RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Markets Eye Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Indian Refiners Scale Back Russian Oil Imports as U.S.-India Trade Deal Advances 
The Botswana government refused to guarantee a renewal of a 10-year sales agreement with diamond firm De Beers within the year due to delayed negotiation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Secretary Mmetla Masire of Botswana's Ministry of Mineral, the talks ideally should end by December but there are no guarantees that will happen due to travel restrictions.
The deal is vital for the Debswana Mining Company, jointly held by De Beers and the Botswana government, in providing the country with around two-thirds of its foreign exchange and a fifth of its GDP.
De Beers sources 70 percent of its diamonds in Botswana, generating 90 percent of its sales.
A new deal would give De Beers another 10 years of clarity on the terms of its revenue stream.
Diamond mining has transformed Botswana from being primarily an agri-based economy to one of Africa’s richest countries.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi is boosting its fledgling diamond polishing and cutting industry to create jobs.
