Lt Gen Amir Raza promoted to four-star general

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.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran’s demand to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could create a dangerous international precedent with serious consequences for global trade and economic stability. Speaking at a meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Manila, Rubio said allowing any country to control an international waterway and impose tolls through force would undermine international law and encourage similar actions in other regions. Rubio addressed ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the start of their annual gathering, where concerns over renewed fighting in the Middle East dominated discussions. He assured regional partners that despite Washington’s focus on the conflict with Iran, the United States remains fully committed to its relationship with ASEAN and its security partnerships in Asia. He warned that if Iran is allowed to demand payment from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz while threatening attacks against those that refuse, it could encourage other countries to adopt similar tactics in strategic waterways around the world. Rubio said such a development would pose a serious threat not only to the Middle East but also to the Indo Pacific region, where global shipping routes are equally vital. The US secretary also accused Iran of backing away from commitments made under an earlier ceasefire arrangement. He said Tehran has contacted Washington through both direct and indirect channels to discuss possible negotiations. While the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution, Rubio said it would not tolerate attacks on commercial shipping or American personnel in the region. The ASEAN meeting has brought together senior diplomats from major global powers including the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan, and Australia. Many participating countries expressed concern over the impact of the Iran conflict on energy supplies and international markets. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow hopes for a quick resolution to tensions between Washington and Tehran. He stated that continued conflict hurts the global economy and affects Russia as well. Lavrov added that stable energy prices are important for long term economic planning and said Russia supports efforts to end the crisis peacefully. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed negotiations. She warned that the security situation in the Middle East could worsen without warning and stressed that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is essential for restoring stability in global energy markets. The International Energy Agency has described the current situation as a major warning for Southeast Asia’s energy security. The region depends heavily on oil and liquefied natural gas transported through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the agency, Asian countries imported about 80 percent of the crude oil and nearly 90 percent of the liquefied natural gas passing through the waterway last year. Any prolonged disruption could increase energy prices and place additional pressure on economies across the region. On the sidelines of the summit, Rubio also met foreign ministers from the Quad partnership, which includes the United States, Australia, India, and Japan. The group reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation while expressing concern over China’s growing influence in regional waters. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi criticised attempts to change the regional balance through force, referring to disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea. Penny Wong echoed those concerns, saying that actions increasing regional instability must be addressed through dialogue and international cooperation. Rubio also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two discussed a recent confrontation between Chinese and Philippine forces in disputed waters. Rubio described the incident as an escalation and said disagreements between Washington and Beijing must be managed carefully to avoid wider conflict. He added that both sides also discussed trade issues ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. Rubio is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov again to discuss the war in Ukraine and explore whether there is an opportunity to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. Officials said the meetings in Manila highlight the growing connection between security challenges in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo Pacific as world leaders seek ways to prevent further instability.

The man who stabbed renowned author Salman Rushdie during a public event in 2022 has been found guilty on multiple federal terrorism charges in the United States. The verdict marks another major legal milestone in a case that drew worldwide attention because of the long standing threats against the celebrated novelist. A federal jury in Buffalo, New York, convicted 28 year old Hadi Matar after only a few hours of deliberation. Prosecutors argued that the attack was motivated by decades old calls for Rushdie’s death following the publication of his controversial novel The Satanic Verses. Matar was found guilty of attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah, engaging in terrorism across national borders, and providing support to terrorists. Matar is already serving a 25 year prison sentence after being convicted in a New York state court for attempted murder. Following the federal conviction, he now faces the possibility of life imprisonment when he is sentenced in November. The federal trial began last week and included testimony from Rushdie himself. The 79 year old author described the attack that left him with life changing injuries. The defence did not call Matar or any other witnesses to testify during the proceedings. Rushdie has lived under threat since the publication of The Satanic Verses in 1988. The novel sparked widespread controversy in parts of the Muslim world, leading Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to issue a religious decree in 1989 calling for the author’s death. The fatwa also targeted people involved in publishing the book and led to violent attacks over the following years, including the killing of Japanese translator Hitoshi Igarashi in 1991. Although the Iranian government later distanced itself from the fatwa, US prosecutors said it continued to receive support from Hezbollah leaders and was reaffirmed by Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that Matar spent more than a year studying the fatwa before carrying out the attack. They argued that he deliberately planned the assault to carry out the religious decree against Rushdie. The attack took place on August 12, 2022, while Rushdie was preparing to speak at the Chautauqua Institution, an educational and cultural centre in New York state. Matar rushed onto the stage and repeatedly stabbed the author before audience members intervened and restrained him until police arrived. Rushdie suffered multiple stab wounds to his head, neck, chest, and hand. The injuries permanently blinded him in one eye and caused severe damage to several internal organs. Another man on stage was also injured during the incident. Born in the United States and holding Lebanese citizenship, Matar had been living in New Jersey before the attack. His conviction in state court earlier resulted in a 25 year prison sentence, but the federal terrorism charges carry significantly harsher penalties. Rushdie, who was born in India and later became a British and American citizen, spent many years under police protection after the fatwa was issued. He lived largely in hiding throughout the 1990s before gradually returning to public life and eventually settling in New York City. The latest verdict closes another chapter in one of the most widely followed literary and terrorism related cases in recent history. It also reinforces the long lasting impact of threats that began nearly four decades ago over a work of fiction and continued to influence events many years later.