Xi calls for equitable global AI governance, unveils new cooperation body
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday announced the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) and called for joint efforts to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance.
"All countries should take a people-centered approach and develop AI for the positive and for good. We should ensure that AI is an important driver for shared prosperity and common security," Xi said while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai.
China is a global leader in AI development. In 2025, its core AI industries were worth over 1.2 trillion yuan (about 176.6 billion U.S. dollars), while the number of AI enterprises nationwide exceeded 6,200.
Explosions heard in Iran as U.S. announces new round of strikes
Explosions were heard in a number of Iranian provinces on Friday night as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the launch of a new round of strikes against Iran, Iranian media reported.
The semi-official Mehr news agency said the explosions were reported in Bushehr province as well as Hormozgan province's Sirik and Qeshm counties, with no details yet available on the targets, casualties, or damage caused.
Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency said five blasts were heard in Iran's central Yazd province.
U.S. forces launch new strikes on Iran for 7th consecutive night
U.S. forces on Friday launched a new round of strikes against Iran at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (1900 GMT), marking the seventh consecutive night of attacks, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
The strikes are intended to further degrade Iran's military capabilities, CENTCOM said.
Late Thursday, CENTCOM said U.S. forces, including fighter jets, drones and warships, had carried out precision strikes against dozens of Iranian military targets, including coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure, and maritime assets.
Britain's Labour Party confirms Andy Burnham as its new leader
Britain's Labour Party announced Friday that Andy Burnham has been confirmed as its leader.
Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, is expected to be appointed prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally steps down, in accordance with established procedure.
Speaking at the Trades Union Congress headquarters in central London, British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who also chairs Labour's National Executive Committee, said Burnham had received nominations from 379 Labour lawmakers. As the only candidate to reach the required threshold, he was declared leader without a ballot of party members.■
