Slavery: Rishi Sunak rejects call to apologise and pay reparations // Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has dismissed a call for the government to apologise and pay reparations for the UK's historic role in slavery. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked if he would make a "full and meaningful apology" and "commit to reparatory justice". The PM said "no", adding "trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward". The UK government has never formally apologised for its role in the trade.
Around 7% of compatible devices didn't get emergency alert, government says // Sunday's emergency alert did not reach an estimated 7% of compatible devices in the UK, the government has said. It marked the first nationwide test of a new system to warn people about dangerous situations, such as floods or terror attacks. The Cabinet Office said it had delivered "a successful test" in line with "international best practice". Officials said they were working with Three UK, some of whose customers did not get the alert.
MP Julian Knight faces new misconduct allegations // Four women have made complaints to parliamentary authorities about MP Julian Knight since police dropped an investigation into him, the BBC has been told. The fresh complaints are thought to allege inappropriate comments and behaviour. The BBC has also been told five different women raised sexual misconduct allegations about him to the police. Mr Knight, who is MP for Solihull, has strongly denied wrongdoing.
NHS director stands down over antisemitic tweets // An NHS trust director has "stepped down with immediate effect" over social media posts comparing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians with the Holocaust. Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust said Maqsood Ahmad had quit after the Jewish News, external raised concerns about antisemitic comments he allegedly posted on Twitter. It said it condemned "his Twitter comments in the strongest possible terms".
Jerry Springer: Era-defining TV host dies aged 79 // Jerry Springer, the TV presenter best known for his raucous talk shows, has died aged 79.The Jerry Springer Show, which ran for nearly three decades from 1991, brought fights, flying chairs, and the fringes of US society to a global audience.
Harry Belafonte: Singer and civil rights activist dies aged 96 // Harry Belafonte, the singer and actor who smashed racial barriers in the US, has died at home in Manhattan, aged 96. One of the most successful African-American pop stars in history, he scored hits with Island In The Sun, Mary's Boy Child and the UK number one Day-O (The Banana Boat Song). But his greatest achievements were as a campaigner for black civil rights in the US.
Fugees rapper Pras found guilty of political conspiracy // A Fugees rapper accused in multimillion-dollar political conspiracies spanning two presidencies was convicted Wednesday after a trial that included testimony ranging from actor Leonardo DiCaprio to former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Prakazrel “Pras” Michel was accused of funnelling money from a now-fugitive Malaysian financer through straw donors to Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, then trying to squelch a Justice Department investigation and influence an extradition case on behalf of China under the Trump administration.
Savannah Marshall v Franchon Crews-Dezurn: Briton wants to be world champion again // Savannah Marshall is focused on winning another world title as she moves up in weight to face undisputed super-middleweight champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn. Marshall, 31, fights on 17 June for the first time since losing her WBO middleweight belt and undefeated record to Claressa Shields in October. The Briton says the loss to Shields helped her spot "faults" in her game.
Mo Farah: Briton to finish career at Great North Run // Mo Farah says September's Great North Run will be his final competitive race. The four-time Olympic champion, who also said he would compete in the Great Manchester 10k in May, finished ninth in his final London Marathon. "I want to pass that on. The Great North Run is going to be my last ever run and that will be my goodbye."
Madrid Open: Andy Murray loses to Andrea Vavassori, Kyle Edmund beaten by Dominic Thiem // Andy Murray says he still wants to play at the French Open despite his struggles on clay continuing with defeat by Italian world number 164 Andrea Vavassori at the Madrid Open. The British former world number one lost 6-3 7-6 (9-7) in the first round. It is his second straight one-sided defeat on the clay after being thrashed by Alex de Minaur in Monte Carlo.
Furious Microsoft boss says confidence in UK 'severely shaken' // Microsoft's president has attacked the UK after it was blocked from buying US gaming firm Activision, saying the EU was a better place to start a business. The move was "bad for Britain" and marked Microsoft's "darkest day" in its four decades of working in the country, Brad Smith told the BBC. The regulator hit back saying it had to do what's best for people, "not merging firms with commercial interests".
Microsoft's vice chair and president Brad Smith (pictured) has hit out after the software firm's takeover of gaming company Activision Blizzard was blocked by the UK competition watchdog
England's teachers' strike causes more disruption // Teachers in schools and sixth form colleges have joined picket lines in England for the fourth day of national strike action. The National Education Union (NEU) said it regrets any disruption, and has put measures in place to make sure exam students are able to attend school. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the strike action was "extremely disappointing". Members of the union are also planning to strike on 2 May.
Gambling white paper: New curbs to save young from addiction // Young adults will face tougher gambling curbs amid concerns that they are less able to “regulate” their impulses and make rational decisions. Under-25s will undergo “enhanced” checks on their finances and have stakes limited to a maximum of between £2 and £4 for online slot machines under the biggest overhaul of gambling legislation for a generation.