STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING SIMON CONSTABLE, JIM MCTAGUE, SNSTOL LIEVRN, THURSDAY 4-2-2026.

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

LISTEN HERE.

This transcript from The John Batchelor Show features a series of discussions regarding the global impacts of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Batchelor and his colleagues examine how these wars have triggered a commodity crisis, specifically noting the sharp rise in oil, diesel, and fertilizer prices affecting farmers in both France and Pennsylvania. The dialogue critiques President Trump’s recent address, with analysts suggesting his rhetoric failed to stabilize volatile global markets or clarify American war aims. Additionally, the speakers explore the strain on NATO, observing that European allies are increasingly hesitant to support U.S. military actions as they prioritize their own energy security. The program concludes by highlighting the interconnected nature of modern warfare, where regional disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz directly threaten the economic stability of the entire Western world.

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FOX Business Digital: High taxes, over-regulation and risk aversion are strangling the UK economy, experts say

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

In the 1800s, the United Kingdom was clearly the richest country in the world, with consistent, solid economic growth, a focus on science and engineering, plus all the benefits of trade across the oceans. But now the country seems to have lost its mojo. The country’s living standards have fallen far behind those of other developed economies.

Contrary to popular perception, Britain’s GDP per capita (the income generated by the average person) has lagged behind that of the vast majority of the 50 United States plus Washington D.C., last year, according to forecasts in the third quarter of 2025 by the U.S. government, plus recent International Monetary Fund data. Projections are needed as the final annual GDP figures were not published at the time of writing.

When those states (plus Washington D.C.) compared their GDP per capita, the U.K. would have ranked 50th, behind Alabama, which is forecast to have a nominal per capita GDP of $60,265 in 2025. Britain was slightly worse off, at $60,010, according to the latest data from the U.S. government and the International Monetary Fund. Topping the list was Washington DC with $113,369. Analysts note that the figures don't include the cost of living; however, even with that accounted for, the U.K. still lags significantly behind the U.S. national average. READ MORE HERE.

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CBS: China’s Strategic Monopoly on Rare Earths.

Simon Constable breaks down the reality of rare earth elements, noting they are not rare but difficult to refine.

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CBS: Commodity Markets and European Economic Hardship.

By SIMON CONSTABKE

He reports on high energy prices and diesel shortages in France and analyzes how the Iran war affects global commodities like copper and gold, while also discussing controversial new EU-aligned domestic legislation.

Listen more here.

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Briefings Magazine: Too Close to the Sun

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Look into the sky and much of the time you’ll see the Sun, at least during the daytime. And much of the population is aware that humans, animals, and plants couldn’t survive without the Sun’s presence. This massive star, central to our solar system, with a circumference of 2.7 million miles, provides our tiny planet with warmth and vitamins, plus it’s crucial to growing our food. Five thousand years ago, humans knew the Sun mattered, so many routinely prayed to the Sun god. We still use that name for the seventh day of the week: Sunday.

But the Sun isn’t always kind to the Earth. Sometimes the solar surface is very active, with many dark spots. The really bad news is that when there are a large number of spots, there is an increase in solar flares, aka explosions, which cause disruptions on Earth. “Sometimes after a big solar storm, there can be power outages,” says Arnab Rai Choudhuri, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science and an expert on solar activity. Indeed, the events often don’t make big headlines, but the last major solar storm, in May 2024, created various disruptions on Earth to GPS, radio, and power grids, particularly in the midwestern United States. Farmers there reported “possessed” tractors going in circles, with the GPS mayhem causing a reported $500 million in damage. READ MORE HERE.

FOXNews Digital: After Maduro, Venezuela faces hard choices to rebuild its shattered economy

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

Over the weekend, U.S. special forces executed a daring raid on Caracas, capturing the now-former dictator of the country, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, subsequently taking them to New York, where both were indicted on multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.

What next? After Maduro was captured, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would initially take over the administration of Venezuela. "We will run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. "We can't take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn't have the interests of Venezuelans in mind." READ MORE HERE.

FOXNews Digital: Maduro’s fall puts Iran’s deep energy and defense cooperation with Venezuela at risk

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Last week’s capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro opened the world to see the mess that the country with the largest proven oil deposit in the world was still starving and abusing its people. But there’s more to it than the alleged crimes of the previous leader.

Notably, one of Venezuela’s closest allies over the past few years has been the Islamic Republic of Iran. Broadly speaking, that regime is a staunch enemy of the West, and specifically, it hates the U.S. and the freedoms it stands for. 

"Despite being the country with the largest reserves, Venezuela’s oil industry is no longer able to refine its own gasoline to fulfill its own needs," Emanuele Ottolenghi, a senior research fellow at The Center for Research of Terror Financing, told FOX Business. READ MORE HERE.