Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 27 May 2015

1. FIFA TURMOIL AFTER CORRUPTION ARRESTS

Key Fifa figures have been arrested in Switzerland on corruption charges. Swiss police detained seven officials in an early-morning operation in Zurich at the request of the US. They are being held on suspicion of receiving and paying millions of dollars in bribes. The Swiss authorities have also opened a criminal investigation into the World Cup bidding process in 2010.

Michel Platini will resign at Uefa's next congress

2. BLAIR STEPS DOWN AS PEACE ENVOY

Former prime minister Tony Blair has resigned from his position as a Middle East peace envoy after seven years. He had represented the Quartet, made up of the UN, US, EU and Russia, in regional peace talks. His role was controversial because of possible clashes with his business interests and his role in the Iraq crisis.

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3. EUROPE URGED TO ACCEPT 40,000 REFUGEES

EU member states are being urged to take in 40,000 asylum seekers from Syria and Eritrea, expected to arrive in Italy and Greece over the next two years. The UK has said it will not take part in a quota scheme, and other countries have expressed concerns. Germany, France and Spain would receive the most migrants under plan.

4. PLANS TO AXE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT ON HOLD

Controversial plans to axe the Human Rights Act have been put on hold following opposition from senior Tory MPs. Rather than committing to legislation in the Queen's Speech, the Prime Minister pledged to "bring forward proposals" for a British Bill of Rights. A consultation is not expected to begin until September.

Will the Human Rights Act be scrapped?

5. NEW BREAKTHROUGH IN CANCER FIGHT

A genetically engineered virus which has ‘cured’ patients of cancer has raised hopes of an end to chemotherapy. In a worldwide study, scientists found that the new treatment allowed some patients with skin cancer to live for more than three years – the benchmark many oncologists use to define a cure. Experts say the method could potentially be used for other cancers.

6. TAYLOR SWIFT MAKES FORBES POWER LIST

Pop singer Taylor Swift has become the youngest person ever to make it onto Forbes's 100 most powerful women list. The 25-year-old makes her debut at number 65 and is among 17 women under the age 45 to appear on the list. German Chencellor Angela Merkel is number one for the fifth year running, with Hillary Clinton second.

Forbes most powerful women list: Taylor Swift makes history

7. OVER 1,000 DIE IN INDIA HEATWAVE

Over 1,000 people have died in a heatwave in India. Temperatures are nearing 50C (122F) in some areas. Most deaths came in the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where at least 1,118 people have died since last week, and at least 24 people have died from the heat in West Bengal and Orissa. Temperatures are forecast to start falling at the end of the week.

8. EX-MP JOYCE ESCAPES JAIL OVER ASSAULT

Former Labour MP Eric Joyce has escaped jail after being convicted of attacking two teenagers in a north London food store in October last year. He was given a suspended ten-week sentence after being found guilty of common assault against the boys, aged 14 and 15, and fined £1,080. He stood down as MP for Falkirk earlier this year.

9. IVAN MASSOW: MY TORY STIGMA

London mayoral candidate London Ivan Massow has said that it was harder for him to come out as a Tory than as a gay man. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said: “It’s always been a real problem for me because of the stigma it’s carried. Harder than coming out as gay was coming out as a Conservative.” He said he had to “effectively apologise” for being a Tory.

10. QUEEN'S SPEECH SETS OUT GOVERNMENT PLANS

The Conservative government has laid out its programme of legislation in the Queen's Speech. Among the measures contained in the speech were an EU referendum before 2018; a ban on tax increases for five years; a two-year benefits freeze; a reduction of the benefits cap; and new powers to monitor internet and phone use.

Queen's Speech: Cameron reveals radical agenda