Author: News Desk

Beijing, China: The launch of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek has sent shockwaves through the global tech industry, shaking the markets and calling into question America’s long-held dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen described the moment as “AI’s Sputnik moment,” likening it to the satellite launch that triggered the space race. Over the weekend, DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app on Apple’s US App Store. By Monday, it had triggered a massive sell-off in major US tech stocks. Nvidia, the AI chip designer and recent Wall Street favorite, suffered the largest single-day loss in US stock…

Seoul, South Korea: Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been charged with insurrection after his failed attempt to declare martial law in December, marking an unprecedented political crisis in South Korea. Yoon is the first sitting president in the country’s history to face criminal charges. The indictment follows a Seoul court’s rejection of a request to extend Yoon’s detention, leaving prosecutors with a deadline to either charge or release him. Insurrection in South Korea carries penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty, although executions have not been carried out in decades. Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the main opposition…

London, UK: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK’s largest luxury carmaker, has announced a £65mn ($81mn) investment to expand its bespoke paint services, driven by rising demand from high-net-worth clients. The expansion includes new paint facilities in Castle Bromwich, UK, and Nitra, Slovakia, enabling JLR to more than double its bespoke paint operations. The company plans to offer tailored services, such as matching the colours of exclusive Range Rover SV models to clients’ private jets or yachts. “Range Rover clients are increasingly opting for more exclusive bespoke and elevated palette paints,” said Jamal Hameedi, Director of Special Vehicle Operations at…

London: Just days after the devastation caused by Storm Eowyn, the UK is bracing for another storm, with Storm Herminia expected to bring heavy rain, strong gales, and hill snow from Sunday into Monday, 27th of January. Storm Eowyn has been described by the Met Office as “probably the strongest” to hit the UK in at least a decade, with some areas experiencing the most intense weather in 20 to 30 years. Despite its departure, unsettled weather continues and Storm Herminia, which will bring heavy rain, gales, and hill snow from the South West, is expected to hit in the…

Washington DC: The CIA has offered a new assessment on the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that a lab leak is “more likely” than the virus coming from animals. However, the agency stressed that it has “low confidence” in this conclusion due to insufficient or conflicting intelligence. The statement was issued under the leadership of John Ratcliffe, the newly appointed CIA director, who took office under former President Trump. Ratcliffe, who has long supported the lab leak theory, has previously argued that Covid most likely originated from a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which is located about…

Gaza City: Four Israeli female hostages Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev, held captive by Hamas since October 7 (477 Days), have been freed and returned to Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement. The release, facilitated by the Red Cross, occurred in Gaza City’s Palestine Square and was marked by a highly choreographed handover. Masked Hamas gunmen escorted the women onto a stage adorned with flags and a machine gun, emphasizing a display of both bureaucracy and strength. The hostages, wearing lanyards with ID badges, were provided with documents and personal items by Hamas before their…

Washington DC: Pete Hegseth, nominated by Donald Trump for US Defense Secretary, was confirmed by the Senate following a contentious confirmation process marred by allegations of misconduct. Vice-President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in Hegseth’s favor after three Republican senators, including former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, voted against him. During his confirmation hearing, Hegseth faced tough questions regarding allegations of sexual assault, which he has repeatedly denied, as well as accusations of infidelity and excessive drinking. Despite these allegations, Hegseth, a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, was confirmed to oversee the Department of Defense, which…

Edinburgh: Storm Éowyn has caused widespread chaos across the UK and Ireland, with over 1,000 flights cancelled, major roads blocked, and power outages affecting nearly 100,000 homes. The Met Office has issued a rare red “danger to life” alert for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, warning of 100mph (160km/h) winds and severe disruption. Amber and yellow alerts remain in place for other areas. The storm, classified as a “weather bomb” due to rapid explosive cyclogenesis, has brought record-breaking gusts, including a peak of 114mph in Ireland, the fastest recorded since monitoring began. Flying debris, fallen trees, power cuts, and…

Los Angeles: A fast-moving wildfire, the Hughes fire, erupted in Los Angeles County, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate the area, which is already grappling with its worst fire season. The blaze ignited near Castaic Lake, 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and has rapidly grown to over 9,400 acres, fuelled by dry brush and strong winds. Although no homes or businesses have been damaged, about 31,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 23,000 under warnings. Interstate 5, a major highway running along the US West Coast, has been closed. This fire is burning north of…

London: The UK government will introduce digital driving licenses later this year as part of a broader initiative to overhaul public services using technology which will be available via a new Government app. GOV.UK Wallet app These digital licenses, accessible via a new mobile app, will serve as valid identification for purchasing restricted items like alcohol, voting in elections, and proving one’s right to drive. In addition to driving licenses, the “GOV.UK Wallet” app, launching this summer, will also feature veteran cards, DBS checks, Blue Badges, and other government-issued credentials. The app aims to make it easier for people to…