What You Need To Know

Could Donald Trump’s Republicans be heading for a major defeat in the 2026 US midterm elections?
The latest polling numbers suggest they could be in trouble — and the consequences for Trump’s final two years as president could be significant.
In this ITV News explainer, Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor at The Cook Political Report, breaks down the polls, political trends and key numbers that could determine the outcome of the US midterms on November 3.
Donald Trump’s approval ratings have fallen sharply since he returned to the White House. Voters are increasingly unhappy with his handling of the economy, rising living costs and his immigration policies.
Even traditionally Republican states could be competitive, raising the possibility that Democrats could win control of the House of Representatives, the Senate — or both.
But how much can we really learn from the polls? And could history repeat itself?

There is a lot at stake in next week's election in Israel, not least the political future of Benjamin Netanyahu.

For 30 years, he has been at the top of Israeli politics, but after three years of war, that could all be about to change.

We've taken a look at how likely he is to lose, who his main opponents are, and how the result could affect the entire Middle East.

Manchester City are in big trouble, that much is clear. But how bad is the collateral damage for the Premier League?
It has been just over a week since the Premier League confirmed that the club had been found guilty of massive breaches of the league's financial rules. It coincides with a period when City rose to be the dominant force in English football.
The club maintain their innocence, and are appealing. But if the findings of the Premier League's independent commission are upheld, they could be in big trouble.
ITV News Sports Editor has been taking a look at what the next stages are, the potential punishment for Manchester City, and how badly the league's reputation could be damaged.

For the past 25 years, Wales has radically reshaped its education system, taking a radically different path from England.
But it remains far ehind every other home nation in performance in reading, maths and science, according to a new report. So what's behind these poor scores?
It launched a play-based curriculum for young children, abolished school league tables, and scrapped tests like SATs traditionally held in primary school. Its new curriculum gives schools greater freedom over what they teach, aiming to develop critical thinking.
But it has its critics, and the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) assessments don't make for pretty reading for the Welsh government.
In the 2025 results, Wales was the lowest-performing UK nation, something that has happened in each of the tests since 2006, and the gap with England in particular is widening.
We'll investigate why Wales is performing so poorly. Is it all down to the nation's alternative approach, or are there other factors at play?

Germany’s far-right, anti-immigration AfD party is on course for a major victory in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, potentially marking the first time a far-right party has led a government in Germany since World War II. With a campaign fronted by TikTok star Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD has surged in popularity, but it’s not without controversy. A win would likely send shockwaves through German politics and across Europe, heaping the pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz who is unpopular with voters. In this video, we break down the AfD's rise, look at their policies, and what a breakthrough victory could mean for Germany's future. Featuring an in-depth interview with British-German historian and journalist Katja Hoyer, we look at how Germany here and why the outcome is so important.