The Know Daily - Friday 15 August 2025

_{Read in 5m 12s ∙ Listening to Jonas Brothers ∙}

Hello hello,

We’re about to take some time to step away from our screens, soak up the sunshine and enjoy this glorious stretch of summer while it lasts ☀️ I’m thinking iced coffees, sandy toes… and perhaps even a couple of lie-ins? So, we’ll be offline for the next week, but don’t worry – we’ll be back, rested and recharged and landing straight in your inbox on 26 August with plenty of fresh updates. In the meantime, I’m going to get started on our first book club read, My Name is Lucy Barton.

Read on for our usual round-up of this week’s headlines and culture recs. Plus, we’ll be announcing some very happy winners of a couple of our latest giveaways 💖 On that note, we are currently giving away a 7-day Taste of Italy tour for two with Expat Explore. Scroll on for the chance to bag 5 extra entries…

Love,
Lynn
Co-founder

UK NEWS

⚡ ️Tesla could supply electricity to British homes, if approved by energy watchdog Ofgem.

🚜 Charcoal made from human waste could help solve fertiliser shortages in the UK as well as reduce pollution, a study has found.

🛍️ Brits have been heading to Europe for ‘cheaper’ luxury after tax-free shopping became possible for UK visitors in the EU following Brexit.

GLOBAL AFFAIRS

🇺🇸 🇷🇺 Russian and US leaders are meeting today to discuss steps towards a ceasefire with Ukraine. This follows a meeting between the UK’s Prime Minister and Ukraine’s president, who agreed there is “strong resolve” for peace in Ukraine.

🎮 Discontinued online games could be protected by a new European law pushing companies to maintain them enough for purchasers to still be able to play them, preserving consumer rights and gaming nostalgia.

🌊 Marine researchers exploring extreme depths around the world say they have found an undiscovered ecosystem.

CULTURE

💅🏻 The Real Housewives have touched down in London with the show set to air next week – time to get acquainted with the cast!

🪩 Taylor Swift shared the tracklist and release date for her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast.

✍️ Jane Austen’s legacy is being celebrated through exhibitions around the world to mark 250 years since her birth.

WORK & INNOVATION

👩‍💻 The average number of years Europeans spend working is on the rise – these countries have the longest working life.

🌧️ Manchester City FC has unveiled a rain-covered kit created by Puma as an ode to the famous Mancunian weather.

🐚 A study has suggested that blowing into a conch shell could help tackle the symptoms of sleep apnoea.

UPLIFTING STUFF

🦸🏼‍♀️ A Glasgow student has been named among Time magazine's girls of the year for inventing a solar-powered blanket to help people experiencing homelessness stay warm.

🐶 The World’s Ugliest Dog contest took place at the weekend. Intrigued? It's all about encouraging adoption and seeing the cuteness in every pooch. Meet the contestants.

💃🏼 Model Ellie Goldstein will be the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

🗞 Read:  Remember when a preschooler guessed you were either 12 or 100, with no in-between? Well, TikTok has basically revived that level of age chaos – except now it comes with filters, viral sounds, and millions of strangers weighing in. In this piece, Vogue’s Erika W. Smith dives into the latest obsession: asking the internet how old we look. 

🎧 Listen: The Jonas Brothers have just dropped a new album (*weeps in millennial joy*) called Greetings From Your Hometown. If you’re also a lover of proper modern pop this will very likely become the soundtrack to your August. Side note: they had a Camp Rock reunion with Demi Lovato this week (weeps again).

📺 Watch: My Oxford Year has probably been all over your socials – and for good reason. It’s a fab new rom com that really captures the chic Oxford vibe (although do remember tissues, it’s a bit of a tear jerker!). For obvious reasons I had to tune into this week’s episode of New Heights (iykyk) and it really is worth a watch. Also, if you haven’t already been watching this season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, you simply must!

🧑‍🍳 Cook: Two words – cocktail lollies. In this heat there is truly nothing more appealing than the idea of ending the day with an ice-cold (literally) G&T and this recipe explains how to make them yourself. Also, if you’re after the taste but not the alcohol, there are plenty of 0% options you could sub in. 

💗 Do: Bag five extra entries for our giveaway with Expat Explore for your chance to win a 7-day Taste of Italy tour for two. When in Rome, hey?

Last week we published a piece on women’s safety in dating. From the Tea app to Facebook groups, there are plenty of initiatives out there looking to protect women on the dating scene. We asked if any of you have ever had to use tools like these and 63% responded saying no, whilst 37% said yes.

A reader who says they have used dating safety tools:
“I literally love AWDTSG. Massively eye-opening to see the men in my local area and their actions. It's also interesting and helpful to see other women's options and see the overall sentiment. Other groups like ‘gals who date’ are good too ☺️”

A reader who says they haven’t used dating safety tools:
“Luckily I haven't needed to. But I have reported offensive behaviour on Hinge and Tinder.”

We help you put your career goals first by highlighting purpose-driven jobs, flexible working options, female-founded environments and employers that truly champion mental health.

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⭐ Senior Designer at Talent Studio
⭐ Open Programmes Coordinator at Guildhall School of Music and Drama

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