ITV News - What You Need To Know

From J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books to Roald Dahl’s tales, kids have long been kept entertained by these classics.

But, today, these books are struggling to capture children’s imaginations in the same way.

Reading for pleasure amongst under 18s has hit a ‘crisis’ point with the number enjoying it in their free time dropping to just one in three.

So, what’s behind this? And what are the long-term impacts?

ITV News Social Affairs Correspondent, Sarah Corker tells  Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know…
 

There’s an epidemic of spiking that’s sprawling across the UK.

And yet, official reports and convictions of the crime remain low.

Often, by the time the victim comes around, it may be too late to gather crucial evidence, leaving them helpless.

So, what can be done? Why does spiking often go unpunished? And how safe are you when out on the town?

ITV News Reporter Sangita Lal tells Sally Bidulph what you need to know…

With the US election just 24 hours away, Gen Z voters are more divided than ever.

They may be the most connected generation in history, but how connected are they to US politics?

Some seem to be disillusioned, with many still undecided as America heads to the polls.

So, why is this? What do they want from their new President? And will they stick to traditions or embrace change?  

Sam Leader tells Yasmin Bodalbhai what you need to know…

Spain is enduring its worst flooding disaster in decades.

After a year’s rain fell in just a matter of hours, families have been left with nothing.

With at least 200 people dead, including one British man and with dozens more missing, the country has gone into national mourning.

So, what can be done to pick up the pieces?

From Valencia, ITV News Europe Editor, James Mates tells Faye Barker and what you need to know…

A huge cash injection of £22.6billion into the NHS was announced in today’s budget.

But, the Health Secretary has warned that this funding would only ‘arrest the decline’ of the struggling health service and that it can’t be fixed in a single budget.

And without a firm grip on social care and employing more staff, hospitals are likely to remain overwhelmed.

So, is it enough or is it a sticking plaster? And when will we actually feel the boost?

ITV News Health Correspondent, Rebecca Barry and ITV News Health and Science Producer, Phillip Sime tell Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know... 

The number of women killed by men in the UK averages one every three days.
 
Most are domestic homicides and often the men involved are already known to police.
 
The National Police Chief’s Council themselves have described violence against women as a national emergency.
 
But are police and society at large failing women who are victims of abuse? And can anything be done to end the epidemic?
 
ITV Calendar Reporter, Amelia Beckett tells Ian White what you need to know…

As Russia approaches its third year of war with Ukraine, social media has become one of its most powerful weapons.

Videos linked to Russian accounts are sprawling all over TikTok, urging young Ukrainians to dodge the draft of conscription.

And with an army almost half the size of Russia’s, the impact on Ukraine could be huge.

So, will Ukraine have enough men to fight? And what are TikTok doing about this?

ITV News Reporter George Hancorn and Producer Lottie Kilraine tell Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know...

A woman whose son has paranoid schizophrenia has told ITV News she fears he will 'become another Valdo Calocane' unless he gets support.

She’s shared details of her decades-long struggle to get her son appropriate mental health care. 

In response, the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, told ITV News the issues raised in our report give him ‘sleepless nights’.

So, how can things be changed for the better? And how can the level of risk be reduced?

ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry tells Mary Nightingale what you need to know...

It’s been 50 years since the first handheld phone call and now, the digital landscape has changed beyond recognition.

Smart phones have become an essential in everyday life, and many would say they can’t live without them.

But what if we took a step away from our screens? Perhaps it’s finally time to? And what exactly are smart phones doing to our brain?

Faye Barker tells Lucrezia Millarini what you need to know…

For more on this, head over to ITVX and watch ITV's Tonight programme. 

Heartbroken fans from around the world are mourning the loss of former One Direction star, Liam Payne, after dying at just the age of 31.

His life came to an end after he fell from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.

Tributes are now pouring in as Liam is remembered for his lasting legacy on the music industry. 

So, who was the real Liam Payne? And what happened?

ITV News Entertainment Reporter, Rishi Davda tells Faye Barker what you need to know...