What You Need To Know

Would upgrading ketamine to class A stop the drug's surge? The cheap, widely available drug can shred and shrink users bladders' - leaving them constantly rushing to the toilet.It can even kill, with Friends actor Matthew Perry and drag star The Vivienne both dying after taking the drug in recent years.The government is deliberating on whether to reclassify the drug from class B to class A, bringing harsher punishments for supply AND possession.Steve Rolles from Transform Drug Policy Foundation and Digital Reporter George Hancorn join Lucy Watson to discuss whether reclassification would put people off.

It's been a whole year since Birmingham's refuse workers first went on strike. Since then bin-bag-lined streets, rats and horrible smells have all become an unwanted feature of the UK's second city. But the union and council have not been in negotiations since the summer. So why are they still in deadlock and will they ever resolve Birmingham's bin crisis? ITV Central's Lewis Warner tells Lucy Watson what you need to know.

Captured amid gunfire in Caracas, Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro has now appeared in a New York court to face multiple drugs and wepaons charges.The US accuses him of leading a cartel responsible for flooding their country with cocaine and fentanyl - which he has always denied.Meanwhile, President Trump has made it clear there's another substance at the top of his mind: oil.“We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country,” Trump said.He even told reporters that he had tipped off US oil giants before the attack.So what exactly is his plan Venezuela's vast oil reserves...and will it work?International Editor Emma Murphy tells Paul Brand what you need to know.

"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 to Ukraine.Keir Starmer says the government is prepared to take him to court over it.So can the Russian money be accessed...and how desperately does Ukraine need it?Europe Editor James Mates tells Faye Barker what you need to know.

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.