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.