Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 12 Feb 2017

1. Secret Labour search underway for Corbyn heir

Leaked documents show that Labour is conducting secret "succession planning" for Jeremy Corbyn’s departure. Two rising stars, Angela Rayner and Rebecca Long-Bailey, have been assessed by a focus group as the left looks for potential successors to Corbyn. The same group described the current leader as "boring", appearing "fed up" and looking "like a scruffy school kid".

2. Trump backs Japan as North Korea fires a ballistic missile

North Korea has fired a ballistic missile - the first such test since Donald Trump became US president. The missile flew east towards the Sea of Japan for about 500km, according to South Korean officials. Trump quickly assured Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that "America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100%". North Korea has conducted a number of tests in the past year.

3. John Bercow 'impartial' despite Remain vote

Commons Speaker John Bercow says his impartiality has not been affected despite his revelation that he voted Remain in the EU referendum. The Sunday Telegraph reports that Bercow, who as speaker is expected to remain politically impartial at all times, disclosed his voting stance in a question-and-answer session with students at Reading University. His spokeswoman said this had no impact on his ability to deal fairly with MPs.

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4. New Zealand whales re-float themselves after stranding

Hundreds of whales stranded on a remote beach in New Zealand on Saturday have refloated themselves and returned to sea - but conservation experts have warned that they could still turn back to the beach at Farewell Spit, South Island. The whale stranding is one of the worst ever in New Zealand. Dozens of volunteers have turned out to help since the incident first hit the headlines.

5. Moscow is stepping up cyber attacks on Britain

Britain is facing 60 significant cyber-attacks a month, including bids by state-sponsored hackers in Moscow to steal defence and foreign policy secrets from the government, the new cyber-security chief has announced. Ciaran Martin, head of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, warned there had been a "step change" in Russia’s online aggression against the West as well as more attacks on "soft targets".

6. Retired bishops slam Church stance on sexuality

A group of retired bishops have criticised the Church of England's stance on homosexuality, before a crucial debate at the governing general synod. They said the voices of gay Christians had not been listened to during years of "shared conversations", with the former bishop of Worcester adding that some felt "betrayed". The Church has reaffirmed its stance that marriage should remain the lifelong union of a man and a woman.

7. Gender pay gap continues in the public sector

The gender pay gap is still widespread in the public sector, with salaries for women lagging by 11%. Women at the Bank of England typically earn 26% less than men, making it sixth among public sector employers with the largest gender pay gaps. The average salary for female staff was £41,082, compared with £55,828 for men, an investigation has found.

8. Brexit puts Northern Ireland peace in jeopardy

Northern Ireland peace will be put at risk by Brexit, says Bertie Ahern. The Irish leader, who helped push through the Good Friday agreement, said that the Theresa May's government appeared to have resigned itself to the establishment of a border between the north and south once the UK leaves the EU in 2019, with potentially devastating results.

9. Why Donald Trump may address a Wembley rally

Donald Trump could address a rally in Birmingham or at Wembley stadium during his state visit to the UK. Ministers are reportedly considering inviting the president to speak outside central London, after the Speaker in effect banned him from appearing in parliament. People would buy tickets to see Trump speak, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion. The plan is thought to appeal to Trump’s 'man of the people' self-image.

10. David Davis apologises over rude Diane Abbott text

David Davis has said he is "very sorry" for offence caused by a text exchange in which he said he would not attempt to hug Diane Abbott because he is "not blind". The messages between the Brexit Secretary and a Tory colleague, revealed in the Mail On Sunday, followed reports that the pair had shared a heated exchange in a Commons bar after MPs voted to trigger Article 50.