Reform UK claims to be Britain's largest political party with over 268,000 members, surpassing Labour's reportedly sub-250,000 membership. Nigel Farage highlights this as a signal of shifting political tides.

Brown University leads a breakthrough with CaBLAM, a bioluminescent sensor for real-time neural activity monitoring in mice and zebrafish, eliminating the need for external light. The innovation, detailed in Nature Methods, enhances imaging clarity and safety, reflecting a collaborative effort of 34 researchers across major institutions.

Maternal deaths surge in Eastern Congo as the government halts a free maternity care program amidst ongoing conflict with M23 rebels. The turmoil has led to massive displacements, disrupted healthcare services, and a humanitarian crisis, leaving pregnant women particularly vulnerable.

Spain braces for a massive influx of citizenship applications under the 2022 law, potentially increasing its overseas population significantly. The law aims to rectify past injustices from the civil war and Francoist era, with a focus on descendants of those who fled due to political persecution.

Hough High School captured its first 8A state football title with a dominant 21-0 victory over Millbrook, led by Ethan Royal's stellar performance. The win capped a perfect 14-0 season, marked by a stifling defense that forced key stops and a pivotal turnover.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) prioritizes technology-driven growth with a focus on AI self-reliance and national security. The plan promotes innovation in AI research and development, aiming to strengthen domestic industries and reduce reliance on external supply chains.

Dr. Michael Hirsh, Worcester's public health leader since 2012, retired on December 12, 2025, praised for his pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic. His legacy includes national public health accreditation and pioneering gun buyback programs.

IBM is advancing its hybrid cloud strategy with a focus on acquisitions like HashiCorp and Red Hat, enhancing cloud innovation and compliance through regional expansions and confidential computing. This approach integrates AI and industry-specific solutions, notably in finance, while bolstering security and scalability with technologies like OpenShift AI and watsonx, positioning IBM as a leader in cloud transformation.

Netmarble announced The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, an open-world action RPG, during The Game Awards 2025, launching January 28, 2026, on multiple platforms. The game features cooperative multiplayer, high-resolution graphics, and a multiverse narrative, reviving the beloved anime series with fresh content and familiar characters.

Researchers have developed a nanoparticle-based cancer vaccine that shows promising results in preventing and treating tumors in mice, with high survival rates in multiple cancer types. The technology, now being advanced by NanoVax Therapeutics, aims for broader human applications and trials, offering potential for durable immunity and cancer prevention strategies.