US defense buildup, Trump's political impact, and a global tech arms race dominate headlines. Economic struggles, AI ethics, and corporate strategies also shape world events.

The US’ New National Defense Strategy Calls For A World War-Like Military Build-Up Naked Capitalism reported on January 25, 2026, that the Trump 2.0 administration's new National Defense Strategy (NDS) outlines a "World War-like" military-industrial build-up to restore US global dominance. The strategy, which follows the National Security Strategy, focuses on four "Lines of Effort": defending the US homeland, deterring China in the Indo-Pacific through strength, increasing burden-sharing with allies, and "supercharging" the US defense industrial base. The NDS aims to avoid direct conflict but risks an arms race with China and Russia, potentially leading to miscalculation. Challenges include structural bottlenecks in manufacturing, workforce shortages, and single-source suppliers in the defense industry. Source

Donald Trump's first year has been one of no morality The Chicago Tribune reported on January 25, 2026, that Donald Trump's first year of his second term has been marked by a lack of peace, prosperity, and morality. The editorial criticizes Trump for threatening punitive tariffs, flirting with force, and making statements perceived as autocratic, such as demanding ownership of Greenland. It argues that the US is seen as an unreliable rogue state globally, contrasting with its post-WWII role. The piece calls for accountability, suggesting that ongoing protests, media scrutiny, and a unified vote for candidates restoring checks and balances are necessary to counter his perceived abuse of power. Source

Inside Border 2 actor Sunny Deol’s Rs 150 crore portfolio with properties in Mumbai, London, Manali The Financial Express reported on January 25, 2026, that Bollywood actor Sunny Deol possesses an extensive real estate portfolio valued at Rs 150 crore, following the success of his film "Border 2." His holdings include a Rs 60-80 crore mansion in Mumbai's Malabar Hill and the five-storey Sunny Villa in Juhu, which also houses his commercial venture, Sunny Super Sound studio. Beyond Mumbai, Deol owns a 100-acre farmhouse in Lonavala, a vacation villa in Manali, and a grand mansion in London, showcasing a blend of urban work-life assets and serene personal retreats. Source

Pakistan going through an 'investment emergency’: Report Lokmat Times reported on January 25, 2026, that Pakistan is facing an "investment emergency" due to stagnating exports, soaring business costs, and ad-hoc policy. A report by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry highlights that Pakistan's business costs are 34% higher than regional rivals, driven by exorbitant energy prices, taxation, and an uncertain exchange rate. Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) are declining, with major companies like Procter & Gamble, Shell, and Microsoft exiting the country due to a non-conducive environment, political instability, and high taxes, necessitating an urgent rescue strategy. Source

The Race to Build the DeepSeek of Europe Is On Wired reported on January 19, 2026, that European AI labs are urgently working to close the gap with dominant US rivals, fueled by increasing US-Europe geopolitical tensions. Despite acknowledging American firms' lead in AI production and investment, Europe's governments and researchers are committing hundreds of millions to develop sovereign AI capabilities. Inspired by China's DeepSeek, European labs are pursuing open-source models and imaginative designs to innovate, viewing AI as critical infrastructure. This drive has intensified amid White House's lukewarm stance towards European leadership and recent clashes over issues like Greenland and US tech regulation. Source

Chinese EV Batteries Are Eating the World Wired reported on January 20, 2026, that Chinese EV battery companies are rapidly dominating the global market, with over 80% of the world's battery cells produced in China in 2024. Firms like CATL, BYD, and Envision are now expanding internationally, having invested over $45 billion in 68+ factories outside China. This shift signifies a new phase where "Made in China" represents advanced technology and competitive pricing, with Chinese companies often achieving higher profit margins overseas than domestically. While political leaders welcome these investments, challenges like local hiring issues and environmental concerns are emerging. Source

Kanwar Dhillon: “Health, Honesty and Hard Work Are My Priorities Going Into 2026 Lokmat Times reported on January 25, 2026, that actor Kanwar Dhillon, currently starring in "Udne Ki Aasha," is prioritizing health, honesty, and hard work for 2026. He aims for continuous personal and professional growth, emphasizing that creating value and respect around his name is more crucial than immediate fame or money, which he believes follow naturally. Dhillon also stressed the importance of health and physical activity amidst hectic schedules, advising consistent effort, patience, and clear goals to achieve success without giving up, trusting that destiny will reward hard work. Source

Divya Dutta says 'Ye mastiyan yun hi chalti rahein' in a heartfelt birthday wish for Sharib Hashmi Lokmat Times reported on January 25, 2026, that actress Divya Dutta shared a heartwarming birthday wish for actor Sharib Hashmi, featuring a fun video of them dancing. Dutta's caption expressed her wish for their continued camaraderie and for Hashmi to keep spreading happiness. Fellow actor Sunny Hinduja also wished Hashmi, posting a video of their humorous moments together from "The Family Man." Hashmi, who was seen with Dutta in Kangana Ranaut's "Dhaakad" (2022), is set to appear next in Ribhu Dasgupta's drama "Section 84," alongside Amitabh Bachchan. Source

Hundreds of creatives warn against an AI slop future The Verge reported on January 21, 2026, that around 800 artists, writers, actors, and musicians, including George Saunders and Cate Blanchett, have launched the "Stealing Isn’t Innovation" campaign against AI companies. They accuse AI firms of unauthorized and unpaid use of creative content, leading to "AI slop" and threatening America's AI superiority. The campaign, backed by the Human Artistry Campaign, advocates for licensing agreements, strong enforcement, and artists' right to opt out of AI training. This initiative highlights the ongoing tension as the tech industry and rights owners navigate licensing deals amid varied regulatory approaches. Source

Telly only had 35,000 TVs in people’s homes last fall The Verge reported on January 22, 2026, that free TV startup Telly significantly missed its initial delivery targets, having only 35,000 units in homes by November 2025, far short of its 2023 goal of 500,000. Telly offers free TVs with a second screen for ads and widgets, funded by advertising. Challenges included a 10% breakage rate for FedEx shipments, leading to a new logistics partner. Despite the slow rollout and high capital expenditure, the company reported $22 million in annualized revenue in Q3 2025, suggesting high ad revenue per user, though scaling remains a hurdle. Source

Nikon Z5II Review: Fantastic Camera at a Budget Price Wired reported on January 21, 2026, that Nikon's new Z5II mirrorless camera, while having a higher price tag than its predecessor, remains an excellent entry-level full-frame option. The Z5II features a new 24-megapixel sensor (shared with the Zf and Z6 II), advanced video capabilities, enhanced autofocus with subject detection, prerelease capture, and HEIF image support. The review praises its practical features, arguing that "entry level" often means a camera without unnecessary high-end specs, making the Z5II a great value for photographers who don't require extreme frames per second. Source

‘Veronika’ Is the First Cow Known to Use a Tool Wired reported on January 20, 2026, that a pet cow named "Veronika" in Austria has become the first cow observed using a tool in a flexible manner. For a decade, Veronika has reportedly used branches to scratch herself, a behavior confirmed through scientific observation and controlled tests. Researchers noted her ability to select different tools and adapt techniques based on her needs, suggesting underestimated cognitive capacity in cattle. Her unique, open environment, fostering exploratory behavior, is believed to have contributed to her skill, prompting further investigation into tool use among cattle. Source

Thousands of Companies Are Driving China’s AI Boom. A Government Registry Tracks Them All Wired reported on January 20, 2026, that China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) maintains a public algorithm registry tracking thousands of AI tools, inadvertently creating the most detailed map of an AI ecosystem globally. Companies must register public-facing AI tools, demonstrating compliance with 31 risk categories, including "core socialist values." This ad hoc regulatory approach contrasts with the EU's comprehensive AI Act and the US's lack of centralized oversight. The registry reveals that while tech hubs dominate, innovation extends to specialized regions. State-linked firms comprise 22% of filings, often partnering with Big Tech, and foreign firms like Ikea also register algorithms. Source

Chromebooks train schoolkids to be loyal customers, internal Google document suggests The Verge reported on January 24, 2026, that internal Google documents, released during a child safety lawsuit, reveal the company's strategy to "onboard kids" into its ecosystem through schools, aiming to foster "brand trust and loyalty over their lifetime." A 2020 presentation explicitly states that getting students onto its operating system early ensures "loyalty early, and potentially for life." The documents also suggest YouTube in schools creates a "pipeline of future users" and acknowledges challenges like platform blocks and mental health concerns. Google denies marketing directly to schools, stating educators drive demand and control usage. Source