Trump pledges to go ahead with 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico from Saturday. United States President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico from Saturday while leaving open the possibility that oil imports could be exempted. (Al Jazeera)

How China’s DeepSeek could benefit India. The new model, developed by the Chinese AI lab DeepSeek and released last week, sparked a massive fall in U.S. technology stocks. The highly competitive and potentially shockingly cost-effective AI model led investors to question the billions of dollars currently being spent by large technology companies. (CNBC)

European Central bank cuts benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to boost stagnant economy. The European Central Bank cut its key interest rate on Thursday to boost an economy that’s struggling to grow as consumers burned by inflation warily eye price tags and businesses try to navigate political turmoil in leading economies France and Germany. (AP)

Does a ‘foreign power’ threaten the Panama Canal? Here’s what you need to know. Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarks soon on his inaugural trip as the United States’ top diplomat. His first stop, Panama could prove to be the most contentious on the itinerary following President Donald Trump’s repeated demands for control of the Panama Canal. (CNN)

As scams soar, Singapore decides to protect victims from themselves. Earlier this month, Singapore’s parliament passed first-of-its-kind legislation granting authorities new powers to freeze the bank accounts of suspected scam victims. (Al Jazeera)

Bank of Japan raises interest rate to about 0.5%, citing higher wages and inflation. The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25% Friday, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level. (AP)

For India’s budget, a tightrope walks between jobs and gov’t deficit. This week as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the budget on February 1, she will have to find a way to spur growth and employment for the millions of people like the Salgaonkars, who are struggling to find steady work, while keeping to fiscal deficit targets. (Al Jazeera)

AAFA again urges reform for garment workers in Bangladesh. Representatives from the trade organization joined VF Corp. and Columbia Sportswear in Dhaka to advocate for improved labor conditions. (Supply Chain Dive)

German inflation unexpectedly falls, reassuring ECB after rate cut. Germany’s inflation rate declined unexpectedly this month, though remains above the target of the European Central Bank, which this week cut its key interest rate. (WSJ)

Mexico’s Sheinbaum awaits US tariff deadline with ‘cool head.’ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday she will wait with a cool head for a decision from the United States ahead of a Saturday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. (Reuters)

South African economy recovering. South Africa’s economic growth prospects are poised to recover in 2025 following a lackluster economic performance for the past two years. (Freight News)

Bank of Canada cuts interest rates, warns trade conflict will ‘hurt.’ The Bank of Canada (BOC) has trimmed its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 3 percent, cut growth forecasts and warned Canadians that a tariff war triggered by the United States could cause major economic damage. (Al Jazeera)

‘We are at a crossroads for the global economy.’ The WTO’s chief economist talks to Radio Davos. The world is beginning 2025 at a crossroads, according to Ralph Ossa, chief economist at World Trade Organization (WTO). (WEF)