Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 28 Apr 2018

1. Toddler Alfie Evans dies after life support fight

Alfie Evans, the terminally ill toddler, died in the early hours of Saturday, his parents have announced. His father Tom Evans revealed the news on Facebook. "My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings at 02:30," he wrote. "I love you my guy." Alfie’s parents had launched legal challenges to continue treatment for their 23-month-old son, who had a degenerative neurological condition.

2. Brexit could be delayed for years says Verhofstadt

Brexit could be delayed for years unless Britain makes further concessions to the EU, says the European Parliament’s chief negotiator. Brexiteers have warned that the UK would be left as a "rule taker" if it followed Guy Verhofstadt’s demand that Theresa May sign up to a catch-all association agreement with Brussels. But writing in the Daily Telegraph, Verhofstadt says it is time to abandon "ideology" and take a more "pragmatic" approach.

3. Islamic State suspects are exposing 'double standards'

Two British jihadists accused of being Islamic State murderers may never face justice in British courts, says The Times. Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee ElSheikh, from west London, questioned how hostages who described them as "masked men" could identify them. In their first interview with a British newspaper, they say they are exposing West’s double standards.

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4. Home Sec Amber Rudd is 'hanging by a thread'

A leaked memo has revealed that Amber Rudd was sent migrant removal targets, undermining the home secretary’s claim she was unaware of targets. However, in a series of tweets, Rudd said she had not seen the memo and apologised for not being aware of the objectives. After days of controversy, the embattled Rudd is "hanging by a thread", reports Sky News.

5. Challenging parole could be simplified for the public

The British public could be allowed to challenge the release of serious criminals under plans to shake up the parole system. The Ministry of Justice says people should be allowed to fight a criminal's release without having to resort to a lengthy and "onerous" judicial review. The announcement follows the controversy over the decision to release 'black cab rapist' John Worboys.

6. San Francisco firm gathers data on British schoolchildren

A US company is gathering data, photos and video footage of thousands of British schoolchildren, reports The Times. ClassDojo, which says it has worked with 70% of British schools, has an app which awards positive and negative "dojo" points to children as young as four, based on behaviour. ClassDojo says it gathers the “minimum necessary” data. “No part of our mission requires sensitive student information, so we don’t collect any,” it added.

7. Israeli army kills more protestors in Gaza

Israeli troops have shot dead three protesters along the Gaza border. The killings came just hours after the UN’s human rights chief criticised Israel for using "excessive force" against demonstrators. Since protests on the border started at the end of last month, soldiers have killed 41 Palestinians and wounded more than 5,000 others. Hamas described the killings as "executions of unarmed children and people by occupation soldiers".

8. Labour expels anti-racism activist on disrepute charge

Labour has expelled activist Marc Wadsworth for bringing the party into disrepute after he accused a Jewish MP of working "hand in hand" with the media to undermine Labour. Labour's National Constitutional Committee found he breached the party's rules and should be thrown out. Wadsworth, who says he is being "hung out to dry", says he is looking at "all my options to legally challenge the decision".

9. Trump and Merkel 'fail to resolve their differences'

Donald Trump and Angela Merkel "appeared no closer to resolving their differences" after a "cordial but cool" meeting at the White House, says the Financial Times. The German chancellor arrived in Washington only days after France’s Emmanuel Macron’s successful three-day state visit. But it appeared they were no closer to agreement on the Iran nuclear agreement, trade and Nato.

10. 'Golden State' suspect appears in California court

The 72-year-old former police officer charged with a series of murders and rapes attributed to the "Golden State Killer" has made his first court appearance in California. Joseph James DeAngelo was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and was handcuffed to a wheelchair. He is a suspect in 11 murders and 51 rapes between 1976 and 1986. He was formally arraigned on two murder charges dating back to 1978.