The Know Daily - Tuesday 17 February 2026

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English Heritage is rolling out a heartwarming idea to help tackle parental isolation across the UK. New “bonding benches” are being placed at historic sites so parents and carers can sit, chat and connect while their little ones play nearby. We love to see it ✨

🐴 Lunar New Year

Today the Chinese zodiac moves into the Year of the Horse – one of 12 animals in a repeating cycle tied to the lunar calendar.

A short history lesson.
The zodiac dates back centuries and follows a 12-year cycle of animal signs, with the Horse seventh in the sequence. Many Lunar New Year traditions are linked to the legend of Nian, a monster said to appear at the start of the new year. According to the story, villagers discovered it feared the colour red, loud noises and fire, so they hung red paper on doors, lit lanterns and set off firecrackers to scare it away. Across cultures, the focus remains the same: clear away bad luck, honour family (including ancestors in some households) and welcome prosperity for the year ahead.

How do people celebrate?
Celebrations centre on family and food. Many people gather for a reunion meal on New Year’s Eve, often featuring symbolic dishes like dumplings (linked to prosperity) or long noodles (for longevity). Homes are decorated in red, children often receive money in red envelopes and games or card-playing are common. In the UK, cities such as London and Manchester usually mark the occasion with parades, lion dances and street food in local Chinatowns.

Why is the horse symbol important?
In zodiac tradition, the Horse represents energy, independence and forward momentum. It’s associated with confidence, sociability and a desire to move – physically and metaphorically – rather than stand still. Don’t forget, we’re coming out of the Year of the Snake, which is often linked with introspection and strategy.

Whether or not you take zodiac traits seriously, each animal carries a symbolic “vibe” for the year ahead, and there are plenty of articles out there predicting how it could affect all aspects of our lives from careers to romance. The Horse tends to signal action, ambition and picking up the pace – a shift lots of people lean into when setting intentions.

A little Lunar New Year inspo:
🐴 If you’ve been in planning mode (hello, Year of the Snake) – this could be your cue to act. The Horse is about momentum.
💬 If you’ve been keeping your head down – this year is about leaning into connection. The Horse energy is sociable and outward-facing.
⏰ If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” – traditionally, this is the year for taking chances.

📱 Online safety for children is set to be strengthened by bringing AI chatbots under the same rules as social media platforms. 

• The bigger story: Developers of AI tools are being urged to do more to safeguard young users who rely on online spaces for everything from homework help to emotional support. They’re working on stronger safety checks, including smarter content filtering, age-appropriate design and limits on potentially addictive features like infinite scrolling for under-16s. Those who don’t adapt protections could face fines or have their services blocked in the UK. 

 ✍️ Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir “A Hymn to Life” is released today, with Vogue issuing a special digital cover to mark its publication.

👩‍🚀 Four new astronauts have arrived at the International Space Station, ensuring research output will be back in full flow following a pause.

🦷 Brushing your teeth three times a day isn’t just good for oral hygiene but can also prevent certain diseases, new research has shown. 

🏘️ Big plans have been revealed for London’s “happiest neighbourhood”, including over 5k new homes and 20% more jobs.

🏝️ A popular island in the Mediterranean has introduced new restrictions for travellers in an effort to tackle overtourism.

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Trivia answer: B) Jackson Hole Airport has been certified as an International Dark Sky Place, making it one of the best places to see the stars and Milky Way.

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