WSJ Financial Flashback: How Wall Street Deal with the (/11 Attack

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Korn Ferry: In the UK, an ‘Alarming’ Brain Drain

By SIMON CONSTABLE

For many decades, the United Kingdom was a place where British people hoped to spend their entire lives. And even those who worked outside of Britain. whether in temporary or long-term assignments, tended to come back home. But according to new data, the tide is turning fast. 

Between 2021 and most of 2025, there’s been a net outflow of half a million British citizens and others, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The rate of net migration of UK citizens has nearly tripled from the rate the UK saw between 1991-2021.

The Centre for Policy Studies, a UK think tank, calls the trend “an alarming brain drain.” The group calls the net emigration of British nationals is both “much higher than previously thought, and accelerating.”

The UK isn't the only nation seeing more of its citizens leaving than returning. But experts say the UK shift is particularly important because skilled workers such as doctors, entrepreneurs, tech wizards, and others are vital to keep the economy growing. What’s causing this phenomenon is also important. “There is certainly evidence that the UK labor market has weakened,” says Robert McPherson, a London-based Korn Ferry senior client partner. 

READ MORE HERE

Briefings Magazine: ‘Some believe the situation is déjà vu.’ A Tale of Two Oil Crises

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

In recent decades, most people have expected energy to be both reasonably priced and plentiful. Not so in 1973, when the Arab member states of OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) imposed an embargo on oil sales to the US and other developed countries. Soon after, Americans faced gasoline shortages and rising inflation that would continue through 1980. Thankfully, shortages and high prices didn’t return for decades—not until earlier this year, when the US and Israel went to war against Iran.

By disrupting oil supplies in the Middle East, the war has sent prices higher, just as we saw in the 1970s. Some observers believe the current situation is like déjà vu. But while these two crises are similar, there are distinct differences between them, says Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors.

READ MORE HERE.

FOX News Digital: Europe's fires reveal deadly mix of record heat, human error, arson and land mismanagement

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

Since the beginning of the month, France and Spain have been hit by massive wildfires. Some observed the fires looked like a scene from Armageddon. The infernos destroyed buildings and forests alike, where the epic heat wave in Europe has hit record levels in many parts of the bloc. The heat has already led to thousands of deaths. However, the fires are not just due to the record heat.

Notably, last week, the famous Fontainebleau Forest near Paris was set alight, destroying 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of woodland. Approximately 1,000 people were evacuated, and 850 emergency firefighters were deployed — efforts to end the fire could take weeks. READ MORE HERE.

WSJ: How Much Do You Know About Life Expectancies? Take Our Quiz to Find Out

Agriculture And Stock Department, Publicity Branch, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

We all know that life is finite. But some people live far longer than others, and it isn’t always clear why longevity varies from person to person. 

Some point to genetics, others to wealth and still others to where people live.

How much do you know about longevity? Test yourself with the following quiz.

1 OF 10

What is the average life expectancy at birth for the total U.S. population?

2 OF 10

Which U.S. state has the highest average life expectancy?

READ MORE HERE.

Korn Ferry: UK Learning: Set Up to Fail?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Only half of Britain’s workers are given time for learning, despite companies’ seeing the need as critical.

Most corporate leaders agree: Offering learning and development for workers in this era of AI and other constant change is critical for success. But how to set aside the necessary time is a different story.

According to new government data, nine in ten British CEOs support offering workers more learning and development. But fewer than half of the employees say they are being given designated hours to take such training. Experts say it’s becoming a serious problem in the United Kingdom, both for the economy and any corporate growth. “There’s a strong case for significantly increasing technology and AI-related learning in organizations,” says Drew Hill, a Korn Ferry senior client partner based in London. “There’s a growing need for most employees to understand how to use AI tools effectively.” READ MORE HERE.

FOX News Digital: 'You're destroying your countries': Is Europe finally heeding Trump's warning on illegal immigration?

 BY SIMON CONSTABLE

Earlier in June, the European Union appeared to finally react to concerns raised by President Donald Trump and many European voters over illegal immigration by introducing tougher border entry rules for the 27-nation bloc.

The EU agreed on new, stricter rules regarding migration and asylum. The laws are specifically designed to ensure that illegal/undocumented migrants who enter the bloc are processed and, where necessary, quickly sent to deportation centers in countries outside the EU.

People seeking asylum will be screened for identity, security, and their health before even entering any asylum system. The border officials will now track and record non-EU citizens entering and exiting the bloc. Plus, it will use biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition. And all member states must now help one another and share information.

The Associated Press reported that the provisional deal struck by the EU's three main institutions is expected to go to EU lawmakers and governments, where approval is expected. READ MORE HERE.

Attribution: Szagory, image file created with MapChart 

(https://www.mapchart.net/europe.html), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Latest from Simon CONSTABLE

1. Constable reviews surging commodity prices and the threat of famine in North Africa. He also discusses UK local elections, framing them as a protest vote against Keir Starmer’s leadership.

LISTEN HERE.

Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Constable analyzes potential Labour Party leaders Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner. He notes that voters still find the Conservative Party untrustworthy despite Labour's internal turmoil and perceived failures.

LISTEN HERE

Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street, OGL 3, via Wikimedia Commons

FOX Business: OIL Published April 29, 2026 8:42am EDT What a UAE exit from OPEC means and why it matters

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced Tuesday it would quit membership in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+. It comes after 59 years at the club. But it could be good news for the world in the long run, experts say.

To understand what happened, it’s important to know that OPEC, which is dominated by Saudi Arabia, is all about restricting crude oil output via quotas to raise energy prices, Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Capital Markets and an expert on geopolitics, told FOX Business, "The cartel producers discipline the member countries to produce only what the quotas allow and try to get a higher oil price for all." READ MORE HERE.

DaneKH, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiplinger's Retirement Report: 10 Things You Should Know About Oil and Prices

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

Energy is something we can't do without. It's been that way since homo sapiens were living in caves. Wood-burning fires helped protect people from dangerous carnivores, kept caves warm and provided light at night. In short, it was basic.

But in much of this century, many of us have taken the availability of affordable energy for granted. We expect that when we turn on the heat at home, it will work. Since the energy shocks of the 1970s, we've expected the cost won't break the bank. Likewise, getting gasoline from the filling station is easy and has been readily available at a reasonable price.

That's changed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. It's brought energy-related matters to the forefront. Across the world, electricity, gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil, fertilizer and natural gas have all seen sharp price rises. It's not always obvious to most people why that's happened. READ MORE HERE.

Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

CBS Preview: Simon Constable examines the surging price of urea fertilizer.

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

LISTEN HERE.

Simon Constable examines the surging price of urea fertilizer, which has climbed by twenty percent in a month. This spike, caused by shipping blockades, forces farmers to shift toward planting more soybeans.

In 2011, a psychology professor gave a legendary 1-hour masterclass on how to study effectively.

In 2011, a psychology professor gave a legendary 1-hour masterclass on how to study effectively.

It has 20M+ views for a reason.

His frameworks:
• The 25-minute rule
• Why studying more can make you worse
• Recognition vs. recollection

12 lessons to learn faster: pic.twitter.com/fpAeCIztMB

— Jaynit (@jaynitx) April 14, 2026

 

CBS: Fragmentation of British Politics Guest: Simon Constable who analyzes the fragmentation within the UK's Labor majority and the emergence of the Green Party.

 By SIMON CONSTABLE

Personal archive of Abdulhamid II, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Fragmentation of British PoliticsGuest: Simon Constable who analyzes the fragmentation within the UK's Labor majority and the emergence of the Green Party. Polling suggests voters are divided among tactical coalitions, making leadership challenges difficult for Prime Minister Starmer.

CBS: Global Commodities and Energy Shifts Guest: Simon Constable. Simon Constable reports on volatile energy markets and falling gold prices as the Strait of Hormuz enters a ceasefire.

 Meanwhile, high copper prices have triggered a surge in organized theft

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Listen here.

Naval History & Heritage Command, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Global Commodities and Energy Shifts Guest: Simon Constable. Simon Constable reports on volatile energy markets and falling gold prices as the Strait of Hormuz enters a ceasefire. Meanwhile, high copper prices have triggered a surge in organized theft in cities.

FOX News Digital: Hungarians vote in record numbers as Trump-ally Viktor Orbán faces biggest electoral threat since 2010

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

The U.S. and Europe are watching closely as Hungarians turned out in record numbers to vote Sunday in a high-stakes election that sets up Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, supported by President Donald Trump, against his former political ally, Péter Magyar.

Trailing in the opinion polls, Orbán received a major boost earlier this week when Vice President JD Vance visited the country, making clear what the administration’s position was on the importance of having a pro-U.S. candidate in the heart of Europe, as so many of its continental allies have proven lackluster, most notably for a lack of help in the war against Iran.

In his remarks, Vance made clear why he was there. "The reason why we're doing it is because we thought there was so much garbage happening against Viktor in this election that we had to show that there are actually a lot of people and a lot of friends across the world who recognize that Viktor and his government are doing a good job, and they're important partners for peace," he said at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, a private university in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. "That's why we're here, but ultimately the Hungarian people are going to be sovereigns because that's how it should be." READ MORE HERE.

WSJ: FINANCIAL FLASHBACK A look back at Wall Street Journal headlines from this month in history

 • 35 YEARS AGO: The Dow’s 3000 Milestone

By SIMON CONSTABLE

When President Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, America’s economy and stock market began to bounce back. By the summer of 1990, some investors were concerned that the long rally and economic growth were coming to an end. During that time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average bashed through the 3000 level on July 13 and July 16, but only intraday. Shortly after that, in October, the market retreated to a low of 2365.10 on the Dow.

By April 17, 1991, with the first Gulf War in the rearview mirror, Wall Street was betting on an economic recovery. And that day, the Dow reached the 3000 milestone—closing at 3004.46. The six-month 27% rally was dominated by growth stocks and, to a smaller level, cyclical stocks. 

“What you are seeing here is a market moving on the expectation of economic recovery and being buoyed by lower interest rates,” Edward Kershner, a market strategist at PaineWebber Group, told The Wall Street Journal. READ MORE HERE.

FOX Business Digital: Time to ditch AI anxiety — experts say there’s a lot less to fear than we think Experts

By SIMON CONSTABLE 

More than two thousand years ago, Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus coined the phrase, "Change is the only constant." That observation has remained true since his death, but now change is happening even faster, largely due to generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) technology such as ChatGPT or Claude. And that is making many workers even more anxious than usual. But there’s also some good news for people willing to learn.

"Change is always stressful," Liz Bentley, a workplace and career consultant at Liz Bentley Associates in New York, told FOX Business.  Britain’s Industrial Revolution in the 1700s was stressful, too. New industries put people out of work, but new jobs were created. "At the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, people didn’t know there would be new jobs," she says. We now know the 1700s inventions, including steam trains and mechanical weaving, brought prosperity to the U.K. then to other economies. READ MORE HERE.

Adobe Inc., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pay Transparency: Britain and the EU on Divergent Routes As a key deadline for EU firms approaches, UK firms take a different approach toward pay disclosures. Which will work better?

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Businesses have long been less than transparent about who gets paid what. But back in 2018, Britain broke the mold and led the way on mandatory gender-pay-gap reporting. It was a landmark step toward pay equity. And at the time, the UK was the largest economy to have embraced such rules. 

But the world of pay is changing fast. The UK is reconsidering its existing pay-transparency rules, which are largely voluntary. And the neighboring European Union is attempting to leapfrog the UK with tighter rules.

Meanwhile, many states and cities in the US have put laws on the books requiring job postings to list pay ranges. “The EU saw what Britain did and copied it, then went further,” says Ben Frost, Korn Ferry’s senior client partner in EMEA.

READ MORE HERE.

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.

صانع القوالب, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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.

ale, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons