The Know Daily - Wednesday 19 February 2025

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31 new metropolises – from Geneva, Switzerland to Nagoya City, Japan – were certified as ‘wetland cities’. The accreditation scheme recognises cities for their outstanding efforts in conserving and managing urban wetlands.

🎶 Music matters

New initiatives to financially support musicians are being set up, as a new report finds artists need more monetary assistance from streaming giants.

What did the study find?
Music monetisation specialists Duetti released their findings for 2024’s royalty payouts on streaming platforms, with Amazon Music paying artists the highest and Spotify the lowest. They also found that musicians opting into features like Spotify’s Discovery Mode to reach a bigger audience take a 30% pay cut, whilst only 15% of artists receive increased royalties when their songs go viral on social media. There is better news, though, for musicians in niche genres like goth punk and hyperpop, which tend to receive more compensation than mainstream styles. 

What’s the bigger story?
As the music industry has evolved in recent years towards digital formats, streaming services have become a valuable income source for artists. However, as subscription costs to streaming platforms have increased, the payouts to artists have been falling as the revenue is distributed between the streaming platform, record label, publisher and artist.

What’s being done about it?
Industry experts have suggested the introduction of user-centric payment models where the revenue from your individual subscription goes directly to the artists you listen to, rather than being pooled. Plus, musicians have been able to opt into ‘tip jar’ initiatives on streaming platforms to help boost income. 

In fact, Spotify reported that more than 10,000 artists earned over $100k on the platform last year, with over $10bn paid out overall. Its Loud & Clear initiative aims to improve transparency across the global streaming economy. What’s more, French music streaming service Deezer has recently announced a shake-up to their remuneration models over publishing rights, which could prove to be highly beneficial to artists if rolled out across the music industry.

📈 Economy latest: The inflation rate rose to 3% – the highest level in 10 months.

• The bigger story: The increase is linked to a jump in the cost of everyday foods like bread and meat, as well as higher private school fees and air fares. The inflation rise also reduces the chance of an interest rate cut next month.

🐢 Turtle rescue: The UK’s first dedicated rehabilitation centre for sea turtles is now open.

🛒 Greatest grocer: This is the best supermarket in the UK, according to Which?.

🎉 Fabulous festivities: Carnival celebrations have begun in Venice, Italy, and they’re stunning.

📝 Teen health: The UK government has commissioned a “landmark study” to assess the long-term effects of youth vaping.

📱 Triple screen tech: Huawei has launched the world’s first tri-fold phone globally, costing over $3,000.

🏺 Amazing artefacts: Check out these spectacular finds from amateur treasure hunters.

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Trivia answer: B) Serena Williams made a surprise appearance.

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