China is experiencing a widespread outbreak of chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, with nearly 10,000 infections reported in Guangdong province alone since the beginning of 2025. The disease, characterized by symptoms such as fever, arthritis, and rash, has prompted authorities to implement strict containment measures reminiscent of the country's previous zero-COVID approach. Globally, more than 7,000 cases have been reported across at least 13 Chinese cities, leading to heightened health precautions similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Las Vegas is facing a decline in tourism and consumer spending this summer, with visitor numbers for the first half of 2025 falling below levels seen in 2023 and 2024. California tourists, the largest visitor group, are partly responsible for this downturn. Economic concerns and changing demographics, including the fading of baby boomer gamblers and reduced appeal of nightlife to younger generations, are contributing to the city's challenges. Additionally, the rise of widespread sports betting outside Las Vegas is impacting its traditional casino business.
How is Vegas not a secular decliner? The slots-loving Boomers will slowly fade out. The nightlife scene has zero resonance w no-drinking, no-sexing Gen Z Conf biz hurt by decoupling (already). Sports betting now everywhere https://t.co/B6mNqgFU09
Las Vegas is facing a summer swoon, and Californians — by far the largest tourist contingent, data show — are partially to blame. https://t.co/7xJdGMbzSD
The last time the average monthly visitors to Las Vegas peaked was in 2016, at 3.6 million. The city has recovered since the pandemic, but 2025* is off to a rocky start, with average visitor numbers below 2023/24 levels. *The data is for 6 months of the year https://t.co/fmolD5pKlR