The Know Daily - Wednesday 8 July 2026

_{Read in 4m 08s ∙ Listening to Dasha ∙}

More than 350 threatened species (including the UK’s only native crayfish) will benefit from the largest ever investment in recovering England’s wildlife, Natural England announced today. It’s all a part of the government's "Wild Again: Restoring England's Wildlife" initiative, aiming to turn the tide for England's wildlife. More of this please!

🏥 The NHS: an explainer

The NHS marks its 78th anniversary this week. From its creation back in the 1940s to the challenges it faces today, here's what you need to know.

A quick history lesson.
The National Health Service officially launched on 5 July 1948, under Labour Health Secretary Aneurin Bevan. Before then, healthcare often depended on whether people could afford to pay, with many relying on charities, local hospitals or insurance schemes. The NHS changed that by introducing healthcare that was free at the point of use, funded through general taxation and available based on need rather than ability to pay. Today, it remains one of the largest publicly funded healthcare systems in the world.

How important is it really?
The NHS touches almost everyone's life, from GP appointments and vaccinations to emergency care, maternity services and major operations. It employs around 1.5 million people across the UK, making it one of the world's largest employers. But despite its central role, public confidence has been tested in recent years by long waiting lists and pressure on services. According to a survey by The King's Fund, public satisfaction with the NHS rose in 2025 for the first time since 2019, but only 26% of people said they were satisfied with how it runs, while support for its founding principles remains overwhelmingly high. 

So what's changing?
The NHS is facing growing demand from an ageing population, workforce shortages and rising healthcare costs. As The Guardian reports, the government is trying to reduce waiting times and shift more care into the community. There has also been an increasing focus on modernising the service through new technology, like the NHS app, and exploring the use of AI tools for tasks such as taking notes during doctors’ appointments. 

The politics around it.
Few issues generate as much political debate as the NHS. Every major party promises to protect it, but they often disagree on how to improve it. As The Independent has reported, recent arguments have centred on funding, staffing, social care reform and the role of private providers in helping reduce waiting lists. With healthcare consistently ranking among voters' top priorities, the NHS remains one of the biggest tests of any government's performance.

🇬🇧 Reform UK’s leader has announced he is resigning as MP for Clacton to trigger a by-election, saying he wants voters to decide whether he should remain in Parliament.

• The bigger story: Nigel Farage’s decision comes as he faces a second investigation over whether he properly declared financial gifts. He says calling a by-election will let people in Clacton decide his future, turning the vote into a chance for them to judge him directly. Critics say the move is a way to take attention away from the investigations, while his supporters argue it gives voters the final say. 

🏝️ Instead of a tourist tax, this holiday destination is asking visitors to make voluntary contributions to support the islands' sustainability efforts.

👩🏻‍🎤 A new Barbie doll has been unveiled by Mattel to celebrate the Grammy-winning artist Miley Cyrus.

🦈 The rise in orca sightings in Northumberland could be a sign that the marine ecosystem is becoming healthier, experts have said.

🔍 A recent change means that Google can now use its users’ data to train AI models – here’s how you can opt out.

🎶 Earth’s radio waves have been converted into music by scientists in Antarctica (have a listen!).

📽️ The red carpet gala for Christopher Nolan’s latest film adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey took place in London’s Leicester Square and the cast is as epic as the story itself.

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Trivia answer: A) The Global Liveability Index has named this city the most liveable in the world.

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