Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio. I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Hundreds of people in America have suffered a mysterious illness. Seven have died. The culprit

appears to be e-cigarettes. The booming industry could surely do with more transparency, but

still it seems clear that vaping is less risky than smoking. And even the ever-expanding sandwich

in a box business has a luxury end. But the lobster rolls available at the International

Chain, Pretta-Monger, are a window into a wider truth. Americans just don't mind shelling

out more for lunch.

We're going to stop though. Today Israel holds elections for the second time this year.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who's led the country for the past 10 years, has been campaigning

to hold on to his job as Prime Minister. On Friday he sang the National Anthem with

his family and supporters of his Lecude party.

Last day he visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem to see, as he said, the ancient sources from

the Jewish nation that give us the strength to continue. In May, Mr. Netanyahu dissolved

the last parliament after failing to form a coalition. He'd been dogged by scandals

and faced insurrection from his political allies. Now in a fresh election, he's trying

to persuade Israelis to give him yet more years in power. That could also protect him from

being prosecuted for corruption. In his campaign, he's pulled a number of surprising tricks

out of the box.

Well, Netanyahu's strategy has always been to try and maximize the turnout of his

base, which is the right wing and religious voters in Israel.

Anchalfefer reports from Israel for the economist.

...