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What You Need To Know

ITV Newswww.itv.com
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.
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Episodes

Why Andrew Tate's left Muslims divided

"MashAllah brother tate" was just one of the messages of support for self-proclaimed misogynist, Andrew Tate. As a newly converted Muslim, Tate had spent his first Ramadan behind bars, over alleged charges of rape and human trafficking – both of which he denies. So, how have the Muslim community reacted to his conversion? And what does this mean for his fanbase? ITV News Digital Video Producer Zahra Errami brings you What You Need to Know...

Apr 10, 202314 min

Unearthing the Nazi occupation on British soil

Ask anyone about the time British people were under Nazi control on their own land and it sounds like you're rewriting history. And yet for five years during the second world war, it actually happened. And yet it's a story barely taught in schools or widely known. But now an exhibition has brought new light to the horrors carried out by the Nazi occupiers on British soil. ITV News Journalist Fred Dimbleby brings you What You Need to Know....

Apr 07, 202313 min

Why private companies are profiting from the homeless

An exclusive ITV News Investigation has revealed that some private landlords are making millions of pounds from councils housing people in appalling conditions. Homeless families have been forced into shocking accommodation run by private companies due to a shortage of housing from local authorities. What’s left are families surrounded by mould, damp and broken windows. So, how can these families be saved? And what are the government doing about it? ITV News Investigations correspondent Daniel H...

Apr 05, 202316 min

How safe are we in the hands of Britain's firefighters?

An ongoing ITV News investigation has laid bare the culture of misogyny, harassment and criminal behaviour that exists within the UK’s fire services. Now, in a watershed moment, The Fire Inspectorate has confirmed that these ugly truths are taking place within every single fire service across the country. So, is this just the tip of the iceberg? And how safe are we in the hands of Britain's firefighters? ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand who has been investigating this ongoing issue tells ITV News P...

Apr 03, 202321 min

Britain's shocking imprisonment of autistic adults

A year and a half later, Sarah is still waiting for her son, Josh, to come back home. She’s just one of thousands of parents whose children with a learning disability or autism are being detained in inpatient hospitals, with not much chance of escape. Now, the government is set to miss yet another target of reducing the numbers of such people in hospitals by 50%. So, how can a system so broke be fixed once and for all? ITV News Correspondent Peter Smith and ITV News Producer Reshma Rumsey who ha...

Mar 31, 202322 min

What happens next if Donald Trump is indicted?

Donald Trump’s indictment could be just around the corner, as the former US President faces possible charges for paying ‘hush money’ to adult film star, Stormy Daniels. But in a blitz to deter his criminal investigations, Trump has lambasted prosecutors, whilst he rallies support for his 2024 presidential campaign. So, could this be the beginning of the end for Donald Trump? And where will it leave the 2024 elections? ITV News US Correspondent Dan Rivers tells ITV News Presenter Tom Bradby what ...

Mar 29, 202317 min

Why democracy is at stake in Macron’s France

As the streets of Paris continue to be set alight, more than a million French citizens are taking to the streets to protest against President Macron. His proposed reforms to the country’s pension system have triggered an uproar so violent, that even King Charles is no longer welcome. With the royal state visit being postponed, deep disappointment on both sides of the channel lingers. So how much longer will the chaos continue? And is there any chance of reconciliation for this symbolic state vis...

Mar 27, 202310 min

Why schools across the country could be at risk of collapsing with no warning at all

Tens of thousands of children across the country are attending schools with roofs that could collapse at any point. The pressure is mounting for ministers to reveal which schools have been built with the concrete RAAC, which has a lifespan of just 30 years and could crumble with no warning at all. So how can we be sure we’re sending our children to safe schools? And what are the government doing about it? ITV News Investigations Correspondent Daniel Hewitt tells ITV News Presenter Faye Barker wh...

Mar 24, 202312 min

Can Boris survive after gruelling Partygate grilling?

Boris Johnson has always insisted he was unaware Downing Street’s boozy lockdown parties had breached his own guidance and rules. For more than three hours MPs put that to the test. So what were the telling exchanges? Did his answers stand up to scrutiny? And has he done enough to save his political career? ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand tells ITV News Presenter Mary Nightingale what you need to know...

Mar 22, 202324 min

IS runaway believes Shamima Begum deserves redemption

Do you think ISIS recruits like Shamima Begum deserve a second chance? Well, former IS member Tareena Shakil who also fled Britain to join the Islamic State in Syria, was later allowed to return home to the UK, unlike Shamima. Tareena Shakil, was the first woman to be prosecuted in the UK for joining a terror group. She was sentenced to six years behind bars after running away to Syria with her child, when she was 24. So why did Tareena deserve another shot? And how does Tareena’s case differ fr...

Mar 20, 202312 min

Six months on from the death of Mahsa Amini

Six months on since her death, Mahsa Amini remains a symbol of resistance and a hero for women’s rights campaigners in Iran. The 22-year-old’s death in police custody sparked the country’s largest protests in years. Thousands have now been arrested, hundreds killed, and several are facing the death penalty in the face of government resistance. So, are the protests leading to any real change? And is there an end in sight? ITV News Correspondent Lucy Watson tells ITV News International Affairs Edi...

Mar 17, 202313 min

Will impartiality ever be achievable at the BBC?

The Match of the Day fiasco certainly opened a pandora’s box for The BBC. The broadcaster’s coverage collapsed over the weekend after pundits, presenters and contributors refused to work. And although the dust seems to have now settled for Gary Lineker, as he returns to our screens this weekend, what’s left is a broadcaster stuck in an increasingly partisan age with one goal in mind, to remain impartial. But will impartiality ever be achievable at The BBC? And just how much trouble are they in? ...

Mar 15, 202319 min

Will Britain's Spring Budget give Carbon Capture the green light?

With the world aiming to hit net zero by 2050, the UK is expected to make green energy a big driver in this week’s Spring Budget. Campaigners are calling for energy companies to capture as much carbon as they release. But against a backdrop of soaring energy prices and a cost of living crisis that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, will the upcoming government support stop short of enforcing a compulsory take back obligation? ITV News Health and Science Correspondent Martin Stew tells ITV News P...

Mar 13, 202317 min

The debate around the popular party drug laughing gas

You may have heard a lot about the popular party drug nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas. Recently, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to ban it. But here in the UK, a review for the government has stopped short of recommending a laughing gas ban. So why has this drug become so popular now? And will the ban in the Netherlands actually stop young people from using it? ITV News Social Affairs Correspondent Sarah Corker tells ITV News Presenter Faye Barker what you ne...

Mar 10, 202316 min

Why the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is hanging by a thread

The gulf between the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority has rarely been wider than it is now. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process is hanging by a thread with not a single party in the incumbent coalition backing a two-state solution. Meanwhile, the UK and other European countries have condemned the rising violence in the West Bank in a plea to restore peace. So, can Netanyahu restrain the far-right zealots who he once empowered? And can the Palestinian Authority prevent Hamas from go...

Mar 08, 202321 min

Why Antarctica’s sea ice hitting a record low matters for us all

In another clear sign of global warming, an uncertain future lies ahead for Antarctica, as sea ice has reached a record low. But it’s not just Antarctica the world should be concerned about, as the accelerating melt of sea ice across all polar regions is widely impacting the globe. So, is this the beginning of the end? And what does it mean for us here in the UK? ITV News Correspondent Rupert Evelyn who is in Svalbard, tells ITV News Investigations Correspondent Daniel Hewitt what you need to kn...

Mar 06, 202312 min

What does Sturgeon's resignation mean for Scottish independence?

It’s now been two weeks since Scotland’s longest serving and first female First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon resigned. There is no doubt that she changed the shape and legacy of the Scottish National Party. But the question on everyone’s lips is why did she resign if Scottish independence is on the way? And what do we know about the candidates competing to replace her? ITV News Correspondent Peter Smith tells ITV News Presenter Tom Bradby what you need to know... Produced by Anna Georgevic...

Mar 03, 202329 min

Everything you need to know about Cuckooing

Have you heard of Cuckooing? It’s thought to be on the rise across the UK and is the forced taking-over of someone’s home in order to use it as a cover for drugs operations. Charities are now campaigning for it to become a recognised criminal offence in the forthcoming modern slavery bill. So why has there been such a rise in the phenomenon? And what’s being done to stop it? ITV News Presenter Julie Etchingham tells ITV News Presenter Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know... Produced by Anna ...

Mar 01, 202314 min

Why crumbling NHS hospitals are risking patient safety

Leaks, collapsing floors, holes in the ceiling and even raw sewage. These are the scenes you will find in the sorry state of England’s NHS hospitals. With patient safety increasingly at risk and entire wards having been forced to shut down, doctors are fearing something catastrophic could happen. So, how much longer can these buildings bear the brunt? And what can be done to stop our hospitals crumbling? ITV News Investigations Correspondent Daniel Hewitt who has been looking into the shocking s...

Feb 27, 202315 min

Behind the scenes of Russia's information war

Vladimir Putin’s missteps may have left him a long way from victory in Ukraine, but when it comes to the information war at home, his action was swift and decisive - wiping out independent media and crushing his opponents. So what’s life like now for Russians who were either forced to flee or remain silently behind? ITV News, News Editor, Emma Burrows speaks with two Russian journalists who bring you what you need to know on Russia’s information war. Emma is joined by Ekaterina Kotrikadze, the l...

Feb 24, 202320 min

How Russia's war lies have won hearts and minds

When Russians woke up to the news their country had invaded Ukraine on 24th February last year, there was shock, fear, even protests across the country. A year on, it’s hard to witness any public dissent against Vladimir Putin’s war. So why do so many Russians now believe the war in Ukraine is worth all of their sacrifices? In the second of three special episodes to mark the anniversary of the conflict, ITV News's News Editor Emma Burrows brings you what you need to know…...

Feb 22, 202318 min

How much longer can Ukraine resist Putin's forces?

The 24th February 2023 marks a year since Ukraine was invaded by Russia. The scale and sheer brutality has shocked the world. And after a year has passed, there is still no real end in sight. Ukraine has witnessed at least 30,000 civilian deaths and seen some 100,000 soldiers killed or wounded in action. So, how has the country changed and can it ever go back to what it once was? And what lies ahead for the families who have lost loved ones? Having reported on the Ukraine crisis for the past 12 ...

Feb 20, 202319 min

The powerless victims of deepfake porn

Have you had your picture taken recently? Or do you have a beloved family photo? Well, imagine your face being cut out from that very picture and placed on someone else’s body. Now, imagine that image of your face on someone else’s body who’s having sex on a porn site - that’s what makes deepfake porn. So, how exactly does it work? And what is being done to stop it? ITV News Digital Video Producer Sam Leader who has been investigating this worrying development, tells you What You Need to Know......

Feb 17, 202311 min

Why are junior doctors on the brink?

NHS pressures aren’t just impacting patients' physical health, they’re affecting doctors’ mental health too. In a survey carried out exclusively for ITV News, 91% of junior doctors say their work is worsening their mental wellbeing. And as they're currently being balloted for better working conditions in England, the pressure is mounting. So, what can be done to improve the conditions? And how can the NHS stop junior doctors from leaving the profession? ITV News reporter Martin Stew tells ITV Ne...

Feb 15, 202316 min

Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so deadly?

One week on, the death toll continues to rise from the Turkey and Syrian earthquakes. Rescue efforts are underway but with over 30,000 people dead, hope is starting to dwindle. Now, those who managed to escape are returning to their devastated homes to salvage anything they can. So, what has the response been like? And just how many more deaths can we expect to come? ITV News reporter Peter Smith who is on the ground in Turkey tells ITV News Presenter Tom Bradby what you need to know......

Feb 13, 202316 min

The Islamic regime kidnapped my father

A kidnapped man awaits execution in Iran, one of dozens on the country’s death row right now. And all because his plane took an unexpected landing in Dubai nearly three years ago. Now, his daughter’s doing everything she can to save his life. So what was his crime? And what does it tell us about how far Iran will go to silence its critics? ITV News Digital Video Producer Amani Ibrahimi who has been following the Iran protests closely, tells you what you need to know about the case of Jamshid Sha...

Feb 10, 202312 min

Is Britain in for a spring of discontent?

It started out as an autumn of discontent last year. But as the NHS, postal workers, rail staff, teachers and more continue gather on the picket line, there seems to be no end in sight. Terrified by the state of their industries, thousands are walking out over pay and staffing. So, how are the government responding? And just how long is this going to go on for? ITV News Deputy Political Editor Anushka Asthana tells ITV News presenter Tom Bradby what you need to know......

Feb 08, 202315 min

What does ChatGPT mean for the future of education?

Have you heard of the latest AI robot that’s revolutionising the education system? It’s called ChatGPT and is simultaneously becoming every student's dream and every teacher's nightmare. The software has already managed to pass an MBA exam, secure job offers and create business plans. So, how much of a threat does it pose to our curiculum? And what does it mean for the future of teaching? ITV News correspondent Martin Stew tells ITV News Investigations correspondent Daniel Hewitt what you need t...

Feb 06, 202313 min

Why Western tanks cannot come soon enough for Ukraine

After nearly a year of combat for Ukraine, the tanks promised by the West cannot come soon enough. For President Zelenskyy, keeping up the pace of allies’ support is crucial with aging equipment now battered and bruised. So, why is the West taking so long to deliver? And what kind of difference will the tanks make against Russia's spring offensive? ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen tells ITV News presenter Tom Bradby what you need to know...

Feb 03, 202315 min

DNP: The deadliest chemical you've never heard of

DNP, found in some diet pills, has caused at least 33 deaths in the UK so far. Now, the slimming aid, has been classified as poison and banned by the Home Office. But concerns still loom over the drug’s availability online. So, why are people so drawn to this drug? And will the new ban be enough to stop those from taking it? ITV News presenter Lucrezia Millarini talks to ITV News reporter Stacey Foster and the father of Bethany Shipsey, Douglas Shipsey, to find out what you need to know about th...

Feb 01, 202312 min
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