What You Need To Know

What You Need To Know

The quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories. Our team of specialist correspondents plus guests bring you information and analysis you can trust so you get What You Need To Know in minutes.

Episodes

May 19, 2025 13 mins
How are some people using technology as a means to control their partners?

Charities have warned that coercive control through technology is on the rise. 

A woman from north Cumbria has anonymously spoken to ITV News about her experience, explaining how she first thought it was "sweet" and "loving" that her former partner wanted to know where she was all the time.

However, she soon realised something much more sinister was happening.....
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Sean 'Diddy' Combs, a man who is without doubt one of the biggest names and cultural figures in the hip hop world.

But his spotlight has shifted, from music, film and fashion to a New York court.

Combs is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

If he is convicted, he could end up spending the rest of his li...
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A drug dealer has been jailed for fourteen years after his cannabis lab blew up, killing his seven-year-old neighbour Archie York.

Reece Galbraith was using butane gas to produce 'shatter'. So what is this super-strong cannabis, why is it so popular and what makes it so explosive?

ITV Tyne Tees Correspondent Gregg Easteal has investigated its production, trade and users and tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
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It was supposed to be a day of celebration but turned into one of absolute horror.

40 years ago this week, a fire tore through Bradford City's stadium on the final day of the season, killing 56 fans.

What caused it and how did it change football forever?

ITV Calendar Sports Correspondent Chris Dawkes tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.

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Watch Never Forget: The Bradford City Stadium Fire here: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/never-...
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Lucy Watson meets Simone and Malcolm Collins, leaders of America's pronatalist movement, which is gaining traction in the White House, thanks to father of 14 Elon Musk. 

Why do they want so many children and what is the Trump administration doing to aide their cause?
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Imagine having a cosmetic filler on your face go badly wrong...and being recommended turmeric lattes and massaging it with an electric toothbrush.

That's what happened to one woman, now waiting to see if she'll be permanently scarred.

So do we need tighter regulation on who can carry out aesthetic procedures?

Ellie Pitt tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.











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Happier Cars promises to sell your car for a commission...

But an ITV News investigation has found at least 50 people have been left out of pocket and a car. 

The used car dealership is accused of stealing £740k from their customers. 

Police in London and Essex have now launched investigations relating to Happier Cars in Harlow, but will these customers ever get their money back? 

Kaf Okpattah tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
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Up until now, the Football Association has resisted pressure from campaigners and ministers and continued to allow trans biological women to play in women’s teams on a case-by-case basis. 

But now football chiefs have changed course, banning all trans women from June 1.

So what explains the FA's decision? And what does it mean for transgender footballers and the wider sport?

ITV News' Sports Editor Steve Scott tells Geraint Vincent wh...
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In October 2016 Kim Kardashian was robbed in an exclusive Paris hotel - with the gunmen making off with millions of pounds worth of jewellery.

Now - almost a decade on - a group known as the ‘grandpa robbers’ are finally going on trial for the crime. So will Kim testify? 

And why has it even gone to court given one of the men accused released a book entitled ‘I kidnapped Kim Kardashian!’...

Rishi Davda tells Lucy Watson what you need ...
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For the mother of a murdered son, a small change in the law could make a life or death difference for other parents who fear for their adult children.

Fiona’s autistic son Christopher was violently murdered in his own home by a criminal who had exploited him.

She’s now fighting for other families' concerns to be acted on - a campaign supported by MPs from all three major parties.

But will the government listen?

Romilly Weeks and Elisa ...
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Ever used a nasal spray to deal with a cold?

Imagine using one so much, you need surgery. That's what happened to one woman who told us she'd become addicted.

Thousands more have been opening up with similar stories. So how are they getting hooked?

Sam Holder and Olivia Mustafa tell Mary Nightingale what you need to know.











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The death of Pope Francis has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the world.

Public mourning has begun, with the public having three days to file past his open coffin at St Peter's Basillica in the Vatican before his funeral on Saturday.

Cardinals will then begin conclave: the private process to choose Pope Francis's successor. So what is it and how soon will the next Pope be in place?

From the Vatican, ITV News Euro...
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When you rent a new home, it will come furnished or unfurnished.

But if you're in social housing, it's standard practice for something pretty vital to be missing: carpets.

When one tenant leaves, they're usually ripped out and the new tenant then has to replace them.

So why is this still happening - and who is the hero helping people who can't afford new carpets?

Will Tullis tells Daniel Hewitt what you need to know.

For more of ITV New...
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It’s known as white snus: the nicotine pouches users place between their cheek and gum.

They don’t contain tobacco but their nicotine content can be 20 times as much as a cigarette.

And the teabag-like pouches are also filled with sweeteners and flavourings, to market them to children, who can buy them legally.

So what are the health dangers? And why are so many products getting seized?

Digital Political Reporter Lewis Denison tells Lu...
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The civil war in Sudan passed the two year mark this week but hardly ever gets global attention.

That is despite its people facing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with children facing the most extreme violence.

So why has the war been allowed to rage on...and what could stop it?

International Affairs Analyst Rageh Omaar tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
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It was a wonder drug given to pregnant women on the NHS for nearly four decades, until it was banned in the 1970s for causing irreversible harm to their unborn children.

Yet that devastating damage has continued to pass through the generations.

And now the women whose lives have been ruined are seeking justice.

But how many are there and will their health problems be passed on forever?

Social Affairs Correspondent Sarah Corker tells Da...
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What does a blocked bridge in Budapest tell us about the changing world order? 

It's how thousands of protesters in Hungary have chosen to defy a new law that bans LGBT+ marches, much like Vladimir Putin's Russia has done. 

Hungary has also recently pulled out of the International Criminal Court. Are these signs Prime Minister Viktor Orban is being emboldened, not just by the Kremlin - but by the White House too? 

Europe Editor James ...
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Have you ever passed a wind turbine on a blustery day and wondered why it's not turning?

It's not broken. It's stopped because the national grid, the network which transports electric power around the country, can't take any more.

And we're not just missing out on all that green energy, the grid has to pay wind turbine owners to turn them off, costing the taxpayer £1bn pounds a year.

So with ever increasing demand, how will it keep up...
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It is a dangerous and deadly drug and now children as young as thirteen are being hospitalized by spice.

They are getting it in vapes, laced with the powerful synthetic drug.

So how is it reaching them and how can it be stopped?

Social Affairs Correspondent Sarah Corker and producer Olivia Mustafa tell Geraint Vincent what you need to know.






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A showdown in The Supreme Court this week will determine whether millions of drivers who bought vehicles with loans are owed compensation.

If successful, they could be due total payouts of up to 30 billion pounds.

But if you haven't made a claim yet, is it too late?

Consumer Editor Chris Choi tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know.
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