10 things you need to know today: November 16, 2014

1. ISIS claims to behead U.S. aid worker

The Islamic State on Sunday released a graphic video purporting to show the severed head of 26-year-old Peter Kassig, an American aid worker and former Army Ranger who was captured last October. Unlike previous videos ISIS has released of its executed victims, the latest footage does not show any part of the beheading, nor does it involve a final spoken message from the captive. The White House could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the video. If confirmed, Kassig would be the fifth Western hostage killed by ISIS this year.

The New York Times

2. G-20 announces plan to boost GDP by $2 trillion

The Group of 20 on Saturday announced a joint plan to increase their nations' economic output by a combined $2 trillion by 2018. Unveiled at the close of the two-day G-20 summit in Australia, the initiative includes many smaller goals, such as creating a "global infrastructure hub" to connect investors with infrastructure projects worldwide. "The G-20 has delivered real, practical outcomes," Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said, adding that, "people right around the world are going to be better off."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Bloomberg BBC

3. Dutch discover bird flu outbreak at chicken farm

The Netherlands has banned the transport of eggs and chicken products around the country after identifying a bird flu outbreak at one farm. "This highly pathogenic variant of avian influenza is very dangerous for bird life," the government said in a statement, adding that it can be transmitted from birds to humans. Dutch authorities discovered the outbreak Saturday at a farm with some 150,000 chickens, and they are disposing of the animals.

Reuters The Associated Press

4. Obama accuses Putin of violating Ukrainian cease-fire

President Obama on Sunday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of not following the "letter or the spirit" of a cease-fire agreement between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels. "You don't invade other countries or finance proxies and support them in ways that break up a country that has mechanisms for democratic elections," Obama said at the close of the G-20 summit in Australia. Other world leaders also used the summit to bluntly criticize Russian aggression in Ukraine. Putin left the meeting early, citing the long flight home.

The Los Angeles Times The Associated Press

5. Alaska governor concedes midterm defeat

Nearly two weeks after the midterm elections, Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R) conceded defeat Saturday in his re-election bid after vote counters called the race for Independent Bill Walker. Walker led by a slim 3,000-vote margin on election night, but the race was too close to call as absentee ballots trickled in.

The Associated Press

6. Bill Cosby appearance on 'Late Show' canceled

Bill Cosby's scheduled Wednesday appearance on Late Show with David Letterman has been canceled amid renewed scrutiny of the comedian's alleged sexual assaults of more than a dozen women. It was not immediately clear whether CBS or Cosby canceled the interview. Cosby has never been charged in connection with any of the alleged incidents.

CBS

7. MH17 recovery begins after months of delays

The Dutch-led recovery effort of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 finally got underway Sunday, four months after the plane was shot down over Ukraine. The operation was repeatedly delayed due to fighting in the area between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists, even after the two sides agreed to a truce in September. The recovery is expected to take 10 days.

CNN

8. Pope Francis condemns assisted suicide

Pope Francis on Saturday condemned euthanasia as "a sin against the creator." Speaking at a meeting with the Association of Italian Catholic Doctors, Pope Francis said the right to die movement offered a "false sense of compassion" for terminally ill patients. "This is playing with life," he said.

USA Today

9. Nigerian army recaptures town raided by Boko Haram

Nigeria on Sunday said it had reclaimed the town of Chibok, where Boko Haram militants earlier this year captured hundreds of schoolgirls. Boko Haram overran the town Thursday, but the army said it forced the group to flee Saturday night. In April, Boko Haram seized 276 girls from a school in the town, sparking an international outcry and the Bring Back Our Girls campaign.

Al Jazeera

10. Alabama knocks off top-ranked Mississippi State

Mississippi State's football team is undefeated no more after the Bulldogs lost Saturday on the road against fourth-ranked Alabama. "We'll feel sick tonight but then we'll get over it," Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. "Except for being undefeated, every other goal is still ahead of us." Both teams are in the running to play in the new four-team college football playoff this season.

CBS