10 things you need to know today: January 2, 2016

Donald Trump featured in terrorist recruitment video, Saudi Arabia executes prominent Shiite leader, and more

Shiite Muslims mourn Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed by the Saudi Arabian government
(Image credit: Dar Yasin/Associated Press)

1. Al Qaeda group uses Donald Trump footage in recruitment video

Footage of Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump is reportedly featured in a terrorist recruiting video for Al-Shabab, a Somali-based group affiliated with al Qaeda. "So remember this, so listen, Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on," Trump says in the clip. The video characterizes the U.S. as harboring a "malignant hatred" of Islam.

The New York Times

2. Saudi Arabia executes 47 men

Saudi Arabia executed 47 men Saturday in firing squads and beheadings, the Saudi Press Agency said. Many of those executed had been linked to al Qaeda. Also among the men executed was Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric who publicly criticized the government in 2011 during the Arab Spring. The Iranian government and religious leaders throughout the Middle East condemned al-Nimr's execution and warned of the potential for widespread backlash.

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The Guardian The New York Times

3. Pope Francis urges an end to 'indifference' in 2016

Pope Francis shared his wishes for peace and compassion with a crowd of thousands at St. Peter's Square on Friday. "Let's renew, to one another, the desire that that which awaits us is a little better" than the events of 2015, he said. The pope also reiterated a message he shared during his homily: "The enemy of peace isn't only war, but also indifference."

The Associated Press

4. 14 states up minimum wage in the new year

As 2016 begins, 14 states and several cities are implementing minimum wage hikes, most of which took effect Friday. California and Massachusetts led the pack among states, both upping their rates from $9 an hour to $10. The federal minimum wage, which has not seen an increase in six years, stands at $7.25.

Reuters

5. Chicago sees most violent 2015 of all major cities

More than 2,900 people were shot in Chicago in 2015, marking the city's most violent year since 2012. The Windy City is home to fewer people than New York City and Los Angeles, but still saw more homicide and shooting victims than either. In a year that police-involved shootings were subject to increased public scrutiny in Chicago and nationwide, the city saw 22 such incidents, a decrease from recent years.

Chicago Tribune

6. 6 dead in attack on India air force base

Gunmen wearing army fatigues allegedly entered an Indian air force base near the Pakistan border and opened fire Saturday. Four gunmen and two guards have been confirmed dead. Police, who were searching for potential additional gunmen, reportedly suspect the attackers are militants. The incident comes after a December meeting between India and Pakistan's prime ministers, seen as a step toward improving fraught relations between the two countries.

Reuters The Associated Press

7. 2 killed, 7 injured in shooting near Tel Aviv pub

Police are searching for the suspect in a deadly shooting that killed two people and wounded at least seven near a popular pub in Tel Aviv on Friday. "From what we know until now and as part of the ongoing investigation, there's a strong possibility that it was in fact a terrorist attack," a police spokesman said Friday. Two witnesses told Israeli media that the suspect was dressed in black and wearing a black mask, and appeared to be carrying a military-style assault weapon.

BBC News CNN

8. Singer Natalie Cole dies at 65

Grammy Award-winning singer Natalie Cole died Thursday night, her publicist confirmed Friday. She was 65. Recently, she had to cancel several concerts due to illness, including a New Year's Eve performance scheduled for Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Cole overcame substance abuse issues, and had experienced health issues for several years. The daughter of Nat King Cole was known for her hits "This Will Be," "Inseparable," and "Unforgettable…With Love," a duet that used recordings of her late father.

The Washington Post

9. Christian McCaffrey leads Stanford to Rose Bowl win

No. 5 Stanford topped No. 6 Iowa 45-16 in the Rose Bowl on Friday behind a record-breaking performance from running back Christian McCaffrey. The Heisman Trophy finalist racked up 368 all-purpose yards, the most in the bowl game's history. His game also marked the first time any Rose Bowl player has notched both 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. "I'm someone who believes in having motivation at all times, win or lose," McCaffrey said.

ESPN

10. George R.R. Martin misses Game of Thrones deadline

A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin missed the Dec. 31 deadline for the sixth novel in his series, he confirmed in a blog post Saturday. That was the last chance for Martin to get The Winds of Winter published before April, when HBO premieres its sixth season of Game of Thrones, the TV show based on his fantasy series. Martin is still "months away" from finishing, he wrote. "No one else is to blame. Not my editors and publishers, not HBO. It's on me."

The Guardian

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.