Jointly Advancing Sound, Safe, Orderly AI Development for Human Well-Being

SHANGHAI, July 18 (Xinhua) — As artificial intelligence develops at an unprecedented pace, the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance is poised to be a milestone event, championing the sound, safe, and orderly advancement of AI to serve global development and human well-being.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the conference in Shanghai, scheduled from July 17 to 20, and deliver a keynote speech, in which he willREAD MORE

ASTANA, July 18 (Xinhua) — An event promoting the fifth volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China” was held on Wednesday in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Participants said that the fifth volume presents the latest achievements of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and is an authoritative work that can help the international community understand Chinese modernisation and contemporary China.

China and Kazakhstan are fellow travellers on the pathREAD MORE

The Abaqulusi Local Municipality, which is anchored in Vryheid in northern KwaZulu-Natal, is breathing a sigh of relief after the National Treasury on Friday released its July equitable share, which runs into millions.

The mayor of the IFP-led municipality said the share was mistakenly withheld because by the time the money was due, they had already met most of the conditions set out, which included paying Eskom for the bulk electricity supplied.

Mayor SifisoREAD MORE

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on Friday arrested Madlanga Commission witness “K”, an Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) inspector, in Alberton as part of its widening investigation into the alleged R15 million precious stones theft.

Witness K previously testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that the 2023 Killarney precious stones heist was a planned robbery disguised as a legitimate police operation. During her testimony, she implicated her former partner, suspended EMPD Deputy PoliceREAD MORE

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the deaths of two soldiers who fell into an abandoned mine shaft while pursuing suspected illegal miners during Operation Prosper in West Johannesburg on Friday morning.

The incident occurred at about 6 am at the abandoned CRD Mine, where SANDF members were conducting an anti-illegal mining operation alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to the Department of Defence, soldiers deployedREAD MORE

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) says it has been vindicated after Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka’s systemic investigation into food safety and hygiene standards in South Africa’s informal business sector found widespread failures by municipalities and government departments to enforce laws designed to protect consumers.

The findings stem from a complaint lodged by ATM Member of Parliament Vuyo Zungula in October 2024 following a series of food poisoning incidents involving children, including the deaths ofREAD MORE

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference is about to open in Shanghai under the theme “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future.”

The focus this time is not only about making AI smarter, but also how AI can unlock new opportunities and why collaboration matters just as much.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

African Times has published this article in partnership with Xinhua News Agency

ActionSA has announced that it will approach the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to challenge the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) disciplinary findings that cleared Major General Wally Rhoode and Brigadier Hennie Rekhoto over their conduct during the investigation into the 2020 Phala Phala farm burglary.

In a statement issued on Friday, ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont and Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni said the party had instructed its legal team to institute review proceedings seeking to haveREAD MORE

Mayors and city representatives from various countries visited Sanman, a rural tourism area formed by three Dai villages in Xishuangbanna, southwest China.

By exploring how Sanman is turning local culture and old spaces into new opportunities, they drew inspiration for their own rural development efforts. #GlobalMayorsDialogue

African Times has published this article in partnership with Xinhua News Agency

BISHKEK, July 17 (Xinhua) — Participants at an event promoting the fifth volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China” on Monday spoke highly of the book, saying it offers important insights into Chinese modernisation, global governance and provides guidance for enhancing cooperation with China.

About 300 representatives from political parties, media organisations, think tanks and other sectors from China and Kyrgyzstan exchanged views on such topics as Belt and Road cooperation, the building of a community withREAD MORE