The Know Daily - Thursday 23 October 2025

_{Read in 4m 18s ∙ Listening to Nathan Sykes ∙}

When Taylor Swift wore a vintage Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt in her latest film, fans turned a fashion moment into a wave of generosity. The aquarium reissued the 1990s design and raised over $2 million in just two days to protect sea otters and their ocean home. Otterly amazing, if you ask us 🦦

🕰️ “Falling” back

This Sunday, clocks will go back across the UK marking the end of British Summer Time. Here’s what it’s all about and some tips to adjust to the darker evenings.

When is it happening this year?
The change is scheduled for 2am on Sunday 26 October. The good news? We all get an extra hour in bed (a definite win), but it also means the evenings will look darker sooner afterwards.

A quick history lesson.
The idea of shifting clocks twice a year dates back to early 20th-century Britain. The concept was introduced during the First World War in 1916 to help conserve fuel and make better use of daylight hours. In the UK, clocks now go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.

Is it still necessary?
There's a growing debate over whether changing the clocks still serves a purpose. Supporters say lighter mornings in winter help schoolchildren and commuters travel more safely, while critics argue the practice is outdated – especially given modern energy use and flexible working patterns. The European Parliament voted to scrap clock changes back in 2019, though implementation stalled as Parliament and the EU Council couldn't reach an agreement on the legislation. However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a push to bring the bill back to life this week. In the UK, campaigners and sleep experts have said the switch can disrupt body rhythms and reduce street safety later in the day. Some scientists also note that the shift may affect women more due to sleep and hormonal factors, as reported by The Guardian.

So how does it affect my sleep cycle?
Changing clocks can feel a bit like a spot of jet-lag. Lots of people experience a shift in their circadian rhythm, leading to sleepiness or mood dips. Researchers note that darker evenings and reduced daylight can influence sleep quality and general wellbeing.

How can I adjust to the changes?
Here are a few practical tips for making the annual mini time travel just that bit easier:

• Be consistent with your bedtime and dim lights for an hour beforehand to get yourself in wind-down mode.

• Get some natural daylight first thing to wake up your circadian rhythm, or use a sunrise lamp during your morning alarms.

• Wear reflective clothing and use lights or headlamps when walking, running or cycling for some post-work exercise.

• Save the number of organisations like Strut Safe – a UK-wide phone line for when you’re out alone at night.

🌍 Climate targets: EU environment ministers have delayed agreeing on 2035 and 2040 emissions targets, saying more time is needed to align national positions ahead of COP30.

• The bigger story: The discussions reflect the complexity of balancing economic and environmental priorities across member states, with some calling for stronger targets and others seeking flexibility for industry. The EU aims to finalise its climate goals before the United Nations’ conference COP30 next month, to present a unified approach to global negotiations and put plans into action.

🍊 Big squeeze: A £5.30 orange juice has told the story of why supermarket prices are so high.

🚄 Tunnel vision: The Eurostar is set to start running doubledecker trains through the Channel Tunnel to meet growing demand for international rail travel from the UK.

🥜 Avoiding allergies: A study has proved that introducing peanut products to young babies could prevent the development of life-threatening allergies.

⚡️ It won’t strike twice: Photographers in New Zealand have captured red lightning on camera – one of the rarest light phenomena in the world. 

💬 Here’s copin’: A new wave of internet slang is reflecting the modern way people process bad news (“cope” is now a noun? We missed a chapter!).

😊 Cheery city: This European city has been named the happiest in 2025, according to locals.

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Trivia answer: A) Piers Morgan has hinted at a “PM for PM” campaign (Piers Morgan for Prime Minister).

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