China urges stronger global AI governance amid warnings over risks

China on Tuesday called for stronger "global governance" of artificial intelligence, saying countries should work together to develop the technology for the benefit of humanity and prevent it from "getting out of control". The call came amid stark warnings from leading AI researchers and industry figures about the technology's potential risks to humanity.

Other developments through the day included Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi preparing to visit Beijing for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Nepal reiterating that its foreign policy is centred on national interests, and court action in Pakistan, Bangladesh and the United States on a range of political and legal matters. Relief and rescue efforts linked to Nepal's recent floods also continued.

Chinese authorities said Araghchi will visit Beijing on Wednesday for talks with Wang Yi, days after their interactions on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

In Kathmandu, Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the government was fully committed to conducting its foreign policy with the country's "sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security, and long-term national interests" at its centre.

In Pakistan, the Federal Constitutional Court on Tuesday sought the record of cases linked to the transfer of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for treatment from the Supreme Court.

Also in Pakistan, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court ordered the blocking of passports of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and 24 other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers in connection with a case registered at a police station in the national capital.

In Nepal, the French embassy in Kathmandu handed over an aid consignment to Nepalese authorities to support immediate relief and recovery operations after the August 26 flash floods that killed nearly 1,400 people.

Nepal's Press Council also expressed concern over an interview conducted by a YouTuber with flood survivors being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Kathmandu's Chhauni neighbourhood.

Separately, Nepal and India's joint rescue teams said they had reached the final stage of efforts to clear the blocked section of the Chilime tunnel and reach an underground powerhouse, where six workers are believed to be trapped.

In Washington, lawmakers moved ahead with amendments to a Russia sanctions bill. One amendment seeks to name Russia's top trading partners, including India, in the legislation, while another proposes removing the section that imposes tariffs altogether.

In a separate development in the US, a federal judge temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule that sought to cap the stay of foreign students, journalists and exchange visitors a day before it was due to come into effect.

In Bangladesh, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced seven senior leaders of the banned Awami League to death for crimes against humanity over their alleged roles in directing, inciting or facilitating violence during the 2024 student-led protests, known as the July Uprising.

Bangladesh and China also discussed cooperation on a proposed economic corridor linking Bangladesh with Myanmar and China, according to a local media report. The discussion took place when Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met Bangladesh's junior foreign minister Shama Obaed Islam.

Dhaka University authorities launched an investigation into the display of photographs of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah at its museum by a student union dominated by Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing, following social media backlash and protests by other student groups.

Bangladesh and Pakistan, meanwhile, stressed the need to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy through regular dialogue, exchanges of parliamentary delegations and greater people-to-people contact to deepen bilateral relations, according to a local media report.

Overall, the day saw China push for coordinated oversight of AI, Iran prepare for talks in Beijing, Nepal deal with foreign policy and flood-related developments, and Pakistan, Bangladesh and the US report key legal and political moves.