The Know Daily - Thursday 26 February 2026

_{Read in 4m 23s ∙ Listening to Hilary Duff ∙}

One of Britain's most endangered birds has just had a boost 🫶 The capercaillie, which can only be found in the Caledonian pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, has been experiencing decline for years but its numbers have now actually increased by 50%, with 30 males in 2025. Seeing one of these fine fellas is a new addition to the bird-spotting bucket list!

🗞️ The headlines this month

Missed an edition or two over the last month? Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up some of the top headlines that’s had our morning editorials running overtime in February.

Our Editor’s picks
🏃‍♀️ Women’s sport report: The 2026 Sport Industry Report shows growing confidence in women’s sport, with broadcasters, sponsors and executives recognising its value – often outperforming lower-tier men’s competitions. Big tournaments, social media followings and brand interest are driving growth, though coverage and funding remain uneven. The takeaway? Women’s sport is increasingly judged on its own merits, with rising audiences, investment and visibility pointing to a more sustainable future.

🪑 Reforming the House of Lords: Labour’s Simon Opher and Conservative Kit Malthouse are set to co-chair a new all-party group looking at changes to the Lords. The chamber has evolved over centuries from a council of nobles into a mostly appointed body, offering expertise and scrutiny alongside the elected Commons. Past reforms have trimmed hereditary peers and allowed members to retire, but debates over power and accountability have resurfaced with recent high-profile bills. The new group won’t make laws, but it could shape the discussion on bigger questions, from appointments and size to whether parts of the Lords should be elected.

Our inbox has been overflowing…
👩‍🎓 The student loans debate: When we asked if you think the current student loans system is working, over 82% said no and just 7% said yes. Everyone else sat in the unsure camp.

🐸 Career “lilypadding”: More people are moving between jobs rather than taking the traditional approach of climbing the career ladder. 73% of respondents to our poll said that they have or would try lilypadding, but the rest remain unconvinced. 

😴 The 5 types of sleeper: We took a look at some new research that has revealed there are more kinds of sleeper than the stereotypical early bird and night owl. We asked what you think you are and turns out we’ve got a lot of early risers!

Finally, a few stories that you have loved this month:

❣️ A free island stay in exchange for counting puffins
❣️ The cities with the highest cost of living right now
❣️ Seven new interconnected villages to be built in the UK

🗳️ Polling stations have opened today in the closely watched Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester.

• The bigger story: The vote is drawing attention beyond the local area because it’s seen as a test of broader political trends in the UK. Gorton and Denton has been a solid Labour seat for years, but recent polls show support for Reform UK and the Green Party has grown, making the contest unpredictable and more competitive than expected. How people vote here could give an early signal about how voters are feeling ahead of local elections and whether traditional party loyalties are shifting.

👠 The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has revealed what the theme will be for this year’s Met Gala. 

🎙️ The longest-ever State of the Union speech was delivered by US President Donald Trump, drawing both criticism and praise along party lines.

💸 Paramount has raised its bid to take over Warner Bros. as it continues to compete with Netflix for ownership of the company. 

⛰️ A Yosemite waterfall has turned molten orange – part of an optical illusion that only happens in mid-late February. 

📽️ The first-ever video to be uploaded to YouTube (back in 2005!) has gone on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

👩‍💻 A career in journalism taking your fancy? The Guardian have opened applications for their Scott Trust Bursary, a scheme aiming to support journalists from underrepresented backgrounds.

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Trivia answer: C) The Norwegian capital took the crown based on air quality, the percentage of greenery and share of accessible green space for locals and tourists.

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