Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 5 Feb 2017

1. Trump says he'll 'win' appeal against travel ban

The US Department of Justice is appealing against a federal judge's ruling which suspended President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban. The federal government's request asks for the judge's order to be lifted. "We'll win. For the safety of our country, we'll win," Trump told reporters. His ban has led to mass protests and chaotic scenes at US airports.

2. MPs set to call for Iraq inquiry to be scrapped

A 10-month parliamentary inquiry is expected to conclude that the government’s £60m investigation into historic allegations of abuse in Iraq is unfit for purpose and should be scrapped immediately. MPs are expected to blame the Ministry of Defence for launching a system that enabled the controversial lawyer Phil Shiner to generate criminal cases against veterans "on an industrial scale".

3. 'Gaping holes' leave Britain 'unable to defend itself'

The Sunday Times says there are "gaping holes" in Britain’s defence, with warships so loud that Russian submarines can hear them 100 miles away, £1bn drones costing that have not been used even 12 years after being ordered and light tanks that are too big to fit into transport aircraft. Concerns are growing that the armed forces would be unable to defend Britain against a serious military attack.

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4. David Beckham responds to honours email controversy

David Beckham’s leaked email about the honours system was written "in the heat of the moment", says a source close to the star. Meanwhile, an official spokesman for Beckham said of the controversy: "This story is based on outdated material taken out of context." The messages suggest that David Beckham used his charity work as part of a campaign to win a knighthood.

5. Theresa May to signal major shift in housing policy

Theresa May’s government will admit that home ownership is now out of reach for millions of families as it announces a shift in policy in favour of people who rent. A white paper will aim to deliver more affordable and secure rental deals, and threaten stricter punishments against rogue landlords, to help the millions of families unable to buy because of rocketing property prices.

6. Council tax set to rise by 5% for millions of Brits

Millions of householders are facing the biggest rise in council taxes for a decade. One in three of the country’s biggest local authorities that have already drawn up their proposed rises have gone for the maximum 4.99% that is allowed without holding a referendum. Hampshire, East Sussex, Wiltshire, Bristol, Nottingham and Leeds are among those hiking charges.

7. Patient waits 508 days to be discharged from hospital

Some patients have waited more than a year to be discharged from hospital even though they were medically ready to leave. A freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that a patient in Dumfries and Galloway was kept in hospital for 508 days. Delayed discharges of more than a year were also recorded in Fife and Highland health boards.

8. Gay rugby referee asked to be chemically castrated

Rugby referee Nigel Owens has revealed that after realising he was gay he went to a doctor and asked if he could be chemically castrated. The World Cup official said the pressure of officiating the 2015 final was nothing compared to accepting his sexuality. The Welshman suffered from bulimia and attempted suicide because being gay felt "totally alien" to him.

9. Carey slams 'hysterical' and 'reprehensible' Trump critics

The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has slammed Donald Trump's opponents and critics for a "hysterical overreaction" to his presidency. Carey accused protesters of "reprehensible" behaviour that could "damage the fabric of democracy". He added that he would be happy to attend a state banquet with Trump, who he believes can become an "outstanding" president.

10. Black Sabbath bow out at Birmingham concert

Rock band Black Sabbath have played their last concert. A two-hour gig in their home town of Birmingham saw the band, credited with inventing heavy metal music, play 15 songs, bowing out with their first hit, Paranoid. Ozzy Osbourne, 68, thanked fans for nearly five decades of support as ticker tape and balloons fell. Black Sabbath were formed in 1968.