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
December 18, 2025 • 15 mins
"We have a simple choice, either money today or blood tomorrow".
Those were the blunt words of Polish PM Donald Tusk, as leaders gathered to discuss the billions in Russian assets, frozen in the EU.
Once released, that money would help Ukraine's war effort...but the plan has faced significant opposition from some member states.
Meanwhile, Roman Abramovic is yet to fulfill his pledge to send the £2.5bn from Chelsea football club's sale...
Those were the blunt words of Polish PM Donald Tusk, as leaders gathered to discuss the billions in Russian assets, frozen in the EU.
Once released, that money would help Ukraine's war effort...but the plan has faced significant opposition from some member states.
Meanwhile, Roman Abramovic is yet to fulfill his pledge to send the £2.5bn from Chelsea football club's sale...
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December 15, 2025 • 16 mins
Heatwaves in Europe, wildfires in Hollywood and catrastrophic cyclones in South East Asia.
Extreme weather has been a constant and growing threat in 2025.
Good Morning Britain meteorologist and weather presenter Laura Tobin has been speaking to colleagues across the world about what they are seeing.
So what can the world expect for 2026?
She tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
Extreme weather has been a constant and growing threat in 2025.
Good Morning Britain meteorologist and weather presenter Laura Tobin has been speaking to colleagues across the world about what they are seeing.
So what can the world expect for 2026?
She tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
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December 11, 2025 • 16 mins
The former president of Honduras - Juan Orlando Hernandez - was in a US prison, charged with smuggling 400 tonnes of cocaine into the United States.
But, just ahead of a very tense presidential election in Honduras, President Trump announced he was going to pardon Mr Hernandez.
Meanwhile, the US has sezied an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as it continues to pile pressure on its president Nicolas Maduro.
The US government accu...
But, just ahead of a very tense presidential election in Honduras, President Trump announced he was going to pardon Mr Hernandez.
Meanwhile, the US has sezied an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as it continues to pile pressure on its president Nicolas Maduro.
The US government accu...
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December 8, 2025 • 13 mins
It is the biggest miscarriage of justice in British History. But almost two years after the ITV drama made it a burning issue, are we any closer to justice over the Post Office Horizon IT scandal?
Hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongly accused of stealing and jailed. Thousands more lives were ruined.
So what punishment could those responsible face? Senior Investigations Producer Isabel Alderson-Blench and Investigations Editor Dani...
Hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongly accused of stealing and jailed. Thousands more lives were ruined.
So what punishment could those responsible face? Senior Investigations Producer Isabel Alderson-Blench and Investigations Editor Dani...
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December 4, 2025 • 10 mins
Homes swept away, communities left isolated and more than a thousand deaths confirmed.
A battering of cyclones on parts of Asia in the past week has brought mass flooding and displaced millions.
In Sri Lanka the extreme weather has caused devastating mudslides, creating a humanitarian emergency.
But in a country that is no stranger to flooding, why has THIS storm been SO catastrophic?
ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward has been vi...
A battering of cyclones on parts of Asia in the past week has brought mass flooding and displaced millions.
In Sri Lanka the extreme weather has caused devastating mudslides, creating a humanitarian emergency.
But in a country that is no stranger to flooding, why has THIS storm been SO catastrophic?
ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward has been vi...
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November 28, 2025 • 31 mins
For over two years, video journalist Mohammed Abu Safia has risked his life filming the war in Gaza for ITV News.
Separated from his family, his footage stunned the world as he captured what was happening to his homeland.
So how has he lived through the destruction and the loss? And what is life like now under the most fragile of ceasefires?
John Irvine is ITV News' Senior International Correspondent in Tel Aviv and has worked with Mo...
Separated from his family, his footage stunned the world as he captured what was happening to his homeland.
So how has he lived through the destruction and the loss? And what is life like now under the most fragile of ceasefires?
John Irvine is ITV News' Senior International Correspondent in Tel Aviv and has worked with Mo...
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November 24, 2025 • 15 mins
"The only time that I need help, I have been completely failed" says Geraldine, who is set to be evicted from her home with her 12 year old daughter. She cannot afford anywhere else.
The government was elected promising to make housing more affordable and is now vowing to 'build baby build'.
Investigations Editor tells Daniel Hewitt tells Lucy Watson what progress the government is making on its pledge to build 1.5m new homes by the ...
The government was elected promising to make housing more affordable and is now vowing to 'build baby build'.
Investigations Editor tells Daniel Hewitt tells Lucy Watson what progress the government is making on its pledge to build 1.5m new homes by the ...
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November 20, 2025 • 11 mins
School shootings, mosque attacks, extreme misogyny and far-right costumes - that's just some of the content ITV News found British teens being exposed to on the world's most popular game app - Roblox. Now, the company is taking action, introducing new age verification checks.
But will these measures stop teens being shown extremist content?
Digital Reporter George Hancorn uncovered white supremacy on the app and tells Lucy Watson w...
But will these measures stop teens being shown extremist content?
Digital Reporter George Hancorn uncovered white supremacy on the app and tells Lucy Watson w...
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November 17, 2025 • 15 mins
For months now, the US has been destroying boats in the Caribbean it accuses of smuggling drugs into its country.
Now it has brought the world's largest warship to within striking distance of Venezeula. It accuses its leader Nicolas Maduro of running a narco-terrorist organisation aimed at destabilising the US through drugs.
But with cocaine from the country reportedly accounting for just 10% of the US market - what part are the coun...
Now it has brought the world's largest warship to within striking distance of Venezeula. It accuses its leader Nicolas Maduro of running a narco-terrorist organisation aimed at destabilising the US through drugs.
But with cocaine from the country reportedly accounting for just 10% of the US market - what part are the coun...
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November 13, 2025 • 19 mins
Our governments have long enjoyed a so-called 'special relationship' but now white supremacists in the UK and US are forging deeper and deeper ties.
ITV News has uncovered a network of far-right groups, spanning both sides of the atlantic.
So just how are they working together and what do they want?
Global Security Editor Rohit Rohit Kachroo tells Geraint Vincent what you need to know.
Watch Rohit's film 'How did a neo-Nazi end up wor...
ITV News has uncovered a network of far-right groups, spanning both sides of the atlantic.
So just how are they working together and what do they want?
Global Security Editor Rohit Rohit Kachroo tells Geraint Vincent what you need to know.
Watch Rohit's film 'How did a neo-Nazi end up wor...
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November 10, 2025 • 9 mins
Skinny jabs have been hailed as a 'game changer' for tackling obesity - but with demand soaring, an underworld of unlicensed and dangerous products is rapidly spreading.
ITV News has uncovered fake jabs, smuggled into the UK from a lab in China, and sold through social media to desperate customers.
Fake skinny jabs are also making their way onto high streets, with customers getting backroom injections in beauty salons - potentially l...
ITV News has uncovered fake jabs, smuggled into the UK from a lab in China, and sold through social media to desperate customers.
Fake skinny jabs are also making their way onto high streets, with customers getting backroom injections in beauty salons - potentially l...
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November 6, 2025 • 16 mins
Could Britain be doing more to stop the brutal civil war in Sudan?
The country's ambassador to the UK has warned a genocide is unfolding, with with tens of thousands of civilians slaughtered in the most recent escalation in the Western Darfur region.
But he says the international community has been turning a 'blind eye' to the conflict.
So how could the fighting be stopped?
ITV News International Editor Emma Murphy tells Lucy Watson wh...
The country's ambassador to the UK has warned a genocide is unfolding, with with tens of thousands of civilians slaughtered in the most recent escalation in the Western Darfur region.
But he says the international community has been turning a 'blind eye' to the conflict.
So how could the fighting be stopped?
ITV News International Editor Emma Murphy tells Lucy Watson wh...
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November 3, 2025 • 16 mins
The market for AI companionship has never been bigger. With technology rapidly advancing, one of the pioneers of this field now serves 34 million users worldwide.
The UK is Replika's biggest growing market outside of America, what does this mean for modern relationships?
Sangita Lal tells Faye Barker what you need to know.
--
Sangita's report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQkoRsx36HM
The UK is Replika's biggest growing market outside of America, what does this mean for modern relationships?
Sangita Lal tells Faye Barker what you need to know.
--
Sangita's report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQkoRsx36HM
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October 30, 2025 • 20 mins
For 20 years people wishing to settle in the UK and gain British citizenship, have had to pass the Life in the UK test, alongside steps including living here for 5 years and proving knowledge of English, Welsh or Scots Gaelic.
Its questions span history, politics and culture but are they the right ones? Lucy Watson speaks tries them out on Political Editor Robert Peston, who explains why the test was introduced in 2005 and the curre...
Its questions span history, politics and culture but are they the right ones? Lucy Watson speaks tries them out on Political Editor Robert Peston, who explains why the test was introduced in 2005 and the curre...
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October 27, 2025 • 9 mins
Shoplifting in England and Wales is at a 20 year high.
But while you might have heard of the wave of criminal gangs looting shops, one police force has told ITV News it is now dealing with a rise in quite different culprits: middle class shoplifters.
The thieves are stealing high end goods and keeping them for themselves.
Officers have a bold way to deal with them, which doesn't involve prison, but is it fair?
ITV News Anglia's Katie R...
But while you might have heard of the wave of criminal gangs looting shops, one police force has told ITV News it is now dealing with a rise in quite different culprits: middle class shoplifters.
The thieves are stealing high end goods and keeping them for themselves.
Officers have a bold way to deal with them, which doesn't involve prison, but is it fair?
ITV News Anglia's Katie R...
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October 23, 2025 • 14 mins
Warning: contains details and themes some listeners may find distressing.
On Thursday 24 October, Colombian porn star Yostin Mosquera will be sentenced for the double murder of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso, whose body parts he dumped in a suitcase on Bristol Suspension Bridge in July 2024 before disappearing into the night.
ITV West Country's Robert Murphy tells Lucrezia Millarini how police tracked Mosquera down and the disturb...
On Thursday 24 October, Colombian porn star Yostin Mosquera will be sentenced for the double murder of Paul Longworth and Albert Alfonso, whose body parts he dumped in a suitcase on Bristol Suspension Bridge in July 2024 before disappearing into the night.
ITV West Country's Robert Murphy tells Lucrezia Millarini how police tracked Mosquera down and the disturb...
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October 20, 2025 • 17 mins
The scenes in Israel were of pure joy and relief as Hamas released the last 20 living hostages, and they were returned their families.
But after the celebrations, they now face the task of rebuilding their lives?
And with the ceasefire already faltering under more strikes in Gaza, what hope is there that the bodies of the dead hostages might be returned. And what about the return of the Palestinians who were detained in Gaza during t...
But after the celebrations, they now face the task of rebuilding their lives?
And with the ceasefire already faltering under more strikes in Gaza, what hope is there that the bodies of the dead hostages might be returned. And what about the return of the Palestinians who were detained in Gaza during t...
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October 16, 2025 • 15 mins
The wildfires that engulfed Los Angeles earlier this year looked like something you'd expect to see in a Hollywood disaster movie.
But new data shows they're becoming an increasing reality across the world and the UK has now had its first 'megafire'.
Martin Stew tells Lucy Watson exactly what damage all that burning is doing to the planet
But new data shows they're becoming an increasing reality across the world and the UK has now had its first 'megafire'.
Martin Stew tells Lucy Watson exactly what damage all that burning is doing to the planet
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October 13, 2025 • 12 mins
An extra border security step has begun for travellers to Europe - and it affects all British passport holders.
But the EU’s new Entry/Exit System comes with the warning to expect more delays while going through passport control.
ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi tells Sally Biddulph how it works and how your data is stored.
But the EU’s new Entry/Exit System comes with the warning to expect more delays while going through passport control.
ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi tells Sally Biddulph how it works and how your data is stored.
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October 9, 2025 • 15 mins
Finally, after two years of bombardment, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal - bringing joy and relief to survivors in Gaza and hostages' families in Israel.
President Trump has predicted lasting peace in the middle east. So what else needs to happen, to make that a reality?
International Editor Emma Murphy tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
President Trump has predicted lasting peace in the middle east. So what else needs to happen, to make that a reality?
International Editor Emma Murphy tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.
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