Meta to spend hundreds of billions to build AI data centres

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition just got shakier after a key political partner decided to walk away. While this doesn’t topple his government outright, it leaves him with a razor-thin majority, making it harder to pass laws and avoid political gridlock.

Editor’s Note: Netanyahu’s grip on power isn’t collapsing—yet. But losing a critical ally means every vote in parliament just got more precarious. For Israelis, this could mean more instability, stalled policies, or even early elections if the coalition fractures further. It’s a reminder of how fragile his government has been from the start.

Manus AI, the company behind a general-purpose AI agent, just made some big moves—and they don’t look great for its presence in China. Reports say the firm laid off most of its Beijing staff last week as part of a reshuffle tied to moving its HQ to Singapore. Even more telling: Manus wiped its Chinese social media accounts clean, and users now get a "not available in your region" message instead of the old "Chinese version is under development" notice. It’s a sharp pivot away from the mainland market.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate restructuring—it’s a sign of how tricky it’s becoming for AI firms to navigate China’s tight regulations and competitive landscape. Manus’s sudden retreat suggests deeper challenges, whether it’s policy hurdles, funding issues, or a strategic shift. For the broader AI sector, it’s a reminder that even promising startups can hit roadblocks when expanding across borders, especially in tightly controlled markets like China. Keep an eye on whether other foreign AI players follow suit.

China’s top leaders are admitting that their old way of building cities—think endless sprawl and megaprojects—isn’t working anymore. At a rare high-level meeting, they called for a major shift: instead of expanding outward, cities need to focus on smarter use of what they’ve already got. This comes as the real estate market struggles and urban growth slows, signaling a big rethink in how China develops its cities.

Editor’s Note: China’s been the king of breakneck urban growth for decades, but now the party’s acknowledging the downsides—ghost cities, debt, and wasted resources. This isn’t just about architecture; it’s a sign that even Beijing sees the old economic playbook is running out of steam. If they pull it off, it could mean better cities for millions. If not, it’s more trouble for an already shaky economy.

When NASA's GRACE satellites detected an unusual gravity spike in the deep ocean southeast of India, they made the data publicly available—a move that caught the attention of Chinese scientists. Seizing the opportunity, a team of oceanographers used the advanced research vessel Shiyan 6 to investigate further in 2022. Now, they’re crediting NASA’s open-data approach for helping advance their deep-sea mining research.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a story about space tech or ocean exploration—it’s a rare example of scientific cooperation between global rivals. Open data sharing, even in competitive fields, can lead to breakthroughs that benefit everyone. Plus, it hints at how deep-sea mining (a controversial but potentially game-changing industry) might rely on unexpected partnerships to move forward.

The UK government is offering drivers discounts of up to £3,750 on electric cars as part of a new subsidy scheme aimed at speeding up the switch from petrol and diesel vehicles. The move is designed to make greener options more affordable and appealing.

Editor’s Note: With climate goals looming and air quality concerns growing, this incentive could be a game-changer for drivers on the fence about going electric. Cheaper upfront costs might finally tip the scales—good news for both wallets and the environment.