The Know Daily - Thursday 25 September 2025

_{Read in 4m 22s ∙ Listening to Cynthia Erivo ∙}

New Mexico is making history. Starting November 1, it will become the first US state to offer free childcare to all families, no income limits. The move is intended to relieve parents’ financial strain, expand workforce participation and invest in early learning. More of this, please 👏

💊 Why is everyone talking about Tylenol?

US President Donald Trump recently made links between pregnant people taking paracetamol (known as Tylenol in the US) and their children having autism. Medical experts around the world have stated there is no strong connection.

What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong condition resulting from the brain developing differently in childhood. It affects how someone communicates and interacts with others, learns and behaves. It’s estimated that over 60 million people worldwide live with autism.

Where did Trump’s link come from?
Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has spearheaded investigations in recent months into the effects of taking paracetamol early on in pregnancy and a reported rise in autism diagnoses. Speaking from the White House earlier this week, he and President Trump urged those who are pregnant to speak to their doctors about taking the medicine. They also said they’re pushing for medication labels to be changed to highlight the proposed risks.

Are cases of autism rising?
Trump is correct that reported cases are increasing, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating there were 1 in 110 cases in 2007 compared to 1 in 31 in 2022. However, scientists say this is likely due to more people being tested, better diagnosis pathways and increased awareness, rather than because of paracetamol use.

Is there strong evidence for a link?
In short, no. One of the largest studies on the topic, published last year, reviewed over 2 million children born in Sweden and found no connection between mothers taking paracetamol during pregnancy and development of autism or ADHD. What’s more, a global review of multiple studies published earlier this year also found no evidence that paracetamol significantly increases the risk of developing autism.

What’s the reaction been?
The UK’s health secretary Wes Streeting has urged mothers-to-be to “listen to British doctors, scientists and the NHS” over Trump. Health agencies and medical experts here have rejected the claims too, renewing efforts to reassure people and avoid misinformation. The chief safety officer for the UK’s drug regulator, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said: “Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment” and stated that paracetamol has been used safely by millions of people for decades. The National Autism Society has reiterated the need to support those living with autism in particular, to avoid unnecessary distress caused by incorrect information.

📱 Influencer infrastructure: UK MPs are calling for better support for YouTube and TikTok content creators.

• The bigger story: A cross-party group aims to address challenges like funding, studio access and difficulty obtaining loans or mortgages. MPs say digital creators are reshaping culture and should be recognised as key contributors to the creative economy. The initiative also seeks to ensure platforms and policymakers work together to remove barriers and provide fairer opportunities.

🌚 Fly me to the moon: NASA is accelerating plans to send humans to the moon again, with a possible launch as early as February 5.

🇳🇱 Crowd control: Amsterdam residents have taken legal action against the council, which they say is not doing enough to curb unsustainable visitor numbers.

👩‍🔬 Ageing analysis: Maria Branyas Morera, who was the world’s oldest person before she passed away aged 117, has given scientists insights to the secrets of healthy old age.

🚂 Mind the gap: PSA for your next trip – the worst London train stations for cancellations have been revealed through new data.

🦕 Jurassic giant: Scientists have discovered a new dinosaur from Argentina, which may have been 7m long.

✨ Sleeping beneath the stars: You could make your next trip wherever the wind takes you… or you could go wherever the stars take you. Find your dream Airbnb according to your zodiac sign.

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Trivia answer: C) According to Burberry, the anti-bob hair trend is back.

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