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Beijing taking bilateral ties with Islamabad to ‘new heights’, says Chinese FM

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Beijing taking bilateral ties with Islamabad to ‘new heights’, says Chinese FM


Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hold a joint press conference in Islamabad on August 21, 2025. — X/@ForeignOfficePk
  • Wang Yi pledges deeper Pakistan-China strategic ties.
  • Ishaq Dar and Wang Yi review CPEC second phase.
  • Strategic dialogue underscores peace, stability, cooperation.

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that Beijing is taking its relationship with Islamabad to new heights as he has begun a three-day official visit to Pakistan, highlighting the deepening strategic partnership between the two neighbouring countries.

FM Wang Yi arrived in the federal capital on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and participating in high-level diplomatic engagements.

He was warmly received at Nur Khan Airbase by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as top diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, were also present to welcome the distinguished guest, a statement issued by the DPM’s Office said.

In a vibrant cultural gesture, a group of children dressed in traditional Pakistani attire greeted Minister Wang with flowers, symbolising the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.

During a joint press conference, Dar said that the two sides had held a productive discussion covering all dimensions of bilateral ties, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He added that Pakistan is determined to advance CPEC’s second phase, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and deepen cooperation, adding that the two countries enjoyed consensus on all major matters.

Dar further said Islamabad valued China’s role in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and stressed that both nations were committed to working together for regional peace, stability and prosperity. He also added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing had been part of the discussions.

Wang Yi said that the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China was continuing to strengthen. He underlined that detailed discussions had been held on CPEC’s second phase, reiterating that China regarded Pakistan as a trusted ally. He stressed that regional peace and stability were shared objectives for both countries.

During the visit, the two sides will discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations. The dialogue serves as a key platform for both countries to review bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and global issues of mutual interest.

The strategic dialogue will be co-chaired by Wang Yi and Ishaq Dar, further reflecting the close coordination between the two countries.

According to an earlier Foreign Ministry statement, the visit forms part of regular high-level exchanges aimed at further strengthening the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between Pakistan and China.

The dialogue will reaffirm mutual support on each other’s core interests, enhance economic and trade cooperation, and underline both countries’ commitment to regional peace, development, and stability.

According to The News, Wang Yi’s engagements will include meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with a focus on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) progress, economic collaboration, regional security, and defence ties.

The Chinese foreign minister is also expected to meet Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Rawalpindi.

This is Wang Yi’s first visit to Pakistan since India’s cross-border aggression in May last year and comes weeks after his meeting with Field Marshal Munir in Beijing, a development seen as reinforcing the “ironclad” relationship between Islamabad and Beijing.


— With additional input from Radio Pakistan





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Hugh Jackman pokes Ryan Reynolds at 2025 Gotham Awards

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Hugh Jackman pokes Ryan Reynolds at 2025 Gotham Awards


Hugh Jackman takes friendly jab at bestfriend Ryan Reynolds at 2025 Gotham Awards

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson made history at the 2025 Gotham Awards, and Jackman couldn’t resist taking a friendly swipe at his longtime pal Ryan Reynolds in the process.

The pair received the first-ever Gotham Musical Tribute on Monday, December 1, for their work in the upcoming musical film Song Sung Blue.

The ceremony took place at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where the duo walked onstage to Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. Hudson even belted out the iconic “So good!” as she kicked off her speech.

Hudson reflected on working alongside Jackman and director Craig Brewer, saying that performing with the two was “one of the great joys of my career.” 

She also shared how deeply music has shaped her life, noting, “I don’t know where I’d be without it.”

Jackman accepted his portion of the honour with a playful nod to Reynolds, joking that the award was “something to make Ryan Reynolds insanely jealous.” 

The two actors have famously kept a lighthearted rivalry going for years, and Jackman didn’t miss the moment to add one more jab.

He went on to highlight what makes Song Sung Blue meaningful for him, praising its message of “real people, real lives, real struggles, real love.”

He also made a bold prediction about his costar’s performance, saying Hudson is “not only one of the great stars of our business, she is a consummate actor,” and even predicted she’ll “win the Oscar” for the role.

Song Sung Blue is written and directed by Brewer and arrives in theaters on Christmas Day. 

The film also features Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi.

Gotham Film & Media Institute executive director Jeffrey Sharp previously praised the two leads, saying their performances in the film are “at once powerful, intimate, and deeply human.”





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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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