A suspect has been found following a manhunt after the wife and two daughters of racing commentator John Hunt were killed in an apparent crossbow attack. The victims, Carol Hunt and her daughters Hannah and Louise, were found with serious injuries and died at the scene. The 26-year-old suspect, Kyle Clifford, who is believed to have been Louise’s boyfriend, was found injured in a north London cemetery and is now receiving medical treatment. The attack involved a crossbow and possibly other weapons. Messages of support from colleagues and figures in the racing world flooded in, expressing their condolences to John Hunt. Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins urged anyone with information to contact the police directly, while requesting privacy for the victims' family.

Ofwat, the water regulator, has announced a draft decision on how much water companies in England can raise consumer bills over the next five years. The regulator has imposed stricter oversight on Thames Water, due to its financial crisis and £18bn debt: Thames may need to limit debt, split the company, or seek equity through public listing. Thames had requested a 40% bill hike to stabilise finances, but Ofwat allowed only 21% over five years. Ofwat’s decisions came just hours before the bosses of sixteen water companies met the new environment secretary, Steve Reed, amid rising public anger and political scrutiny over the state of the UK’s water industry, which has also caused outcry over sewage pollution. Reed's proposed measures include ring-fencing water infrastructure funding exclusively for upgrades and changing company rules to prioritise customers' interests.

Following ongoing Pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have taken place at university and other campuses nationwide, the Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham have secured court orders to end student protests occupying campus areas. The High Court's orders ruled in favour of the universities, determining the students were trespassing and suggesting alternative protest methods. The protests, part of a broader movement across British universities, accuse institutions of being complicit in Palestinian casualties and call for divestment from arms firms. In Birmingham, Mariyah Ali, a named defendant, expressed disappointment but remains committed to her cause, considering an appeal. In Nottingham, former student River Butterworth faced legal action. Mr Justice Johnson concluded that the protesters had no substantial case against the universities and that their human rights were not infringed. The London School of Economics had similarly barred encampments in May.

The Church of England’s General Synod has endorsed a plan to allow standalone services for blessing same-sex couples, advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion while accommodating conservative theological views. This decision, part of the Living in Love and Faith initiative, follows years of debate. Although same-sex marriages remain prohibited in Anglican churches, blessings called Prayers of Love and Faith were authorised in February 2023, with the first blessings integrated into regular services starting in December. The new plan permits standalone services for these blessings. Details are still being worked out, and clergy will not be compelled to participate. Additionally, the church will develop 'delegated episcopal ministry' for bishops with differing theological views. The Archbishop of York described the decision as a compromise, emphasising that it provides a way forward for the church. Calls to lift the prohibition on same-sex civil marriages for clergy were acknowledged but not yet addressed. Reactions were mixed: LGBTQ+ inclusion group Together for the Church of England praised the decision, while conservative Anglicans, represented by John Dunnett, criticised it as insufficient. See