The Know Daily - Wednesday 25 March 2026

_{Read in 4m 12s ∙ Listening to Paris Paloma ∙}

Residents of a care home in Kent have been given a super glam photoshoot by staff, with one 100-year-old saying it made her feel "20 years younger" 🥹. So iconic.

⚡ Heating up UK energy

With oil prices fluctuating in response to the conflict in Iran, attention is once again turning to how the UK sources its energy.

Tell me more.
Global energy prices are being influenced by geopolitical tensions, underlining the UK’s continued reliance on imported fossil fuels rather than homegrown energy sources. More than half of the UK’s electrical power was supplied by renewable energy in February 2026, mainly from solar, wind and hydroelectric sources. However, a new source of electricity has started feeding into the grid for the first time – geothermal power. 

So, what is geothermal energy?
It taps into Earth’s natural heat, drawing hot water or steam from deep underground to drive turbines and generate electricity. The UK’s first deep geothermal plant, located at United Downs in Cornwall, drills several kilometres into hot granite rock to harness that heat and convert it into electricity.

What are the upsides?
One of geothermal’s biggest strengths is reliability as it doesn’t depend on the weather, meaning it can provide a steady, continuous supply of power. It also has a relatively small land footprint and produces very low emissions once operational. In theory, it could complement the UK’s existing renewables mix, especially when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining. There’s also long-term potential as studies suggest the UK has significant untapped geothermal resources, particularly in Cornwall and northern England.

And the other side?
The United Downs plant will produce enough electricity to power around 10,000 homes – that’s only 0.01% of the UK’s total electricity demand. Costs are another challenge: drilling deep into the Earth is expensive and risky, with no guarantee of success. There are environmental considerations, such as the potential for minor earthquakes and the need to manage underground water resources carefully, and how these affect local populations.

What’s the government doing about it?
Government support for geothermal in the UK has historically been limited compared to wind and solar, but that may be starting to change, with around 32 geothermal projects now at different stages of development. Funding has been directed towards research and early-stage projects, including backing demonstration sites like United Downs, which received £30 million from public and private investment. More broadly, geothermal is also part of the government’s wider £91 million Green Heat Network Fund, aimed at supporting low-carbon heating projects. However, as most funding has been local, experts say that real growth will need clearer long-term policy, steady financial support and more investment in infrastructure.

📱 Labour MPs have called on Ofcom to do more to protect boys and men from online content, including material linked to the “manosphere”.

• The bigger story: More than 60 MPs say online safety rules should better address the specific risks faced by boys and young men, alongside protections for girls and women. In a letter to Ofcom, they highlight that platforms need clearer guidance to help address these issues. They stress the aim is not to separate protections by gender, but to make sure online safety rules keep pace with how different groups experience the internet.

🐕 Seven missing dogs have gone viral after making a 17km journey home to reunite with their owners. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a Disney adaptation…

🇩🇰 Polls have opened in Denmark after the prime minister called an early general election, following her boost in popularity over her firm stance on Greenland.

🗿 Cambodia has unveiled a 1,000 year old statue that has been rebuilt from 10,000 fragments. 

🚶🏼‍♀️ “Snacktivity” could have as many health benefits as a gym session, according to researchers. 

🌑 A new crater has been formed on the moon, an event that occurs only once in 139 years. 

🥐 Britain’s 50 best bakeries have been revealed – it’s making us hungry just thinking about it…

Help your friends feel better about the news. Get them to sign up using your personalised code 👉 https://theknowmedia.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

⭐ Get clicking - this tells our partners that readers are interested in The Know. Let’s get started with this one!

⭐ Add us to your contacts or primary inbox - this makes sure we reach your inbox (and everyone else’s) each morning.

The Know is on a mission to help everyone start their day feeling informed and hopeful. We only recommend things we genuinely love but sometimes we make money from the links and content we share. This directly supports keeping our journalism free for all.

Trivia answer: A) This tourist destination had the most visitors last year (7.1 million!).

How did you find today’s email?
😍 Loved it! | 😕 Could be better…

Need fewer emails? Click here to hear from us once a week.