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- The Know Daily - Friday 17 October 2025
The Know Daily - Friday 17 October 2025
Annabel Preston
October 17, 2025
Read in 5m 24s ∙ Listening to Emeli Sande ∙
You don’t need a finance degree or a corner office to start investing. With Trading 212, all you need is an app. Explore the markets, buy fractional shares and grow your confidence – all in one simple, intuitive platform. Capital is at risk.
✨ A big thank you to Trading 212 for partnering with The Know and helping our readers take charge of their financial future ✨
Happy Friday everyone!
Has anyone else fully embraced their reading era lately? My bedside table is currently overflowing (I blame just one more chapter syndrome), and I’ve been on a mission to make a dent in my ever-growing TBR pile – with mixed success. Every time I tell myself I’m not allowed to buy another book until I finish the ones I have… another recommendation mysteriously ends up in my basket. Oops.
In other news – as you may have already seen, we’re so excited to be partnering with Trading 212, the commission-free investing app that makes it easy to buy and trade stocks. It’s been such a joy seeing this partnership come to life, and we can’t wait to share more with you about how it’s helping us keep the newsletter free for everyone. And we’ve also secured an exclusive offer for our readers! Scroll down for that as well as a mix of news and a few book recs to keep you going through the autumn season ❣️
Lynn
CEO & Co-founder
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UK NEWS
👩👦 The two-child benefit cap could be lifted by the UK government, according to the Education Secretary.
🐶 Vets should publish price lists so pet owners can see upfront costs and shop around for the best deal, a watchdog has said.
⏰ UK rail’s first national clock in more than 50 years launched at London Bridge yesterday and at stations across the country.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet US president Donald Trump at the White House today for talks aiming “to strengthen Ukraine’s defence”.
🤖 California has enacted the first US law regulating AI companion chatbots, requiring age checks and clear disclosures.
🇫🇷 French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has told parliament he backs suspending the unpopular 2023 pension reforms.
CULTURE
📸 The winning entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 have been announced. Browse the gallery here.
👜 An Hermès bag shared by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg is heading to auction… but how much will it go for?
🎼 Two famous music awards are being held outside London for the first time this year – any guesses which?
Ever wanted to invest in your favourite company, but the share price made your eyes water? 🥺
That’s where fractional shares come in – a way to own a piece of a company, no matter your budget. Instead of saving up hundreds for a single share, you can start small, and still get in the game.
With Trading 212, investing feels accessible, flexible, and genuinely empowering. You can own slices of big-name brands you love – from £1 – all through an app that makes investing simple to understand and easy to start.
We’ve teamed up with them to give you a free fractional share worth between £8 and £100 – just for signing up with the code KNOW. All you need to do is deposit at least £1 within 10 days of opening your account and you’re good to go! Capital is at risk.
WORK & INNOVATION
🙅♀️ Rejection is a part of working life that can be hard to handle – this writer has shared what they have learned from 50 years of experiencing it.
🚙 Driverless taxis are set to launch in London next year, making it the first European city to offer rides through Waymo.
💻 A new algorithm has been devised by researchers to solve one of the oldest problems in computing history.
UPLIFTING STUFF
🎓 A philanthropist has donated $40 million to expand college and career opportunities for low-income US students.
🌌 India’s first dark sky reserve is helping locals make the cosmos their career, thanks to a new tourism initiative.
⚽ Women’s teams are set to debut on the popular gaming franchise Football Manager.
Your Autumn TBR List 🍂
Cosy evenings, hot drinks, and a stack of books that make you want to cancel plans – we asked the team (as well as all of you!) what’s on your must-read list this season. Here’s what made the cut:
If you love a mystical vibe ✨
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi (recommended by Editor Hannah)
A richly imagined fantasy full of magic, rebellion and sisterhood, Faebound is set in a world where fae and humans coexist – and not always peacefully. Expect vivid world-building, powerful female leads and a story that feels perfect for dark, candle-lit evenings.
If you love a story that touches your heart 💘
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré (recommended by our fab reader, Gina)
Told in the unforgettable voice of Adunni, a young Nigerian girl determined to find her “louding voice”, this debut is a celebration of resilience, education and hope. A deeply moving, empowering read that stays with you long after you finish it.
If you love historical fiction with a foodie twist 👩🍳
The Language of Food by Annabel Abbs (recommended by our own Annabel from the team!)
Set in 1830s London and inspired by the true story of Britain’s first-ever cookbook author, this one’s for fans of Lessons in Chemistry or anything that blends history, feminism and the joy of cooking. Lush, evocative and full of sensory detail – the literary equivalent of a slow Sunday roast.
If you love a good rom com (with a bit of depth) 👰♀️
The Wedding People by Alison Espach (recommended by our lovely reader, Olivia)
A sharp, funny and unexpectedly tender novel set in a luxury hotel during a wedding weekend. Expect messy emotions, perfectly observed social dynamics and a protagonist you’ll root for – the perfect balance of humour and heart.
If you love a unique narrator 🌳
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak (recommended by The Know’s founder Lynn)
A love story, a history lesson and a meditation on nature – all told partly through the perspective of a fig tree (unique we know, but go with it!). Shafak weaves together themes of belonging and identity with her signature lyricism. A quietly powerful read that lingers long after the final page.
If you love unlikely friendships 👭
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (recommended by our wonderful reader, Peta)
College dropout Hai doesn’t know how to face the future until a chance encounter with an elderly widow named Grazina changes everything. Set in the small town of East Gladness, Connecticut, their unlikely friendship becomes a lifeline for them both. It’s a tender, hopeful story about connection, survival and the ways we find light in unexpected places.
Happy reading – and may your TBR pile be ever-growing (and your cup of tea never go cold!).
🗞 Read: Christmas is coming in hot which always means great food but can also sometimes mean more hosting. But this piece in The Guardian has come to the rescue with tips from top chefs for a dinner party that even a host can enjoy. Our faves from the list? Using seasonal ingredients (a great rule of thumb anyway!), choosing crowd-pleasing puddings (crumble it is) and not being afraid to ask the guests for help – nobody likes feeling like a spare part anyway!
📺 Watch: I rewatched Sense and Sensibility the other day and it made me realise that its so easy to forget just how good the classics really are – also, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson: absolutely no notes. Riot Women is a bit of a gear change, but oh my goodness is it great television. Whilst we’re on scandalous women, I’ve also recently discovered Harlots (slow to the party, I know) but I can confirm it’s worth the hype!
🎧 Listen: Charlotte Church’s episode on How To Fail with Elizabeth Day is a must-listen. From global success to entering her “healing phase”, it's an often-needed reminder that celebs are human too.
🧑🍳 Cook: It’s definitely apple season and a tart is one of my fave ways to enjoy them – ideally on a Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea and period drama in the background.
 | Which ancient monument is finally visible in its full glory after decades of scaffolding? |
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