china proposes stringent
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China proposes stringent cyberbullying legislation targeting AI abuse and platform accountability

The Cyberspace Administration of China has released a draft law aimed at curbing cyberbullying, specifically addressing artificial intelligence-enabled harassment, deepfakes, and automated online abuse across the country’s digital platforms.

The proposed legislation, which is open for public consultation until late August, introduces strict identity verification requirements for internet users before they can post content or access messaging services.

Additionally, the measures place direct legal and operational responsibility on technology firms and artificial intelligence service providers, requiring them to actively trace, moderate, and remove harmful synthetic content or face severe administrative penalties, including fines reaching up to ten million yuan, platform suspensions, or license revocations.

Under the proposed legal framework, judicial and law enforcement authorities will enforce criminal liability for individuals and entities using automated tools, coordinated troll networks, or synthetic media to conduct doxxing, defamation, or targeted harassment campaigns.

The scope of the law extends to overseas organisations targeting individuals within China, whilst also mandating compulsory anti-cyberbullying education across schools and educational institutions. By targeting AI-driven psychological harm and emotional manipulation, regulators aim to establish robust emergency intervention mechanisms to protect minors and vulnerable demographics from emerging forms of digital harassment.

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    Hanif Abbasi says India tops list of Pakistan’s enemies

      ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has said that only two or three countries can be considered enemies of Pakistan, with India at the top of the list. He said Israel and Afghanistan are also among the countries that PakistanFederal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has said that only two or three countries can be considered enemies of Pakistan, considers hostile. Speaking to journalists outside Parliament House, Abbasi said Pakistan does not regard all countries as enemies and stressed that the list is limited to a few states. His remarks came while discussing political and national issues with the media. The federal minister also spoke about his views regarding Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, describing him as a respected political figure. Abbasi said he would advise Fazlur Rehman to avoid making decisions while angry, arguing that emotional reactions can sometimes lead to wrong choices. Abbasi said that political differences were a normal part of democratic politics and that he was willing to accept opposition on political grounds. However, he drew a distinction between political disagreement and what he described as personal attacks. The minister said he could tolerate political opposition but did not accept personal hostility. Referring to remarks previously made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan about Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Abbasi said that some of the words used against the JUI-F leader had been deeply disturbing. He said the language used against Fazlur Rehman was so harsh that it had left him shocked. According to Abbasi, political opponents could disagree with each other over policies, parties and political strategies, but personal criticism should not cross certain limits. “Political opposition would not have been an issue,” Abbasi said, while arguing that the criticism directed at Fazlur Rehman went beyond ordinary political differences and became personal. The minister’s comments reflect the continuing tensions and rivalries among Pakistan’s major political parties, where disagreements frequently extend beyond policy matters and involve criticism of individual political leaders. Abbasi’s remarks also highlighted the importance of maintaining political restraint, particularly when disagreements become intense. His advice to Fazlur Rehman suggested that political leaders should avoid taking major decisions while angry or under emotional pressure. The federal minister further indicated that political differences should be handled within the boundaries of democratic debate. While politicians may strongly oppose one another on ideological, policy or electoral matters, he suggested that personal attacks can deepen political divisions and make reconciliation more difficult. His comments regarding Pakistan’s perceived hostile countries also came amid continuing discussions about the country’s regional and international relationships. India has historically remained a major source of tension between Pakistan and its eastern neighbour, while relations with Afghanistan have also faced challenges over security and border-related issues. Pakistan’s relationship with Israel remains particularly sensitive due to the Palestinian issue and Islamabad’s longstanding position on the conflict. Abbasi’s statement therefore covered both domestic political differences and broader foreign-policy concerns. He emphasised that Pakistan has only a limited number of countries that it considers enemies, rather than viewing the wider international community through the same lens. The minister’s comments are likely to draw attention because of his criticism of personal attacks in politics and his appeal for political leaders to exercise greater restraint. His remarks underline the distinction between legitimate political opposition and criticism that becomes personal, an issue that continues to shape political discourse in Pakistan.

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    G-B flash floods leave widespread destruction

    GILGIT: Torrential rains have triggered devastating flash floods, mudslides and landslides across Gilgit-Baltistan, leaving a trail of destruction that has damaged hundreds of homes, swept away bridges and disrupted road links in several districts. According to the latest assessment by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), 60 weather-related incidents have been recorded across the region, causing extensive damage to homes, transport infrastructure and livestock. Officials reported that 184 houses were affected, including 49 completely destroyed and 135 partially damaged. The disasters also washed away nine bridges, damaged nearly eight kilometres of roads and claimed the lives of 68 animals. Astore emerged as the worst-hit district in terms of housing damage, where more than 80 homes were partially damaged after flash floods and landslides struck the Lous and Doyan Khichik areas. Diamer also suffered significant losses, with 42 houses damaged, including 16 that were completely destroyed in Thore, Buner Dass, Khanbary, Shahi Mahal and Darel. In Skardu, rising water levels and flash floods destroyed 15 houses and swept away four bridges, the highest number of bridge losses reported in any district. Ghizer witnessed damage to two dozen homes and one bridge due to flash floods, cloudbursts and river erosion, while Ghanche reported damage to 12 houses and the loss of three bridges. Gilgit district also experienced flooding in several valleys, where eight houses were damaged and around 50 livestock perished, accounting for the highest livestock losses in the region. Although Hunza and Nagar escaped major residential damage, road infrastructure in both districts was affected by flooding and erosion. Relief efforts are continuing in the affected areas. Emergency supplies, including tents, food packs, kitchen sets, plastic mats and bedding, have been distributed among displaced families in Diamer and Skardu. Authorities have also dispatched additional relief consignments to flood-hit valleys to support affected communities. Meanwhile, road clearance operations are underway to restore connectivity. Heavy machinery has been deployed to remove landslide debris along the Jaglot-Skardu Road, where restoration work is progressing at multiple locations. Officials said road networks in Ghizer, Hunza, Shiger and Kharmang have been reopened, while emergency teams and equipment remain on high alert as authorities continue monitoring the evolving situation.

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    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Vivienne…

    Vivienne, the 18-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has reportedly taken a significant legal step by filing paperwork to remove “Pitt” from her surname. According to reports, Vivienne submitted the request to the Los Angeles Superior Court on July 20, seeking to change her legal name from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Jolie. The reported filing marks another development in the well-publicized family dynamics involving Jolie and Pitt. If approved, Vivienne would become the fourth of the former couple’s six children to publicly distance themselves from their father’s last name, following similar moves by some of her siblings in recent years. According to Page Six, the legal request was filed shortly after Vivienne turned 18, the age at which she can independently seek a legal name change without parental approval. While neither Vivienne nor her representatives have publicly commented on the filing, the move has attracted widespread attention due to the family’s long-running legal and personal disputes. Vivienne has largely stayed out of the spotlight compared with some of her siblings. However, she made headlines in 2024 when she worked alongside her mother as a production assistant on the Broadway musical The Outsiders. In the show’s Playbill, she was credited simply as Vivienne Jolie, leading many to speculate that she had already begun using her mother’s surname professionally. The reported legal filing comes after similar decisions by other Jolie-Pitt children. Zahara introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie” during her college sorority induction ceremony, while Shiloh successfully petitioned the court to remove “Pitt” from her legal surname after turning 18. Maddox has also reportedly used only the surname “Jolie” in informal settings, although it has not been publicly confirmed that he legally changed his name. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once considered one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, have remained involved in lengthy legal battles since their separation in 2016. Their divorce was finalized in 2019, but disputes over custody and ownership of the French winery Château Miraval have continued for years. The ongoing legal conflict has often drawn public attention to the family’s private matters. Neither Brad Pitt nor Angelina Jolie has publicly addressed Vivienne’s reported legal filing. As a result, the reasons behind her decision remain private, and no official statement has been released by the family. If the court approves the request, Vivienne will legally be known as Vivienne Jolie, further reflecting the naming choice she has already appeared to adopt in her professional life. While the decision has generated considerable media interest, it also highlights the family’s continuing efforts to navigate life in the public eye while managing deeply personal matters.

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    Mir Raza’s exhumation set for Saturday

    The exhumation of Karachi youth Mir Raza will be conducted on Saturday to determine the cause of his death after authorities reinstated the previous medical board for his second post-mortem examination. Police and other relevant authorities have been directed to make arrangements for the exhumation. The post-mortem is scheduled to begin at 11am on Saturday. The medical board, which had earlier been reduced to five members, has now been restored to its previous eight-member composition. According to the notification, Dr Samia Syed will serve as the board’s convener. Dow University Professor Dr Naseem Ahmed will perform duties as a pathologist, while Dr Farah Wasim has been included as a forensic expert. CPLC officer Amir Hassan Khan will serve as a forensic identification expert. Dr Kamran, Dr Sri Chand and Dr Daniyal Mirza will also continue as members of the board. The decision came after Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, expressed serious reservations over changes to the medical board. The exhumation had initially been scheduled for Friday but was postponed following the dispute over the board’s composition. Mir Hussain had said he would not allow the exhumation until the previous medical board was restored. His lawyer, Jibran Nasir, also rejected the newly formed board and sent notices to the police and health secretary. He alleged that political interference was affecting the case. Nasir demanded that the exhumation and post-mortem be conducted by the same eight-member board that had originally been constituted by the Karachi police surgeon on court orders. Case background Mir Raza Ali Khan went missing from the Pakistan Employees Housing Society (PECHS) area on July 28. His body was recovered from Gulistan-e-Johar two days later. According to police, Raza had left home at around 4:09am in an online taxi. His body was later found in a severely damaged condition, with a gunshot wound to his chest. Police said all of Raza’s social media accounts had been shut down a day before his body was recovered. Investigators have sought his phone records and information about people who had been in contact with him from the relevant telecommunications company. The driver of the online taxi Raza had used has also been questioned. According to his statement, he dropped Raza at his destination in Gulistan-e-Johar. Raza’s father previously said his son was due to marry on August 30 at Bait-ul-Mukarram Mosque in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. He said Raza had been extremely happy about starting a new chapter of his life.

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    Netanyahu says social media is driving decline in US support for Israel

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged that public support for Israel has declined in the United States, attributing the shift largely to the influence of social media and online misinformation. His remarks came during an interview with ABC News, where he also discussed the war in Gaza, Iran’s nuclear programme, and Israel’s relationship with the United States. Netanyahu admitted that attitudes toward Israel among Americans have changed in recent years and said the trend was a matter of concern. He argued that the rapid growth of social media platforms, along with the use of coordinated online campaigns and automated accounts, has shaped public opinion against Israel. According to him, misleading portrayals of the conflict in Gaza have contributed significantly to the fall in support. Recent surveys suggest that American views of Israel have become increasingly critical. A July poll by the Pew Research Center found that unfavorable opinions of the Israeli people have risen compared with previous years, while support for the Israeli government has also declined. The findings reflect growing concern among Americans over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the humanitarian impact of the conflict. During the interview, Netanyahu said he wanted Israel to continue receiving support from both major political parties in the United States. He described bipartisan backing as an important part of Israel’s national security and argued that the debate surrounding Israel extends beyond the Middle East. He claimed that those who oppose Israel often also oppose American interests and values. The Israeli leader also discussed Iran, saying Israel and US President Donald Trump share the same objective of preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. He said Israel would support any approach that successfully ends Iran’s nuclear programme, whether through diplomacy, economic sanctions, or military action. However, he stressed that decisions regarding American policy ultimately rest with the US president. Netanyahu accused Iran of repeatedly acting in bad faith during previous negotiations, claiming its leaders have used talks to delay action while continuing their nuclear ambitions. Iran has previously rejected such accusations and argued that inconsistent policies and broken commitments by the United States have undermined diplomatic efforts. He also warned Iran against carrying out any future attacks on Israel, saying such actions would be met with a strong military response. Although he believes Iran’s leadership has become weaker in recent years, Netanyahu said the current government remains in power and predicted that it could eventually collapse. Addressing his relationship with President Trump, Netanyahu dismissed suggestions that either leader was directing the other. He described the two countries as close allies and said the United States remains the senior partner while Israel continues to work closely with Washington on security matters. The prime minister also rejected reports claiming he had underestimated the consequences or duration of military action against Iran. He insisted those reports misrepresented his earlier assessments and said President Trump independently viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a serious threat. Netanyahu strongly denied allegations that Israel had committed war crimes or genocide during its military campaign in Gaza. He argued that Israeli forces had taken steps to reduce civilian casualties by issuing warnings through phone calls, text messages, and leaflets urging people to leave areas of fighting. He also accused Hamas of preventing civilians from evacuating. The Israeli leader again ruled out the creation of an independent Palestinian state, arguing that it would pose a security threat to Israel. His comments come despite ongoing international calls for a two state solution. The conflict remains under intense international scrutiny. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza conflict. Israel rejects the accusations, while military operations in the territory have continued despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025.

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    Angelina Jolie reacts as Vivienne files to remove …

    Angelina Jolie is reportedly staying calm and prioritising her family’s well-being after her youngest daughter, Vivienne, filed legal documents to remove Brad Pitt’s surname from her name. According to recent reports, the actress and filmmaker has chosen to focus on helping her children move forward rather than dwelling on the highly publicised family disputes that followed her separation from Pitt. Those close to Jolie say her primary concern has always been creating a peaceful environment where her children can heal from the challenges they have faced over the years. A person familiar with the situation claimed that Jolie is not driven by anger or resentment. Instead, she wants her family to find peace and continue rebuilding their lives. The insider also suggested that the public is unaware of many details surrounding the family’s private struggles, adding that the children’s decision to remain silent about personal matters reflects their maturity and dignity. The latest development comes after Vivienne filed a petition in the Los Angeles Superior Court requesting that her legal name be changed from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie. Court records reportedly describe the reason for the request simply as “personal.” A hearing regarding the petition has been scheduled for November. Vivienne’s middle name, Marcheline, is a tribute to Angelina Jolie’s late mother, Marcheline Bertrand. Bertrand died in 2007 after battling ovarian and breast cancer and has often been remembered by Jolie in interviews and public appearances as one of the most influential figures in her life. Although the legal filing has attracted widespread attention, it is not the first indication that Vivienne has chosen to use the Jolie surname professionally. In 2024, she was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Playbill for the Broadway production The Outsiders. Vivienne worked alongside her mother on the award-winning musical, which marked another step in her growing involvement in the entertainment industry. Vivienne is not the only one of the former couple’s children to distance herself from the Pitt surname. Her sister Shiloh legally removed “Pitt” from her name after turning 18 in 2024. Meanwhile, Zahara has publicly introduced herself using the surname Jolie, and Maddox has also been identified by the Jolie surname on several occasions. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once regarded as one of Hollywood’s most famous couples, have remained involved in a lengthy legal and personal dispute since their separation in 2016. Their divorce proceedings and disagreements over custody and shared assets have frequently made headlines, while both stars have largely avoided discussing private family matters in detail. The former couple share six children. They adopted Maddox, Pax, and Zahara before welcoming three biological children together: Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne. Despite the ongoing legal matters surrounding the family, recent reports suggest Angelina Jolie’s attention remains firmly on supporting her children and helping them move forward with stability and privacy. As Vivienne’s name change petition awaits its court hearing, the family continues to navigate life away from the spotlight while keeping personal matters largely out of public discussion.

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