Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 9 Nov 2014

1. IS MILIBAND ON BRINK OF STANDING DOWN?

Ed Miliband is facing a deepening crisis as at least 20 shadow ministers are said to be on the brink of calling for him to stand down. The frontbenchers will go public if former home secretary Alan Johnson agrees to replace him. Meanwhile, just 34% of people who voted Labour in 2010 believe Miliband is up to the job of being prime minister – down from 51% a month ago.

2. HAVE US STRIKES KILLED ISIS LEADER?

US air strikes have targeted a gathering of ISIS leaders near Mosul in northern Iraq, says the Pentagon. Although the strikes destroyed a convoy of vehicles, a US defence official could not confirm whether IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was present. ISIS militants, who control areas in Syria and Iraq, have been targeted by hundreds of coalition air strikes since August.

3. NATIONAL TRUST MAN SLAMS CAMERON

David Cameron has overseen the destruction of the British countryside, says the outgoing chair of the National Trust. Referring to the PM’s pledge that he would “no more put the countryside at risk than his own family”, Sir Simon Jenkins said: “But he has… allowed his chancellor, George Osborne, and Eric Pickles, as local government and communities secretary, to ruin the countryside.”

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4. GORBACHEV: ‘NEW COLD WAR STARTING’

The planet is moving closer to a new Cold War, says former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. "The world is on the brink of a new Cold War," he said at an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. "Some are even saying that it's already begun." He has also criticised what he describes as Western “triumphalism”.

5. TOP SECURITY FOR CENOTAPH CEREMONY

Security will be tight as the Queen lays her traditional wreath at the Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Sunday. Scotland Yard says "appropriate" policing is in place. David Cameron says this year's events are "particularly poignant" because 2014 marks a century since the start of the war, the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and the end of UK involvement in Afghanistan.

6. BLAIR’S SECRET DEAL WITH SAUDI ROYALS

Tony Blair has agreed a secret cash-for-contacts deal with the Saudi royal family, says The Sunday Times. A leaked document reveals Blair has closed an agreement with an oil company founded by a senior member of the Saudi royal family for a fee of £41,000 a month and a 2% commission on any of the multimillion-pound deals he helps broker.

7. PLANT BLOCKS LED ZEPPELIN REUNION

Robert Plant has turned down a £500m offer to reform Led Zeppelin, claims the Sunday Mirror. The music legend tore up Sir Richard Branson’s contract in front of promoters. All other members of the band had signed up to the 35-date tour, which would have earned each member £190m. Branson, a lifelong fan of the group, is said to be “gutted”.

8. CHURCHILL ‘TOLD USA TO NUKE RUSSIA’

Winston Churchill encouraged the US to “wipe out” the Kremlin in a nuclear attack, according to a newly released FBI document. The memo claims that during a meeting with an American politician in 1947, Churchill said: “the only salvation for the civilisation of the world would be if the President of the United States would declare Russia to be imperilling world peace and attack Russia”.

9. MACAULAY CULKIN DEATH RUMOUR FALSE

Rumours of the death of Macaulay Culkin have been greatly exaggerated. The actor, best known for his role in the 1990s comedy Home Alone, was reported to have been found dead in his Manhattan apartment. The troubled star has had brushes with the law after being found in possession of drugs. There have been long-term concerns over his well-being.

10. CITY SLIP AGAIN AS CHELSEA STROLL ON

Manchester City’s bid to retain the league title took another blow yesterday when they drew 2-2 at QPR. That result, combined with Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat of Liverpool, left City eight points behind the league leaders. Southampton remain second after beating Leicester 2-0. Today, Arsenal travel to Swansea, where a win could put them fourth.