Latest from Ariana Rosas

• Apr 15, 2022

  The chocolate-coated history of Africa’s smallest economy

  

  From the BBC World Service: Chinese companies warn of the impact Shanghai’s lockdown will have on the wider supply chain and economy. Plus, why Emirates is still taking passengers and cargo to Russia. And, a visit to São Tomé, just off Africa’s west coast: The continent’s smallest economy that packs a big cocoa punch. 

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• Apr 14, 2022

  Elon Musk wants to buy Twitter

  

  Tesla and SpaceX leader Elon Musk is offering to take the social media company private in a takeover bid valued at about $41 billion dollars. He’s already Twitter’s largest shareholder, having purchased 9% of the company’s shares. We speak to senior economics contributor Chris Farrell about the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022, better known as Secure 2.0, which aims to make it easier for Americans to save for retirement.

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• Apr 14, 2022

  What can the European Central Bank actually do about soaring inflation?

  

  From the BBC World Service: While inflation in Eurozone countries reached a record annual high of 7.5% in March, economists don’t expect an interest rate increase from the ECB. We hear why. And, new checks at the U.S.-Mexico border are causing outrage and long delays for truckers.

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• Apr 14, 2022

  The idea of college prestige, examined

  

  One of the takeaways from the 2019 college admissions scandal is the enormous cultural weight placed on college prestige. Does going to a more prestigious school really make a difference your life? It depends, says Ron Lieber, author of “The Price You Pay for College” and The New York Times’ “Your Money” column. We spoke to Lieber about different facets of this concept. We check in on small businesses that have been stocking up on inventory to avoid – or at least soften the blow – of supply chain issues.

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• Apr 13, 2022

  How NFTs are bringing artists and communities together

  

  We check in with an Atlanta muralist to kick off a story of how visual artists are finding ways to utilize NFTs as a way to not only connect with their followers, but also rethink the value of their work. While NFTs are a pathway to another dimension of possibilities for these artists, the challenges of navigating the technology still remain. The White House is poised to send more military aid to Ukraine in the form of heavy equipment. 

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• Apr 13, 2022

  Are banks in a prime position for more lending?

  

  Rising interest rates and an influx of stashed cash built up over the pandemic era could have banks more willing to push loans to people and businesses. Consumer prices hit a 40-year high in March, and hints at what April could bring might come in the form of the coming wholesale price numbers. We look into how fledgling shopping centers have pivoted to become medical hubs during the pandemic.

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• Apr 13, 2022

  Spain is trying to deal with soaring energy costs and raging inflation

  

  From the BBC World Service: Significant price rises across Europe and the impact of the war in Ukraine are likely to be on the agenda when European Central Bank policymakers meet this week. Plus, Britain’s Prime Minister and Chief Finance Minister reject calls to resign after being fined for breaking COVID-19 lockdown rules to attend a party. And, Ethiopia lifts restrictions so the Boeing 737 Max can return to its skies.

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• Apr 12, 2022

  Inflation reaches heights not seen since 1981

  

  Consumer prices are up 8.5% compared to a year ago. That’s a four-decade high, according to the government’s latest reading of inflation: the consumer price index. It’s the first report fully accounting for higher gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. David Kelly offers up some perspective on market activity on the heels of these inflation numbers. The BBC reports on a small town in Germany that’s become the home of some geopolitically important equipment: the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

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• Apr 12, 2022

  The future still appears murky for small business owners

  

  Small business owners’ optimism about the economy fell in March, according to a new survey from the National Federation of Independent Business. It found that small businesses are continuing to grapple with staffing shortages, supply chain disruptions and higher costs. Politicians have asked Big Oil to use its profits to help stem the tide of rising gas prices, but experts say it’s not that simple. 

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• Apr 12, 2022

  What’s it like in the German town home to the Nord Stream pipelines?

  

  From the BBC World Service: The U.S. orders non-emergency staff to leave its consulate in Shanghai as COVID-19 infection rates rise and lockdown measures continue. Plus, Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades. Now, the central bank has prioritized essential imports over foreign debt payments. And, we take you to the northeastern German town of Lubmin – where the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines are built – to find out how businesses there are reacting to Europe’s quick pivot away from Russian energy imports.

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