10 things you need to know today: January 25, 2015

1. Rebel missile attack kills 30 civilians in Ukraine

Pro-Russian separatists on Saturday launched missile attacks on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, killing 30 civilians and injuring more and 100. "This is a crime against humanity to be tried by the Hague tribunal," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in a statement. Rebels fired around 60 missiles in two separate attacks, with the scope of the bombardment suggesting, according to Western officials, some degree of Russian involvement. Moscow denied any role in the attack.

The Los Angeles Times

2. ISIS claims to execute Japanese hostage

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday that though intelligence experts had yet to verify a video purporting to show ISIS had executed one of two Japanese hostages, the proof had "a high chance of being real." The video, which surfaced Saturday, showed one of the hostages, Kenji Goto, holding an image of what appeared to be the decapitated body of the other prisoner, Haruna Yukawa. Though ISIS initially sought a $200 million ransom for the two men, the group instead offered in the latest video to swap Goto for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi, a woman sentenced to death in Jordan for a 2005 terror attack.

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The New York Times

3. Greece holds election that could serve as referendum on austerity

Greek voters headed to the polls Sunday for a crucial election that could trigger a showdown with the European Union over austerity measures. The left-wing Syriza party, which led in the run-up to the election, has vowed to renegotiate a $270 billion international bailout it blames for the country's poor financial health. Led by 40-year-old Alexis Tsipras, Syriza has also said it will demand creditors write off billions of dollars of Greek debt. "Democracy will return to Greece," Tsipras said Sunday.

CNN

4. Obama announces nuclear breakthrough with India

President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday they had reached "a breakthrough in understanding" on nuclear trade between the two nations. The agreement resolved disputes over the liability of companies who invest in nuclear energy and a U.S. demand over tracking fissile material. "This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship," Obama said.

Reuters

5. Republican presidential hopefuls gather in Iowa for 2016 kickoff

A slew of potential Republican candidates for the 2016 presidential nomination descended on Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday for a conservative summit considered the unofficial kickoff to the next election cycle. Sponsored by Iowa Rep. Steve King (R), the event drew prospective candidates ranging from the moderate (New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie) to the Tea Party-aligned (Texas Sen. Ted Cruz), the latter of whom challenged his fellow speakers to "show me where you stood up and fought" President Obama's policies. Notably, two of the most prominent potential candidates — Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney — did not attend, citing scheduling conflicts.

The Boston Globe

6. Patriots coach Belichick says team followed inflation rules 'to the letter'

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Saturday the team had conducted an internal study on how footballs used in Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts might have become deflated. Belichick said he and other team officials had spoken to "a lot of people," and that they learned while a football's texture is easy to identify, the football's pressure is "a whole different story." Belichick reiterated that he had no knowledge of any deliberate ball tampering, saying "we feel like we followed the rules of the game to the letter."

CBS

7. Major snowstorm threatens to paralyze Northeast

New England and parts of the Northeastern coast are bracing for a blizzard that could dump a foot of snow on the region beginning Sunday night and continuing through Wednesday. The looming winter storm is "major, possibly historic," according to The Weather Channel, and could result in "crippling" conditions. "They're going to be talking about this one for a while," meteorologist Tom Moore said.

NBC

8. Boko Haram attacks major city in northeastern Nigeria

Militants from Boko Haram on Sunday attacked Maiduguri, the largest city in northeastern Nigeria. The attack began shortly after midnight, according to the Nigerian military, which said it repelled the offensive and killed dozens of militant fighters. Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to fly into Lagos, Nigeria's capital, later Sunday.

The Associated Press

9. Attempt to raise submerged Air Asia fuselage fails

A second attempt to hoist to the surface the fuselage of a crashed AirAsia jet failed Sunday when a rope attached to the wreckage snapped. Rescuers had been trying to use balloons to surface the fuselage of Flight QZ8501, which crashed last month, but a strong current scuttled the operation. "We could not fight against nature," Manahan Simorangkir, an Indonesian Navy spokesman, said.

NBC

10. 'American Sniper' sets more box office records

American Sniper is setting "records on top of records," according to Warner Bros. domestic distribution president Dan Fellman. The Clint Eastwood war flick, which grossed a January record of $105.3 million on its opening weekend, has now set another record for the "widest release ever for an R-rated movie."

CNN