The Know Daily - Tuesday 28 October 2025

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Did you know that more than half of UK women have never held an investment product? We think it’s time to change that. With Trading 212, investing is simple, accessible and built for everyone – no finance degree or jargon required. Capital is at risk.

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In a remarkable blend of music and medicine, 65-year-old clarinettist Denise Bacon played her instrument live during brain surgery for Parkinson’s disease 🎶 During a four-hour procedure at London’s King’s College Hospital, surgeons implanted electrodes in the parts of Denise’s brain responsible for movement, and as she played her clarinet, her finger motions became noticeably clearer.

📦 Packaging tax

A revised version of the UK’s packaging tax came into force in April 2025, shifting more of the recycling costs from councils to companies. Here’s what it means and why it’s been making headlines recently.

First thing’s first: what is packaging tax?
The tax charges companies based on the materials they put on the market, like plastic, glass or cardboard. It’s built on what’s known as the “polluter pays principle” – those who create waste should cover the cost of dealing with it, rather than taxpayers footing the bill. As of this year, plastic is taxed at £423 per tonne, aluminium at £266 and glass and paper/card at £196. 

Why are some opposing it?
Businesses – especially smaller food producers – say the tax pushes up costs at a time of high inflation. For example, a sausage company recently reported the levy added 3p per pack and the British Retail Consortium has warned that over 80% of the cost may be passed to consumers. There are also others who argue the rollout has been rushed and lacks clarity on how local councils and recyclers will handle the changes.

What do advocates say?
Supporters see it as a necessary step towards tackling waste and making producers accountable for what they create. Environmental groups argue that when companies pay for the true cost of packaging, they’re more likely to design products that are easier to reuse and recycle. The government says shifting the burden from taxpayers to producers is fairer and essential for cutting waste overall.

Where do we go from here?
Businesses are adjusting by redesigning packaging and improving recycling. But balancing environmental goals with cost pressures is often tricky. Future changes could include more incentives for sustainable materials, support for smaller firms and clearer use of tax revenue to strengthen recycling.

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🕊️ Ceasefire progress: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine and its allies will draft a ceasefire plan within the next ten days.

• The bigger story: The Ukraine ceasefire framework comes as Zelenskyy calls for renewed diplomatic efforts alongside continued Western pressure on Russia. He said the move is aimed at creating “something to stop” the fighting and open the door to broader peace talks.

🎧 Pass the (AI)aux: OpenAI is reportedly working on a new tool that would generate music based on text and audio prompts.

🇺🇸 New hat in the ring: California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom has confirmed he is considering a 2028 presidential run.

🏨 Put on the Ritz: A historic London department store is set to become a 92-bed hotel, although there was a resident’s petition opposing the plans.

🎄 Jolly job hunting: According to Indeed, there has been a 29% increase in searches for seasonal jobs compared to 2024.

💤 Sleep saver: There’s an app that can help you fight jet lag when travelling? You can read all about it here.

🌺 Famous festivities: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations have begun in Mexico City – it’s pretty spectacular, as per usual!

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Trivia answer: B) Graphene is now being mixed with asphalt to fix road potholes too – hurray!

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