The Know Daily - Tuesday 11 August 2026

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A university professor and a Japanese fireworks manufacturer have together developed “eco fireworks”. The tech uses new shells that are made from a water-soluble resin, often applied to agricultural seeds. Sounds bangin’ to us 🎆

🏠 Platonic co-buying

Almost half of Gen Z and Millennial women surveyed by Rightmove and Barbie say they’d consider buying a home with a friend. So, is the next step on the property ladder actually moving in with your bestie?

Hang on, what is platonic co-buying?
It’s pretty much what it sounds like. Two or more people who aren’t romantically involved pooling their money to buy a home together. Friends, siblings or other people who trust each other can combine their finances, share a mortgage and become co-owners. It’s not exactly a brand-new idea, but it’s getting more attention as younger people look for different ways to make homeownership work. 

Why are people considering it?
For many, it comes down to money. Combining two incomes can mean a bigger budget and potentially a better chance of getting onto the property ladder sooner than buying alone. The survey found that 48% of Gen Z and Millennial women would consider buying with a friend, while 58% said co-owning could offer greater financial stability. But there’s also a lifestyle side to it – 62% said it could give them a stronger sense of community.

Is this really about friendship?
Kind of, and that’s what makes it interesting. The idea of building a home around close friendships rather than romantic partnerships is part of a wider conversation about what adulthood and family life can look like. The Cut details a case study in which longtime friends Ayesha and Jasmin raise their children together and share everything from school runs to household chores. Ayesha describes the arrangement as a deliberate choice to build a life with someone she trusts, rather than treating marriage as the default route to homeownership and family life.

So what would the dream house look like?
The research suggests that co-buyers are thinking about what they want from a home slightly differently too. The most popular features included a large garden, equally sized bedrooms and separate bathrooms for each co-buyer, plus open-plan living space and areas for working from home. 

But… what happens if you fall out?
This is the less glamorous bit. Buying a home together is a major financial commitment and co-buyers need to agree on how the mortgage, bills, ownership shares and future sale would work. Reuters reports that financial experts recommend getting separate legal advice and agreeing an exit plan before buying, including what happens if one person wants to move out, loses their income or wants to sell. In other words, even though you love your best friend, you still want everything in writing.

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🛢️ A North Sea consultation on new oil and gas drilling has closed and now Andy Burnham will decide whether further production can go ahead.

• The bigger story: The Jackdaw and Rosebank drilling projects were approved under the Conservatives before being overturned by the courts, leaving Burnham’s government to decide what happens next. Environmental groups are urging him to stick to Labour’s climate commitments, while the energy industry and some Labour MPs argue further drilling could support jobs and energy security. With climate policy in the spotlight, the decision could be an early test of how Burnham balances Labour’s environmental promises with pressure over jobs and the North Sea economy.

🎓 Student loan finance should be added to the maths curriculum at schools in England, the head of the university admissions service has said.

☀️ The UK’s best solar eclipse in over 25 years will take place tomorrow. Here’s when and how best to see it. 

🙅‍♀️ Taylor Swift’s songs have been removed from videos posted on official social media pages for Donald Trump’s campaign and the White House.

🎞️ Eight winners have been chosen for this year’s Pure Street Photography Awards – check out the fab pics. 

🐦‍⬛ Listening to birdsong can meaningfully reduce human stress (even through headphones), according to a new study.

🏙️ The best cities for under 30s have been revealed, following a survey of thousands of Gen Z participants across the globe.

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Trivia answer: C) Christopher Nolan’s highest-grossing movie ever has hit $1.1 billion at the box office globally.

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