China's regulators have blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI start-up Manus, requiring the parties to withdraw the transaction.

• The deal, announced in late December, aimed to integrate Manus' AI agents to enhance Meta's platforms.
• The decision came from Beijing's National Development and Reform Commission.
• Manus, founded in China but now based in Singapore, claims to develop "truly autonomous" AI agents capable of planning and executing tasks independently.