Jo Shaw, 35, died in an explosion in Bristol after her ex-partner Ryan Kelly, 41, forced entry into her home while in possession of an explosive device; Kelly also died. The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related. Three others, including a child, suffered minor injuries. The IOPC is formally investigating Avon and Somerset Police over prior contact with the victim and Kelly, covering incidents from May 2021 involving stalking, harassment, and assault allegations. Police last spoke to Shaw four days before the blast. The coroner confirmed Shaw died from a 'penetrating fragmentation blast injury to the chest and pelvis' and Kelly from 'blast injuries to head, neck, torso and limbs'. The call timeline shows police were alerted at 6:17am reporting a domestic incident and forced entry; the caller reported the man had an explosive device at 6:30am, and the explosion occurred around 6:32am. Officers arrived at 6:34am. Searches were conducted at Kelly's address. The IOPC is reviewing extensive documentation and will keep all parties updated.

South West Water was fined a record £1.85m for supplying water unfit for human consumption after a cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Brixham, Devon in 2024. The outbreak sickened 537 people, hospitalized 10, and forced thousands to boil water. The court found the company failed to inspect air valves as per its own policy, and a compromised valve on farmland was the likely cause. The company has 22 prior convictions since 2014.

Background: The UK government previously released documents on Peter Mandelson's US ambassador appointment, revealing his criticisms of Starmer and security vetting issues. Today: A new tranche of over 1,500 pages of internal documents was published. The opposition had hoped to prove Starmer misled parliament about when he knew of Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, but the documents do not support that claim. Instead, they show internal government disarray, Mandelson's ambition, and his private criticisms of Starmer's leadership. The documents reveal Mandelson's dismissive attitude toward the government, describing Downing Street as 'beleaguered and bereft' and criticizing the lack of strategic direction. They also show his ambition to become Chancellor of the University of Oxford. London police are investigating Mandelson for potential misconduct in public office, and some documents remain withheld due to secrecy rules and the ongoing investigation.

Downing Street confirmed that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, raising transparency questions about his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. The government released documents on the appointment, but few direct messages from Starmer were included. The Conservatives criticized the practice, while the government cited official guidance allowing such use.

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer's Downing Street has confirmed that he uses disappearing messages, a practice that has sparked questions about transparency and the preservation of official communications. This admission has raised concerns about transparency and record-keeping in political communications.

Ed Miliband, a senior UK Labour politician, has publicly called for the United Kingdom to adopt a new climate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 87% by 2040, representing a significant acceleration from current goals. The call highlights the intensifying debate over climate policy in the UK and positions Labour as pushing for more aggressive action.

The UK Treasury Select Committee has begun an inquiry into the student loan system in England, hearing evidence from student groups and experts. A British Social Attitudes survey reveals that 34% of people now believe a university degree is not worth the time and money, up from 14% in 2005, marking the highest level of concern in 20 years. Graduates on Plan 2 loans (2012-2023) report debts growing despite repayments due to interest rates outstripping repayments. The National Union of Students is urging changes to repayment thresholds and interest rates, while the government defends the system but has frozen the repayment threshold at £29,385 from April 2027.

UK Athletics has been fined £350,000 for corporate manslaughter following the 2017 death of UAE Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei. Hayayei was killed when a metal throwing cage fell on him during training at Newham Leisure Centre in London, due to missing safety components. The case highlights severe safety management failures at a major sporting event.

Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the UK foreign affairs select committee, criticized her own government for not taking further action after recognizing a Palestinian state, including failing to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements, ban settlement goods, or sustain diplomatic pressure on Gaza. She also condemned Donald Trump for declaring a ceasefire and then disengaging, noting that over 700 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire was announced and that Israel intends to take over 70% of Gaza. Her remarks highlight growing internal dissent within the Labour Party over UK Middle East policy and may influence the upcoming leadership contest.

The UK government announced an £18 million investment to invite tens of thousands more black men aged 45-74 to participate in the Transform trial, which aims to improve prostate cancer screening methods. Black men have double the risk (one in four) of developing prostate cancer compared to the general population. The trial will assess whether additional tests alongside PSA, such as genetic checks and faster MRI scans, can enhance screening accuracy. This expansion addresses the historical underrepresentation of black men in prostate cancer research despite their higher risk.