News from January 17–January 23, 2026
Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Stories about a secret map, a runaway emu, and the sunset of Sundance in Utah all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
antibody
noun: a protein that produces an immune response
From the headlines: A new study found that people who imagined good things happening as they were being vaccinated produced more antibodies. Volunteers were trained to increase activity in specific areas of their brains before being given a hepatitis B vaccine. Those who boosted a region called the ventral tegmental area by thinking positive thoughts had stronger immune responses to the vaccination.
arbiter
noun: a person who has the absolute power of judging or determining
From the headlines: Fashion designer Valentino Garavani, hailed by Vogue as an “international arbiter of taste,” has died at 93. For decades, many influential women relied on Valentino’s eye for style; his creations were worn by figures such as Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Anna Wintour, and Zendaya. His designs were known for their refinement and restraint, while reflecting luxury and elegance.
bittersweet
adjective: both pleasant and painful or regretful
From the headlines: On January 23, the Sundance Film Festival began its final season in Park City, Utah. Founded by Robert Redford, who died in September, the festival has called the resort town home since 1981 but will relocate to Boulder, Colorado, next year. As the ten-day event got underway, organizers and attendees described the atmosphere as bittersweet — part celebration, part farewell. With classic screenings, tributes to Redford, and new premieres, the mood blended excitement with a sense of nostalgia.
bovine
adjective: related to or resembling cows or similar animals
From the headlines: A cow that can scratch its own back is inspiring scientists to reassess bovine intelligence. Veronika, a brown Swiss cow kept as a pet by an Austrian farmer, was seen using sticks on her itchy spots. Researchers found that when they gave Veronika a long broom, she positioned it with her tongue in various ways to reach specific areas of her body. This complex tool use suggests that cows are smarter than previously believed.
deplore
verb: to express strong disapproval of
From the headlines: As the United Nations General Assembly marked its 80th anniversary, global leaders used the occasion to deplore the state of world affairs. In an address, UN secretary-general António Guterres denounced the rapid pace of climate change in 2025, growing inequality, and breaches of international law. UN officials also condemned Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, as well as the United States’ attack on Venezuela.
emu
noun: a flightless bird similar to the ostrich but smaller
From the headlines: After an emu named Tina escaped a Florida farm, she led Corporal Thomas Keisler on a 45-minute chase. Though the flightless bird strolled down the road at an easygoing pace, she was stubborn and powerful, standing about six feet tall. Emus use their strong legs to kick during fights, and Tina fiercely resisted Keisler’s attempts to capture her, kicking holes in his uniform. He eventually restrained the emu with handcuffs until her owner arrived with her favorite snacks.
labyrinth
noun: complex system of paths or passages in which it is easy to get lost
From the headlines: For the first time, New York City is making a secret map of its underground labyrinth of utilities. The tangled maze of intertwined pipes and cables has never been mapped, often causing complications during construction and utility projects that require digging. To protect the infrastructure from attacks, the subterranean atlas won’t be publicly available.
participatory
adjective: affording the opportunity for individual involvement
From the headlines: Paris is celebrating 12 years of participatory budgeting, which allows residents to shape major city projects. Children as young as eight are eligible to take part in decisions about how public funds are allocated. Since the initiative launched in 2014, more than 1,000 resident proposals have been put into action. The participatory process has led to projects ranging from community art and playgrounds to rooftop gardens and other neighborhood improvements.
reprieve
noun: a temporary suspension or relief
From the headlines: Months after a South African HIV vaccine trial was canceled, it got a last-minute reprieve. A consortium of vaccine researchers had received a $45 million USAID grant in 2023. After a January 2025 executive order froze those funds, the project stalled as it was about to enroll its first trial participants. This month, a scaled-back version of the trial will proceed, thanks to funding from the Gates Foundation and the South African Medical Research Council.
scrutiny
noun: the act of examining something closely, as for mistakes
From the headlines: As international scrutiny mounts over Iran’s violent crackown on protests, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly acknowledged that thousands of people have been killed in recent weeks. Human rights organizations continue to closely monitor the government’s severe response, and the World Economic Forum canceled a scheduled address by Iran’s foreign minister. Independent observers estimate that at least 3,400 people have died since December.
