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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.