In the lead-up to Juneteenth 2025, Kroger Co. $KR, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, found itself at the center of a public relations challenge after a customer criticized the design of its Juneteenth-themed cakes. The incident, which took place in a Kroger store in Atlanta, Georgia, has sparked online debate about how corporations handle cultural sensitivity and inclusion in merchandising practices.

Global oil markets are under renewed pressure as geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran spark concerns over potential disruptions in energy supply chains. This uncertainty has led to a projected surge in fuel prices across the Philippines, with the Department of Energy and Jetti Petroleum forecasting steep increases starting next week.

Swiggy’s $SWIGGY.NS stock has regained upward momentum after facing pressure earlier this month, driven by broader volatility and competitive shifts in India’s fast-evolving quick commerce (QC) landscape. On Thursday, shares surged over 5% intraday to ₹385 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), outperforming broader market indices.

Shares of Aeroflex Industries Ltd. $AEROFLEX.NS continued their sharp upward trajectory for a third straight trading session on June 20, surging by over 27% in total since the start of the rally. The upward momentum has been accompanied by exceptionally high trading volumes, signaling elevated market interest and increased participation from both institutional and retail investors.

Nestlé India Ltd $NESTLEIND.NS recorded a noticeable uptick in early Friday trading following the company’s confirmation that its Board of Directors will convene to evaluate and approve its first-ever bonus share issue. The announcement fueled bullish momentum around the FMCG major, already demonstrating technical strength over recent sessions.

Oswal Pumps Ltd, a domestic manufacturer of industrial and agricultural pumping systems, debuted on Indian stock exchanges on June 20, 2025, following the successful closure of its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The listing underscores investor demand for mid-cap industrial firms aligned with infrastructure growth trends.

European Union leaders are preparing for a pivotal summit with China next month, aiming to secure improved access to Chinese rare earths and critical minerals. These materials, essential for industries such as automotive manufacturing, defense, and renewable energy production, have increasingly become a focal point in international trade negotiations. China’s dominant position in rare earth production and its tightened export controls have heightened urgency for the EU to diversify supply chains and reduce dependency.

In May, amidst a foggy morning in northern Oklahoma, Dennis Schoenhals led a group of crop scouts through wheat fields, conducting routine health evaluations. Yet, unlike in previous years, many farmers, including Schoenhals, had already decided to forgo harvesting the grain for sale. This decision is a direct consequence of wheat prices falling to five-year lows, compelling producers across the U.S. wheat belt—from Texas to Montana—to alter traditional farming strategies.

As tensions between Iran and Israel intensify following a recent outbreak of hostilities, Tehran has begun adapting its crude oil export tactics to preserve revenue flows despite increased scrutiny. With U.S. sanctions still in force and Israeli military pressure mounting, Iran is leaning on a covert fleet of tankers and strategic repositioning near China to sustain deliveries to its top buyer.

The 2025 Paris Airshow has emerged as a pivotal moment for the global defense industry, where major contractors and disruptive startups showcased a new generation of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) known as "loyal wingmen." These AI-powered combat drones are engineered to operate in tandem with manned fighter aircraft, augmenting capabilities and reducing pilot risk in increasingly contested airspaces.

Elon Musk’s $33 billion acquisition of X (formerly Twitter) via his artificial intelligence venture xAI has attracted renewed attention from European Union regulators. The European Commission, under the Digital Services Act (DSA), is examining whether the restructuring of X’s ownership raises compliance concerns, particularly around content governance, platform accountability, and transparency obligations.

European Union trade officials are increasingly accepting a 10% baseline on reciprocal tariffs as the new reality in negotiations with the United States. Multiple sources close to the matter confirm that U.S. negotiators, under the leadership of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have made it clear that any final deal must include a floor tariff of no less than 10% on EU goods entering the U.S. market.