California governor calls for 'kill switch' for AI models By LIA ZHU in San Francisco | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 08:56

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab080c6e4b06d4aa055f1ff.html California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Friday directing state agencies to advance plans for an AI "kill switch" that could shut down advanced AI models during emergencies, following a series of safety and security incidents. The order accelerates the implementation of new third-party oversight of safety and security risks in AI systems, as well as independent audits. It also directs the Government Operations Agency, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, to convene national experts and produce recommendations within two months on ways to strengthen California's AI safety laws.

EU weighs windfall tax as war drives up fuel prices By JULIAN SHEA in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2026-09-21 09:48

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab08cd0e4b06d4aa055f2f7.html The European Union's economic commissioner has said there are no plans "at this stage" for a bloc-wide windfall tax on energy companies, but that it is "ready to engage in discussion", and individual member states are free to impose their own taxes, amid warnings of an imminent energy shock driven by spiralling fuel prices.

IMF chief says world economy faces multiple risks despite resilience Xinhua | Updated: 2026-09-21 09:22

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab086c2e4b06d4aa055f260.html NEW YORK - The world economy faces risks from stubborn inflation, higher debt service cost and artificial intelligence (AI) investment though it has proven to be more resilient than many feared, according to Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Riyadh targeted amid escalation concerns Houthi attack on Saudi capital widens conflict as Iran sets rider for ending war By CUI HAIPEI in Dubai, UAE, and JAN YUMUL in Hong Kong | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 09:01

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab081ffe4b06d4aa055f219.html The Yemen conflict has slipped into a more dangerous phase since Saturday, as the Houthi group launched a ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh for the first time. The rare strike brought direct hostilities to Saudi Arabia's capital, even as the United States has made it clear it has no intention of joining offensive airstrikes against the Houthis.

China's most successful firms adapt quickly By John Quelch | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 08:56 (+++)

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab080c7e4b06d4aa055f202.html For the past several years, I have watched Chinese companies operate in an environment that many business leaders elsewhere are also confronting: intensifying competition, changing consumer preferences, pressure on margins and constant uncertainty. Latest tech upgrading global mining industry China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 08:47 https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab07e89e4b06d4aa055f1f7.html TIANJIN — At the exhibition booth of Unissky (Nanjing) Technology, a four-legged inspection robot moved steadily, autonomously adjusting its movements when encountering obstacles and following predefined routes. Designed for inspection work in confined and hazardous spaces such as underground mines, the robot drew the attention of many visitors to the 2026 China Mining Conference and Exhibition earlier this month. Spurring consumption remains top priority in 5-year plan By Yang Yiyong | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 08:51 https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab07f8ce4b06d4aa055f1fa.html China's top leadership has emphasized that expanding domestic demand is vital not only to economic stability, but also to economic security, making it a strategic priority rather than a temporary policy measure.

China truck solutions offered at Hannover Companies' growing presence felt at 2026 IAA Transportation By Cao Yingying | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 08:58

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab08140e4b06d4aa055f20a.html More than 300 Chinese companies exhibited at the 2026 IAA Transportation fair in Hannover, Germany, which concluded on Sunday, showcasing not only their latest new energy commercial vehicles but also intelligent driving technologies, charging solutions and an industrial ecosystem at the global bellwether event.

China to further prioritize AI-driven manufacturing Efforts urged to make nation's industrial chains more self-supporting, resilient By Cheng Yu in Beijing and Zhu Lixin in Hefei | China Daily | Updated: 2026-09-21 07:36

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/21/WS6ab06e17e4b06d4aa055f1d8.html China is putting artificial intelligence at the heart of its next manufacturing push, seeking to make factories smarter and critical supply chains more resilient, while keeping the world's largest manufacturing base plugged into global markets, officials, company executives and industry experts said on Sunday.