The Know Daily - Thursday 12 February 2026

_{Read in 4m 29s ∙ Listening to Zara Larsson ∙}

Former England rugby star Joe Marler has unveiled a giant 8x10 metre sign on a London bridge declaring his love for bestie, radio presenter Chris Stark 💛 The cute gesture marks the launch of a new campaign kicking off this Valentine’s, encouraging men to be more open with their friends. Let the bromance season begin!

🌾 Escaping to the country

Millennials and Gen Zers are rethinking city life, with some swapping urban sprawl for a slower pace in the countryside or smaller towns.

What’s driving the shift?
Hybrid working has loosened the link between job and postcode – the Office for National Statistics says around 40% of people now work remotely – meaning some people no longer need to live within commuting distance five days a week. At the same time, rents in major cities remain stubbornly high and buying property can feel out of reach. Moving further out can mean more space for the same money. For some young adults, that trade-off feels worth it. There’s also a cultural shift at play: trends like “cottagecore”, slower living and minimalist interiors have romanticised rural life. 

So, is everyone leaving?
Not exactly. During the pandemic, there was a clear spike in people leaving big cities, with a government report suggesting there was a 68% surge in people leaving London alone. But more recent housing data suggests that movement has steadied since, rather than accelerated. What’s changed is the mindset. Living in a city is no longer the automatic default for ambitious twenty- and thirty-somethings. For some, smaller cities, commuter towns or rural areas offer a better balance between work, wellbeing and affordability.

What’s the other side?
Country life isn’t all sourdough and sunsets. There can be fewer job opportunities, longer commutes on office days and less public transport. Social life may require more planning, and certain industries still cluster in major cities. Cities, meanwhile, offer a density of culture, careers and community, which can be hard to replicate. And despite the buzz around rural living, only about 17% of England’s population currently live in rural settlements, showing urban areas still dominate overall. For many young people, the decision isn’t permanent either. It’s about flexibility: a few years in the countryside, perhaps, or choosing a smaller city over a capital.

After a dose of the country but not in a hurry to leave the city?
☕️ Put your morning coffee in a travel cup and head to your nearest green space
👩‍🌾 Swap brunch queues for a Saturday farmers’ market
🏡 Book a short cabin stay for a reset – think Unplugged 
🪴 Bring nature indoors with pot plants and bunches of seasonal flowers (daffodils are £1 in most supermarkets right now!).

🗳️ Female Labour MPs have called on Keir Starmer to appoint a woman as his de facto deputy.

• The bigger story: Senior Labour figures, led by Harriet Harman, are urging Starmer to revive the role of first secretary of state – the most senior cabinet member after the prime minister – and give it to a woman. The idea is that this could help create a more equitable culture in government and ensure departments are accountable on issues affecting women and girls. 

🦫 Half a dozen beavers have been released at two sites in Somerset in a bid to “restore nature” and create wetland habitats.

📱 India has made it mandatory for social media companies to remove unlawful content within three hours of being notified.

👃 Humans could have up to 33 senses, new research has revealed. A few more than the 5 we learnt about at school then!

🏟️ 11 political leaders have written to the Culture Secretary in an effort to host the Olympic Games in the North of England.

🛌 Pink noise is one of the many different sounds that 50% of the UK listen to in order to get to sleep, but it may not actually be helping…

🌎 A tourism company is seeking volunteers to travel to a bucket list destination – all expenses paid too! 👀

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Trivia answer: C) It would be a party in the USA! Miley’s currently the favourite to headline the Super Bowl XI halftime show.

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