The Know Daily - Tuesday 16 September 2025

_{Read in 4m 14s ∙ Listening to Nathan Evans ∙}

For 14 years, the Red Dress project has woven together stories from around the globe – crafted by 380 embroiderers across 51 countries in more than 1.5 billion stitches. Each panel of silk captures personal histories of resilience and hope in the face of challenges, plus healing through shared creativity. 

♻️ Net zero: an explainer

Net zero continues to feature in climate analysis and political debate. We take a look at what it means, why opinions vary, and how the UK is doing.

First, the basics.
Net zero means balancing the greenhouse gases we release with those we remove from the atmosphere, so the overall total comes to zero. That balance can be reached through cutting emissions – like switching to clean energy or electric cars – and by offsetting what’s left through planting trees or technology such as carbon capture. The UK has made reaching net zero by 2050 a legal target under the Climate Change Act.

Why is it such a big talking point?
Net zero is more than an environmental issue – it’s political, economic and social. The Climate Change Committee recently said the UK can meet its 2050 goal, but only if ministers strengthen policies on clean energy, heating and taxation. At the same time, politicians like Kemi Badenoch have questioned whether the transition is realistic, calling parts of the target “impossible”. That difference of views keeps net zero firmly in the news.

Is it achievable?
Experts say yes, but only with consistent political backing and public support. The government has made progress – from expanding offshore wind to developing more heat pumps (these transfer heat from the surrounding air, for example, to be energy-efficient) – and recent reports suggest the UK is still on track. Yet there are obstacles: energy costs remain high, green infrastructure takes time to build and the rules on who pays for the transition aren’t always clear. Courts have also forced the government to spell out in more detail how it will actually meet its carbon budgets, adding pressure for greater transparency and delivery.

What’s the other side?
Not everyone agrees on the way forward. Critics argue that net zero risks becoming a costly promise without clearer funding and stronger guarantees on energy security. Others say the government is not moving fast enough, pointing to slow progress on home insulation or the continued licensing of North Sea oil. Public opinion is just as mixed: the cost-of-living pressures and uncertainty about “green jobs” leave some wary, but polls show most people support the principle of net zero.

📱 TikTok’s future: A deal has been reached between the Trump administration and China to keep TikTok running in the US.

• The bigger story: The US is estimated to have over 135 million active users on the platform, including the White House. Whilst full details of the new framework agreement are being kept under wraps, the deal is a breakthrough in the long-running dispute over the social media platform’s ownership, which has raised national security concerns. 

🦈 Fancy fish: Scientists have discovered a golden shark in Costa Rica with a rare combination of skin conditions that have never been seen before.

🤸‍♀️ New heights: Armand Duplantis has achieved his 14th world record by winning a third consecutive world title for pole vaulting (6.30m 😮).

💸 London levy: A tourist tax on hotels and Airbnbs could raise £250m a year for the Mayor of London to reinvest in the capital, a City Hall review has said.

🪙 Monopoly money, but make it real: To celebrate 90 years of Monopoly – and the legendary living-room showdowns – a limited edition collectible coin is being released. P.S. don’t tell the family… they’ll raise your rent the second they hear!

👩‍💻 All in a day’s work: A recent report by the European Commission has highlighted the importance of “fair compensation” for skills and experience.

✈️ Autumnal adventures: Good things come to those who wait… or at least cheaper holidays come to those who book out of high season! Here are the best places to travel to in October.

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Trivia answer: C) Commissioner Roger Goodell fuelled the rumours by refusing to deny that Taylor Swift is in the running for the gig.

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