Luo Fuli, a 29-year-old AI prodigy, is the coder behind China’s sensational DeepSeek R1 AI chatbot. The app has taken the AI world by storm and surpassed ChatGPT in popularity. Luo, who started in a modest family, excelled at Beijing Normal University and Peking University. She worked as a researcher at Alibaba’s DAMO Academy before joining DeepSeek in 2022. Luo’s expertise in natural language processing was key to DeepSeek’s success. Her work gained attention from Xiaomi's founder, Lei Jun, who offered her a $1.4 million salary. Luo’s contributions are now being hailed as revolutionary in AI.

An Airbus A321 caught fire on a South Korean runway on Tuesday evening at Gimhae International Airport. The aircraft was preparing to take off for Hong Kong when a blaze started in the tail section. All 176 people on board, including passengers and crew, were evacuated. Seven people were injured, including four crew members with smoke inhalation and three passengers with back pain. Firefighters extinguished the flames after about an hour. The airport resumed normal operations the following day, though some flights were canceled. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Sangam, Uttar Pradesh, killed 30 people and injured 60 others early Wednesday. The tragedy occurred when large crowds rushed for a ritual bath on the holy day of Mauni Amavasya. Barricades near the ghats broke due to the rush, and devotees sleeping on the ground were trampled. Deputy Inspector General Vaibhav Krishna said the crowd surge caused the incident. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow and assured full support. Rescue teams, including NDRF and SDRF, were deployed immediately. The government promised measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

A Canadian report on Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder found no evidence linking his killing to a foreign state. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier accused India of involvement, claiming "credible information." India denied the allegations and called them baseless. The report also alleged India spread disinformation but admitted no proven link to a foreign state. The diplomatic row led to Canada expelling Indian diplomats and India recalling its high commissioner. Relations between the two countries remain tense over the incident.

Mumbai Police claim strong evidence against Shariful Islam, accused of stabbing actor Saif Ali Khan during a robbery on 16 January. Saif was hospitalised with six stab wounds and underwent surgery. The police cite CCTV footage, mobile location, and internet data linking Islam to the crime. However, the official fingerprint report from the CID is still awaited, amid reports of a mismatch. Police are also conducting a facial recognition test to confirm Islam’s role. Islam’s family claims he is innocent and being framed. Saif, now discharged, has increased security at his home, managed by Ronit Roy’s security firm.

OpenAI claims Chinese companies are copying its AI models to create rival products. The method, called "distillation," uses advanced AI to train cheaper models. OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, is investigating if its technology was used by DeepSeek, a Chinese firm whose chatbot is now topping app stores. OpenAI said it is taking steps to protect its intellectual property and called for US government help. DeepSeek’s launch shook US tech markets, wiping $1 trillion in value. The US Navy banned DeepSeek apps over security concerns. OpenAI stressed the need to stop copycat models in the global AI race.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is rebuilding her influence after the US stopped aid to Bangladesh. The aid cut weakens groups linked to interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Hasina’s Awami League remains united, with leaders and workers staying loyal. She uses encrypted platforms to communicate and hold virtual meetings. Her social media messages keep supporters motivated. Despite being in exile, Hasina is focused on regaining control. Party leaders believe her work for the country still earns her love and support. They are confident she will fight back when the time for elections arrives.

At least 30 people have died and 60 more were injured in a tragic crowd crush during the Kumbh Mela festival, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the tragedy and expressed condolences to the victims. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos at the Ganges River bank, with belongings scattered as people tried to escape the crush. Officials had expected up to 100 million attendees for the ritual bathing day. Despite the chaos, tens of thousands continue to attempt the holy dip, but the atmosphere remains subdued.

Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy, playing for Delhi against Railways, raises mixed expectations. After a tough Test series in Australia and ongoing recovery from a neck strain, Kohli's performance in the final round of the league will attract attention. While a century or more would be seen as routine against a relatively weak Railways side, another low score could fuel critics. Despite the stakes being low, this rare domestic appearance has generated interest, especially with the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. Kohli's commitment to the game remains unquestioned, even in this low-pressure scenario.

The Supreme Court has directed hospitals, including AIIMS Delhi, to regularize the unauthorized absence of doctors who participated in protests following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna clarified that protesting doctors who returned to work post-SC order should not be penalized for their absence. The ruling followed a submission from a doctors' body concerned about the treatment of the period as leave, which could affect medical students. The decision comes after the conviction of Sanjay Roy for the crime.