Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, has shaken the AI industry with his company’s groundbreaking, open-source chatbot. Launched in January 2025, the chatbot quickly overtook ChatGPT in US iOS App Store downloads, sending shockwaves across Silicon Valley. DeepSeek's AI is up to 50 times cheaper than its competitors, causing major market losses, particularly for Nvidia. DeepSeek's rise has positioned it as a formidable competitor to OpenAI, challenging the dominance of US tech giants. Founded just 20 months ago, DeepSeek’s success signals a new era in AI, with China emerging as a leader in AI innovation.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza following a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Many are shocked by the extent of the destruction, with entire homes reduced to rubble. Adham Bartawi described finding his family home partially demolished, with only two rooms and a bathroom intact. The UN estimates 70% of Gaza's buildings have been damaged since October 2023, and humanitarian efforts are ramping up to provide aid. While some have returned to find nothing, others are preparing for the journey back despite knowing their homes are likely destroyed.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to provide evidence for his claims that the Yamuna River was poisoned by Haryana, which he equated to a biological attack. The ECI warned Kejriwal that such serious allegations could lead to up to three years in prison if proven false. BJP and Congress have also filed complaints regarding Kejriwal’s statements. The matter is being examined in the context of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of Delhi's February 5 elections. Kejriwal has until 8 PM on January 29 to respond.

A military monitoring group, Belarusian Hajun, reported that Belarus shot down a Russian Shahed drone near Mazyr overnight. The drone was one of at least nine launched at Ukraine, which entered Belarusian airspace between 11:30 PM and 1:30 AM local time. An explosion was heard near Mazyr at 12:55 AM, followed by the drone vanishing from radar. This incident highlights rising tensions, as Belarus, a Moscow ally, has seen drones crossing its airspace during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Similar incidents occurred in October during President Alexander Lukashenko’s travels. Belarusian authorities have yet to confirm the report.

Israel announced it will sever all ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), citing security concerns. Israeli envoy Danny Danon declared, "Israel will terminate all collaboration, communication, and contact with UNRWA or anyone acting on its behalf." The statement was made ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting on the matter. Israel has long accused UNRWA of undermining its security by allegedly supporting anti-Israel activities. The move raises questions about the future of Palestinian refugee aid amidst ongoing tensions in the region.

Jasprit Bumrah has made history by becoming the first Indian pacer to win the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year award, also receiving the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for his outstanding performances in 2024. Bumrah, instrumental in India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph and T20 World Cup win, claimed 71 wickets in 13 Tests, the highest in 2024. He also earned Player of the Tournament honors in the T20 World Cup. Expressing his joy, Bumrah said, "Winning the T20 World Cup was a moment close to my heart." The pacer now eyes recovery for February's Champions Trophy after a back injury.

China's AI firm DeepSeek has shocked the global tech industry with its new AI model, overcoming US chip restrictions. Founded by Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek trained its model using only 2,000 advanced chips and innovative techniques, making it far cheaper than US competitors. Its success highlights China's investment in AI talent, open-source culture, and resilience under Washington's export controls. DeepSeek's launch, timed to challenge US dominance, has sparked pride across China. However, experts question its scalability under tighter restrictions. Social media hails DeepSeek's team as "AI heroes," showcasing China's determination to achieve technological independence and redefine global AI leadership.

Elon Musk expressed doubts about China's AI startup DeepSeek and its claims of using 10,000 Nvidia A100 GPUs. Musk believes DeepSeek likely has 50,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, agreeing with Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang. The controversy comes as DeepSeek's AI threatens U.S. dominance, causing Nvidia’s market value to drop by $500 billion. Musk called the hype over DeepSeek exaggerated, replying “Lmao no” to claims of its App Store success. He also joked about DeepSeek’s origins, linking it to lab leaks in China. Musk’s comments add fuel to the ongoing debate on the U.S.-China AI competition.

Coca-Cola has recalled drinks in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands due to high chlorate levels found during routine testing. Affected products include Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Tropico, and Minute Maid. The recall extends to a small batch of imported cans in Britain, already sold, with production codes 328 GE to 338 GE. Chlorate, often linked to disinfectants, poses low risk but can cause thyroid issues, nausea, and reduced oxygen absorption. Coca-Cola assured collaboration with authorities, emphasizing safety as a top priority. The UK's Food Standards Agency is investigating while unsold products are being withdrawn from shelves across Europe.

US President Donald Trump clarified that Tesla CEO Elon Musk does not have an office in the West Wing of the White House. Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration, will operate from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building nearby. Addressing the media, Trump explained that a specialized office with 20-25 staff has been established to ensure efficient implementation of executive orders. This follows Trump’s announcement of DOGE’s mission to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies and save $2 trillion. Critics, however, argue such savings may require severe cuts to key social programs, sparking debate over its feasibility.