The Know Daily - Wednesday 28 May 2025

_{Read in 4m 55s ∙ Listening to Bleachers ∙}

A Sense of Home is turning empty apartments into fully furnished homes for young adults aging out of foster care. Based in Los Angeles, the nonprofit enlists volunteers to transform bare spaces into cosy, functional homes filled with donated essentials – from beds to blenders. It’s more than furniture; it’s a fresh start and a sense of belonging for those stepping into independence. Proof that a little community care can go a long way 💖

🇬🇧 What’s going on in Westminster (and why is everyone talking about ‘Tory extinction’)?

Labour’s in government, the Conservatives have settled into opposition, and newer players like Reform UK are turning their heads. So, what’s really happening in Westminster? Let’s break it down.

What’s the Tory story these days?
After 14 years in power, the Conservative Party finds itself at a bit of a crossroads. Recent local elections didn’t go their way – they lost some important seats – and even senior figures like Jeremy Hunt have called it a “massive earthquake” for the party. Now, they’re trying to figure out where they stand. Do they stick to their traditional conservative roots? Swing further right to energise their core voters? Or shift towards the centre to win back people who’ve drifted to Labour? 

Why the rough patch?
A few things are stirring the pot for the Tories. Inside the party, there’s a tug-of-war between those wanting to stick with traditional values and those keen to move closer to the centre to win back lost voters. This divide makes it hard for the party to look united. Right now, many people just want steady leadership and results – not more drama.

Labour’s turn – how are they doing?
Since taking charge again last year, Labour’s had a bit of a mixed bag. They hit a snag with the winter fuel allowance U-turn after plans to means-test it didn’t go down well, especially with concerns about vulnerable people. Now, the big question on the table is whether they’ll scrap the two-child benefit limit. But they’ve made progress smoothing things over with the EU post-Brexit, trying to work together without stirring up old arguments. Overall, they’re juggling tricky budget choices at home while trying to keep a steady international course.

What about new players?
Reform UK has been making a lot of noise lately, winning seats in local elections and catching voters’ attention – especially those who feel ignored by the big two. Their leader, Nigel Farage, recently outlined plans to support families by scrapping the two-child benefit limit and offering bigger tax breaks for married couples. He says the aim is to make it easier to support families, especially for lower-paid workers. This has added a fresh twist to the political scene, and has definitely shaken up the right-wing vote.

Is this the end for the Tories?
Not so fast. Political parties often go through ups and downs, and the Conservatives have bounced back from tough times before. What will count now is how well they handle internal differences and whether they can send a clear message that speaks to voters beyond their usual base.

🏛️ Education funding shift: President Donald Trump has moved to cut federal contracts with Harvard, accusing the university of “anti-American” bias.

• The bigger story: The decision is part of a broader push to redirect federal funding from elite universities to trade schools, aligning with Trump’s campaign message of prioritising “skills over snobbery”. The university responded by defending its commitment to public service, with Harvard President, Alan Garber, claiming that institutions need to double down on their "commitment to the good of the nation".

💉 Antibiotic advancement: A new “superbug” antibiotic that could be used to treat sepsis and pneumonia has entered the last phase of testing, with the potential to save millions of lives.

🎨 Art expansion: Paris's Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art is moving to a huge new space with mobile platforms that aim to "radically transform" traditional museum experiences.

🗣️ Vocal validation: Spain is pressing the EU to grant official status to Catalan, Basque, and Galician – part of a broader movement to give minority languages greater recognition.

🚭 Vape veto: The UK is set to ban disposable vapes from this Sunday, aiming to reduce youth vaping and environmental waste from single-use e-cigarettes.

🏙️ Cobblestone caution: This European city is urging tourists to stop taking historic cobblestones as souvenirs.

🪄 Conjuring a cast: HBO has found its Harry, Ron and Hermione for its upcoming TV series – discover who will be apparating onto our screens.

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Trivia answer: B) Rod Stewart – the legendary rocker was recognised for his decades-long career and iconic influence on music.

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