The family of Michaela Hall, murdered by her partner Lee Kendall in 2021, has launched a legal challenge against Devon and Cornwall Police and the Probation Service under the Human Rights Act. The case alleges failures including a 'medium risk' assessment of a serial violent offender despite 34 pieces of intelligence on domestic abuse, and police failing to enter her home after a call reporting strangulation. An IOPC investigation and coroner found the murder was 'entirely foreseeable' and preventable. The Good Law Project is representing the family, seeking accountability and systemic change in domestic abuse policing.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that the UK does not have to pay Rwanda over £100 million in outstanding costs from the failed 2022 migrant deportation scheme. The tribunal rejected Rwanda's claim for two annual payments of £50 million each, finding that diplomatic exchanges after the deal was scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024 confirmed the UK would not make the payments. The deal, originally signed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in 2023 and resulted in only four voluntary transfers before being cancelled. The UK had already paid £290 million to Rwanda under the deal. The UK government welcomed the ruling, while Rwanda said it respects the award. The ruling adds to tensions between the two countries, already strained by UK aid cuts over allegations Rwanda supports M23 rebels in the DRC.

RMT union tube drivers on the London Underground will strike on Tuesday and Thursday after last-minute talks at Acas failed to resolve a dispute over the voluntary introduction of a compressed four-day working week. About half of drivers are expected to walk out, causing widespread disruption across the capital, with no service on the Circle and Piccadilly lines and reduced service on others. The RMT cites safety concerns over fatigue and longer shifts, while Transport for London (TfL) insists the plan is voluntary and designed to improve work-life balance. Business groups warn of economic damage from the uncertainty.

New visa rules, customs costs, and administrative red tape have significantly reduced opportunities for UK performers in the EU since Brexit. Performing arts exports to the EU fell from £1.15bn to £929m between 2016 and 2023. Industry bodies report blacklisting of UK-only passport holders, loss of jobs for working-class performers, and illegal work practices as performers are asked to work on tourist visas. The National Theatre halted EU tours, and educational touring company White Horse Theatre said Brexit threatens its future.

Approximately 1,500 British troops from 4 Brigade, supported by Challenger 2 main battle tanks, conducted Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia within 25 km of the Russian border. The exercise, part of NATO's Forward Land Force concept, rehearsed defending against an incursion by an aggressive neighboring state. It underscores the UK's commitment to NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (Operation Cabrit) and the alliance's scaled-up eastern flank posture following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The UK Parliament will debate plans for a single patient record for the NHS in England, combining GP, hospital, and social care data. The proposal aims to improve care coordination but faces concerns from the British Medical Association and others about data security, access, and potential commercial use. The debate is part of the NHS Modernisation Bill, which also includes abolishing NHS England and Healthwatch.

The UK Home Office revoked the Electronic Travel Authorisations of US political commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur, preventing them from entering the UK to speak at SXSW London and an Oxford Union event. The Home Office cited potential harm to the public good, based on comments assessed as antisemitic, including Piker's statements supporting Hamas and Uygur's claims about Israeli control of the US government. The pair allege the ban is due to their criticism of Israel. The decision has been praised by pro-Israel groups and criticized by civil liberties advocates.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee, pressed UK Defence Secretary John Healey on how the government will accelerate defence spending to 3% of GDP within this Parliament. Dhesi raised options including defence bonds and the proposed multilateral Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, noting Canada has taken the lead on the latter. Healey rejected claims of slow progress, citing the biggest defence spending increase since the Cold War, and mentioned former PM Gordon Brown's work on multinational security financing.

Background: A PSNI officer was seriously injured after being struck by a stolen police car in Downpatrick, County Down, and discharged his weapon during the pursuit. Two additional arrests have been made: a 36-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and aggravated vehicle taking causing injury, and a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police. A 27-year-old man, Kieran Turley, has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and using a motor vehicle with no insurance; he was released unconditionally on the attempted murder charge. The injured officer is recovering well. The Police Ombudsman is investigating the shooting.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced in the House of Commons that the government's Defence Investment Plan will be published before the NATO summit in Ankara on 7-8 July 2026. The plan will outline funding for the force structure described in the Strategic Defence Review, including procurement and equipment programmes. Healey faced criticism from opposition MPs over delays and lack of Treasury sign-off. The plan is expected to show how the UK will meet NATO's 5% GDP defence spending target by 2035.