Frederick W. Smith, the founder and executive chairman of FedEx Corporation $FDX, has died at the age of 80. His passing marks the end of an era for the global logistics and transportation industry. Smith's bold vision, conceived during his time at Yale University, redefined international shipping and positioned FedEx as a cornerstone of global commerce. His death prompts both a reflection on the company's history and questions about its future trajectory in a rapidly evolving market landscape.

Several Chinese cities, including Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Shenyang, and Chongqing, have suspended government-backed car trade-in subsidies in June 2025, citing either funding exhaustion or budgetary reassessments. The decision comes as Beijing’s stimulus efforts in the automotive sector—central to reviving domestic consumption and manufacturing activity—face structural and fiscal limitations.

The British pound (GBP) remained broadly stable against the U.S. dollar (USD) on Monday, reflecting heightened caution among investors ahead of the Bank of England’s (BoE) upcoming policy meeting. The market’s subdued tone comes against a backdrop of geopolitical instability, as tensions between Israel and Iran persist, prompting safe-haven flows into the greenback.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has stepped up its financial support for Pakistan’s Reko Diq copper-gold mining project with an additional subordinated loan of $400 million. This commitment follows an earlier $300 million funding tranche announced in April, bringing IFC’s total financing to $700 million. The ambitious $6.6 billion project underscores the importance of international capital flows into resource infrastructure in emerging markets.

India's annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation dropped to 2.82% in May, marking the lowest reading in over six years and the fourth consecutive month it stayed below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 4% medium-term target. The moderation in inflation was largely driven by easing food prices, which had previously remained volatile due to climatic and logistical disruptions.

Voyager Technologies $VYGR, the aerospace company behind the Starlab space station initiative, made a striking entrance into public markets on Wednesday, closing up 125% on debut. The rally brought the firm’s valuation to $3.8 billion, underscoring growing investor confidence in space infrastructure and defense-related innovation—particularly amid expectations of expanded aerospace funding under a second Donald Trump administration.

Kimberly-Clark $KMB, a leading global producer of personal care and tissue products, is reportedly close to selling its international tissue business — including iconic brands like Kleenex and paper towels — outside North America. The potential buyer is Suzano $SUZB3.SA, a major Brazilian pulp manufacturer, as reported by the Wall Street Journal citing insider sources. The transaction is anticipated to conclude imminently, signaling a significant reshaping of Kimberly-Clark’s global footprint amid evolving market dynamics.

Brazilian fintech company Meliuz $CASH3.SA has officially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) aimed at raising capital to purchase Bitcoin. The IPO pricing is scheduled for June 12, marking a strategic move by the firm to leverage the growing cryptocurrency market through equity financing.

On Tuesday, Chinese digital music powerhouse Tencent Music Entertainment Group $TME announced its acquisition of a significant equity stake in South Korea’s leading pop agency SM Entertainment $041510.KQ. The move positions Tencent Music as the second largest shareholder in SM Entertainment, following the sale of 2.2 million shares by South Korean entertainment giant Hybe $352820.KS. The transaction was valued at approximately 243 billion South Korean won, equivalent to $177 million USD.

On Monday, French farmers launched large-scale protests, blocking major roads around Paris and parking tractors outside the national parliament. The demonstrations were triggered by amendments introduced by opposition lawmakers to a draft agriculture bill aimed at loosening environmental regulations on the sector.

On Monday, France and Vietnam finalized a bilateral agreement for the sale of 20 wide-body aircraft from Airbus $AIR.PA, aligning industrial cooperation with geopolitical outreach. The signing coincided with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Hanoi—his first official trip to Vietnam and the first such French presidential visit in nearly a decade. The deal arrives as Vietnam navigates intensifying global trade tensions, especially in light of the U.S. (USD) administration’s renewed tariff threats.

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman revealed on Thursday that his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management $PSUS , significantly increased its holdings in Amazon $AMZN last month. This strategic move reflects growing confidence in the online retail giant’s profit trajectory, particularly as fears surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff policies appear less severe than initially expected.