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Counting the Cost

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At least 40 airlines have collapsed since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. After the worst year on record, the industry is likely to record losses of $52bn this year. Without government bailouts and furlough schemes, many airlines may not have survived but not all states have deep pockets. So, why would this be the right time for Norwegian low-cost airline Norse Atlantic to start a new long-haul carrier? Chief Executive Bjorn Tore Larsen explains why. And as Tesla joins the exclusive $1 trillion club, David Thackray, director of Tevva, explains why his electric truck company is way ahead of the competition.

Bankruptcy and bailouts: When will the airline industry recover? | Counting the Cost

Amid concerns the pandemic could cripple the finances of some of the world’s poorest countries, the G20 launched an initiative to suspend debt repayments. But not only are rich countries benefitting, private creditors are also refusing to take part. Tim Jones, head of policy at the Jubilee Debt Campaign, explains why the G20 scheme is a bailout for investors. Just as the pandemic exposed cracks in healthcare services, many manufacturing hubs have come in for greater scrutiny over rising forced labour and child labour. Sofia Nazalya, Asia human rights analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, explains what has gone wrong.

How creditors are cashing in on a G20 debt deal for poor nations | Counting the Cost

China has used its $1 trillion Belt and Road Initiative to expand its economic and diplomatic ties worldwide, including in Latin America - a region which the United States has long regarded as its back yard. Over the last 20 years, Beijing engagement has raised concerns in Washington about its influence. The Biden administration has sent officials to Latin America to scope out how it can deepen ties. Jimena Blanco, head of Americas Risk Insight at Verisk Maplecroft, explains how. And investors are pouring billions of dollars into educational apps. Gauthier Van Malderen, chief executive of Perlego, tells us why.

Can the US wrestle back influence in Latin America from China? | Counting the Cost

Institutional investors have poured $1 trillion into companies operating in the coal industry. The United States accounts for 58 percent of that total. Now, the Asian Development Bank and British insurer Prudential plan to buy coal plants in Asia and shut them down over the next 10-15 years. Lucie Pinson, the executive director of Reclaim Finance, explains who stands to benefit. Kimberly Grauer, the director of research at Chainalysis, discusses why emerging and developing markets are spearheading the use of cryptocurrencies. And on stagflation, AvaTrade’s chief markets analyst Naeem Aslam tells us if we should be concerned.

Why plans to buy Asia's coal plants will benefit Wall Street | Counting the Cost

In Germany, the Social Democrats won the most votes and now start the process of forming a government, ending 16 years of conservative-led rule under Angela Merkel. Whatever the make-up of the new government, it has a huge task ahead leading the world’s fourth biggest economy. Stefan Kooths, research director at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, explains the challenges for the new chancellor. And Piers Harding-Rolls, research director of games at Ampere Analysis, talks about Apple kicking Epic Games off its app store.

What is Angela Merkel's economic legacy? | Counting the Cost

There is a little corner of the energy market that gets very little coverage. But after a cold winter in Europe last year, the continent has failed to fill its storage tanks for the next six months. That failure has sent gas prices surging. This is not just a problem for Europe; the rest of the world could go without as rich countries corner the market, in a similar way to vaccines. Simone Tagliapietra, a senior fellow at think-tank Bruegel, explains what is behind the crisis. And Abayomi Michael, chief executive of Asset and Equity, discusses Nigeria's decision to introduce a digital currency.

Is Russia to blame for Europe's gas shortages? | Counting the Cost

Since President Xi Jinping became head of the Communist Party in 2012, he has launched an anti-corruption purge, interned millions of Uighurs and crushed the hopes of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. Now, Xi has got his eye on a huge segment of the economy that has powered economic growth in recent years: billionaires, celebrities, property, gaming and technology companies. He argues the side-effect of growth has been inequality and that it is time for “common prosperity”. Iris Pang, the chief economist for greater China at ING Bank, sheds further light on this. Plus - why collectors are snapping up second-hand watches during lockdowns, according to the Founder and CEO of A Collected Man Silas Walton.

Is this the end of China's experiment with capitalism? | Counting the Cost

Two decades ago, investment bank Goldman Sachs came up with an acronym that was supposed to shift the economic balance of power. The BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India and China (and South Africa, which was added later) - would, over time, come to dominate the rankings of the world’s richest economies. But 20 years on, the group has failed to live up to its author’s expectations. Edward Glossop, emerging markets economist at Aberdeen Standard Investments, explains what has gone wrong. Plus, former World Bank economist Gregory Smith discussed Zambia's hopes to sort out its debt problems under a new president. And, Daimler Chairman Ola Kallenius talks about chip shortages.

Have the BRICS moved the centre of economic and political power? | Counting the Cost

China's claims to the South China Sea have been well documented, but Beijing is extending its reach into other territories to protect what it considers its Maritime Silk Route. It is building ports that encircle India, raising concerns in New Delhi about its influence and China’s expansive foreign policy. Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, explains Beijing's strategy. And Joanna Kusiak, a research fellow at King’s College, University of Cambridge, explains why Berliners are about to vote on a proposal to strip a corporate landlord of 240,000 homes. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/

Do China's ambitions in Indian Ocean go beyond protecting trade? | Counting the Cost

Russian President Vladimir Putin dubbed the hypersonic missile the “invincible” and a few weeks later inspected a prototype lightweight stealth fighter plane. The only plane comparable to Checkmate, as it is known, is the US-built F-35, and it costs a quarter of the price, opening up new markets. Dmitry Stefanovich, a research fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, explains how decades of investment is paying off. Plus, Rwandan troops help Mozambique to put down a four-year armed uprising. Jasmine Opperman, an Africa analyst at 14 North Strategies, explains what Rwanda gets from the fight. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/

Russia's hypersonic missiles: Can the world avert an arms race? | Counting the Cost

A weekly look at the world's top business and economics stories.

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Counting the Cost

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