Bellaire hired HR&A Advisors for $100,000 to study special-district options (TIRZ/PID), design a facade-improvement program and conduct targeted stakeholder outreach; council questioned funding, ROI and outreach methods but voted unanimously to proceed.

A game called Wainhold is being developed in Ukraine – a competitive economic strategy for PC inspired by classic RTS games from the 1990s and 2000s. The developer has already presented the game’s first trailer and opened its Steam page. The project will combine settlement building, a developed economy, complex production chains, and military conflict. Early access […] Post Wars, Trade, and Changing Seasons: Ukrainian Economic Strategy Wainhold Announced at Root-Nation.com.

After a lengthy presentation and public comment, the council approved an exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with New Raleigh Pacifica Ocean View LLC to explore redevelopment of city-owned 2212 Beach Blvd. The ENA sets a due-diligence schedule, developer deposits ($100k with $10k nonrefundable up front) and contingent steps tied to Coastal Commission approvals; the motion passed unanimously.

The Globe and Mail published a collection of letters to the editor dated October 17, featuring various perspectives on Canada's resource development and economic strategy. The most prominent letter, from Jamie Coulter of Toronto, argues that Canada's strength in resource extraction should be leveraged to build higher-value sectors. Coulter emphasizes Canada's diversified economy, strong financial sector, and comparative advantages in resource development, including vast reserves, stable institutions, and high environmental and safety standards. He questions why Canada wouldn't exploit its resources to generate wealth for further economic development. Other letters address different topics: Angelo Mele comments on Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet appointments, Jim Hornett discusses energy policy and climate change, Paul LeBel criticizes the Lawful Access Act, and Greg DePaco raises concerns about AI liability. The letters collectively reflect a range of Canadian perspectives on economic policy, governance, and emerging technologies. The publication of these letters highlights the ongoing national conversation about Canada's economic direction, particularly regarding resource development versus diversification into higher-value sectors. The debate touches on environmental sustainability, First Nations concerns, and the balance between immediate economic benefits and long-term strategic planning. While some letters advocate for continued resource development, others suggest the need for more comprehensive policy approaches to address complex challenges like climate change and technological disruption. The letters also reveal regional perspectives, with Jim Hornett representing Alberta's energy-focused viewpoint and others reflecting broader national concerns. The publication of these letters in a major Canadian newspaper underscores their relevance to current policy discussions and public discourse.

Staff told the committee that the Move program and Jobs Initiative have exhausted available funding and that the grant-and-loan program (EDF GLP) already has more than $2 million committed for FY27, prompting discussion of program consolidation, caps and new reporting to measure return on investment.

The Anna Economic Development Corporation voted 7-0 on Oct. 1 to adopt a resolution approving the assignment of contract and purchase of 602 South Reagan Street as an economic development project following a closed session earlier in the evening.

Labor would get 120 days to seat 18 officials and a year to write a four-year strategy for American workers. Data systems and O*NET reform are left for later.

Labor would get 120 days to seat 18 officials and a year to write a four-year strategy for American workers. Data systems and O*NET reform are left for later.

Labor would get 120 days to seat 18 officials and a year to write a four-year strategy for American workers. Data systems and O*NET reform are left for later.

Labor would get 120 days to seat 18 officials and a year to write a four-year strategy for American workers. Data systems and O*NET reform are left for later.

Venezuela's interim government under President Delcy Rodríguez has decided to postpone the restructuring of its external public debt and the obligations of state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). It will first focus on oil contracts that are signed or still being negotiated, local outlet El Universal reported, citing three sources. The process had been expected to be announced this week, or in the first week of October, the outlet said. The report could not be independently verified. The sources said the new oil agreements should leave Venezuela less exposed when it comes to meeting its obligations to creditors. Rising crude output and state revenue over time would let Caracas honour its commitments with less financial strain on the government and PDVSA. That scenario would also mean smaller haircuts for bondholders, the sources said. Once the process restarts, the International Monetary Fund would work directly with the interim government as an adviser and help prepare the official debt sustainability analysis (DSA). The government has reportedly not ruled out dropping Centerview Partners, the financial firm hired to advise on the restructuring. According to the sources, the IMF's role would aim to give certainty to a market that wants rigorous audits and reliable statistics before any final deal. Venezuelan authorities are still holding high-level meetings on energy and external debt within multilateral organisations, El Universal reported. Rodríguez met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on September 21, and US President Donald Trump on September 22 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, but details of their talks have not been made public. Centerview's contract has been criticised over its fees. Venezuelan news site Bitácora Económica also pointed to the firm's close ties with Mauricio Claver-Carone, a former adviser to Trump. The outlet also said a DSA that circulated several weeks ago was suspected to have been leaked, which raised doubts about its figures. It questioned whether there was enough technical capacity to consolidate a debt burden of more than $240bn, much of which would need a detailed audit. The interim government announced on May 13 that it would start a "comprehensive and orderly" restructuring of sovereign and PDVSA debt. The announcement came about four months after US forces captured former president Nicolás Maduro on January 3, whisking him to New York to face narcoterrorism charges, which he denies. Rodriguez has since ruled Venezuela under US oversight, opening up the country's oil and mineral riches to US investors and earning repeated praise from Trump. Venezuela's government blamed US financial sanctions imposed from 2017 for the country's default. Before then, analysts had put total liabilities at $150bn to $170bn. The Financial Times later reported that Caracas was preparing to disclose obligations of close to $240bn, which would make it the largest sovereign debt workout on record, ahead of Russia in 1998 and Argentina in 2001. The choice of Centerview proved contentious from the start. In June, Lazard offered to do the advisory work for $25mn. By comparison, draft terms between Centerview and the government pointed to total payments of $150mn to $200mn. Caracas said at the time that Centerview remained its chosen adviser. In early August, Claver-Carone said he was no longer handling Venezuela policy, which had passed to an inter-agency team led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Reuters reported that he had helped shape decisions on the Centerview contract. Up to now, the IMF has kept its distance from the process. It resumed engagement with Caracas in April after a seven-year break. In May, spokesperson Julie Kozack said the Fund had not been involved in preparing the DSA, but "we do stand ready to support the authorities in this important step." Most sovereign restructurings take place under an IMF programme, and going ahead without one had unsettled some creditors. The change in priorities follows a series of energy agreements. On August 28, Trump announced what he called "the biggest oil deal in world history." The deal gives North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), a company led by controversial Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, 100-year concessions over 17 fields. Those fields hold an estimated 65bn barrels, about a fifth of Venezuela's proven reserves. Terms released by the White House on August 31 give the Office of Strategic Capital, a Pentagon investment arm, a 35% stake in NABEP's parent company. The State Department also secured the right to buy a fifth of the venture's output at production cost. Rodríguez said the wider agreement would run for 25 years. Over that period, Venezuela would collect a minimum royalty of 16% and income tax of 34%. On September 2, Rodríguez met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Caracas, and further agreements involving Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Eni (BIT:ENI) and GE Vernova were announced. Chevron has committed more than $7bn to lift its Venezuelan output to about 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) over five years. Oxford Economics said that if all the projects are fully carried out, Venezuela's production could return to more than 2.5mn bpd within a decade. It added that taxes and royalties from NABEP's fields alone could raise government revenue by about 40% over that period. Creditors have meanwhile been organising. In late August, companies holding commercial claims and arbitration awards formed a committee to seek a seat in eventual talks. Their advisers estimate those claims at more than $30bn.

China is on a gold-buying spree, making its largest monthly purchase since late 2023. Why does Beijing keep stockpiling gold? As China makes clearer its intent

Trump's historic 100-year oil deal secures U.S. dominance in Venezuela, excluding China and boosting energy security.

Kelly Smallridge, CEO of the Palm Beach County Business Development Board, told the commission the county works to attract higher-paying employers and recommended Lake Worth Beach create a clear target vision, inventory development-ready sites and consider expedited permitting to land jobs and support resident workforce pathways.

Why No One Wants to Drill More Oil (Even When the President Asks) A fascinating economic puzzle is unfolding in global energy markets: The President wants…

Board discusses strategies for economic prosperity and challenges of rapid urban growth.

PauliChecks: How rolling sectoral deals into the 2026 CUSMA review consolidates Canada’s position — and why the numbers show patience pays off

Council approves recommendation for phase 1 affordable housing application with public benefit.

Council member supports potential buyer while emphasizing affordable housing for low-income residents.