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.

Kids in the Philippines have not left their homes for a whole year. Everyone knows of

the long-term effects of being cooped up, but the government still insists that letting

children loose poses a greater danger to the country's multi-generational households.

And if there is something more American than apple pie, it's the chocolate chip cookie.

But like so many famous foods, its invention was reputedly an accident. And like so many

convenience foods, it's a rise had a lot to do with marketing.

First up though.

Israelis have started voting today for the fourth time in two years. Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu is once again fighting for re-election after his unity government with Benny Gantz

collapsed in December. It might feel a bit like Deja Vu, but a lot has changed since the

last election in the pandemic's early days. This time around, Mr Netanyahu has centered

his campaign on Israel's World Beating Vaccination Program.

The competition that Mr Netanyahu and his Lecude party will face has shifted. He's now

up against parties headed by several former allies. What hasn't changed is that the Prime

Minister remains under indictment in three corruption cases, charged with bribery, fraud,

and breach of trust, charges he's always denied. And once again, coalition building will

be key. Close election horse trading will decide whether Israel gets a lasting government

or yet another date with the ballot box.

Lecude was suffering until very recently from what was perceived as quite a shambolic

handling of the pandemic by Netanyahu and his government.

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