The Know Daily - Thursday 30 April 2026

_{Read in 4m 08s ∙ Listening to George Ezra ∙}

A woman has never set foot on the Moon… until now. An artist in Belfast has turned her living room into a mini Moon landing – with a mission to help 100 women “walk on the Moon” without leaving Earth. One of them, 90-year-old Betty, even suited up and celebrated her birthday with a moonwalk, proving you don’t need a rocket to make a little history.

🏠 The Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect tomorrow – marking one of the biggest updates to renting in England in a generation, with changes aimed at giving tenants more security and clearer rights.

What is it?
The new Act replaces the earlier Renters (Reform) Bill and is designed to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants. One of the biggest immediate changes is the end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, meaning landlords can no longer ask tenants to leave without giving a valid reason. It also introduces a national database for the private rental sector, which will be rolled out to help renters check landlord compliance. Rent increases are now limited to once per year, and tenants gain the right to request pets (though landlords can still refuse with reasonable grounds). Plus, it will be the end of bidding wars – new tenants cannot be asked to pay more than the advertised price.

Why does it matter?
The shift is towards more stability. Without the threat of no-fault evictions, many renters will feel more able to settle and plan ahead. Housing organisations like Shelter have long argued that stronger protections are needed, particularly as more people rent for longer. The changes reflect that reality – renting is no longer just short-term for many, and the system is beginning to catch up.

Are there any downsides?
There are a few concerns. Landlord groups warn that tighter regulations could lead some landlords to leave the market, which may reduce supply over time. While Section 21 is ending, landlords can still evict tenants under specific legal grounds (such as selling the property), so security isn’t absolute. There are also open questions about how consistently the new rules will be enforced, especially given pressure on local authorities.

Is there anything renters should keep in mind?
As the changes begin rolling out, a few practical ways to stay informed and make the most of them:
🏡 Know your rights: bookmark the government’s handy Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet
 📄 Keep records: save agreements, messages and repair requests in case you need them later
 🐾 Ask about pets: you now have more right to request one, even if it’s not always guaranteed
 🔧 Raise issues early: stronger rules around property standards mean it’s easier to flag problems 

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🔋 A full lithium mine-to-refinery cycle is now up and running in Finland – the first of its kind in Europe.

• The bigger story: For the first time, lithium can be mined, processed and refined into battery-grade material all in one place, rather than being shipped abroad at different stages. That matters because lithium is a key ingredient in electric vehicle batteries, and demand is rising fast as countries move towards cleaner energy. By keeping more of the process local, the project could make supply more reliable, reduce dependence on imports, and help speed up Europe’s transition to electric cars and renewable technologies.

📱 Phone theft in London has dropped 21% since officers started using drones and e-bikes, according to the Met Police.

🎷 Jazz and classical music are becoming simpler over time (despite being traditionally complex), a new study has found.

⚽️ A new red card rule has been introduced by FIFA ahead of the World Cup in efforts to deter inappropriate behaviour amongst players on the pitch.

🤖 Friendly AI chatbots may be more likely to contain mistakes and inaccuracies, the Oxford Internet Institute has revealed after analysing 400,000 responses from five AI systems. 

🪰 The mystery of why mayflies do their famous up-and-down dance has been uncovered through new research, scientists have said.

⛵️ A Lake Como “dupe” has been named the prettiest place in Europe, according to travel writers.  

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Trivia answer: B) The coffee shop that invented the viral “raspberry Danish latte” has invited coffee lovers to steal the recipe.

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