A stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj during Mauni Amavasya claimed 15 lives and injured dozens. The incident occurred at 2:30 am near Triveni Sangam when the crowd became uncontrollable. Bird-eye view visuals revealed crores gathered for the holy dip despite the tragedy. Several akharas postponed their amrit snan to prevent further chaos. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged devotees to avoid Sangam Nose and use other ghats. Rescue operations continued as authorities worked to control the situation. Mauni Amavasya remains one of the most sacred events, attracting millions of pilgrims for spiritual rituals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that talks with Ukraine were possible, but not with President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he labeled "illegitimate" due to his expired term under martial law. Putin suggested that any other Ukrainian representatives could lead negotiations. He also claimed that the conflict could end in two months if the West ceased supporting Kyiv, asserting that without financial and military aid, Ukraine would collapse in a month or two. This comes amid ongoing calls for peace talks, including from US President Donald Trump, though no direct communication has occurred between Trump’s team and Moscow.

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.