this rig of hooks designed to snag sturgeon on the river bed. the cisco, that's m a look at one of them. we are in contact with each other over the phone. we pass on information. what is happening in our area? or if a boat goes by, i will tell the others where it went, in which direction, and we will react so that if something illegal is happening, we can stop it. the sturgeon ah, now better protected and better understood. but georgia's government once more hydro power on this river, not less. their survival still hangs in the balance robin for steer. walker al jazeera on the re only river in western georgia. ah, a reminder now of the top stories on al jazeera, the u. s and french presidents have met in person for the 1st time since their countries most the serious diplomatic dispute in years show by the like, knowledge,

the handling of a recent security agreement with australia and the u. k. that cost france multi $1000000000.00 contract, had been clumsy. he says it was under the mistaken belief that france had been informed about the deal before it was actually announced. we have more no more and more. now why? with, with a lot of grace. i was under the impression that happened on include friends or president biden is in rome for the g 20 leaders conference. he met polk francis before the today summit, which will discuss, among other matters,

global distribution of coven vaccines. and climate concerns leader is then go to glasgow for the cop $26.00 conference. well, in the lead up to that climate conference protests have been held in 26 countries to demonstrate against the use of fossil fuels, swedish activists, the greater to burger joint and demonstration in london. and thousands of people are, again, walking through mexico, wanting to cross into the united states, and like previous migrant caravans. mexican authorities are not stopping them, but they are preventing vehicles from assisting them, hoping that the walk simply becomes too much. and poland senate has voted to build a wall along its border with bella roost to prevent migrants from entering illegally in the past 2 months, thousands of people have attempted to cross the border to enter the european union counting. the total cost is next the asking. well,

when will the airline industries recovery begin? well, as experiencing unprecedented extreme weather. reco temperature's being set glass ethan, i feel the deteriorating. busy fault whenever the quote running down world leave is to me think laws go in the u. k. in a bit to thrash out a deal to flash imagery to port to late follow the un climate summit on al jazeera . ah, [000:00:00;00] with hello, i'm adrian finnegan. this is counting the cost on al jazeera. you'll look at the world of business and economics this week, fighting for survival, government bailouts of help. many airlines avoid bankruptcy. but not all states have deep pockets. and who would be thinking about starting at airline in the midst

of a pandemic? we speak to the chief executive of the norwegian startup. the biden administration's moved to counter bay james, economic and diplomatic reach in latin america, but is it too late to recover washington's diminished influence in the region? as tesla becomes the 1st one trillion door automaker, could this be the future of the trucking industry that may look like any other truck on our roads, but this is also powered by electricity ah, for the global economy to recover fully from the pandemic. that is an industry that needs to make a comeback, tourism. it represents a 10th of the global economy, and the pandemic has wiped out a $120000000.00 tourism jobs. but that recovery depends on more travel corridors and countries opening that borders. and with the lack of vaccines for the world's poorest, that's unlikely to happen before late. 2022. we're going to focus on the crucial

role that airlines play in that recovery at. as always, we'll stop at the numbers after the worst year on record, the industry is addicting. losses of 52000000000 dollars this year. most is a likely to persist next year, but should shrink to $12000000000.00. tourists traveling by air, expected to spend 354000000000 dollars this year. now that sounds huge, but that's more than 40 percent. less than before. the pandemic airlines continue to receive life support from governments, totaling some $243000000000.00 since the start of the pandemic carriers in this region, the middle east, which rely on international traffic. i've been fortunate to have the support of state have cut our airways received $3000000000.00, but still cut 15 percent or more than $13000.00 employees from its workforce regional rival. i'm one of the most profitable airlines. emerett made a loss of 5500000000 dollars last year and received more than $3000000000.00 from

due by us government. in the us, in europe, governments opted for a mixture of loans and fellow schemes to keep our line flying. but not all governments have deep pockets, and some airlines are struggling for survival. for example, asia x has liabilities of $8100000000.00, half of which is due to canceling airplane orders from air bus. the malaysian low cost long haul airline is working on a deal to pay just north point 5 percent of the debt that it owes neighboring tie airways back in june when a court order to restructure the depth of $12900000000.00. however, the airline was in difficulty well before the corona virus pandemic, grounded many flights across the globe. and then there's indonesia national carrier gruder, which is on the brink of bankruptcy. the indonesian government is devising a takeover plan if the company is unable to renegotiate leases of restructure its

depth houses. here as jessica washington reports from jakarta ah, at indonesia largest airport, passenger traffic is on the rise. as domestic tourism enjoys a resurgence after months of relative quiet travel restrictions at major airports around the country are easing. as the number of coven 19 cases falls. it's a welcome change for the countries aviation industry. but it may not be enough to save one major player drowning and dead. the country's oldest airline career. indonesia is edging close to bankruptcy. it's not a pretty picture in terms off, but that's amounting to hundreds of trillions over here, which is coming up to billions. is the largest of that, that group has had so far in its history. ah, the pandemic had a severe impact on the flag carrier. hasn't numbers have fallen by 90 percent and

flight frequency has reduced from 400 to less than 100 flights a day. the airlines, total debt is now $4900000000.00 and the company faces several lawsuits over unpaid death. it's very difficult to imagine an issue with the indonesia with that group, but it has to come up in. it has to be a point where somebody says, you knocking off jean up or you go, ah, the airline c o o fan city puts rail, told al jazeera steps have been taken to turn the company around, including renegotiating airplane, leasing costs, and restructuring loans. he says the reopening of international borders offers more hope. like many airlines around the worlds grew to indonesia has struggled through the pandemic because of travel related restrictions, but grew does financial woes. it started long before the pandemic. and now the flag

carrier faces an uncertain future aviation expert sega router, indonesia has struggled to compete with low cost carriers grappling with weak earnings while paying for a large and expensive flight of aircraft that are mostly least analysts also say the ellen's management persisted with unpopular routes which became known as ghost flights due to a lack of passengers and get it actually facing financial dis, just back before pandemic. for 5 years earlier, we see some of the operational costs of increased dramatically and some of the international mile flight. for example, just a london is not approved profitable. the airline is still mostly owned by the government, and the ministry of state owned enterprises has proposed rebranding. a state own charter service police as a passenger carrier to replace gruder or putting in more state cash. the ministry

declined in interview with to 0. the option of the bankruptcy liquidation of got today is friday, like 50 bill option right now, and also about the spit budget if the government bill of the got it need some more than 4900000000. ready and on the other hand, the initial government still focusing on the major infrastructure project that's near more fund, under pressure to resolve the crisis at ruder, the government faces a difficult choice, either try and save the failing airline, or let it collapse well against that backdrop, imagine trying to start a new airline. i'm delighted to say, joining us now as someone who's doing just that. the own tool lawson is chief executive of norwegian low cost airline, north atlantic airways. he's joining us from washington, d. c, via skype. doing really good to have you with us. why now is this really the right time to be starting a line? when so many others are struggling? that's, that's

a good rest of the way that we think it is exactly the right time to do so. if there ever bought the time and the reason for that is due to the and the next little bit. and i have been fortunate there to counteract to creations. and that has made us able. ready to acquire a good number of very the record prices so, so we are starting off from a point that nobody have done before. and secondly, we have an abundance of people who are very acute joint both to build something you have fresh. it doesn't mean that we will stop operating right now because my life, i gotta do it. but this is, except for the right time to, to create a combination for what is great to be

a competitive affordable locals. and you think that you're going to be able to crack the long haul discount market off to norwegian is exit from trans atlantic roots. you're even taking some of the staff who worked on that operation. is history going to repeat itself or you turning over a new leaf here? we are totally new company. we have nothing to do. i'm having said that we, we haven't taken a few people who have been with that experience and in terms of static line. and also we have made a historic agreement with the american union by ensuring that many of the previous 5 working on the research there are actually going to join our airlines, which is which is great for us and also very good for,

for the place. but our very different than other airlines we are point to point carrier. we have very little in our mobile muscle. the reason why we have the lowest cost and industry. alright, but one of your competitors is, is jet blue, started to fly across the atlantic to it's a really tough sector. the fly to be competitive on, isn't it? it's very competitive. and competition is great. also that company, they will, they are doing. they are targeting perhaps a little different boxes than we are, that they are more, they're probably more directed towards the business market and we have no many competitors and we have respectful them. we think competition very good for the consumer, but also for up to competition. just makes it better. all right, so when do you think you have a 1st play in the? yeah, that's going to be spring,

spring transfer. ok. how long do you think it's going to take the airline industry to return to some semblance of pre pandemic normality? of course, it depends on how the corolla lawrence develops going forward. but we see that in the domestic america, for example. ready or in europe, you are close to 3 and then the levels. and the reason for that is, is that the regulations so that people can actually travel. and we think the same thing will happen in long hall. regulations are i think it's, it's really the key people really want to travelers or people move on to travel right now that will allow us to we estimate that when it's going to be both at present levels across the atlantic getting closer to. and if we think is gonna be good here for 24 in our information will be the time

where we will be on the or at all the levels before. but obviously there are a few unknown. this virus that are going forward, something like 40 airlines collapsed during the pan that you think we're going to see more collapsing before things actually begin to improve? yeah, well i think you might, you will all be collapsing either because strategy structure, whatever they happen, open a crisis situation right now, normally due to competition. and that might very well happen. again. we have to have all that stuff, they will need more capital in order to to, to be able to survive. but i don't see that

big weight is going to be hit right now. those are probably over the been affected. but i guess it depends on how the company's capitalized and what about jobs with so many last during the course with and that makes you think we'll ever get those jobs back. we now perhaps more realistic numbers for the airline industry. i think the same thing is that a little just might have been those permanent people today. it's actually hard hiring people for many, many airlines and other companies do to people who left in to see i'm not coming back. and the 2nd thing they're seeing is that there is an acute sort finals in many areas and developed in america. for example, right now there are several airlines are struggling to to fly due to lack of competence group. and this is

a trend we think is going to to strengthen as we get back to normal business. which of course is, is a challenge rosel. and our ambition is to be the best employer of actually both pilots. and by that, by taking good care of people, we think they think our company will be an attractive buyer, but we recognize it to be tough to find the best deal. and you're a brave man. we wish you the very best of luck with it. thank you. so much for being with us in the cost really good to talk to you. thank you very much. i asked china accelerated, it's economic expansion in latin america. the vital administration is moving to counter beijing's trillion dollar belt and wrote initiative with an initiative. if it turn cold, build back better for the world, but it's out of here as i see on human reports, not from santiago, chile, it could be too little too late to recover. washington's diminished influence in

the region for south and central america. the new north is east, especially china, and it should come as no surprise in just 20 years. china's trade with the region has soared from less than 18000000000 to more than 300. 15000000000 everywhere you look, us products have been replaced by chinese bridge during the cold war. and in fact, way before that united states considered latin america, it's back yard, employing its famous keratin stick policy to ensure that is to interest were respected. today. it's not the american, but the chinese presence that's far more visible here and it goes way beyond she. chinese import. 19 latin american into religion. countries had joined trying to signature belt and wrote initiative, a one trillion dollar trans continental trade, an infrastructure network. it includes key infrastructure projects, cyberspace,

energy industries, transportation hubs, roads, telecommunications, agriculture, and even military training profession. here in chile, as in brazil and argentina, the chinese covey vaccines have been made widely available as part of the u and aggressive medical diplomacy strategy. it reflects china's global soft power and influence in this case of the, to close to home for washington's liking. united states tends to view this in geostrategic terms and trends to see this in terms of china somehow. securing outsized influence beyond the economic sphere in latin america, us diplomats and the pentagon have expressed concern about quote, predatory trade practices that they are, are giving china excessive geopolitical leverage. adding insult to injury in june long time us allied,

panama joined the dominican republic and of salvatore. in switching recognition of taiwan for china. another sign of how much washington's leadership and influence of the region has diminished. it's in this context that divided administration is launching, get an offensive called built back better for the world, or b, 3, w for short to compete with china's belton road initiative and for the united states. this is strategic. when we think about our global stature enhancing the prosperity, the economic prosperity of our friends is at least as important as our military might. washington says its proposed infrastructure program will be values driven and transparent, focusing on digital technology, health and health security, climate and gender equity and equality. literally, this is amusing, kind of like the guy who's ignoring his girlfriend,

then notices that he has competition and suddenly realizes that he really wants are well, in any case, i don't know how strong this proposal to contribute to latin american infrastructure can be if the united states still can't agree on its own domestic infrastructure program. this as china is considering a transcontinental railroad, linking brazil in the atlantic to chile in the pacific, after having just signed a $4700000000.00 accord with argentina to revamp its railway infrastructure. i think that there are some things that trina has been providing that the united states is simply not in a position to do. the fact of the matter is the china is now the largest trading partner for peru, for chile, for brazil, for your why, for power, why? that's not going to change her for argues that the united states can and should identify areas where it can be a dynamic and constructive partner with latin america, such as renewable energy or the transfer of technology. unlike china,

latin america and the us do share cultural ties, but there's also a checkered history, which is why most latin american countries are watching washington in beijing compete for their ever convinced that when it comes to trade, being monotonous, is no longer in their best interests tesla joined an elite club of companies valued at more than one trillion dollars. that's after it landed one of the biggest orders for electric vehicles from the rental car company hurts. now, if anything, the deal finally cements the electric cars. rise from a nice product to the future of the auto industry. while tesla has ambitions to top the entire auto industry and sales over the next decade. the $368000000000.00 heavy truck industry is wide open for a similar disruptor. a gaggle of big names dominate the sector and have plans to start electrifying their vehicles. tear up a british electric truck start up,

has raised millions of dollars to roll out its own environmentally friendly delivery trucks. with an electric charge, the truck can cover 250 kilometers, and with hydrogen range extender can do 500 kilometers. well, let's talk to the director of to have a right now david. zachary joins us from london via skype. david, good to have you with us. what do you make of tesla's extraordinary market capitalization? and the 1st you say it is extraordinary. and it's, it's in canada, isn't it? that by now they, they exceed the market, capital, the, they're the 10 top players in the market. and when you consider that there were any, maybe 40 dollars, 2 years ago, now to be a $1040.00 is a remarkable achievement. and i think it, i think it demonstrates how the investment community this world sees, sees between the automotive industry moving. all right, so what progress is being made in, in your part of the industry, the truck industry? does you? what about the competition?

i think you'd say progress, this is slower. i think the progress is slower, primarily because the naming come than players haven't, haven't contributed if you like in the same way. yes. you know, obviously where they're doing the best that we can. there are others along with us, but you know, you can look people that be why do you feel that people i lion high lion high is on arrival. there's a good number of new new market entrance in, in the game. but it is those new players that are driving to driving the heavy truck industry, not the income. and i wanted to ask you about that career compared to the likes of skinnier and mercedes. you're, you're, you're just a minute. that doesn't concern you them. no, no doesn't technically doesn't. and but 3 to 3 years ago, you would say tether. tesla was a minnow in comparison to them. they're all knock. they are producing perhaps a quarter of a 1000000 cars versus a global market of almost

a 100000000. so yet they were absolute minnow just just 3 years ago. and we in the next couple of years will be the similar market penetration said no, it really does not surprise me. it doesn't, doesn't, doesn't bother me in any way, shape at all. and all that has big players in the scanning, as of all of those, etc, that you mentioned. they all have products that they can produce. but you will notice that they are choosing not to sell them at market viable costs. and i guess you just have to ask yourself, why would that make that choice? you gave yourself a time frame there. the size of the electric truck market was what worth around. $1000000000.00 in 2020 by 2027. it's predicted to be 14000000000 it, i mean that's, that's a slower uptake when you compare it to the uptake of electric consciousness. and it is, if you believe the forecasts,

i'm not sure that i do. i tend not to look at forecasts for the current electric truck market. i think in terms of what is the actual truck market and the truck market as the hell is probably worth in the medium duty sector, po, live out in the order of 200000000000 or thereabouts. that's all trucks. and i would strongly argue that certainly by 2040 a 100 percent, that will be electric, probably a good bit before that time. so when, so when can we expect to see your trucks or on the road? i mean, i'm not expecting you to divert business secrets here, but there are other, any pre orders, large customers that you can tell us about. yeah, and it's just, i guess, one quick point i just had to put 1st, which is in terms of the uptake. so their plan has been stymied, i think, by the supply philosophy by amazon. you look at fedex, you look at d, h l, and you look at u. p. s. all those big, big global fleets have all taken control of supply because they can't get the

supply from the incumbent oems. so the fact they're willing to actually stop producing vehicles themselves in many ways just tells you that they are ready to go as soon as the product is there, in terms of ours. and we will have our 1st vehicles on the road q 3 next year. that's excellent. what about starz ups who specialize in autonomous delivery trucks that does that pose a threat to your business? no. not in any way shape or form. i think go tell them. this is something that will be, i think if i'd say i would expect autonomous technologies to be incremental, they'll come in stages and then they will suddenly go, friend vehicles, the drivers, the vehicles around drivers. but you'll just find more and more functions compared to not thomas incrementally. certainly it's something that we're looking at and it will be something that we will being including and building in child technology as we go forward. we are 1st and foremost, i, technology company and technology company that produces trucks primarily one final question, david, what, why would you choose the u. k as

a manufacturing based given that the post briggs it trading difficulties that we're seeing right now? i think straightforwardly. u. k. is where we were born, the u. k is where we have grown up and the u. k is not the place that we will be manufacturing, sally, and we will continue to manufacture and you can make no mistake about that. there's a, there's a great skill base in the okay. and as i say it's our home. but equally, as we go forward, we will be opening manufacturing capability within mainland europe. and certainly with the north america, we were sure, well, the best david, good luck with it. many thanks and day for being with us. manhattan. thanks. happy mill. and that's our show for this week. if you'd like to comment on anything that you've seen, you can tweet me. i'm at a finnegan on twitter. please use the hash tag a j c t c. if you do, or you can drop us a line counter. the constant outage 0 dot net is our e mail address, as always, has plenty more for you online at al jazeera dot com slash ctc. that takes you straight to a page there, you'll find

a tie episode see to catch up. but that's it for this edition of counting the cost . i'm adrian finnegan from the whole team here in doha. thanks for being with us. but he is allowed to, sara is next in the vietnam war, the u. s. army used to heidi talks to cub, beside with catastrophic consequences. agent orange was the most destructive instance for chemical warfare. a decade later, the same happened in the us state of oregon. these helicopters flying over the ridge, bringing something they didn't even see the kids foot 2 women are still fighting for justice against some of the most powerful forces in the world. the people versus agent orange on out is era. it's the world's. 2 most populous democracy, diverse dynamic and undergoing momentous, seen context. india dixon. in depth. look at the people and politics of india.

exploring how the coven 19 pandemic struck the nation. it's continuing impact and the lessons learned for the future. join me fade as those are for context india. and alex is eda ah unprompted and uninterrupted discussions from our london broadcast center. on angie's e. ah, we did was clumsy. this was done with a lot of grace. the u. s. and french presidents appeared to turn over a new page after the fallout from a security patch between washington, u. k. and austria ah,