The Know Daily - Monday 12 May 2025

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Plastic pollution on Australia’s beaches has dropped 39% over the past decade, according to government agency CSIRO 🌊 What’s better? The number of spots completely free from plastic is up by 16%. Experts say it’s thanks to national policies, local clean-ups and people just caring more 🙌

🏠 Property guardians

This once unconventional type of living situation is on the rise in the UK.

Hold up. What’s a property guardianship?
It’s a form of alternative housing where people live in empty properties awaiting development by the landowner – this can be anything from houses to former care homes and schools. Under the arrangement, guardians pay a fee that’s typically lower than the market rate for rent. In return, they’re responsible for maintaining and protecting the property.

Demand has risen significantly in recent years. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of applications to become guardians increased by 60% to more than 50k per year.

What’s behind the surge?
It can be difficult to access affordable privately rented housing, leading some to seek guardianships, according to a government report. While it was once relegated to “creative, cool self-employed types”, it’s now drawing in older people with full-time jobs who are just looking to save a bit of money, said the founder behind a property guardianship management firm. After all, rents in the UK – particularly in London – continue to reach record figures.

What’s the debate around it?
Critics have raised that entering a guardianship offers less protection from quick eviction and the right to repairs that standard tenancy agreements must conform to. There are also reports of agencies trying to squeeze guardians into living spaces without natural light or proper ventilation.

On the other hand, it offers “more affordable accommodation on a widespread basis”, according to a spokesperson from the Property Guardian Providers Association. “There are cons, but there are also pros… flexibility is actually quite useful in London,” said one property caretaker.

🇺🇦🇷🇺 Ukraine-Russia latest: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet personally in Turkey later this week to discuss an end to the war.

• The bigger story: The move came after European leaders met over the weekend and said Russia would face new sanctions if they failed to comply with a 30-day ceasefire. President Trump urged the Ukrainian president to “immediately” accept Russia’s offer to talk and negotiate plans for the “first step towards long-term lasting peace”.

👓 Smart specs: Meta is reportedly working on super-sensing glasses with vision software that can recognise people by name.

🏛️ Buried basilica: Archaeologists have uncovered a hidden ‘papal palace’ under Rome, thought to be home to popes between the 9th and 13th centuries. 

☀️ Summer socialising: Sir Sadiq Khan has announced a £300k fund to help London’s restaurants offer al fresco dining with extended opening hours and more eating spaces.

👸 Patriotic plans: Five shortlisted designs have been announced to create a memorial for Queen Elizabeth II. Which is your favourite? Have your say here. 

🏆 Best of TV: We saw a host of stars on the BAFTA TV Awards red carpet last night – see the winners and stand out moments here.

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: Switching to solar, the best European beaches and London’s hot-air balloon regatta.

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Trivia answer: A) Originally released in 2018, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is to be removed as Netflix are phasing out some interactive shows where viewers can choose the outcome.

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