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- The Know Daily - Friday 22 May 2026
The Know Daily - Friday 22 May 2026
Annabel Preston
May 22, 2026
Read in 5m 24s ∙ Listening to Mumford & Sons ∙
Hello hello!
With the bank holiday sunshine making an appearance this weekend, we’re officially in holiday mode. Between the out-of-office replies, group chats about pub gardens and everyone suddenly remembering they “really need” a weekend away, it feels like summer has finally arrived.
Speaking of taking a break, there’ll be no newsletter landing in your inbox on Monday, as both our team and (hopefully) many of you swap the headlines for a proper day off. And while we’re on the topic of holidays, we’ve teamed up with Intrepid Travel to dig into this year’s biggest travel trends – from the destinations having a moment to the kinds of trips people are booking right now. Scroll on for that, alongside the usual roundup of headlines, culture picks and a few recs to see you through the weekend. ❣️
Lily,
Partnerships Manager
$181m | 15,000 years |
100% | 117bn |
UK NEWS
🎢 Cost of living support is on the way with a VAT slash on children's meals and tickets for attractions like theme parks and soft play over the summer holidays, the chancellor has announced.
👑 Prince William plans to sell off around 20% of the Duchy of Cornwall’s property portfolio to help fund £500m worth of affordable housing, renewable energy and environmental projects in local communities.
🗒️ GP fit notes declaring people unable to work are set be replaced with support to help employees stay in their job under a government pilot scheme.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
🌍 The UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution that will mean countries have a legal obligation to address climate change.
🤖 A commission on AI has been launched by Pope Leo, which will be a new Vatican body aimed at coordinating the Catholic Church’s response to the technology.
💸 $300m has been pledged by a foundation to defend democratic institutions and advance economic security in the US.
CULTURE
🎂 Spotify has celebrated its 20th birthday by releasing lists of the most streamed music, podcasts and audiobooks of all time – no prizes for guessing who the most streamed artist is!
📚 The International Booker Prize winner has been announced, becoming the first novel translated from Mandarin Chinese to win the award.
👩🌾 A giant, sleeping woman carved out of a fallen tree has bagged the top prize at the Chelsea flower show.
WORK & INNOVATION
🚀 SpaceX has unveiled plans to go public in the US which will allow people to trade shares in the firm on the stock market.
🤝 Remote working has significantly changed workplace culture but here are 10 gestures that still go a long way at work.
🐣 Chicks have hatched successfully from artificial eggs, a biotech company that aims to resurrect lost creatures has said.
UPLIFTING STUFF
🌊 Salt water has begun to restore native ecosystems in Queensland after conservation groups and landowners have begun removing tidal gates and barriers.
🍦 An ice cream truck in Massachusetts has begun giving out free ice creams to children who can’t pay following a viral video and a flurry of donations.
👩⚕️ The artificial pancreas NHS rollout for people with type 1 diabetes has helped to narrow ethnic and socioeconomic inequality of treatment access.
With summer holiday season coming in hot (literally!), the team’s been thinking a lot about how to travel more thoughtfully – especially as overtourism continues to put pressure on some of Europe’s most popular destinations. So we’ve teamed up with Intrepid Travel to look at the travel trends shaping 2026, and how to have a brilliant trip without contributing to the crowds.
📍 Uncommon destinations
More travellers are skipping packed city centres in favour of lesser-known corners. Think quieter neighbourhoods, hidden architectural gems and local eateries – the same vibe, just without the queues, chaos or selfie-stick traffic jams. Intrepid recently launched Uncommon Day Trips across three iconic cities, designed by locals and helping to take visitors beyond the tourist hotspot whilst backing small local businesses.
🧍♀️ Local guides
Local guides – who are themselves residents in the cities – better understand the problem of overtourism and can identify how to support responsible visitation that ensures the needs of both residents and travellers work in harmony. They are also clued up on the local customs, so you avoid being that tourist.
“We are 100% over mass tourism and extractive models of tourism that benefit select shareholders while inconveniencing, or ignoring others. For us, that means focusing on how we travel: small groups, locally led experiences, and supporting local communities along the way.”
💚 Giving back
More people are also thinking carefully about where their money goes when they travel. Through The Intrepid Foundation, travellers can support grassroots NGOs focused on conservation, education and community projects around the world.
Already got your holiday booked in? Intrepid’s got new day tours across Paris, Barcelona and Venice. They’re designed to meet growing visitor demand while highlighting the importance of responsible travel. Oh, and prices start from €55 (£48).
🗞 Read: The weather is set to be incredible this weekend (and it’s about time too!), so we’ve rounded up 15 things to do over the bank holiday. We’ve got everything from “admin parties” to coastal walks… and, if you’re wanting to get out of a city whilst it’s scorching, there’s a few ideas for last minute UK travel too!
🎧 Listen: I’ve been so hyped for Maisie Peters’ new album ever since she did the Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging teaser (she really knows how to hook a 00’s audience 😂). It finally dropped last night and so far I am loving it – the collaboration with Marcus Mumford is chef’s kiss!
📺 Watch: The queen herself (that’s Kylie, btw) has just released her unfiltered documentary over on Netflix. I’ve been seeing Off Campus all over my socials lately, so I’ve started it whilst I wait for the next episode of Rivals to drop. In the same vein, I discovered Fackham Hall last weekend and it’s the perfect easy-watching, Sunday evening movie.
🧑🍳 Cook: If you’re off to a BBQ this weekend, this is the perfect salad to bring to the table (pro tip: use Bold Bean Co chickpeas for extra brownie points!).
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