The Know Daily - Wednesday 16 July 2025

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Sweden has officially become a cage-free country, marking a historic shift in animal welfare. It’s the only country in the world to make the achievement, despite not having a legal requirement to ban cages and follows decades of advocacy for a national commitment to more humane farming practices.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Dating and politics

More people are including their political views in their online profiles — but what does this mean for dating today?

Are people talking politics on first dates?
Over a third of 18 to 25-year-olds say they feel comfortable discussing politics on the first date, according to research by Tinder and Censuswide. For some, it’s become part of the small talk. But it’s not just about pre-dinner chats either, as political leanings have now become a kind of filter. On many dating apps, users can list their views directly, and some people say they won’t date anyone with opposing beliefs.

What are people filtering for?
It varies, but younger users tend to prioritise progressive values. In the UK, new research found that dating app users are more likely to swipe right on someone who lists Reform UK over Conservative – a shift from previous years. But Labour, Green and Liberal Democrats fared best overall. In the US, terms that allude to political standpoints, like “pro-choice” or “climate activist”, appear regularly in bios. For others, the approach is subtler – a green heart emoji, a campaigning photo, or just a mention of voting history.

Are people dating across political lines?
Sometimes, but it’s becoming less common. In the past, having different views wasn’t always a dealbreaker but now many say they’d rather avoid the tension altogether. One US study found that politically mixed relationships are far less common among Gen Z and millennials than older generations. 

Why does politics matter so much now?
Part of it comes down to timing. Gen Z and younger millennials grew up during a period of political change, including Brexit and Donald Trump’s election. For many, politics isn’t something separate from everyday life and so dating apps have made it easier to state your views upfront, making potential relationships more transparent. 

So where does that leave dating?
Politics isn’t the only thing people care about. Whether someone shares your views or not, it’s about being respectful of each others’ opinions and having open communication to have a more successful dating experience.

🇪🇺 EU budget talks: The European Commission will commence talks today on the bloc’s next seven-year budget, set to start in 2028.

• The bigger story: With rising costs from defence, climate and debt repayment, Brussels is pushing for a more flexible, simplified budget. The wider plan is to merge some of the EU’s separate funds into a single cash pot, which will determine spending in sectors like farm subsidies and social housing. But divisions remain, with some member states calling for cuts while others urge bold investment in Europe’s resilience.

👩‍⚕️ Health mapping: The world’s biggest human imaging project has now scanned 100k volunteers, providing insights into patterns of disease to further medical research.

🎙️ Star salaries: The BBC’s top earners have been revealed – see who topped the list for the eighth year in a row. 

💻 Computer says no: Meta has removed around 10 million Facebook profiles impersonating content creators so far in 2025, aiming to reduce spam.

💨 Vanquishing vapes: Data shows that vaping amongst children in Australia has fallen, following the government’s world-leading laws restricting sales.

💰 Tempering taxes: A UK minister has promised that taxes won’t go up for workers on average incomes, ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget.

🌍 Opening borders: Cyprus is the latest country to join the Schengen Area – the world’s largest visa-free zone. Check which others are on the list.

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Trivia answer: A) Hildegard von Bingen has inspired artists from Grimes to David Lynch.

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