Latest from Nick Esposito

• Aug 4, 2023

  Russia’s influence in Africa grows

  

  From the BBC World Service: Niger’s elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, has warned that following the coup in his country, the entire Sahel region in Africa could fall under Russian influence — with devastating consequences. Following Fitch’s downgrade of US government debt, the picture for investors is becoming clearer. The World Bank has given nearly $5 billion of funding for projects to boost economies across Latin America and the Caribbean. So just how much difference has that made?

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• Aug 3, 2023

  Could extreme heat cause a gas price creep?

  

  Hot weather is forcing oil refineries to dial back production. Add on facility damage from hurricanes (which are more likely after a hot summer) and gas prices could balloon. Plus, inflation is driving people out of Argentina.

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• Aug 3, 2023

  Wage theft in the States and limbo at the border

  

  An online tool is helping immigrant workers file complaints against employers who owe them wages. Then, a look at the economic cost of “protracted displacement” while waiting for asylum.

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• Aug 3, 2023

  The enduring allure of UK soccer

  

  From the BBC World Service: Tom Brady is the latest American star to invest in U.K. soccer. The NFL legend has taken a minority stake in Birmingham City, a club which plays in the second tier of English soccer. What’s the attraction? And, can his star power take them to the top? Meanwhile, in Argentina inflation is running at over 100% — we look at how economic pressures are forcing some people to consider new lives in the United States. And, do you still watch live television? The U.K.’s broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, says older viewers are increasingly switching off in favor of streaming services.

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• Aug 2, 2023

  The economics of allowing immigrants in, and letting them stay

  

  Ankle monitors and other electronic tracking tech have found a market in immigrant surveillance — a lucrative market. We’ll also visit Chile, where migrating might get more difficult.

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• Aug 2, 2023

  What is the U.S.’s credit score?

  

  It actually just got worse. We’ll talk about what the debt ceiling has to do with it, and whether this will raise borrowing costs for the Treasury Department. Plus, young people are being recruited to drive migrants beyond the southern border through social media.

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• Aug 2, 2023

  Niger coup shakes its economy

  

  From the BBC World Service: Talks are taking place in the African state of Niger to re-instate democratic rule, but European nations have already suspended financial support to the country and foreign citizens are being evacuated. For years Chile has been a destination for migrants in South America but now the government wants to restrict the numbers coming into the country, pushing more people north, to the US. And, China’s internet watchdog has introduced stricter regulations aimed at controlling how much kids use smartphones and other devices.

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• Aug 1, 2023

  How Latin America is dealing with this inflationary economy

  

  We’ll get the World Bank perspective first, and then hear from our partners at the BBC on the ground in Colombia. Part of the story? Inflation and immigration are inextricably linked.

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• Aug 1, 2023

  This app helps migrants cross the border

  

  WhatsApp is increasingly used to support the business of smuggling people through Latin America and into the U.S. We’ll look at who’s turning a profit. Plus, Biden’s focus on EV manufacturing could be non-residential construction’s saving grace.

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• Aug 1, 2023

  Are savers in Europe getting a raw deal?

  

  From the BBC World Service: One of the primary ways to try and tackle rising inflation is for central banks to raise interest rates, but are savers getting a fair deal? Mohamed El Erian, chief economic advisor at the financial firm Allianz gives us his view after Europe’s biggest lender, HSBC doubled its profits. Plus the BBC’s Catherine Ellis reports on Colombia’s battle with inflation and an influx of immigrants from Venezuela. And finally, we hear from Frank Strang who bought a disused Royal Airforce radar station with his wife 15 years ago and turned it into a spaceport.

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