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What You Need To Know

What You Need To Know

By: ITV News
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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.ITV News Politics & Government
Episodes
  • How England are planning to beat the altitude in their World Cup game against Mexico
    Jul 3 2026

    England fans have turned their attention to Mexico after the Three Lions reached the last 16 of the World Cup, thanks to two late goals from Harry Kane.

    The side will face Mexico at Estadio Azteca, which sits more than 7,300ft above sea level, at 1am BST on Monday.

    At Estadio Azteca's height, oxygen intake can fall by more than 7% until the body has time to acclimatise.

    That can reduce stamina and make it harder for players to sprint or press for long periods.

    So, how are the squad hoping to overcome the altitude?

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    6 mins
  • The dangerous weather phenomenon that’s making this heatwave so much worse
    Jun 25 2026

    Continental Europe is in the grip of a deadly heatwave that has claimed hundreds of lives, including three children in France, as temperatures soared above 40C.

    France and Spain were among the worst affected as the continent sweltered under a heat dome, a vast area of stagnant high pressure. In Spain, 212 people have died due to the extreme heat over the past week, according to data from the country’s mortality monitoring system, MoMo. At least 48 people have drowned in France, seeking relief from the record-breaking temperatures, including a 21-year-old French footballer with a second-division club.

    In the UK meanwhile, the UK’s hottest June day on record has been broken again during this week's heatwave, with a provisional temperature of 36.4C recorded in Yeovilton, Somerset. This surpasses the high of 36.1C set on Wednesday in Gosport, Hampshire, the Met Office said.

    It comes after the Met Office extended its red warning for extreme heat for Friday as the peak of a heatwave affecting most of England and Wales are set to shift eastwards.

    But what is causing these records to be smashed, and this brutal weather to continue? And how long will the heat last? We explain the 'heat dome' that has descended upon Europe.

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    5 mins
  • How Restore Britain might be about to make Andy Burnham the next PM
    Jun 17 2026

    Tomorrow, voters in the Makerfield constituency head to the polls for one of the most unusual and consequential by-elections in modern history.

    That is because Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham is standing for Labour, and is expected to launch a direct challenge to the Prime Minister should he win.

    But will he win? Makerfield by-election polls suggest a tight two-horse race between Reform UK's candidate Robert Kenyon and Labour candidate Andy Burnham.

    But there is another party changing the race: Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain, and its candidate Rebecca Shepherd. If they perform well in the by-election on Thursday, it could benefit Andy Burnham more than anyone.

    Here we take a look at who Restore Britain are, what they believe in, and why they are clashing with Nigel Farage and Reform UK despite coming from a similar wing of politics.

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    6 mins
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