Nothing much changed after the 2011 "Cost of Living" protests, apart from coffee that is. Businessman Avi Katz smashed the take-away coffee scene when he opened Coffix, a chain of kiosks serving macchiatos, mochas, and more for a fixed price of 5 NIS. That's 60 percent cheaper than everyone else. Last week, the first SuperCoffix opened - a fixed-price supermarket where all items cost up to 5 NIS. TLV1's Niv Elis went to check it out and ask the founders, "What next in the Israeli food revolution?"

Last year’s Ease of Doing Business rankings saw Israel slip from 23rd place to 106th in just 8 years. Basically, there's just too much red tape here. The government announced that “over-regulation” would be one of the first things they would tackle.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a marketplace for kids to create and exchange educational games? Crazy as it sounds, it already exists. Tiny Tap, an Israeli company headquartered in San Francisco, allows grown-ups and kids alike make apps of all sorts, from quizzes to games, and then share them.

Last week, Stephane Richard, the CEO of the major French telecommunications corporation Orange SA, got up in front of a crowd in Egypt and told them he’d “sever ties with Israel tomorrow” if he could. A diplomatic maelstrom then ensued : This was the first time a BDS had seeped into the corporate world. (And not least because Orange had only just renewed its Israeli contract in March).

Technology is changing the face of banking. Beyond the ease of apps and other conveniences, the wave of fin-tech is also changing the way people invest their money, and the role of advisors. Abigdor Avni and Chaim Natan from UBank, our sponsor, explain to host Niv Elis how.

Israel’s new finance minister Moshe Kahlon came into office promising to break up monopolies. During his campaign he vowed to tackle the most egregiously monopolized sectors: Banks, land, and of course natural gas. Last week, the government announced a compromise deal with gas companies that led the anti-trust regulator David Gilo to quit in protest, saying it wouldn’t introduce enough competition. Kahlon stayed silent, and now he's recused himself of all gas-related decisions because of his close, personal relationship with Kobi Maimon - a major gas magnate who owns Isramco. Adv. Michael Partem, Vice Chairman of the Movement of Quality Government, explains to host Niv Elis why the move is fishy.

Wikipedia has become one of the most ubiquitous websites in the world. Its co-founder, Jimmy Wales, talks to Niv Elis about how the website challenges censorship rules in oppressive regimes, overcomes "truthiness," and deals with the gender imbalance among the wikipedian community.

Israel is a start-up nation built for entrepreneurs and the investors who make bank with spectacular exits. But what about the rest of us? Cue ExitValley, a crowd-investing platform for funding early stage start-ups and small businesses.

At 43% unemployment and 60% youth unemployment, Gaza’s economy is in critical condition, according to a recent World Bank report. Per capita, its real GDP has actually dropped almost a third in the past twenty years. Gregg Carlstrom, correspondent for The Economist magazine explains which industries were worst hit and the obstacles they are currently facing.

This weekend, 86-year-old mathematician John Nash and his wife Alicia were killed in a taxi-cab accident in New Jersey. In 1950, Nash won a Nobel Prize for his theory on non cooperative games, also known as 'game theory' - a cornerstone of modern economics, sociopolitical theory and military strategy. In 2001, Russell Crowe played John Nash in the award-winning biopic 'A Beautiful Mind.' Prof. Abraham Neyman, member of the Federman Center for the Study of Rationality at Hebrew University, tells host Niv Elis about Nash's mathematical legacy, and his incredible determination to beat his illness.

Yesterday, David Gilo, head of Israel’s antitrust authority, announced his resignation in protest at the revised arrangement between Israel's two biggest gas suppliers, claiming it falls short of true competition. Sharon Udasin, Energy Reporter at the Jerusalem Post, gives host Niv Elis the details.

Take your tablet and plug in a sensor hub that allows you to record data on UV, heart rate, and temperature - and your tablet turns into a mini science lab! Ken Zwiebel, CEO of Fourier Education, the company behind Labmate, describes the ramifications to host Niv Elis.

What’s more unsettling: The fact that Israel’s new economy minister has no formal economics training? Or that he served a 22-month jail sentence for corruption and bribery committed as Israel's Interior Minister? David Rosenberg, economics editor at Ha'aretz in English, tells host Niv Elis what to expect from this populist politician.

The price war over internet packages started last week, with a 30 percent price drop in Xfone's phone line and broadband bundle. Then, Cellcom came out with a triple package of Internet, mobile and Netflix-style TV, at a bargain 150 NIS. Both moves were enabled by a reform allowing service providers to lease usage of high-speed Internet infrastructure and sell it as their own. Chaim Natan, manager of the Ra'anana branch of UBank, tells host Niv Elis how this is likely to play out in the markets, and if Netanyahu firing the director general of the Communications Ministry means new telecommunication reforms may be stalled.

Israel has fallen 19 spots in the World Economic Forum’s Global Travel and Tourism Report, from 53rd place in 2013 to 72nd place today. Even among Middle East countries, it went from third to seventh place, as high prices, the strong shekel, and fears of terrorism pulled it down the ranking. In terms of price competitiveness, Israel is sixth from bottom, making it the most expensive holiday destination of any country except Norway, Australia, France, the UK, and Switzerland. Hanna Ifergan, deputy head of Development and Tourism Investment at the Tourism Ministry, tells host Niv Elis what Israel is doing to combat the trend.

As part of a plan to help reduce inequality, incoming Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon is proposing an estate tax, referred to derisively as the "death tax." If a tax of 10-15 percent were imposed on estates worth NIS 10 million or more, the tax would bring in NIS 1.5-2.5 billion a year. That could also pay for the very costly promises Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made during his coalition negotiations. Kyrill Shraberman, a tax researcher at the TAUB Center for social policy studies, discusses with host Niv Elis.

Bitcoin gain momentum due to its similarities with cash - no traces, no transparency, no oversight. But that proved to have drawbacks, mainly no consumer protection. Enter Bitrated, an Israeli start-up that’s looking to solve those problems and help make bitcoin a little safer. Nadav Ivgi, Bitrated founder & CEO, explains how it works for host Niv Elis.

Israel’s interest rates have been at historic lows since August, first falling to 0.25% and then to their current nadir of 0.1%. But as Europe ramps up its Quantitative Easing program and the shekel remains strong, the Bank of Israel is under pressure to take action. One possible solution is negative interest rates, which would essentially mean that lenders have to pay people to borrow their money instead of the opposite. Is such a topsy-turvy world around the corner? Chaim Natan, manager of the Ra'anana branch of UBank and a CFA charter holder explains to host Niv Elis.   *This item is brought to you by UBank.*

A study by Visa estimated that in 2013, the size of the untaxed shadow economy added up to 18.9% of GDP in Israel, worth an estimated NIS 185 billion. The voluntary disclosure procedure gives people a final chance to declare their worldwide capital before it’s too late. Guy Reshtick, Head of the Tax Department at Baker Tilly has all the details for host Niv Elis.

The final day of reckoning is just around the corner: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has to seal up his coalition deals this week, or someone else will get a chance to form the government.

Kama-tech, an accelerator aimed at integrating ultra-Orthodox Jews in high-tech, has applications from over 200 Haredi start-ups. That's great news to those who want to see greater integration from the Haredi community. But many of the most successful and prominent Haredi entrepreneurs seem to come from abroad. Are programs aimed at helping Israel's Haredim, who face different barriers than foreign-born Haredim, missing the mark? Host Niv Elis explores.

Israelis have gotten used to paying for parking tickets on their mobile phones. Pango+, the parking app teamed up with local government to make parking payment really easy, has been a huge hit. The service nearly was nearly suspended last week after a bureaucratic nightmare stopped it from renewing its centralized contract with local authorities before the old one ran out. All through the holidays, Pango+ made a mad dash to sign deals with individual municipalities to ensure its service didn’t go out this week. Tali Brostovsky, Product Manager at Pango+, describes to host Niv Elis what happened and what Pango+ users can expect going forward.

Last week, Teva, one of Israel’s largest companies and the world’s largest generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer, made an offer to buy its competitor Mylan for $40 billion. Mylan was publicly okay with the idea, but has not made any final declarations. One of the conditions for Teva’s deal was that Mylan forego its own attempt to buy Perrigo, another Israeli pharma company. Since then, Perrigo has turned down Mylan’s offer. So what will happen in this cat-and-mouse game of business mergers? Steven Tepper, Senior Research Analyst of Pharma and Biotech at Migdal Capital Markets explains to host Niv Elis just what this gargantuan deal means.

An Israeli start-up called TravelersBox has figured out that all unused foreign currency change travelers gather while abroad collects, and found a way to put it to good use instead. Tomer Zoosman, TravelersBox co-founder & CEO, tells host Niv Elis of the company's clever solution.  

Israel’s monthly inflation dipped into negative territory early this year, and its 12-month rolling average of inflation remains in the red. There were some signs of hope when the CPI for March came out last week, and showed a modest growth of 0.3%. That’s still below the 1-3% Bank of Israel target, and even below what forecasters expected. What will it take for Israel to return to normal inflation levels? Chaim Natan, manager of the Raanana branch of UBank and a CFA charter holder, explains how it affects investment to host Niv Elis.    *This item is brought to you by UBank.*

Can it be? Is it true? Is Tel Aviv finally, after years of dithering and mistakes, ready to build a light rail? Will it at last be easy to get in and out of the city without horrendous traffic? Eventually that’s the plan, but the process of building is expected to make things difficult for commuters for at least five years. Globes reporter Hedy Cohen tells host Niv Elis what to expect.

The US urged its allies not to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which it felt would fail to meet accepted standards and undermine the role of the Washington-based World Bank. Well, Israel joined and the US isn't happy.

Alex Vaystikh, CTO at SecBi, a portfolio company of Jerusalem Venture Capital, explains why cyber attacks like the recent one by online 'hacktivist' group Anonymous may do more good than harm.

According to a report by the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel, almost a quarter of Israeli Holocaust survivors live below the poverty line. Prof. Yahezkel Taller, a Holocaust survivor and a member of the Foundation, explains what can be done.

The truth behind Israel's low unemployment rate For all Israel's economic problems, the labor market has been a beacon of hope; Israel’s average unemployment has dropped to 5.3 percent, by some measures the lowest in its history. Dr. Itzhak Saporta of Tel Aviv University gives us the truth behind the statistics. How surveys affect elections and financial markets The biggest losers in Israel’s election this month weren’t any of the political parties, but pollsters, who seemed to get things very wrong. Chaim Natan, manager of the Raanana branch of UBank, tells us how surveys can affect both elections and financial markets. Bogus HSBC forecast? Israel's rate cut that wasn't When the Bank of Israel failed to declare a negative interest rate and a round of quantitative easing in its monthly rate decision last week, the markets were surprised. Amiram Barkat, financial reporter at Globes, discusses HSBC's forecasting role. Noble not interested in exploring Ruth C for gas Noble Energy declared last week it would drop the license to explore the Ruth C zone off the coast of Haifa due to a fear of "regulatory uncertainty." Dr. Amit Mor of the Interdisciplinary center in Hertzliya explains what's behind the decision. Start-up of the week: Polly the parking fairy Hate spending hours finding a parking spot, only to end up miles away from your destination? Enter Polly the Parking fairy, a new Israeli app designed to make one of the most frustrating parts of driving more efficient and less stressful.   Playlist:  Efraim Shamir - Roked Lekol HabanotEn Vogue - Don't Let Go (Love)Robbie Williams - AngelsTom Petty & The Heartbreakers - The Last DJUzi Ramirez - Bodean   *The second item is brought to you by UBank.*

What can Israel expect from the future government? It's coalition forming time for Netanyahu's Likud party. In Israeli politics, nothing is certain until everything is certain. Haaretz English Business Editor David Rosenberg unpacks the possibilities, and what they mean for the economy. The needle-free future of diabetes Four Israelis won Intel’s EMEA MakeItPro contest by using light-reading and chip technology to make an inexpensive tool for prick-free blood testing for diabetics. Hear from Omri Soceanu on what it does and how it can help the developing world. An incubator for art technology? TechnoArt, Israel's first art incubator, is designed to develop and apply advanced technological innovation that will influence the art world. Founder Shani Peled explains what it's all about. Start-Up of the Week: Cimagine Cimagine, an Israeli company, has created technology that lets you virtually place objects in your home before you buy them. The technology, of course, has a range of other possibilities as well.       Playlist:  Ed Sheeran - BloodstreamHamachshefot - Ad HaOneg HabaKarolina - Shirat Ha'AvadimBeyonce - Love on Top

How will elections affect Israel's economy? Tuesday, voters will (finally) go to the polls and select the 20th Knesset. That, however, is only the beginning. Once the dust settles and the numbers are in, the wheeling and dealing to build a coalition of 61 or more seats begins. What's at stake for Israel’s economy? Are negative interest rates on the horizon for Israel? With the Euro weakened dramatically against the dollar, Psagot Investment chief economist & strategist Ori Greenfeld tells how it affects Israel. Will Israel experiment with negative interest rates in response to the global environment? Delek and Noble strike back, sue government for $15m Israel's two biggest natural gas companies, threatened with a label of restrictive arrangement - essentially a cartel - filed a law suit demanding $15 million from the government in an unrelated matter: royalty compensations. Why global tech companies want Israeli Arab engineers Despite serious challenges, Israel’s Arabs have made strides in the high-tech sector. Leading tech companies in search of new talent have taken notice.      Playlist:  Nate Ruess - Nothing Without LoveTeapacks - 3 BalaylaShlomo Gronich - Banalya Lifeny ShkiaaRed Hot Chilli Peppers - Can’t Stop

Tues. 9-11PM (Israel); 3-5PM (EST); 12-2PM (PT) Join TLV1 anchors Ilene Prusher and Gilad Halpern for LIVE coverage of Israel's election madness as the exit polls come out and the votes begin to be counted. We'll have TLV1 & Haaretz correspondents at the major campaign headquarters and special reports on the issues facing Israeli voters. Weds. 7AM (Israel); 1AM (EST); 10PM (PT) Listen to our special LIVE election panel of Noah Efron, Debra Kamin, and Gil Troy putting together the pieces of the jigsaw as the Israeli election results come in - that's when the political game really begins in the race to form a coalition.   Tune in LIVE at www.tlv1.fm

Will the Histadrut shut down the South on election day? Histadrut Labor Federation has continuously sparred with Israel Chemicals over a wave of layoffs.  Avital Shapira, Director of the International Department of the Histadrut, tells us the other side of the labor strife. Be a better Jew with the new Apple Watch With the unveiling of the new Apple Watch, we talk to Barry Schwartz, CEO of RustyBrick, who's been busy working on Jewish apps that give you heads up before prayer time, find you a kosher restaurant and display the food blessings you can't remember. The realities of Israel's workplace gender inequality With women earning an average of 31.9% less than men, Keren Greenblatt, Legal Advisor for Israel Women’s Network, fills us in on some statistics from International Women's Day, and explains what can be done.   Start-up of the week: Scio, a science lab in your pocket Imagine if you could scan an object like food or medicine and find out exactly what’s in it with your smartphone. Welcome to Scio. CEO Dror Sharon tells us about the possibilities.     Playlist:  The Black Keys - Cost of LoveTaylor Swift - StyleAvraham Tal - ShoshannaYigal Bashan - Hozrim LaYarkon 

Israel's interest rate hits all-time low of 0.1% The markets thought that the Bank of Israel Governor was all out of tricks, but last week she got one over on them: Israel’s interest rate is now at 0.1 percent, lower than it’s ever been. Rafi Gozlan, Chief Economist at IBI investment House, weighs in. Has Israel's housing crisis reached a tipping point? Last week the State Comptroller released a report on the government’s failure to address problems in Israel’s housing market. Haaretz English Business editor David Rosenberg tells us how the report will impact the market. Reviving the Dead Sea: Israel and Jordan’s $800m deal It seems to have gone largely unnoticed, but Israel and Jordan signed a historic deal last week to save the dying Dead Sea. Jerusalem Post environment and energy reporter Sharon Udasin gives us the details of the $800 million agreement. What's Cooking? Apple CEO visits Israel After much speculation, Apple CEO Tim Cook finally arrived in Israel last week to inaugurate Apple’s new Israel office - the second largest outside its Silicon Valley headquarters. David Shamah of The Times of Israel, tells us what Cook has in store for the country. Start-up of the week: Winkapp connects people and print Israeli start-up Winkapp's software lets publishers print hyperlinks, in newspapers for instance, which users can scan and view on their smart phone. CEO Itai Arad explains how it works and why it's better than clunky QR codes.   Playlist:  Efraim Shamir - Haver Behevrat AtzmiAvril Lavigne - SkaterboyAsaf Avidan - Over My HeadHot Chip - Huarache LightsTYP - All Of It But Me 

Why the secret Swiss bank scandal is bad for the little guy Information leaked recently shows that Israel ranks sixth among countries whose citizens hold secret bank accounts in HSBC's Swiss private banking arm. Israeli Financial Advisor Aaron Katsman explains why this kind of legal tax evasion is bad for the little guy. Israel: Passing (natural) gas After two long, uncertain months, Israel has finally put a new natural gas proposal on the table. Will it address the competition issues in the Noble Energy-Delek Group arrangement? Lior Gutman, Infrastructure & Energy reporter at Calcalist, explains the deal. Strike that: Israel Chemicals and the labor union face off The Histadrut labor federation started making good on its threat to “shut down the south” this week in an ongoing row with Israel Chemicals, one of Israel's largest public companies. Anat Tal, Deputy to the CEO at ICL Industrial Products, gives her perspective. Broadband is the new cellular in the politics of reform In the upcoming elections, the Kulanu party's platform is based on leader Moshe Kahlon's record on cellular reforms. Roni Biron, chief analyst at UBS Israel, tells us how Gilad Erdan's new broadband proposals might have better results than the cellular ones. Start-up of the week: Warranteer It’s happened to all of us: You go out to by a TV or similar and are wooed by a certain product because of the warranty. But when the product blows up, what do you do? Warrenteer CEO and co-founder Avishay Pariz explains how his start-up can help.   Playlist:  Amy Winehouse - You Know That I’m No GoodBenzin - Hatchala HadashaWretch 32 - 6 WordsHadag Nahash - Lo FrayerimRed Hot Chilly Peppers - Under the Bridge

Who can bring down the cost of housing? Dr. Efrat Tolkowsky, the Academic director of the Chaim Katzman Gazit-Globe Real Estate Institute, analyzes the housing policies of the Kulanu and Zionist Camp parties, both of which have been promising to lower housing prices ahead of the elections. A 28-minute Tel Aviv-Jerusalem commute? The Electra Bogl JV group won a tender to complete the high-speed rail route from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but the Finance Ministry has frozen all tenders for the Tel Aviv light rail. Calcalist's Lior Gutman tells us if these projects will ever get done. Startup of the week: How Glide makes texting passé Texting is so 2014. Typing? Swyping? Dictating to Siri? There must be a better way. Jonathan Caras, Glide's Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, tells us about the video text platform that lets users ping video messages back and forth.   Playlist:  Calexcico - Cumbia De DondeIdan Raichel's Project - Im Haita Roe'eShlomi Shaban - Kulam Omrim

Israel's natural gas in crisis Last month, David Gilo, the head of the anti-trust authority, said that Noble Energy and Delek, the two companies with stakes in the two biggest gas fields, might be in a kind of cartel. S&P have warned that Israel’s credit rating could be affected... Is Israel a nation of failed startups?  A new study on Israeli startups found that just four percent of startup companies in Israel are successful. Koby Simana, CEO of the IVC Research Center, which carried out the study, explains what is the measure of a successful startup. Startup of the week: Making emoticons matter Israeli start-up Vicomi, which just closed a $900,000 funding round, gives websites a tool to gauge their users' emotions using a variety of emoticons. CEO and co-founder Eli Ken-Dror tells us why emotions matter in cyberspace. The Israeli Trader Joe's Ehad, which opened its first branch in Ra'anana in January, builds on the business model of the German chain Aldi, which owns US grocery store Trader Joe's. Eari Shahar, Ehad founder, tells us when we can expect an Israeli two-buck check.   Playlist:  Nirvana - LithiumRita -Atoof Be'RahamimR.E.M - The Great BeyondFoo Fighters - Something From Nothing

All good exits go to heaven It was the week from heaven for Israeli start-ups; a series of acquisitions and investments have amounted to $910 million, according to Geektime. The Wall Street Journal’s Orr Hirschauge explains why interest in Israeli start-ups is booming. The dark side of the start-up nation A Reuters analysis last week argued that Israel's high-tech boom is a double-edged sword. One of the article's authors, Tova Cohen, explains why big exits might not be the best choice for companies, employment, and the economy as a whole. Minimum wage rise could be tough on small businesses Last week the Knesset approved a hike to boost the lowest pay from 4,300 shekels a month to 5,000 in three stages over the course of two years. FICC President Advocate Uriel Lynn explains why the increase could be tough on small businesses. Startup of the week: TabTale games When TabTale, an Israeli game company, launched its latest game Linebound, it reached over a million downloads in less than three days. Vic Bo-aron, Head of Corporate Business Development at TabTale, discusses the company's latest hit.   Playlist:  Dudu Tasa - Eize YomAmy Winehouse - You Know That I’m No GoodManic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Your Childern Will Be NextIlan Wirzberg - Ani Holech Bamishor

Japanese PM Abe in Israel to strengthen economic ties The arrival of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has sent Israeli media into a frenzy. Currently, a mere 1.3 percent of Israel’s exports go to Japan, but Israel hopes to strengthen ties with the world’s third largest economy. We speak to Vered Farber, director of The Asian Institute. Israeli innovators join the Gates’ Grand Challenges Initiative We speak to an expert in the field of technological innovation and international development about the Israeli innovators who won Grand Challenge grants this week. The grants are awarded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Startup of the week: Guesty Fed up of the effort of being an Airbnb host? You can now outsource the vetting, cleaning, welcoming, and 24-hour trouble-shooting to someone else! Guesty allows hosts to be as hands-off as they want whilst ensuring guests receive the VIP treatment.   Playlist:  Clean Bandit - Real LoveCorinne Alal - Shir BekefMark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk

How the new wave of French 'olim' could affect the economy The Jewish Agency expects to welcome approximately 14,000 new French immigrants or 'olim' in 2015. Gali Shahar, CEO of Gvahim, and Prof. Sergio DellaPergola of Hebrew University discuss the effect this community will have on the Israeli economy. Joining the big leagues: Wix buys Super Bowl ads It's Super Bowl season, when people get as excited by the TV commercials as the match itself. In the wake of last year’s SodaStream controversy, we speak to Wix CMO Omer Shai about splashing cash on the world’s most expensive TV ad slot. The Israeli housing problem just got worse Each week there is a new plan on how to tackle the issue of housing prices in Israel. We speak to Dr. Dani Ben Shahar, the co-author of a new study that reveals that housing might be even less affordable to Israeli citizens than first thought. The slide is not dead: The power of Emaze ‘Tis the era of jazzing up your powerpoint presentations. CMO Daniel Glickman tells us what Israeli start-up Emaze does that competitors Prezi and Sway don’t.   Playlist:  Tipex - Yoshvim BeBeit CafeGreenday - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)Itan Salmon - Kashe LakakhatDuran Duran - A View To A Kill

 High-tech exits break record in 2014 2014 will go down in history as a record year for Israeli high-tech companies getting bought out or going public, according to a survey by PwC Israel. David Shamah, the Technology Editor at Times of Israel, discusses what led to this and what’s in store for 2015. Trajtenberg for Finance Minister? Last week, Manuel Trajtenberg announced that he was running in the upcoming elections with Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni’s joint list, called the Zionist Camp. Haaretz English Business editor David Rosenberg is here to tell us more. Free Trade with China coming In 2015, China is expected to begin free trade negotiations with Israel, according to state media. Sam Chester, an Analyst & China Specialist at KCPS Clarity, tells us what to expect from free trade talks and what the benefits for Israel might be. Start-up of the week: FeeX FeeX likes to call itself the Robin Hood of fees. The Israeli company picks through people’s retirement accounts, finds all sorts of unnecessary fees, and looks for ways to reduce them. Feex VP Marketing Erik Lawrence discusses the company.

Sheshinski: Breaking up the natural gas monopoly may not be enough Last week, the anti-trust commissioner David Gilo caused nothing short of havoc by declaring Noble and Delek 'a cartel in the gas market'. Isn't it a little late for such conclusions, now that the Tamar field is already operational? How will Israeli regain its credibility with foreign investors? New Price Targeting plan won't make a dent on Israeli housing crisis Israel is embarking on a new program called Price Targeting to help lower the cost of housing, which has roughly doubled since 2007. But even though it's a step in the right direction, says Steven Zecher from the Milken Innovation Center, it will hardly make a dent in the cost of housing. What's behind Israel's gender wage gap? A report on public sector wages showed a 15% wage gap between Israeli men and women. Though women and men in the same role earn the same amounts on paper, women often ended up taking home much less at the end of each month. They also end up missing out on promotions, paid overtime, and company perks. Bank Leumi pay $400m for helping US clients with tax evasion Last week, Bank Leumi, one of Israel’s largest banks, admitted to actively helping US clients with tax evasion. In a settlement deal, it agreed to pay $400 million in penalties and handed over customer details to US authorities. Start-up of the week: Pamper your pooch! Some people are antsy about handing their iPhone to their kids, but how about turning it over to the dogs? A new app called Wooof is not for dogs, per se, but for pet owners. People love their pets and spend millions each year pampering them - why not do it through the app? Playlist:  Mashina - Rani Be ParisEster Rada - OutEifo Hayeled - Misheoo Shome’a Oti?Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat - LuckyReamonn - Supergirl Producer: Amy RacsTechnical producer: Adam Sher

  How will the Russian ruble crisis affect the Israeli economy? When the Russian ruble collapsed in 1998 on the heels of the Asian currency crisis, it sent waves through global markets. Last week, the ruble collapsed again, losing 11 percent of its value against the dollar on Tuesday, its steepest one-day fall since the previous crisis. The last time around, Israel’s economy was pulled in to the crisis. What will the effect be this time around?   Shauli Katznelson, the Deputy Director General for Economics & Professional Services at The Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute elucidates.   Controversy over TAUB poverty report Last week, The Taub Center for Social policy made headlines with its finding that 80% of Israelis could not make ends meet each month.Then, in an unusual move, the Finance Ministry’s chief economist issued a response calling the study’s methodology into question. The ministry contended that data from the Central Bureau of Statistics consistently showed that most households did infact money left over at the end of the month.   We ask Eitan Regev, author of the TAUB report, where the discrepancies lie and what message the public should take away. Will Israel have to pay Iran $100 million in compensation?   It’s a story of Hollywood proportions: In 1968, back in the days of the Shah, Iran and Israel entered a joint venture building a pipeline to transport Iranian oil through to Eilat where it could be exported to Europe. Then came the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and all ties with Israel were cut from thereon in. In 1994, The National Iranian Oil Company began trying to recoup its share of the profits and in 2013 a Swiss arbitrator made a preliminary ruling that Israel pay Iran $100 million in compensation. And the saga goes on and on. Paul Rivlin, Senior Research Fellow at Moshe Dayan Center for Middle East Studies, helps us makes sense of it all. Israeli Medical Marijuana Company to trade on Wall Street   Following a merger with Dynamic Application, Israeli marijuana company One World Cannabis will be traded over the counter on Wall Street. We talk to Dr, Yehuda Baruch, research manager at One World Cannabis about the blooming medical marijuana industry and One World’s efforts to isolate the medicinal effects of cannabis oil.

Can Kahlon bring real economic change? Former Likud minister Moshe Kahlon, famous for reforming Israel’s cellular market, has put economic reform at the center of his new 'Kulanu' party's platform. Can he succeed where others have failed? Haaretz's David Rosenberg says he may run into problems. Women who code Women are underrepresented in high-tech, computer sciences, and engineering. Ruti Polachek founded She Codes, a meet-up for women programmers to get together and share ideas. She explains how the group is helping close the gender gap in high-tech. Israel's high-tech Druze Dr.Ramzi Halabi, chairman of Tsofen, a non-profit organization that promotes the integration of Israel’s Arab citizens into the hi-tech industry, explains how military service sets Druze apart from other Israeli Arabs, and what challenges they face regardless. Why China needs Israel China's growing economy may have surpassed the US when prices are factored in, but the global China may need something important from Israel: Green and clean technology. TLV1 looks into why it may not be so easy for Israeli companies to give it to them.   Playlist:  Lily Allen - The FearT.Y.P - D.I.S.C.OLady Antebellum - Need You NowBeyonce - HaloIdan Amedi - Kol Zikaron Yashan

What do early elections mean for Israel's economy? When Israel’s Knesset dissolved itself this week after less than two years, it became one of the shortest sitting government’s in Israel’s history. Meirav Arlosoroff, senior columnist at The Marker, talks about the effects early elections have on the economy. 0% VAT mania! In March, then-Finance Minister Yair Lapid proposed an exemption from Value Added Tax for new home-buyers, a plan economists said would do no good. Dr. Michael Sarel, the Finance Ministry Chief Economist, shares his thoughts on these policies. The roller-coaster Shekel From a strength of nearly 3.4 to the dollar this summer, the shekel has hit its lowest point in two years, falling to 3.99. The cumulative depreciation since the end of July was 13.4 percent. Eldad Tamir, CEO of Tamir Fishman Investment House tells us. The oil game has now changed This week, the price of oil plunged below $67 a barrel and reached a five-year low. Amotz Asa El, senior commentator for Jerusalem Post and Middle East commentator for Dow Jones’ MarketWatch, explains how the trend will affect our oil-addicted neighbors and our economy. Playlist:  Marina Maximilian - Hurricane Deep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany's Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud Blondie - Call Me

Does the Histadrut have any choice but a general strike? As the debate over raising the minimum wage sizzles, the Histadrut is threatening to go on strike this coming Sunday. Professor Ayal Kimhi, Deputy Director of the TAUB Center for Social Policy Studies, shares his insight. Is the Israel-Europe gas pipeline just a load of hot air? Last week Infrastructure, Energy, and Water Silvan Shalom threw support behind a plan to build a gas pipeline to from Israel to Europe. Dr. Amit Mor, CEO and co-owner of Eco Energy Consulting Strategic Investments has his doubts about the plan Housing Minister Ariel wants to issue work permits for Gazan construction workers Since 2006, construction workers from the Gaza strip have not been allowed to work in Israel. Eran Siv, Chairman of the Renovations Contractors Union explains this decision. Going, going, gone! Feedvisor helps online shops fine tune their prices Our start-up of the week this week, Feedvisor, gives businesses an algorithm to revise their prices based in order to maximize their profits.   Playlist:  Mashina -Ahake Lach Basadot Umlala – Please The Idan Raichel Project – Milim Yafot Me’ele Meja – All About the Money

Downgrade for Israel’s credit outlook by Fitch Rating For weeks, Finance Minister Yair Lapid has rebuffed critics of his 2015 budget by pointing to credit ratings agencies, saying that they have not shown alarm at his policies. Gilad Alper, chief strategist at Excellence Nessuah Brokerage explains why Israel should be worried. Has Lapid scuppered his very own rent control bill? Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Finance Minister Yair Lapid have proposed a a long overdue bill designed to regulate apartment rentals. Dr. Efrat Tolkowsky, Academic Director of the Chaim Katzman Gazit-Globe Real Estate Institute, shares her insight. Cyber security back in focus following Leumi Card data theft Last week seven ex-Leumi card employees were arrested for data theft and extortion. Daniel Cohen, Cyber Security Expert at RSA, the security division of EMC, explains what can be done to improve cyber security from both ends. Tel Aviv wins World’s Smartest City Award 2014 with DigiTel Tel Aviv Municipality’s DigiTel came up trumps at the World City Expo in Barcelona, beating 250 other cities to the Smartest City Award 2014. DigiTel is an app that engages residents with their city. Deputy Mayor Assaf Zamir explains what makes DigiTel so smart. Playlist: Pink – Try Asaf Avidan – Weak Duffy – Warwick Avenue Cardigans – My Favorite Game

Is Lapid’s “budget of hope” hopeless? Finance Minister Yair Lapid says his plan for 2015 is a “budget of hope,” but the politics around passing it sometimes seem totally hopeless. The economics editor of Haaretz in English has the details. Ministry of Economy: It’s the red tape, not import duty that makes living in Israel expensive A government committee published a report, in which it argues that import duties are not the reason of high retail prices in Israel. One of the report’s authors, Oz Katz, gives us the inside scoop Court ruling keeps Tel Aviv kiosks open on Shabbat…until further notice It’s been a long slog for Tel Aviv’s kiosks to win the right to stay open on Shabbat. Mickey Gitzin, Tel Aviv City Councilor from Meretz and chairman of Be Free Israel, gives an update. Start-up of the week: KeyBoots makes your holiday last longer A new start-up called KeyBoots aims to help travelers find live-in volunteer opportunities abroad. The CEO and founder Kobi Bodek, tells us more. Playlist: Lauryn Hill – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You Beck – Loser Ester Rada – Life Happens Prince – Clouds Rita – Bgida Producer: Amy Racs   Technical producer: Lior Peleg

Israel’s minimum wage has to come up..but by how much? Discussions over increasing minimum wage in Israel have progressed from “if“ to “how much?” Meanwhile there have been rumors of implementing negative income tax to bump up the living wage. Globes reporter Amiram Barkat shares his insight. Storm in a teacup: Bibi and Lapid clash on how to lower Israeli food prices First came the cottage cheese protests, then the Milky media whirlwind and Israelis can’t wait any longer for food prices to come down. Dov Chernichovsky explains how prices became so high. How will ICL react to the Sheshinski 2’s new surtax? The Socio-Economic cabinet has approved the recommendations of the Sheshinski 2 committee to tax the excess profits of companies mining natural resources. How will Israel Chemicals react? The Jerusalem Post’s energy reporter Sharon Udasin has the answers. New bill addresses benefit setback for mothers quitting jobs to raise children In Israel, mothers who decide to quit their job after maternity leave in order to raise their child are eligible to receive unemployment benefit. Meretz MK Michal Rosin sets out to address this setback in her new bill. Start Up of the Week: KitchenBug Kitchenbug is a social platform that not only collates online recipes but also draws out the dietary information you need from them. COO Dror Daliot explains how it works and what you can get out of it. Playlist: Blur – Song 2 Gali Atari – Mamri’a Barooach Soundgarden – Black Hole SUN Karolina – Tzel Etz Tamar   Raichel-Geffen – Kotzim

Despite the backing it got from superstar Scarlett Johansson, SodaStream announced the closure of its controversial factory in the West Bank. Is this a victory for the BDS movement, or does the relocation to the Negev make better business sense? Jerusalem Post deputy managing editor Tovah Lazaroff says the decision was purely economic. Last week, the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company came out of the closet. But it’s not just any company, it’s the world’s most valuable: Apple. Tim Cook’s announcement is a big deal, but why is it so rare to see senior business people being open about their homosexuality? Shai Doitch, head of Israel’s national LGBT task force "Aguda", explains that while Israeli employment law protects against discrimination, society at large is less accepting. Six years on, the US Federal Reserve terminated a radical monetary policy introduced to deal with the 2008 financial crisis. Avichai Shoretzki, Chief Strategist for Global Markets at IBI investments, tells us what the end of Quantitative Easing (QE) means for Israel and the world economy. Despite hitting a record low last year, Israel's unemployment rate jumped to 6.4% in the last quarter. Should Israelis be worried about their jobs? Professor Eran Yashiv of Tel Aviv University & Senior Research Fellow at INSS, says that Israel's labor market his bigger problems to address. When folk see something they like on the Internet, they tend to share it - on Twitter, on Facebook, and one or two maybe even on Google Plus. The traffic--and accompanying monetization through ads--has turned those companies into tech giants. But now, an Israeli start-up, Spot IM, is trying to hand back control to the content providers, such as online news providers - by moving the conversation to their websites.

This week's show is hosted by David Rosenberg, Business editor for Haaretz in English: The zero percent interest rate that never was Fears that the bank would lower base interest rates to zero percent were quelled on Monday. Ori Greenfeld, Chief Economist at Psagot Ofek, states that while Israeli growth looks fairly healthy in comparison to Europe, the key concern is inflation rates. Why a penthouse in Israel is pricier than one in Paris Prices of luxury apartments in Tel Aviv have increased 75 percent in the last five years - overtaking London, Paris, and Dubai. Matthew Bortnick, CEO of Maki Group, a specialist real estate brokerage, explains these breathtaking figures. Sony buys into Israeli channels Viva and Viva Plus Sony Pictures Television is buying a 50 percent stake in Dori Media Group, which made its fortune making and distributing TV dramas worldwide. Nadav Palti, CEO of Dori Media, talks to us about the deal's significance as well as the future of media consumption. Kick-starting Arab high-tech in Israel Smadar Nehab, co-founder of Tsofen, a non-profit promoting the integration of Israeli Arab engineers in the high-tech industry, describes the main hurdles this sector faces and how Tsofen’s high-tech centers in the Galilee could bridge that gap. Startup of the Week: Automated dubbing by Videodubber Dubbing movies and TV shows is a laborious and expensive process. Videodubber software can generate automated voice-overs from subtitles within hours. CEO Baoz Rossano and CTO Jacob Dvir explain how it works. Playlist: Geva Alon - Yam Shaket Liran Danino - Hozer Elaich Peled - N’aara Madlika Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - Learning to Fly Tomer Yosef - Ma Lo Beseder  

This week's show is hosted by David Rosenberg, Business editor for Haaretz in English: Can the 'Target Price' plan settle soaring house prices? Dr. Efrat Tolkowsky, CEO of the Gazit-Globe Real Estate Institute, evaluates a new affordable housing program set to go into effect as early as December this year, and to run in conjunction with Yair Lapid’s controversial 0% VAT plan. The cost of living: It's not just about food! Thanks to Berlin's 'Milky' protests Israel is once again preoccupied with the cost of living. Zvi Oren, President of The Manufacturers’ Association of Israel, says we mustn't isolate the food industry from the broader issues of high fuel prices and low wages. Leading virologist: Israel and US under no real Ebola threat While the Ebola panic is reaching new heights, Dr. Leslie Lobel, a leading Ebola researcher at Ben Gurion University, believes Israel and the US are under no serious threat. He does, however, encourage airport screenings for contagious diseases. How did Israel end up supplying Egypt with natural gas? Salco Kleerekoper, chairman of TASC Strategic Consulting and energy specialist, explains why partners in the Tamar gas field are in talks to export gas to Egypt. For Israel, economic benefit seems to outweigh the risk of political instability. Startup of the Week: Transform your phone into a burglar alarm Salient Eye is a free, downloadable app that transforms your phone or tablet into a DIY surveillance system. Needless to say, the app has endless uses, from nature spotting to spying on your spouse! Founder Haggai Meltzer explains how it works. Playlist: Shi Nobleman - Dayeget Rockfour - Hor Balevana Rami Fortis - Shkia'ata Shel Hazricha Radiohead - Paranoid Android Gidi Gov & Rona Keinan - Harikood Hamoozar Shel Halev Elvis Costello & The Roots - Walk Us Uptown

This week's show is hosted by David Rosenberg, Business editor for Haaretz in English What ever became of the War on Poverty panel’s big plan? Earlier this year, a War on Poverty panel presented the government with a detailed plan to tackle Israel's stark income inequality. Professor Ayal Kimhi, deputy director of the TAUB Center, describes what became of the panel’s recommendations. Regulations loosened for startup crowdfunding It will now be easier for Israelis to qualify as crowdfunding investors due to a change in qualifying regulations. Jon Medved, CEO of equity-based crowd funding platform OurCrowd, explains what crowdfunding can contribute to the local startup scene. Is the boom too good to last? Until recently the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange was trading at a record high, having climbed 8.5% this year, while the economy is slowing down. Is such a booming stock market sustainable? Rafi Gozlan, chief economist at IBI Investment House, shares his insight. World’s first pocket-sized metered marijuana dispensers! Syqe’s metered-dose cannabis inhaler aims to help patients administer the precise dosage of medical marijuana required to alleviate their pain. General Manager James Amihood explains how this could both advance research in the field and quell public unease. Playlist: J.Viewz - Holding A Map Asaf Avidan - Left Behind The Verve - Bitwersweet Symphony Prince - Way Back Home Habiluim - Oto Zevel Guns & Roses - Sweet Child Of Mine

11 government-owned companies to be privatized David Rosenberg, Business editor for Haaretz in English, is in the TLV1 studio to explain what this sale of government stakes means for the companies, the services they offer, and the Histadrut-backed workers who may not like what awaits them. Compromise deal to protect JNF's 'special status' In an agreement reached with the Finance Ministry this week, the JNF will continue to enjoy special status in exchange for a 1 billion NIS payment towards land development infrastructure in the 2015 budget. Globes reporter Amiram Barkat explains the mechanics. First came the ‘cottage’ protests, then the ‘milky’ protests? A Facebook group in which Israelis living in Berlin post their grocery receipts and compare living costs with those back home has gone viral, even making the evening news. We ask Ido Porat, a contributor to the group, what it would take for him to move back to Israel. Can someone please explain what's going on with the shekel? In the last two months, the shekel has seen a stunning adjustment from July's low, popping all the way up to 3.7 against the dollar for the first time in a year and a half. Moshe Shalom, head of the FXCM Israel department, helps us make sense of the fluctuations. Playlist: Shlomo Artzi - Lo Ozev Et Hair Mooki - Yeled Shel Aba Hadag Nahash - Lo Frayerim Shmemel - Berlin Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know

Israel has a budget plan! It just doesn't add up As details of the Netanyahu-Lapid 2015 budget plan emerge, it seems the numbers don't add up. TheMarker's Meirav Arlosoroff explains why the deficit is too damn high, and what tricky tactics the government is using to fudge the debate. Will US Arab Bank ruling choke terror or stifle lending? Last week, a US court ruled that Arab Bank, a prominent Jordanian financial institution, was guilty of holding Hamas accounts. Jerusalem Post Legal Correspondent Yonah Jeremy Bob weighs in on the implications of this blockbuster case. So long, airplane mode! Israel's regulators have followed the lead of the US and EU in letting airlines decide whether to let people keep their devices on during taxi, take-off, and landing. Lufthansa's Tal Muscal tells us whether she's worried about constant chatter on flights. Start-up of the week: BlendWiz.Me A new Israeli app, BlendWiz.Me, aims to connect travelers with locals who share their interests. BlendWiz.Me Creative Director Gili Bar-Shay tells TLV1 whether he thinks the app with suffer the regulatory backlash experienced by others in the sharing economy. Playlist: Mary J Blige - Whole Damn Year Ricky Gal - Na'art Harock Kings of Leon - Use Somebody Teapacks - Ma Asit Amit Erez & The Secret Sea - Whenever The Sun Comes Kashi feat. Avraham Tal - Lech Im Ze

S&P: Security a greater threat to credit rating than 2015 deficit S&P Sovereign Credit Analyst Elliot Hentov says Israel's credit rating will probably not be thrown off by a spike in this year's deficit, provided it comes back down in the coming years. More worrying for the credit rating, he added, is Israel's security outlook. Histadrut threatens general strike over postal workers An ongoing labor dispute between the government and Israel Postal Company could lead to a general strike. Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, tells TLV1 why he thinks the courts should step in to limit strikes. New Arab-Israeli start-up incubator raises millions A new incubator, Takwin Labs, has raised $4.5 million to help Arab hi-tech entrepreneurs focused on Internet and mobile technologies. Its CEO, Itzik Frid, tells us about the opportunities - and challenges - the sector faces. Start-up of the week: Pricence Figuring out exaclty how to price products in order to maximize profits, it turns out, is not an easy decision. That’s where Pricence comes in: CEO Dr. Ron Adany explains how his company helps businesses make that decision. Playlist: Whitney Houston - My Love Is Your Love Robert Plant - Rainbow Shotey HaNevua - Yedia Dikla - Sheva BaErev

Uber faces off with GetTaxi in Tel Aviv Smartphone taxi service Uber is creating an 'AirBNB'-type function called 'UberX,' which will require the government to change some regulations, and has career cab-drivers worried about their jobs. Uber Israel CEO Yoni Greifman talks to us about the controversy. Are Israel Chemicals lay-offs an economic reality or a regulatory bargaining chip? The Jerusalem Post's Sharon Udasin comments on Israel Chemicals' plans to close it’s magnesium factory and fire its 550 staff by 2017. The company blames the proposals on the second Sheshinsky Commission, but is it just posturing for a better deal? Ahead of iPhone, iWatch launch, Apple expanding in Israel David Shamah of the Times of Israel talks about Apple's role in Israel, how it has its eye on the kids of start-ups, and what to expect at next week's big announcement, when the latest iPhone and much-anticipated iWatch are expected to be unveiled. Footing the bill for Operation Protective Edge The government has approved a plan to pay for the Operation by imposing a 2% across-the-board budget cut for the current year. Ori Greenfeld of Psagot Investments explains some better options for paying for the Operation.   Playlist: Aviv Geffen & Mati Caspi - Mistovev Mary J Blige - See That Boy Again Florence and the Machine - I'm Not Calling You A Liar Phil Collins - Sussudio Karolina - Tzel Etz Tamar Fortisaharof - Ein Ketz Layaldoot

Israel nears $60 billion gas export deal with Egypt Dr. Amit Mor, CEO and co-owner of Eco Energy Consulting Strategic Investments, says that Israel's neighbors need gas enough to help navigate the tricky Middle East politics. Real estate companies in trouble as 0% VAT freezes market Eyal Yanai, CEO of the business information group BDICoface, says there are several reasons for the troubles afflicting big real estate and construction companies, but that the market downturn should be temporary. Will the 2015 budget topple the government? Professor Michel Strawczynski, head of the Economics and Society Program at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, gives his recommendations on how the budget should move forward amid the acrimonious war politics. Start-up of the week: The Bird's the word for making any surface interactive CEO of MUVinteractive, Rami Parhan, talks about the business, medical and entertainment applications for his new wearable technology product, 'Bird.' Playlist: Goo Goo Dolls - Iris Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry Idan Raichel's Project - Halomot Shel Acherim Amit Erez & The Secret Sea - Whenever The Sun Comes INXS - Beautiful Girl

Freedom to rest or freedom to shop? Attorney Ivri Feingold represents the small business owners that initiated the shabbat opening laws case against Tel Aviv. He argues that chains opening on Saturday are unfair to small businesses, even if Tel Aviv's residents prefer keeping them open. Will an EU ban on settlement goods cause real economic damage? Tovah Lazaroff of the Jerusalem Post talks about the chess match between Israel and the EU when it comes to settlement goods, and argues that the impact of an EU ban would be more political than economic. One stock exchange to rule them all? Is Israel big enough for two stock exchanges? Haifa is reportedly seeking to open a tech-focused exchange that would compete with Tel Aviv. Former Bank of Israel chief economist and ERCG head Asher Blass says Israel is fine with just one. Start-up of the week: Now you see it, now you don't New start-up Destrux adds a self-destructing capacity to all your files, giving you the ability to verify your recipients and put an expiration date on shared files. Destrux VP of Research and development, Lior Giller, explains how it works. Playlist: HaChatser Haachorit - Lishrok Ba Choshech Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Dudu Tasa - Maaliyot New Radicals - You Get What You Give