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CPEC enters Phase-II as Pakistan, China unveil roadmap for next decade

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CPEC enters Phase-II as Pakistan, China unveil roadmap for next decade


Chairman NDRC Mr. Zheng Shanjie meet with Federal Minister of the planning and Development and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal at NDRC Office, Beijing, China, September 26, 2025. — APP
  • IPP payment issue still unresolved at JCC.
  • ML-1, KKH realignment top Phase-II priorities.
  • Updated long-term plan due within 90 days.

ISLAMABAD: The 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) wrapped up in Beijing on Friday without a breakthrough on long-pending capacity payments to Chinese independent power producers (IPPs), The News reported. 

Even so, the session marked a milestone, formally ushering the partnership into CPEC Phase-II. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said: “Together, these priorities will transform CPEC into a corridor of industrialisation, technology, sustainability, and shared prosperity.”

These goals are anchored in the September 2025 action plan to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

The plan maps a broad agenda spanning industrial cooperation, Special Economic Zones, agricultural modernisation, maritime development and mining, alongside flagship connectivity schemes including ML-1 railway modernisation, Karakoram Highway (KKH) realignment and continued development of Gwadar.

However, the sources said that the Chinese IPPs issue could not be resolved as Islamabad wished to extend the repayment period. On the partial financing of the ML-1, China asks Islamabad for a certain commitment before finalising the financing agreement in the context of the ongoing IMF programme.

The planning minister delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the shared vision, renewed determination, and ambitious roadmap that will shape the next stage of this transformative initiative. 

Addressing Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Zhou Haibing, Chinese hosts, and delegates, Minister Ahsan expressed heartfelt gratitude for the wisdom and commitment that have defined the deliberations of the JCC. 

He underscored that the 14th JCC was not just a review of past progress, but a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to deepen cooperation and build a future of shared prosperity. 

Highlighting the forward-looking agenda, the Minister noted that CPEC Phase-II will be driven by the five corridors of growth, innovation, green development, livelihood, and regional connectivity. 

These will be aligned with Pakistan’s URAAN 5Es framework of Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy & Environment, and Equity & Empowerment. Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the urgency of implementing ML-1 and KKH realignment, noting their strategic importance for uninterrupted connectivity between Pakistan and China. 

He stressed that early execution of these projects would yield far-reaching economic dividends for the entire region. To ensure sustained momentum, he proposed holding JCC meetings every six months and convening Joint Working Groups quarterly during the first three years of Phase-II. This institutional strengthening, he said, will guarantee effective coordination, timely decision-making, and results-oriented progress.

Acknowledging the geopolitical challenges and propaganda by anti-CPEC forces, the minister urged swift agreement on the JCC minutes to send a strong signal of unity and decisiveness. He announced that Pakistan and China had agreed to publish an updated CPEC long-term plan within 90 days, reflecting the convergence of Pakistan’s 5Es with the five corridors of CPEC 2.0. 

Reassuring Chinese partners, Ahsan Iqbal affirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all CPEC projects and every Chinese national working in Pakistan. He described CPEC not only as a development initiative but as a symbol of the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China, underpinned by trust, stability, and mutual respect.

“CPEC is about making China and Pakistan not only all-weather friends, but also partners in high-quality development and innovation for the 21st century,” he said. 

Concluding his remarks, the minister extended deep gratitude to the leadership of both countries, the NDRC, and all delegates for their invaluable contributions. With renewed determination, he expressed confidence that the next decade of CPEC would bring even greater transformation than the last. 

He proposed that the 15th JCC meeting be held in May 2026 in Islamabad, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, further cementing the historic ties between the two nations.





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‘Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation: ‘Hideous’

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‘Stranger Things’ Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation: ‘Hideous’


Jamie Campbell Bower on Vecna transformation

Vecna, there’s a lot of talk about the character’s makeover in the new season of Stranger Things, and it didn’t take long for fans to notice that something has changed. 

Jamie Campbell Bower has returned as the terrifying villain in the first volume of season five, and viewers were quick to point out his sharpened look, especially that slim waist.

One fan on X asked why Vecna appeared so different this time around, pointing out the “branches on his shoulder” and “slimmer waist.” 

Jamie didn’t miss the chance to keep things light, replying with one word: “Zumba.”

After being nearly burned alive by Nancy Wheeler at the end of season four, the villain formerly known as Henry Creel is back in Hawkins with longer vines across his shoulders and head, and visible marks from the injuries he sustained. 

While still large and imposing, his new appearance is much leaner than before.

For Jamie, the changes are tied to Vecna’s journey and what he has endured. 

Speaking about the transformation in an interview with Screen Rant, he said, “Well, as we saw at the end of season four, Vecna suffered a fall and obviously was sort of almost burned alive. My understanding of it is that the reason he looks the way he does now is a byproduct of partly of that process. And also, just having spent more time, not in the human world as it were.”

Jamie continued, “He’s become more resentful and hideous within that process and part of the world in which he was thrown into.” 

He also explained that stepping into this evolved version of the character took even more work behind the scenes. 

“I speak about this often,” he said, adding that extra pieces were added to the suit to bring his presence to life. The makeup alone took around eight hours to complete.

Jamie teased Vecna’s return before the season dropped as well. 

Back in October, he posted a clip of the character walking through the Upside Down with the caption, “At long last, we can begin. @strangerthingstv Hi x.”

With Stranger Things Vol. 1 now streaming, fans won’t have to wait long for the rest. Vol. 2 lands on Dec. 25, and the finale arrives Dec. 31. 

Vecna is officially back, and more frightening than ever.





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John Travolta gives ‘Greased Lightnin” a Santa-inspired revival

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John Travolta gives ‘Greased Lightnin” a Santa-inspired revival


John Travolta dresses up as Santa for Capital One ad

John Travolta is giving fans a nostalgic holiday surprise by channeling his iconic Grease character Danny Zuko, this time dressed as Santa Claus.

The actor, 71, stars in a new Capital One commercial where he appears in a workshop-style garage, decked out as Santa and eyeing a high-tech sleigh. 

While checking out the vehicle, Travolta goes into character and jokes, “Ho, ho, ho, ho. Why, this sleigh could be frost-o-matic, tinsel-matic, 1.5% cash back-o-matic.” 

He follows it up with an unmistakable throwback line, “It’s Greased Lightnin’,” while paying with a Capital One card.

Travolta then jumps into a playful reenactment of the famous Greased Lightnin’ performance, complete with dance moves and support from Santa’s elves, plus a reindeer in sunglasses. 

He ends the commercial with the tagline, “Ho, ho, ho — what’s in your wallet?” before the sleigh takes off into the sky.

This isn’t the first time Travota has nodded to his most memorable roles in Capital One ads. 

Last year, he partnered with Samuel L. Jackson for a spot filled with Pulp Fiction references. 

The 2024 holiday ad also brought back his Santa persona, where he shops online for gifts like hot chocolate, marshmallows and “3,000 bolo ties,” a fun reference to his role as Vincent Vega. 

The ad wraps up with Travolta’s Santa recreating the iconic Pulp Fiction dance scene, set to Chuck Berry’s Run Run Rudolph.

Travolta has shown his love for Grease before too, including a surprise appearance at a Hollywood Bowl sing-along event for the classic movie.

With his latest ad, he brings back the spirit of Greased Lightnin’ in a festive way, mixing Hollywood nostalgia, holiday cheer and a little bit of classic Travolta charm.





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Sean Diddy Combs docuseries raises expectations with new bombshell

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Sean Diddy Combs docuseries raises expectations with new bombshell


50 Cent’s Diddy docuseries promises rare peek into rapper’s career downfall

Sean Diddy Combs’ new documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, is produced by none other than his arch-nemeses, 50 Cent, and the teaser promises to pull back the curtain on the rapper’s scandals and crimes.

The new trailer, which is only 56 seconds long, showed new footage from before the Bad Boy Records founder’s arrest in September 2024, and he appeared visibly worried about losing the legal battle, which hadn’t started yet.

The footage released on December 1 showed the disgraced music mogul scrambling for legal help as he tells his team, “We have to find somebody that’ll work with us that has dealt in the dirtiest of dirty business. We’re losing!”

Social media sleuths flocked to X and shared their curiosity over the documentary, which will be available to stream on December 2.

“50 cent trolling diddy hard with this one,” one X user wrote, while another echoed, “50 been waiting his whole life to drop this bomb on Diddy and tomorrow Netflix finally hands him the mic. All those years of shots fired on Instagram just turned into a whole documentary,” referring to decades-long feud between the two musicians.

“They let 50 produce it? oh he’s COOKINGDDDD somebody up,” chimed in a third, while one reacted, “Oh yeah, this is about to shake the whole internet again.”

While Diddy is serving up to 50 months in prison, 50 Cent has collected never-before-seen footage and explosive information on the former’s Freak Off parties, as well as stories from the accusers, which will be told in the documentary.





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