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.

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.

Trump, ticket prices, and thunderstorms…

The 2026 World Cup is about to kick off, but it could be a bumpy ride.

We’ve already seen one of the referees banned from entering the United States, Iran’s team being forced to move their training base to Mexico, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino telling everyone to ‘chill’.

So here are the biggest problems the tournament could face.

In this ITV News explainer, we examine why tensions between the United States and Cuba are escalating, how Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy has fuelled speculation about Cuba’s future, and what options could be on the table for Washington.

Presented by ITV News reporter Will Tullis, this video explores the historical roots of US-Cuba hostility, the impact of decades of sanctions and embargoes, and the growing economic crisis facing ordinary Cubans.

We look at whether increased pressure on Havana could lead to regime change, a “friendly takeover”, further economic isolation, or a worsening humanitarian situation.

Featuring expert analysis from ITV News US Correspondent Dan Rivers and Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban and Caribbean history at the University of Florida, the video breaks down the political, military and economic factors shaping the relationship between Washington and Havana.

Average annual energy bills are set to go up by more than £200 a year from July, after energy regulator Ofgem announced a 13% rise in the energy price cap.

It's largely down to the impact of the Iran War, but with the UK generating more electricity from renewable sources than ever before, why aren't we feeling the benefits in our bills?

The answer is more complicated than you might think, and it all comes down to how energy prices are set in the UK...

We explain what's going on, why renewables haven't made your bills cheaper, and if drilling in the North Sea might be the answer.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.

Ebola is a highly contagious virus that can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or semen.

The disease it causes is rare, but can be severe and often fatal. In a post on X, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency, like Covid-19, and advised against the closure of international borders.

ITV News explains what you need to know about the Ebola outbreak so far.

China has vowed for decades to bring Taiwan under its control, but under President Xi Jinping, pressure on the self-governing island has intensified dramatically. With the US committed to defending Taiwan, there are fears that the world could be edging closer to a conflict between two nuclear superpowers.

ITV News Asia Correspondent Debi Edward examines why Taiwan matters so much to Beijing, how China could attempt to take the island, and what the consequences could mean for the global economy and international security.

This explainer explores the history behind China’s claim to Taiwan, the rise of Taiwanese identity, and the growing military, economic and political pressure being exerted by Beijing. It also looks at the possible scenarios experts believe are most likely — from a Chinese naval blockade and cyber attacks to the prospect of a full-scale invasion.

With Taiwan producing many of the world’s most advanced semiconductors, any conflict in the region could have global consequences far beyond Asia. The video also examines the role of the United States, President Donald Trump’s position on Taiwan, and whether America would intervene in a war with China.

As tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait, this is what you need to know about one of the most consequential geopolitical disputes in the world today.

Contributor:

Ben Bland - Director, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House

Labour and the Conservatives have dominated British politics for more than 100 years. But local and devolved elections being held across the UK could be about to change that forever, and potentially mark the end for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

ITV News' election expert Professor Jane Green has been given access to YouGov polling data that suggests that we might be at a tipping point, where challenger parties like Reform UK, the Lib Dems, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, and the SNP could be set for some of their best results ever.

In this video, we’ll look at what this data reveals, how Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Green Party could potentially unseat Labour and the Conservatives, and how this all means the future of British politics could be set to change indefinitely.