Markets

Heineken embraces football fan superstition ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final. The brand is sending a self-proclaimed “jinx,” Marco Simeone, to a remote bar to watch the game, reflecting the survey that shows widespread superstitious rituals among fans. This quirky campaign highlights fan beliefs and the passionate culture around the sport.

Venture capitalist Zhu Xiaohu, known as a “unicorn hunter,” shared his experience of three missed opportunities to invest in CATL, the battery giant. He instead invested $70 million in Boston Power, which failed to commercialize its advanced technology, resulting in significant losses. Zhu now emphasizes the importance of commercial viability and a holistic investment approach, warning against solely focusing on technological advancement.

A rumor of free roadside parking in Chengdu, China, spurred excitement online. Claims of a regulation taking effect June 1, 2025, generated buzz, but the Chengdu Parking APP swiftly debunked the information. The official response, issued by the city’s transportation investment company, declared the news “false” and affirmed current parking fee collection practices.

Regeneron and Sanofi announced mixed results from their Phase 3 AERIFY trials of itepekimab for COPD. AERIFY-1 met its primary endpoint by reducing moderate or severe exacerbations in former smokers, while AERIFY-2 failed. The trials evaluated itepekimab’s impact on exacerbation frequency. Safety profiles appeared consistent across both trials. The companies are reviewing the full data.

A viral video shows a Baojun SUV in Guizhou, China, struck by a 300-pound boulder dislodged from a hillside. Despite the vehicle being flipped and sustaining significant damage, the driver remarkably escaped with minor injuries. The incident, likely triggered by heavy rain in a landslide-prone area, underscores the unpredictable nature of such events and the importance of vigilance. Authorities have reopened the road and are monitoring for further hazards.

Rumors of new WeChat features like read receipts and visitor logs for Moments have sparked user speculation and concern. Publicly responding to the buzz, Tencent’s PR director, Zhang Jun, denied the features’ potential implementation, citing concerns about social pressure and privacy. He has consistently dismissed the rumors, reiterating WeChat’s commitment against implementing such functionalities, which parallels discussions from previous years.

PesoRama Inc. is expanding its JOi Dollar Plus stores in Mexico, with the 27th store opening on May 31st in Mexico City’s Patio Martin Carrera shopping center. The 481-square-meter store targets a high-income area, offering everyday essentials. A live stream of the grand opening will be on JOi’s Instagram. Since 2019, PesoRama has focused on high-traffic locations, and as of May 31st, will operate 27 stores.

New Oriental founder Yu Minhong posted on social media after a cycling accident in Qinghai province, sustaining minor injuries. The mishap occurred while he was participating in a cycling expedition documenting the region’s culture and landscapes. This journey, aimed at exploring the Yellow, Yangtze, and Lancang Rivers’ sources, has attracted positive attention online as Yu shares his experiences. The trip includes a multi-day cycling loop around Qinghai Lake.

CNBC reports on a fraudulent scheme exploiting China’s “green lane” toll system, designed for agricultural transport. Unscrupulous operators used falsified documentation to avoid tolls, discovered through data analysis. Authorities uncovered a network of nearly 100 vehicles, involved illicitly carrying non-agricultural goods. The investigation led to arrests and recovery of substantial funds, highlighting the importance of data analytics in detecting and combating infrastructure fraud.

Elon Musk has ended his brief stint as a White House advisor, leaving amidst controversy. His “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative aimed at budget cuts yielded modest results, sparking criticism and potential conflicts of interest. Tesla faced sales declines and market share losses, compounded by the government’s backlash. Investors are demanding Musk dedicate more time to Tesla as the company and his other ventures face critical challenges.