Good News
May 2026
- Scientists at Cambridge have announced a new material, based on human brain tissue, that may eventually be used to make advanced microchips.
- Eli Lilly announced a new GLP-1 appetite-suppressing drug that helps the brain recognise feelings of fullness earlier.
- A joint US and Oxford-based magnets company partnership has announced plans for a fusion power station, with the aim of connecting to the grid by 2034.
- Elon Musk has reportedly applied for planning permission for a massive advanced microchip factory in Texas, while SpaceX intellectual property valuations continue to rise sharply.
- Trump announced plans for air-portable small nuclear power stations that could be airlifted across the USA, with a target demonstration date of July 4th.
- Re-application announced for the Gatwick Gusher oilfield project.
April 2026
30 April
Received new glasses with a prescription lens for the left eye. Now I can read bus numbers — fabulous.
27 April
Adidas helped both male and female marathon runners achieve sub-two-hour record times.
- Laminated timber is now reported to be stronger than steel in some applications.
- A lower-carbon version of cement/concrete is being developed.
- A Telegraph report stated that Waymo self-driving cars operating in four American cities, covering 170 million miles, showed 82% fewer accidents.
- Clearing minefields may become much easier using drones and AI software to scan land and identify likely mine locations.
- Rosebank, Jackdaw and Cambo are major new oil fields still awaiting further development.
March 2026
- Around 100 supercomputers are currently planned, although future energy demands will be enormous.
- A recent Canadian survey suggested that taking multivitamin tablets could potentially increase lifespan modestly.
- Reports suggest there may be around 10 years’ worth of gas reserves beneath Lincolnshire.
- Starlink connectivity announced for Samsung devices.
- Water cremation becoming more widely discussed and developed.
February 2026
- A geothermal power station in Cornwall has started operation, producing around three megawatts.
- A new drone manufacturing plant has opened in Suffolk, employing around 500 staff.
- O2 has contracted with Starlink to help provide satellite mobile phone coverage across the UK, initially supporting Samsung devices.
January 2026
- Waymo self-driving taxis expected to become available in London from April onwards.
December 2025
- Exoskeleton support systems for legs may soon make walking easier for people with mobility problems.
- Self-driving cars expected to arrive in London by 2027.
- Parkinson’s disease increasingly linked in studies to environmental factors such as ultra-processed foods, pesticides and pollution.
- Bristol battery technology could help break Chinese dominance in battery production.
- Hearing aid users may soon be able to listen privately to menus, news and emails.
- Metro Bank introduced voice-match technology to simplify security procedures.
November 2025
- New battery technology could make some current large-scale Chinese over-investment obsolete.
- Yellow spades registered.
October 2025
- UK computing power has risen dramatically, with major expansion still underway.
- Gatwick’s second runway approved and expected within two years.
- Completion of the Tideway “super sewer” announced on time and within budget.
- The North Sea may contain enough oil reserves to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas until 2050.
- A major UK-US high-tech agreement announced, linking AI, green technology and nuclear development.
- Microsoft announced plans to spend £22 billion in the UK.
- A new mobility aid called “Glide” is being developed to help visually impaired users navigate more safely using sensors and AI assistance.
- Some studies are beginning to challenge exaggerated claims about AI capability.
- MIT has developed an experimental device called “AlterEgo”, exploring direct thought-based communication with computers.
September 2025
- National alarm test held on Sunday 7 September at 3pm.
- The US banned Chinese self-driving cars, meaning some manufacturers may instead enter the UK market in 2026.
- Gene-edited foods expected to become available in 2026.
- Pensioners expected to continue receiving Winter Fuel Allowance support.
- VAT reclaim available on some disability-related products such as adjustable chairs, beds and wheelchairs.
- Envision, Ally and Ray-Ban smart glasses continuing to improve independence for visually impaired users.
August 2025
- BP to restart North Sea oilfield production.
- Within 2–3 years, indoor light may be converted directly into electricity.
- Blue Badge holders exempted from hosepipe bans in some areas.
- Android 16 includes improved sound recognition alerts for doorbells and other important household sounds.
