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Colombia’s new president takes office with hardline pledge on security and economy

ByJustpaste.in

Abelardo De La Espriella has been sworn in as Colombia’s president in Cali, breaking with the tradition of holding the inauguration ceremony at the congressional building in Bogotá.

The 48-year-old former lawyer and ally of US President Donald Trump won June’s runoff election on a platform focused on hardline security measures, significant cuts to state spending, and the expansion of national energy production.

During his inaugural speech at the Pichincha Battalion military base, De La Espriella declared that peace negotiations with armed groups are completely exhausted.

He stated that criminal syndicates must either submit to the rule of law or face a direct response from security forces. To combat drug trafficking, he announced plans to resume aerial spraying to eradicate coca crops and confirmed that Colombia will join the US-led Shield of the Americas programme.

On the economic front, De La Espriella pledged to freeze public spending and simplify the tax regime to stimulate private investment, while proposing to reduce the size of the state by up to 40%. He confirmed that established social programmes would remain intact.

To boost declining reserves, the new administration plans to expand oil and gas exploration, including the use of responsible fracking, alongside efforts to strengthen state-owned energy firm Ecopetrol.

De La Espriella’s inauguration reflects a wider political shift across Latin America. Incoming Finance Minister Miguel Gomez noted a fiscal deficit between 7% and 8% of GDP, indicating that initial governance will depend on executive decrees whilst navigating a divided congress.

Meanwhile, opposition figures led by Senator Ivan Cepeda organized peaceful demonstrations in Barranquilla, pledging to defend democratic institutions and monitor potential rollbacks of social protections.

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    NCCIA summons Asad Toor over ‘false information?…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned journalist Asad Ali Toor for questioning over allegations of spreading false or misleading information online. According to the notice issued by the agency, the state has been named as the complainant in the case. The inquiry relates to allegations of the dissemination, transmission or public display of information described as false or fake. The proceedings have been initiated under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, which deals with the dissemination of false and fake information. The NCCIA has directed Toor to appear before its Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad at 11am on July 31. The notice warned that failure to appear without a lawful reason could result in the inquiry continuing in his absence. The agency said non-compliance could also lead to action under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which concerns failure to attend when ordered by a public servant. Toor confirmed receiving the summons through a post on X. He shared an image of the notice and accompanied it with verses by revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The development has also raised concerns among journalist organisations over press freedom and the treatment of journalists facing legal proceedings. The National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad criticised the notice and expressed concern over what it described as growing pressure on the media. The press club said freedom of expression is protected under the Constitution. It argued that journalists should not face legal pressure or retaliation simply for carrying out their professional responsibilities or expressing critical views. The NPC called on relevant institutions to perform their duties within the framework of the law, the Constitution and fundamental rights. It also stressed that free, responsible and safe journalism is essential for a healthy democratic system. The press body urged authorities to withdraw the notice and ensure that journalists’ constitutional and legal rights are protected. It also warned that measures restricting press freedom could create further insecurity among members of the journalist community. This is not the first time Toor has faced legal action under cybercrime laws. He was arrested in 2024 in a case registered under Peca over allegations of running a campaign against state institutions. His arrest at the time prompted criticism from sections of the journalist community. He was subsequently released.

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    Zendaya praises Tom Holland’s real-life dedication to Spider-Man

    ByJustpaste.in

    Zendaya has opened up about what she admires most in Tom Holland’s take on Spider-Man, pointing to how he handles the role once the cameras stop rolling. Speaking alongside Holland in a joint sit-down with Rotten Tomatoes, the actress, who plays his on-screen love interest MJ, said her favourite part of his portrayal has nothing to do with action scenes or costumes. Instead, she pointed to how seriously he takes the character in everyday life, especially around fans who see him as more than just an actor. She explained that countless people, particularly kids, form a deep bond with Peter Parker, and Holland has managed to carry that responsibility with genuine grace. According to Zendaya, he never loses sight of what the role means to young admirers who look up to him. She went further, telling Holland directly that stepping into the suit comes with real weight because, for those children, he does not just play Spider-Man, he becomes him in their eyes. Zendaya said watching how he embraces that role beyond the screen is something she genuinely admires about her husband. The comments come shortly after Holland reflected on the pressure of stepping back into Peter Parker’s shoes for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a film that went on to earn a massive $927 million at the global box office. Talking to Kino TV, Holland admitted that the success of his earlier Spider-Man outings and his run in the Avengers franchise made him fully grasp how much the character meant to audiences worldwide. He revealed that he felt more nervous returning to set this time around than ever before. Despite those nerves, Holland said the experience turned out to be even more fulfilling, largely because of the pressure he put on himself to get it right. He credited that anxiety with pushing him to deliver a performance that matched the scale of what fans expected from him. Between Zendaya’s praise and Holland’s own reflections, it is clear the actor’s connection to Spider-Man runs far deeper than just another movie role for him.

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    ECC approves hike in petrol, diesel dealers’ mar…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved an increase in the dealers’ margin on petrol and diesel by Rs1.34 per litre. According to sources, the dealers’ margin on both petrol and diesel has been raised from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98 per litre. Vice Chairman of the All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association Nauman Butt thanked the prime minister and petroleum minister for approving the increase. The association said the government had fulfilled its long-standing demand by increasing the dealers’ margin by Rs1.34 per litre. Meanwhile, the government collected more petroleum levy revenue than both its target and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) estimate during the last fiscal year. According to Finance Ministry sources, petroleum levy collections exceeded Rs1.56 trillion during the previous fiscal year. More than Rs50 billion was also collected under the Climate Support Levy. Petroleum levy collections were around Rs100 billion higher than the government’s target and Rs21 billion above the IMF’s estimate. At present, a petroleum levy of Rs80 per litre is being charged on petrol. High-Speed Diesel carries a levy of Rs77.28 per litre. In addition, a separate Climate Support Levy of Rs5 per litre is being imposed on both petrol and diesel.

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    Sahir Ali Bagga reveals why two singers rejected Pakistan Zindabad

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistani musician and singer Sahir Ali Bagga has made a surprising revelation about one of his most notable patriotic projects, Pakistan Zindabad. The acclaimed composer recently disclosed that two prominent Pakistani singers were initially approached to perform the song but refused to sing it. Sahir Ali Bagga is one of the well-known names in Pakistan’s music industry. Over the years, he has established himself as a singer, composer and music producer, contributing to numerous popular songs and drama soundtracks. He has also composed successful tracks for leading artists, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Known for his deep vocals and ability to hit powerful high notes, Bagga has delivered several memorable songs throughout his career. His popular compositions include Baazi, Mast Malang, Ehd-e-Wafa and Bharosa Pyar Tera. He also enjoys a massive following on Instagram, where more than 1.8 million people follow him. In recent months, his song Mastani has also attracted considerable attention, crossing 5.5 million views on YouTube. Bagga recently appeared on Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast, Excuse Me, where he spoke openly about the making of Pakistan Zindabad. During the conversation, he revealed that the song was originally composed with two major Pakistani singers in mind. According to Bagga, both singers were expected to lend their voices to the patriotic track. However, neither agreed to perform it. He explained that one of the singers did not even listen to the composition and specifically refused to sing the song because Bagga had created it. The musician said that although he was disappointed by their response, he remained confident in his composition. Since the song had already received approval from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Bagga ultimately decided to perform it himself. He further revealed that singing Pakistan Zindabad was particularly challenging because the composition required extremely high notes. Bagga admitted that he does not consider himself a high-note singer and had to put in significant effort to prepare for the performance. The singer explained that reaching such demanding notes required extensive practice. He worked hard on his vocals and rehearsed repeatedly before recording the song, eventually taking on the challenge himself. Pakistan Zindabad went on to become a major patriotic hit. The song was released on March 23, several years ago, and quickly gained widespread popularity among Pakistani audiences. Its energetic composition, patriotic lyrics and powerful vocal performance helped it become one of the memorable ISPR songs. The song has continued to attract viewers on YouTube and has reportedly accumulated around 249 million views. Bagga’s revelation about the singers who turned down the project has now added another interesting chapter to the story behind the hugely popular patriotic anthem. While he did not disclose the names of the two singers during the portion of the conversation shared, his comments have sparked curiosity among fans about which major artists originally declined the opportunity to perform Pakistan Zindabad.

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    High-level flooding hits head Qadirabad in the Chenab River

    ByJustpaste.in

    Following flooding at Head Marala and Khanki, a high-level flood has also occurred at Head Qadirabad in the Chenab River. According to the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore, the water inflow at Head Qadirabad has risen to 236,000 cusecs. Meanwhile, Head Balloki on the Ravi River is experiencing moderate flooding as water flow has increased to 73,635 cusecs. Low-level flooding continues at Nowshera along the Kabul River, as well as at Kalabagh and Chashma Barrage on the Indus River. In Balochistan’s Sibi Division, high-level flooding was recorded at Hedgogi in the Lehri River, with water flow reaching 95,913 cusecs. The flood situation escalated after India released a large volume of water towards Pakistan following heavy rainfall in occupied Kashmir. The water release has created a risk of major flooding, prompting authorities to issue a high alert for regions including Sialkot and Wazirabad. In a related incident, rescue officials successfully saved five individuals who became stranded in the Chenab River in Sialkot. The workers were returning from work when their boat broke down mid-transit.

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    North Korean missile unit reportedly deploys to Russia for Ukraine war

    ByJustpaste.in

    Ukraine’s military intelligence claims that a North Korean missile unit has started deploying to western Russia, marking what could become a major expansion of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. According to Ukrainian officials, the unit may eventually be equipped with up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for use in attacks against Ukraine. Andrii Cherniak, an official with Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, said around 90 North Korean personnel are expected to be stationed in Russia’s Voronezh region as part of the Russian military’s 112th Missile Brigade. He added that discussions between senior Russian and North Korean officials next month are expected to determine the final deployment plan and missile numbers. Ukraine says North Korea has already delivered another batch of 40 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles along with military personnel. These missiles reportedly have a longer range and larger payload than Russia’s Iskander missiles, although Ukrainian military sources believe they are less accurate and have caused significant civilian casualties during previous strikes. The reported deployment comes as Russia has resumed using North Korean-made ballistic missiles after nearly a year. Ukrainian authorities say two such missiles were launched last week, including one that struck the village of Radushne in central Ukraine, reportedly killing at least five members of the same family. Ukraine remains heavily dependent on advanced air defence systems, particularly US-made Patriot batteries, to intercept ballistic missiles. Military analysts warn that an increase in North Korean missile supplies would place additional pressure on Ukraine’s already stretched air defence network, especially ahead of the winter months when Russia has previously targeted the country’s energy infrastructure. Cherniak said intelligence suggests Russia intends to integrate North Korean missile forces into its operations, although the exact role of North Korean personnel has not yet been confirmed. He also stated that about 9,500 North Korean troops remain in Russia’s Kursk region, though they are not currently taking part in direct combat operations against Ukraine. Russia and North Korea have strengthened military ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The two countries signed a mutual defence agreement in 2024, while Kyiv accuses Pyongyang of supplying millions of artillery shells, ballistic missiles and thousands of troops to support Russia’s war effort.

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