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.

US President Donald Trump described China's DeepSeek AI as a "wake-up call" for America's tech industry after its R1 model disrupted markets. The AI, developed at a fraction of the cost of competitors, caused Nvidia's market value to drop by nearly $600 billion. DeepSeek, founded by Liang Wenfeng in 2023, recently became the most downloaded app in the US. Trump, while acknowledging the competition, emphasized that the US would remain dominant. The rise of DeepSeek highlights China's innovative approach to AI, despite US restrictions on advanced chip exports. The news rattled global markets, including Japan's Nikkei index, which fell 1.4%.

A 'mystery illness' in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district has claimed 17 lives, with experts identifying organophosphorus poisoning as the cause. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India confirmed the presence of the toxin, leading to the administration of the atropine antidote, which has shown positive results. Authorities declared the affected village a containment zone, quarantining over 200 people. Investigators found insecticides in a nearby water spring, raising questions about accidental or deliberate contamination. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case, as doctors report the victims showed severe brain and nerve system involvement.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has called for the dismantling of Nord Stream pipelines, warning against resuming Russian gas flows even if a peace deal with Ukraine is reached. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Duda emphasized that reopening the pipelines would threaten Central Europe and reinforce Russian dominance. He urged European leaders to uphold sanctions and reject pressure to restore energy ties with Moscow. Highlighting Poland’s history with Soviet influence, Duda insisted that Ukraine must participate in any peace talks. He warned against allowing Russia to retain occupied Ukrainian territories, calling it a violation of international law.

Selena Gomez broke down in tears over Trump’s mass deportation operations, calling it an attack on her Mexican community. In a now-deleted Instagram video, she tearfully stated, "My people are getting attacked, the children." Gomez, of Mexican descent, apologized emotionally and vowed to "try everything" to support those affected. Critics, including a Republican Senate candidate, called for her deportation, to which she humorously responded, "Thanks for the laugh and the threat." The deportations, touted as the largest in U.S. history, involve military aircraft. Mexico has reported receiving 4,094 deportees since Jan. 20. Gomez remains vocal about immigrants’ rights.

The 11th Kolkata International Children's Film Festival, running from January 22-28, showcases 116 films from over 30 countries, including 12 Bengali titles. With a "Fantasy" theme, the festival brings iconic characters from Harry Potter, Aladdin, and Frozen to life. Screenings take place thrice daily at eight venues, such as Nandan and Rabindra Sadan, with free evening shows at Ektaara Mukta Mancha. Acclaimed Bengali films like Hirak Rajar Desh and Adventures of JoJo feature alongside global classics. Film-making workshops at Gaganendra Exhibition Hall add to the immersive experience, delighting children and film enthusiasts alike.