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.

Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev sparked controversy at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament after refusing to shake hands with India’s GM R Vaishali due to religious reasons. A viral video showed Vaishali extending her hand before their match, only for Yakubboev to sit silently, leaving her awkwardly. Yakubboev later apologized, explaining his decision was rooted in his Muslim faith, which prohibits touching women. He clarified he respects Vaishali and her brother, Indian GM Praggnanandhaa, and doesn’t impose his beliefs on others. The incident has drawn mixed reactions, with some labeling it discriminatory.

Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2024. The Indian pacer surpassed Travis Head, Joe Root, and Harry Brook to win the honor, becoming the fifth Indian cricketer to do so. Bumrah's exceptional performance in 2024 saw him claim 71 wickets in just 13 Test matches, with an average of under 15. He also became the fastest Indian pacer to reach 200 Test wickets and ended the year with 907 points in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, the highest for any Indian bowler.

India’s Tejas MK1A fighter jet program, part of the "Make in India" initiative, faces significant delays. General Electric’s (GE) delivery of the F404 engine, vital for the aircraft, has been postponed until April 2025, affecting the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness. Experts suspect the delay may be deliberate, as Tejas competes with US-made F-16 jets globally. Additionally, the program is challenged by a Danish export ban on the engine’s amplifier and delays in software from Israel. Tejas MK1A, a multirole aircraft, is set to replace MiG-21s and is expected to boost India’s defense capabilities.

India's batting collapse saw them lose to England by 26 runs in the third T20I in Rajkot, despite Varun Chakravarthy's brilliant 5-wicket haul. Chasing 172, India failed to build partnerships, with Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid wreaking havoc. Hardik Pandya's 40 off 35 balls was not enough as India ended with 145/9. England’s bowlers, led by Jamie Overton's 3 wickets, restricted India’s chase, while Chakravarthy's efforts were overshadowed. England’s win keeps the five-match series alive, with India leading 2-1.

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.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has reportedly filed a formal complaint with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. This follows Gavaskar's sharp criticism of Sharma's poor form during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Sharma managed only 31 runs in three Tests. Gavaskar also questioned Sharma’s leadership abilities and hinted at a potential change in captaincy. Sharma, feeling the scrutiny was unfair, cited external factors for his performance and expressed his dissatisfaction with Gavaskar’s public comments, which added pressure during the challenging series.

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.