The Know Daily - Thursday 29 May 2025

_{Read in 4m 43s ∙ Listening to Myles Smith ∙}

The moors that inspired the Brontë sisters are now part of the UK's newest National Nature Reserve 🌿 The Bradford Pennine Gateway spans 1,274 hectares across 8 sites, including Ilkley Moor and Penistone Hill Country Park. It’s a haven for rare wildlife like curlews and adders, and a major win for one of England’s most nature-deprived cities. Think literary legacy meets landscape restoration – with a side of heather and heritage.

👯‍♀️ Adult friendships

Friendships aren’t just for the school playground – they’re key to happiness, health and even longevity. So why do they get harder as we get older?

Wait – aren’t friendships supposed to get easier with age?
Not quite. As we get older, friendship shifts from school corridors and spontaneous sleepovers to increasingly complex scheduling. Careers, partners, children, moving cities – adult life pulls people in all directions. There’s less time, more responsibility, and often an invisible pressure to prioritise everything else first.

So is it just a time thing?
Partly. But researchers say adult friendships aren’t just time-poor; they can also become emotionally neglected. Unlike romantic partners or colleagues, there’s no clear “role” for a friend. There’s no big label, no legal commitment, no HR policies to help you navigate a falling-out. Which means when friendships do fizzle, we’re often left without closure and with more sadness than we expected.

But people still want close friendships, right?
Absolutely. From friend-matching apps to “platonic life partner” TikToks, there’s a growing cultural push to give adult friendship the status it deserves. Some people are even throwing friendship showers, friendiversaries, or making pacts to retire together. Because friendship isn’t a second-tier relationship. It can be just as intimate, supportive – and lifelong – as romantic love.

So how do you make friends as an adult?
Experts say consistency is key. Show up regularly, even when it’s awkward. Repetition creates closeness – yes, even if it starts with a slightly stilted coffee. Vulnerability helps too, and we all know that genuine sharing (but not oversharing too soon, we’ve all been there!) builds trust. And if you're struggling? You're not alone. Most people wish they had more friends.

The bottom line.
Friendship doesn’t always come naturally in adulthood but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the effort. In a world where dating gets apps, marriage gets ceremonies, and work gets performance reviews, maybe it’s time we give friendship the same kind of intentional energy. Because growing older doesn't have to mean growing apart... but it might mean sending the first text.

💄 Billion dollar beauty: Hailey Bieber's beauty brand has been acquired by e.l.f. for $1bn, just 3 years after its launch.

• The bigger story: Rhode's rapid rise, fuelled by minimalist products and viral marketing, has made it a standout in the beauty industry. Bieber will continue to lead as Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, guiding Rhode's global expansion. The acquisition underscores the growing influence of celebrity-founded brands with authentic involvement, signalling a shift in the beauty market.

🚰 Utilities penalty: Thames Water has been hit with a record fine over £122m for illegal sewage spills and breaching rules on shareholder payouts.

🇮🇸 Arctic advocacy: Iceland’s PM says the country should contribute more to Arctic security, despite its long-standing military-free status.

🤖 Retail robot: A global car manufacturer has debuted an AI-powered robotic sales assistant, who can provide personalised recommendations and even make you a cuppa while you browse the showroom. 

📚 Study spending: The most and least expensive cities to study abroad have been revealed in a new report by Remitly – can you guess which made the list?

🛠️ Steel shift: A proposed £2bn zero-carbon steel plant offers hope for the UK to start making green steel.

🏨 Reminiscent rates: This luxury London hotel is offering rooms at 1900s prices, in honour of its 125th birthday. Anyone up for a minibreak?

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