Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 1 Sep 2018

1. Tax avoiders blocked from honours in HMRC memo

The taxman is blocking people from getting honours if they are found to be avoiding tax. Celebrities who use lawful but controversial schemes are being "blacklisted" by HMRC in a bid to protect the reputation of the honours list. The news has prompted speculation that stars such as the footballers Wayne Rooney and Gary Lineker and the popstar Robbie Williams have been overlooked because of their involvement in lawful schemes.

2. Blunkett warns Labour risks falling 'into irrelevance'

The Labour Party risks falling into "decline and irrelevance" unless the resignation of Frank Field becomes a "catalyst for seismic change", Lord Blunkett has warned. Writing for the Daily Telegraph, the former Labour home secretary says there must be a fundamental rethink about the "Corbyn project". Field lost a confidence vote in his constituency party, after siding with the government in Brexit votes.

3. How AI breakthrough could revolutionise cancer treatment

A new artificial intelligence technique could allow doctors to predict how cancer tumours will mutate and allow them to personalise each patient's treatment. The Institute of Cancer Research and the University of Edinburgh have developed a new technique known as Revolver (Repeated evolution of cancer), which identifies patterns in DNA mutation within cancers and thereby forecasts future genetic changes.

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4. Government asked to examine high rates of exclusion

The government has been urged to address rates of exclusion in England’s secondary schools after The Guardian revealed dozens of establishments have suspended at least one in five of their pupils. The Outwood academy in Middlesbrough excluded 41% of its pupils in 2016/17. Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said that the figures were deeply concerning.

5. Trump confirms he will cut funding for Palestinians

Donald Trump’s administration has confirmed it will cut all US funding for the main UN programme for Palestinian refugees, a move The Guardian says could have "potentially devastating impacts" for five million people. The US state department said described the funding as an "irredeemably flawed operation". Millions of Palestinians rely on the funding for schools, healthcare, and social services.

6. Watchdog to take top ticket resale website to court

Britain’s leading ticket reselling website is being taken to court for misleading customers. The competition watchdog is taking legal action against Viagogo after people who bought tickets on the website were turned away from events and denied refunds. The Competition and Markets Authority said it believes that a range of Viagogo’s practices might break consumer protection law.

7. Fears of Israel confrontation as Tehran builds missiles in Syria

Iran is building a missile factory in Syria under the cover of a Russian defence shield, reports The Times. The regime is shipping ballistic missiles to its allies in Iraq. The news has prompted fears that Tehran is planning an expanding confrontation with Israel. Satellite imagery has identified what appeared to be a base and factory taking shape in northwest Syria near the town of Baniyas.

8. Donald Trump to visit Ireland to 'renew ties'

The White House says Donald Trump will visit Ireland in November to "renew the deep and historic ties between our two nations". The US President owns a golf course in Ireland – the Trump International Golf Links at Doonbeg. He will visit the country during a trip to Europe that will see him join commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in France.

9. 'Mournful and celebratory' sendoff for Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin’s funeral in Detroit was attended by musicians, family, friends and fans of the soul legend. The seven-hour service featured music from Ariana Grande, Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder. The BBC says it was "both mournful and celebratory, with the crowd breaking into a spontaneous dance of praise at one point". Franklin died last month of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76.

10. Washington to accelerate arm supplies to Ukraine

The US is set to expand arms supplies to Ukraine to bolster the country’s naval and air defence forces as Russia continues to support eastern separatists. The US special envoy for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, said: "It’s natural for Ukraine to build up its military, engage in self-defence, and it’s natural to seek assistance." The Obama administration had previously blocked moves for military support for Ukraine.