#economic-recovery

#economic-recovery

The energy agreement brokered after Nicolas Maduro's arrest between U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has transformed Venezuela's economic outlook in the blink of an eye. Just last December, the country faced a bleak 2026: international sanctions; triple-digit inflation spiraling out of control; a fiscal deficit of 9% of GDP; a meager wage scale; and minimal economic growth.

Maui's lush landscapes have drawn visitors for decades, but now what comes from the aina (land) is also attracting attention. As the island continues to recover from the 2023 wildfires and a 20.7% drop in tourism between July 2023 and July 2025, more Maui farm owners are opening their fields and facilities to visitors. Farm tours offer educational, entertaining and enriching experiences that offset the high cost of farming and help stimulate the island's economic recovery.

Getty Images Footfall in London's West End reached its highest level since 2020 over the 2025 festive season, new figures show. The Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA) said visitor numbers in December were up 19% on the same month in 2024 across its central London district. The area, which includes Piccadilly, Leicester Square and Haymarket, also recorded longer visits, with people staying an average of 42 minutes more than in December 2024.

If passed, the NDAA would repeal the 2019 Caesar Act, which sanctioned the Syrian government for war crimes during the country's 13-year-long civil war. It would also require the White House to issue frequent reports confirming that Syria's new government is combating Islamist fighters and upholding the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. Human rights advocates have welcomed the easing of heavy sanctions that the US and other Western countries imposed on Syria during the war.

"The future of payments is here in San Francisco, a city that has always been at the heart of Visa's story," Oliver Jenkyn, group president of global markets at Visa, said in the Wednesday news release. "By bringing Visa Payments Forum home, we are investing in the local community, supporting economic growth, and showcasing San Francisco's role as a global hub for innovation."

Industrial production rose by 1.2 percent month-on-month, driven by a surge in energy output and a strong performance from the automotive sector, where production increased by 4.9 percent.

UnitedHealth is down over 50% from its April highs, yet this may represent a rare opportunity to buy as the stock shows potential for recovery.

Despite the one-month improvement for California and the Bay Area, job markets in the state and Bay Area continue to wobble in 2025.

The first quarter UK GDP growth of 0.7% signals a potentially positive turnaround for Labour's economic strategy post a sluggish previous year.

The Internal Revenue Code was not written with massive urban wildfires in mind, encouraging fire victims to hold empty lots until death to avoid a huge tax bill.

Local Chambers of Commerce played essential roles in adapting to wartime challenges, ensuring businesses remained operational, and facilitating community support during World War II.

This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump Administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term.