The Know Daily - Tuesday 11 November 2025

_{Read in 4m 21s ∙ Listening to David Guetta and Teddy Swims ∙}

A new digital project is bringing ancient Rome to your fingertips 🏛️ “Itiner‑e” maps around 300,000 km of Roman roads – almost double what we thought existed – showing how people, goods and ideas once traveled across the empire. There are also interactive tools that mean you can explore these historic routes like a time-travelling adventurer, tracing the paths that shaped centuries of history. Think Google Maps meets Gladiator.

👩‍💻 Microshifting at work

More than two-thirds of UK office workers are interested in microshifting their work day, rather than sticking to a rigid 9-to-5, according to the 2025 “State of Hybrid Work” report.

What’s it all about?
People are increasingly keen to work in shorter, flexible blocks throughout the day rather than one continuous stretch of eight hours. It could mean clearing email early in the morning before the school run, taking an extended lunch break for midday walkies with your pooch, then finishing up projects in the evening when there may be less demands on your attention. The idea is you fit the work around your life and energy cycles – rather than forcing your life around fixed hours.

Who’s into the trend?
In the UK, 72% of Gen Z and Millennials say it’s their ideal workflow, compared with 45% of Gen X and 19% of Boomers. It’s part of a broader shift towards more flexible and hybrid working, with the report finding almost half of UK employees say they would turn down a job that doesn’t offer flexible hours, while three-quarters favour a hybrid model rather than full-time office attendance.

Why are people embracing it?
A lot of it is about autonomy – the freedom to decide when to do deep focus, admin, or personal time. For those juggling caregiving, appointments, or simply varying energy levels, that freedom can make a real difference. Plus, more of the workforce is balancing side hustles or freelance gigs alongside their main job. This makes microshifting not just a preference, but a practical solution for fitting multiple roles and projects into one day without burning out.

What’s the catch?
It does require self-discipline: switching blocks, avoiding distractions, and making sure you don’t simply extend your work day indefinitely. Without strong time-management and organisational skills, the boundaries between “work” and “life” can blur, cutting into rest or quality time with loved ones. It can also make casual team check-ins or spontaneous strategising harder, leaving some people feeling a bit disconnected from their work.

What’s the bigger picture?
Microshifting is reshaping how companies think about work. On the plus side, offering flexible micro-blocks can attract top talent, boost retention, and signal trust in your independence to complete tasks. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution: roles that rely on fixed schedules, production lines, or tightly coordinated teams may struggle to adopt it. Organisations need good structure, clear outcomes, and strong communication to make it work so everyone is on the same page and required outputs/deadlines are met. But if done right, microshifting can help employees recharge and stay engaged with their work, improving overall team performance.

💊 Research revelation: An in-depth review has revealed that there is no link between taking paracetamol in pregnancy and autism and ADHD in children.

• The bigger story: The research was fast-tracked after the Trump administration urged pregnant women to avoid the painkiller, claiming it was contributing to rising autism rates. Published in the British Medical Journal, the review found earlier studies were of “critically low” quality and that any apparent link was likely explained by genetics or other shared factors. Experts said the findings should reassure mothers that taking paracetamol for fever or pain during pregnancy remains safe.

🚙 Leccy levy: The BBC has reported that this month's Budget could include a new pay-per-mile charge for electric vehicles from 2028. 

⚔️ Samurai show: The British Museum is set to open a “groundbreaking” samurai exhibition that promises to challenge common myths.

🌸 Photogenic flora: The winners of the first ever Wildflower Photographer of the Year competition have been announced – take a look at the magical pics.

✈️ That’s the ticket: Ryanair will only accept digital boarding passes from this week onwards – here’s the full lowdown.

🐝 New-bee: Scientists in Western Australia have stumbled across a new horned species called the “Lucifer” bee.

📖 We have a winner!: British-Hungarian author David Szalay has won this year's Booker Prize for his novel Flesh, described as "a very special book".

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Trivia answer: A) Brown is having a moment so you’ll be able to match your knit with your coffee order – it’s the small things, right?!

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