New data shows Chinese economic growth slowing, with property investment in steep decline and youth unemployment at a record high. Also, the US Federal Reserve confirms its "hawkish pause" policy, keeping interest rates steady for now but planning for more hikes. Finally, economists name an unlikely culprit for persistent Swedish inflation: Beyoncé.

The merger was finalised just under three months after a rapid agreement brokered by the Swiss government. Meanwhile, European leaders are exerting pressure on Tunisia to accept a $1.9 billion IMF bailout. In other news, financier George Soros is transferring control of his $25 billion empire to his 37-year-old son.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits Washington as the UK looks for closer economic ties after leaving the EU. China denounces Europe's new "economic weapon" aimed at preventing Beijing from putting trade pressure on EU members over support for Taiwan, and TikTok aims to quadruple its e-commerce revenues.

America's top markets regulator sues Coinbase for operating as an unregistered securities broker a day after filing similar charges against Binance. Chinese exports drop sharply, and the World Bank warns that slow global growth and high interest rates are creating a debt crisis in developing economies.

Apple unveils its first new piece of hardware in nearly a decade: the $3,500 Vision Pro augmented reality goggles come as interest in the metaverse has been surpassed by buzz around artificial intelligence. Also, the US regulatory agency SEC sues Binance and the Hollywood actor's union SAG-AFTRA votes to authorise a strike.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit against cryptocurrency exchange Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, accusing the platform of engaging in a "web of deception". The SEC's civil complaint lists 13 charges, including operating as an unregistered exchange, and accuses Binance of diverting investor funds to other companies owned by Zhao. It's the latest blow to the platform, which is the subject of another lawsuit filed by the The Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The annual inflation rate in the Eurozone dipped sharply in May to 6.1 percent, its lowest level since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. Despite this, European Central Bank Chief Christine Lagarde hinted at further, more gradual interest rate hikes to bring inflation down to its target of 2 percent. The central bank's rate policy is having an effect on homebuyers in France, as they struggle with rising borrowing costs. Real estate agencies are therefore finding it harder to sell homes and some of them are going bust.

The compromise bill, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, was passed in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday and is now slated for a vote in the Senate ahead of the June 5th deadline. Our coverage delves into some of the measures outlined in the 99-page document. Also in the news, Amazon employees protest the company's lack of progress on climate objectives, and hip-hop magnate Diddy initiates a lawsuit against beverage giant Diageo, alleging racial discrimination.

Elon Musk, Chief Executive of Tesla, is making a visit to China this week. As the electric vehicle company's second-largest market and a crucial player in its supply chain, the country holds significant importance for Tesla. After a meeting with the Chinese foreign minister, Musk was reported to have expressed his opposition to the idea of "decoupling" the world's two leading economies. In other news, the debt ceiling deal brokered by Joe Biden and Kevin McCarthy is advancing to the House floor, while inflation in France has moderated to its slowest pace in a year.

France's inaugural "gigafactory" is perceived as a critical milestone in the transition towards a green economy, given that the EU is set to prohibit the sale of petrol cars beginning in 2035. In anticipation of this deadline, both France and Europe aim to lessen their reliance on Chinese suppliers, who have enjoyed a lead of over a decade. In other news, Nvidia's CEO has announced a 'new era of computing' as the chip manufacturer seeks to capitalise on the surge of generative AI technology.