Taylor Swift joins Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame as youngest member

Egypt's parliament authorised the military to provide support to help defend Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad travelled to Riyadh on Wednesday.

The two officials delivered a letter from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President Sisi stated that Egyptian support would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders rather than attacking Yemen.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Sisi in Cairo on 15 September. Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in March 2015 and has deployed around 800 ground troops in Yemen.

The Makkah mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye was signed in August. Badr Abdelatty said Egyptian membership in the pact remained under serious consideration.

Cairo advocates exploring every opportunity to resolve the Yemen conflict diplomatically.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Paramount Pictures is producing a film based on the Call of Duty video game franchise, with Peter Berg set to direct the project. Taylor Sheridan wrote the script for the upcoming production.

The studio announced the project in September 2025 and scheduled the theatrical release for 30 June 2028. The narrative will draw inspiration from the Modern Warfare games, specifically Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which debuted in 2007.

Berg stated, "Taylor and I are both deeply connected to the special ops community." The franchise has generated $35 billion in lifetime revenue and reached 1 billion players.

This agreement allows Paramount to potentially expand the Call of Duty universe into television and other film formats. Paramount Pictures has not disclosed any casting information or specific plot details for the movie.

Samsung is offering discounts on its P9 MicroSD Express cards across several retail outlets. The 256GB model of the P9 MicroSD Express card currently costs $47.99.

A 512GB version is available for $99, which is a significant reduction from its typical retail price of between $150 and $200. Retailers usually sell the smaller 256GB card for approximately $80.

Storage capacity is becoming increasingly relevant as first-party games for the Switch 2 are expected to range from 10 to 30 gigabytes. Specific titles like the 27GB remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and the 60GB Cyberpunk 2077 highlight the need for expanded space.

Hardware such as the Asus ROG Ally X20 now includes support for MicroSD Express and operates on Windows 11.

Disney+ customers can now stream hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content from Channel 4, including access to the broadcaster's linear HD channel. Subscribers will view the programming through a dedicated section branded by Channel 4 without paying any additional fees.

The streaming platform will also provide users with multiple new Channel 4 shows every year. Disney+ described the arrangement as one of its “most significant” content deals with broadcasters on a global scale.

Approximately 10 similar content agreements have been signed by Disney with international broadcasters recently. Last year, Disney entered a similar agreement with the British streamer ITVX to share specific content.

Netflix also established a major deal in France to offer its subscribers access to TF1 channels.

Actress Tovah Feldshuh responded to actor Adam Brody's support for Palestine following his call for a “Free Palestine” during a GQ interview. Feldshuh, who portrays Bina Roklov in the production “Nobody Wants This,” stated that accusations from Jewish people impact the Jewish community.

The actress described the current era as experiencing a ‘horseshoe effect’ where socialism and antisemitism are attempting to converge. “I believe that the perseverance of the existence of the state of Israel is crucial to the well-being of the democratic world and of the free world… Of course, Israel needs the United States, [but] the United States needs Israel, believe me,” Feldshuh said.

She added that her role as both Bina and herself involves being kind and loving the people on her work set.

Macklemore launched a three-show 'Free Palestine' tour in Dublin, Ireland, to raise funds for charities supporting the region. The musician will travel to Paris on 29 October and London on 30 October as part of this specific stint.

Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe have all withdrawn from the tour. The artist was removed as an opening act for Ed Sheeran after delivering a political speech on stage.

Sheeran stated that the decision to drop Macklemore belonged to the promoter rather than himself. Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft refused to allow him to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

A one-off performance took place at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on 22 October. Macklemore described the mission as one of "love and liberation".

Macklemore described the effort as "love and liberation".

Macklemore

National Foods Limited launched the National Foodpreneur Programme to provide practical skills to 10 Deaf men and women. The three-month Professional Culinary Training initiative was established in partnership with ConnectHear.

Participants will undergo hands-on training covering various cuisines, food hygiene, safety, HACCP principles, and professional kitchen operations. Sarah Dawood, Head of Corporate Reputation at National Foods Limited, said, "As a food leader, empowering the next generation of chefs, including Persons with Disabilities, is more than teaching a craft. It is a commitment to inclusion, socioeconomic uplift, and the enduring development of our communities."

Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, stated that by ensuring accessible training, sign language instruction, and trained teachers, this culinary programme gives ten Deaf individuals a pathway to professional skills and employment. The government increased the price of diesel by Rs2.16 per litre.

Petrol prices rose by Rs1.54 per litre.

Jon Stewart mocked Donald Trump's obsession with Nicki Minaj during a recent episode of The Daily Show. The former president previously commented on the rapper's "beautiful ass".

Stewart also criticised a campaign advertisement released by Ohio Republican governor hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. That specific ad features the estranged mother of Democratic candidate Amy Acton.

Through 2028, Stewart will continue to host the program. His previous contract was scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

In November 2025, the comedian signed a one-year renewal agreement. Stewart first began hosting The Daily Show in 1999.

He departed the show in 2015 before making a comeback in February 2024. Ratings for the show increased following his return to the host chair.