UK to spend £1.5bn on six new weapons factories

Nvidia is reportedly crafting a special AI chip designed specifically for the Chinese market—one that skirts U.S. export restrictions while still packing a punch. The new B30 chip can be linked together to form powerful computing clusters, and Nvidia aims to churn out over a million units this year. It’s a strategic move to hold onto their slice of China’s massive tech pie, even as geopolitical tensions complicate business.

Editor’s Note: Nvidia’s playing a tricky game here—adapting to U.S. trade rules without losing ground in China, a critical market for AI growth. This isn’t just about selling chips; it’s about maintaining influence in a global tech race where China’s ambitions (and restrictions) keep reshaping the playing field. If Nvidia pulls it off, they’ll stay ahead in the AI hardware wars—but it’s a tightrope walk.

As millions of Muslim pilgrims begin the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the focus isn’t just on the spiritual journey—it’s also on safety. The pilgrimage has a painful history of disasters, from deadly stampedes to extreme heat, which claimed over 1,300 lives last year. With temperatures set to soar past 40°C again, Saudi officials are pulling out all the stops, deploying a quarter-million personnel to prevent another tragedy.

Editor’s Note: The Hajj is one of the most significant events in Islam, but its sheer scale—over a million people in intense heat—makes it a logistical and safety nightmare. This story matters because it highlights the tension between faith and risk, and how authorities are trying to balance reverence with survival. For pilgrims and their families, it’s a reminder that devotion shouldn’t come at the cost of safety.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pushing for a major shift in defense strategy, calling for the country to achieve "war-fighting readiness" and urging all sectors of society to contribute to national defense. While he emphasizes rapid military innovation within NATO, he’s sidestepping questions about when defense spending will hit 3% of GDP—a key benchmark. Defense Secretary John Healey has expressed confidence in meeting spending targets, but specifics remain unclear.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budgets—it’s a signal that the UK is recalibrating its posture amid global instability. Starmer’s vagueness on timing suggests tough choices ahead, balancing defense needs with economic realities. For voters, it raises questions: How much will this cost, and what role will civilians play? For allies, it’s a reassurance (or a nudge) that Britain aims to stay a top-tier military power.

Russia ramped up attacks in Ukraine, killing at least five people near Zaporizhzhia, just as peace talks between the two countries were set to resume in Istanbul. The timing feels grim—escalating violence right before negotiations. Meanwhile, in Istanbul, black sedans rolled up to the Çırağan Palace, hinting at the high-stakes diplomacy unfolding inside.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another day in the war. The attacks right before talks suggest Russia might be trying to bully Ukraine at the negotiating table—or simply ignoring diplomacy altogether. Either way, it’s a brutal reminder that while diplomats talk, civilians are still paying the price. The contrast between the palace’s quiet luxury and the chaos back in Ukraine couldn’t be starker.

Police have launched a corporate manslaughter investigation following the deaths of babies in Nottingham, as part of an ongoing major review. Authorities are treating this as a serious criminal inquiry, suggesting potential systemic failures may be at play.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another tragic headline—it signals a possible breakdown in hospital care or oversight, with legal consequences. Families deserve answers, and if negligence is proven, it could force wider changes in how neonatal care is managed. That’s why this case matters far beyond Nottingham.