full integration in Israel.

Gay residents who declare their union in a notarized statement will be authorized to receive discounts for city services and sites such as museums, the Tel Aviv municipality said last week.

"The achievement here goes well beyond money," said Adi Steiner, the municipality's liaison officer for Tel Aviv's gay community.

"With this act of recognition, Israel has come closer to the liberal policies of nations such as Canada and Holland."

Scientists resolve watermelon dilemma

JERUSALEM (JPS) -- Israeli scientists said Tuesday they have developed a low-calorie watermelon, with all the sweetness but significantly less sugar than common varieties of the juicy summer fruit.

"The problem with watermelon is that unlike other fruit, one tends to eat a lot and the calories accumulate," said Shmuel Wolf, chief researcher of the team from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The average watermelon contains 54 calories in 4 ounces. The new variety has 20 to 40 percent fewer calories, Wolf said.