News in Brief

Dictionary.com selected "maxxing" as its 2026 Word of the Year, identifying the term as a prominent fixture of modern vocabulary. The word describes the act of optimising a specific activity or pursuing a goal to its absolute fullest extent.

Usage of the term has surged primarily among Gen Z and Gen Alpha demographics. Common variations of the expression include "gymmaxxing," "healthmaxxing," "sleepmaxxing," and "tokenmaxxing."

The term has permeated political messaging, appearing in phrases such as "homelandmaxxing." People also use "cozymaxxing" to characterise efforts aimed at maximising leisure and personal comfort.

The selection followed an evaluation of news coverage, social media trends, cultural significance, and search data. Dictionary.com previously chose "67" as its 2025 Word of the Year.

Finalists for the current award included "affordability," "data centre," "unc," and "odyssey." Christopher Nolan is set to release a 2026 film adaptation of Homer's epic.

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) launched a pharmacovigilance outreach campaign to enhance medicine safety and promote the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions. Technical support for the initiative was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Representatives from the National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC) of DRAP met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Healthcare Commission (KPHCC) to discuss the program. Awareness sessions were conducted at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Peshawar General Hospital (PGH), and Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) in Peshawar.

Participants at these venues were introduced to VigiMobile and VigiFlow, which are tools designed to facilitate the reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions. These digital tools also support evidence-based regulatory decisions.

DRAP stated the initiative aimed to strengthen partnerships and encourage a culture of pharmacovigilance.

The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) stated that placing simple and visible warning labels on food packaging makes nutritional information easier to understand than complex nutrition panels. Clear front-of-package warning labels help consumers identify packaged foods containing high levels of nutrients of concern.

These labels improve the understanding of nutritional risks and can influence people to select healthier food products. Health advocates maintain that consumers have the right to clear and accessible information regarding the nutritional content of packaged foods.

The initiative calls for greater attention to transparent food labelling.

Fox will premiere its reboot of the blockbuster beach series Baywatch at 9 p.m. on 6 January 2027. The network ordered 12 episodes for the 2026-2027 broadcast season in September 2025.

Production began in Los Angeles during the spring following an open casting call held in early 2026. Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader, Hassie Harrison, Livvy Dunne, Noah Beck, David Chokachi and Thaddeus LaGrone star in the new production.

Amell and Belkin also feature in the reboot, while Megan Thee Stallion makes an appearance. Recurring roles include Ashley Moore, Luke Eisner, Nadia Gray, Kylar Miranda, and Charlie McElveen.

Matt Nix serves as an executive producer alongside McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz. McG directed the premiere episode of the series, which was co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle.

The original Baywatch series first debuted in 1989 and aired in more than 200 countries.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) CRO Islamabad office hosted an awareness session in partnership with the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Tax Bar Association. Mahboob Ahmad, the Incharge CRO Islamabad, headed the SECP delegation during the proceedings.

Participants received detailed information regarding the specific compliance mandates established under the Companies Act, 2017. The Central Depository Company (CDC) was represented by Zafar, who joined the session to discuss the role of the institution in managing share transfers.

https://x.com/SECPakistan/status/2114685746443591861

Zafar explained the necessary procedures and requirements for moving shares through the CDC system.

Apple launched iOS 27.2, introducing specific functionality for the iPhone Duo hardware. The new operating system enables Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Duo.

Users can also access an "Edge Light" feature on the device. The iPhone Duo features a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen.

Siri AI now performs suggested actions within the Messages app. Language support for Siri AI has expanded to include French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

The company is deploying support for Google’s SynthID AI watermark in Photos and Image Playground. Dual capture is now available for FaceTime group calls.

Apple also distributed macOS 27.2 Golden Gate, watchOS 27.2, visionOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and HomePod 27.2.

The State Bank of Pakistan expects the nation's foreign exchange reserves to reach $25 billion by the end of June 2027. Governor Jameel Ahmad stated that the bank is aiming to increase the import cover to a four-month period.

Current reserves are valued at approximately $21.5 billion, which provides enough cover for three months of imports. The $25 billion projection excludes a $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility that Pakistan formally requested from the United States earlier this year.

Washington is expected to provide a response regarding the stabilisation facility request within the next couple of months. The State Bank of Pakistan recently raised the policy rate by 50 basis points to 12%.

Actress Mawra Hocane visited a repatriation centre to meet families preparing to return home from conflict zones. She collaborated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on an Instagram video to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation.

During the visit, Hocane listened to the stories of parents worried about their futures and children mourning the loss of their schools and friends. The actress noted that while efforts may never be sufficient, it is vital to provide any possible assistance to those in need.

Hocane explained that the UNHCR works to ensure families who choose to return can do so in a safe and dignified manner. Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gillani recently welcomed a baby boy.

The Asian Development Bank will provide a new financing package to help approximately 200,000 smallholder farmers build resilience against climate change. Extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves, are currently damaging irrigation systems and roads across rural Cambodia.

These infrastructure failures are isolating farmers from markets and threatening the stability of national food supplies. More than half of the agricultural workforce in the country is comprised of women.

https://x.com/ADB_HQ/status/2114597970968531058

The funding will specifically aim to increase the role of women within the agricultural sector.

The Government of Punjab issued a public awareness message to educate the population on identifying stroke symptoms. Medical signs of a stroke include drooping on one side of the face, weakness in the arm, and difficulty speaking.

Call Rescue 1122 immediately upon the appearance of these symptoms to seek urgent medical attention. Patients must be transported to the nearest stroke center as quickly as possible.

https://x.com/PHIMCPK/status/2114590890086084762

A QR code is available to provide a list of established stroke centers across Punjab. Guidance and information regarding the Chief Minister Stroke Program can be accessed through a dedicated website or helpline.

Ayesha Omar and Nabeel Zafar marked the 17th anniversary of the sitcom Bulbulay on social media. The series first premiered in 2009.

Omar, Zafar, Hina Dilpazeer, Mahmood Aslam and Shagufta Ejaz shared collaborative posts on Instagram to commemorate the milestone. The actress noted that the show provides a moment of joy and laughter for families and communities facing various stressors.

Omar highlighted the show's diverse reach, mentioning that she meets children from Gen Z and Gen Alpha who credit the series with enriching their childhoods. She also noted that the program is watched by people with Down syndrome or autism, blind listeners who know the dialogues by heart, and even serious political figures.

Production was originally intended to last for 26 episodes with filming scheduled to continue for six months. Dilpazeer joined the cast as the character Momo during the wedding episode.

Walter Koenig died of old age at his home in North Hollywood on 25 October. His daughter and niece were present with him at the time of his death.

Koenig is best known for portraying Chekov in the original Star Trek series. The actor also served as the best man at the wedding of George Takei.

https://x.com/adam_nimoy/status/2114799125430755614

Representatives for Koenig said, "Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world."

Lionsgate and Steven Paul are establishing a joint venture to launch new initiatives, with SP Media committing a significant investment to the project. Paul met with President Donald Trump at the White House on 31 August to advocate for federal tax incentives for the Hollywood industry.

Legendary Entertainment has revived its attempt to acquire Lionsgate, a deal involving negotiations by Brian Goldsmith, Bruce Tobey, and Suzy Felfeli. Scott Karol negotiated the terms for SP Media, while Moelis acted as the financial adviser for Lionsgate.

Lazard provided financial advice to SP Media, and Paul Hastings represented the company in the transaction.