📰 |NEWS DUMP: Your Roundup Of Important Happenings This Week
Good morning, we are back with another roundup of important news! Don't forget to like, share and comment!
Tahir Ali: Labour MP apologises over PM 'blood on hands' remark // A Labour MP has apologised after saying Rishi Sunak had "the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands" over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Tahir Ali made the comment in Parliament, as he challenged the prime minister about the UK's stance on the war. He apologised shortly afterwards, after being asked to do so by Labour's chief whip. But he added he did not "resile from my strongly held views" on the conflict.
Holocaust survivors criticise plans for new Westminster memorial // A 98-year-old Holocaust survivor has told MPs that plans for a new memorial and learning centre next to Parliament are "completely idiotic". Anita Lasker-Wallfisch told a Commons committee that the chosen location was "dangerous" and "impossible". Ministers first promised a memorial in 2015, but the proposal proved contentious and has run into legal difficulties. The government said it remained "firmly committed" to the plan.
Simon Clarke's call for Rishi Sunak to go sparks backlash // A senior Tory MP has called for his party to replace Rishi Sunak as prime minister or be "massacred" in the general election. Writing in the Telegraph, former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said the Conservatives had lost "key voters" by failing to be bold on immigration. But his article was criticised by several other ex-ministers.
Madonna 'vigorously' defends late concert start lawsuit brought by fans // Madonna will "vigorously defend" legal action brought by fans after she was more than two hours late for a show, her representatives have said. The singer is being sued by two fans who attended her concert last month in New York. The case says the pair "would not have paid for tickets" had they know it would finish so late. The US singer's representatives and promoter Live Nation said a technical issue caused the delay.
Asante Gold: UK to loan back Ghana's looted 'crown jewels' // The UK is sending some of Ghana's "crown jewels" back home, 150 years after looting them from the court of the Asante king. A gold peace pipe is among 32 items returning under long-term loan deals, the BBC can reveal. The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is lending 17 pieces and 15 are from the British Museum.
Japan: Man sentenced to death for Kyoto anime fire which killed 36 // A Japanese man has been sentenced to death for an arson attack at a Kyoto animation studio in 2019 which killed 36 people and injured dozens more. The incident, one of Japan's deadliest in recent decades, killed mostly young artists and shocked the anime world.
Women's League Cup: Football Association investigates Aston Villa fielding ineligible player // The Football Association are investigating whether Aston Villa breached competition rules by fielding an ineligible player in the Women's League Cup. Noelle Maritz came on at half-time in Villa's 7-0 thrashing of Sunderland on Wednesday with her side leading 3-0. Maritz had made three appearances for Arsenal earlier in the competition before joining Villa in January. The FA has referred the matter to an independent tribunal for consideration.
Ferrari: Sports car manufacturer to enter sailing competitions // Formula 1 car maker Ferrari is teaming up with Italian ocean racing yachtsman Giovanni Soldini to build boats and enter world sailing competitions. Ferrari has competed in F1 since 1950 and returned to endurance racing last year, claiming a shock victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Chairman John Elkann said the project will expand its "racing soul".
Archie Bruce: Batley player, 20, had 'toxic' level of painkiller, inquest told // A Batley Bulldogs rugby player had more than twice the "toxic" level of a prescription-only painkiller in his system when he died, an inquest heard. Archie Bruce, 20, from Dewsbury, was found dead in a hotel room in France in August 2019, hours after making his debut for the side against Toulouse. A post-mortem examination found Mr Bruce, a rugby league hooker, died as a result of asphyxiation.
HS2: Mayors to meet minister about alternatives // New plans for a privately funded alternative to HS2's now-scrapped Birmingham to Manchester section will be presented to the transport secretary next week. Birmingham's mayor Andy Street told the BBC that he and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham will meet with Mark Harper to discuss bringing in the private sector. Mr Street said the plan could involve a dedicated line between the cities.
Boeing boss faces Washington grilling after blow-out // The head of Boeing is facing questions from lawmakers in Washington as pressure mounts to explain the mistakes that led to a panel breaking off one of its planes this month. Boss Dave Calhoun told reporters ahead of the meetings that he was prepared to share "everything I can". But he declined to comment on a report that said the part had been improperly installed at one of the firm's plants.
New King Charles III banknotes to go on display // New banknotes featuring King Charles III are to go on public display as part of a new exhibition at the Bank of England Museum. It will be the first opportunity to see the polymer banknotes before they officially enter circulation later this year. The exhibition will also explore themes around the future of money. It will feature the digital pound, a digital currency issued by the Bank of England.