Nvidia's shares fell sharply in premarket trading after Chinese startup DeepSeek launched a competitive AI model, raising concerns over US tech firms' competitiveness and causing a broader tech stock sell-off.
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has quickly risen to the top of Apple’s App Store in the US, UK, and China, surpassing ChatGPT and other competitors. Its success challenges the US dominance in the AI industry and raises concerns among global tech giants.
Foreign nationals face significant challenges entering the UK due to technical issues with the new eVisa system, leading to denied boarding and travel disruptions. The Home Office has extended the validity of expired BRPs until 31 March 2025 to ease the transition.
NatWest is set to close 53 branches across the UK between April and June 2025, continuing its adaptation to the increasing preference for digital banking. This move is part of a broader trend in the banking sector, with over 6,000 branches closed since 2015. The bank is investing in digital infrastructure and exploring alternative solutions to ensure customer access to essential services.
Thousands of Three mobile network customers across the UK faced issues making and receiving calls, with some unable to connect to emergency services. The outage, exacerbated by Storm Éowyn, has raised concerns about network reliability.
The UK's new eVisa system, replacing physical biometric residence permits, has encountered significant technical issues, causing disruptions for foreign nationals in proving their immigration status, affecting travel, work, and access to essential services.
Three, a major UK mobile network, experienced a significant outage affecting thousands of customers' ability to make or receive calls. The disruption, exacerbated by Storm Éowyn, also impacted smaller networks relying on Three's infrastructure. The company has apologized and is investigating issues with emergency service connections.
Brady Corbet’s *The Brutalist* is a critically acclaimed historical epic starring Adrien Brody, exploring themes of survival, art, and the immigrant experience. The film's use of AI technology has sparked debate, adding to its significance in the awards season.
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have unexpectedly launched *Ninja Gaiden 2 Black*, a remastered version of the 2008 Xbox 360 game *Ninja Gaiden 2*. Released on 23rd January 2025, this definitive edition is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC platforms including Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game enhances the original's brutal combat and gore with updated visuals and redesigned elements. It introduces new playable characters and a beginner-friendly mode, alongside adjustments to the weapon upgrade system. This release coincides with the announcement of *Ninja Gaiden 4*, marking a significant revival of the franchise.
On Thursday, 23 January 2025, Three UK experienced a significant network outage affecting thousands of customers, including users of Smarty and iD Mobile. The issue, starting around 1pm, disrupted phone calls and, in some cases, access to emergency services. Despite initial reports that data services and 999 calls were unaffected, customer complaints prompted an investigation. The outage tracker Downdetector recorded over 10,000 reports, with social media flooded with frustrations over missed appointments and stranded individuals. Three UK apologized and restored services overnight but warned of potential further disruptions due to Storm Éowyn. Ofcom is in contact with Three to assess the situation, and while compensation eligibility remains unclear, guidelines suggest refunds may be appropriate. This incident follows regulatory approval for Three's £16.5bn merger with Vodafone, expected to complete in 2025. Three has deployed additional engineering resources to mitigate further disruptions and advises customers to restart devices or toggle airplane mode to restore service.