ISLAMIC STATE STALEMATE

WASHINGTON — After billions of dollars spent and more than 10,000 extremist fighters killed, the Islamic State group is fundamentally no weaker than it was when the U.S.-led bombing campaign began a year ago, American intelligence agencies have concluded. 

PRESIDENTIAL RACE-CLINTON

MIAMI — Leading 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday will call on Congress to end the trade embargo the United States has imposed against Cuba since 1962. 

LION KILLED-THE KING LOSES

WASHINGTON — The circle of life is closing in on the king of the jungle. When Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion, the Internet exploded with outrage. But scientists who have studied lions say the big cats have been in big trouble for years. 

RUSSIAN TALIBAN

RICHMOND, Virginia — A jury has been selected in the case of a Russian military vetceran charged with leading a Taliban attack on U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Irek Hamidullin faces 15 counts, including providing material support to terrorism and trying to destroy U.S. military aircraft. Opening statements are set for Friday morning in a trial that is expected to last five days.

VENEZUELA-TELEPHONE CUTOFF

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelans are struggling to call abroad as telephone carriers fall behind on payments to international partners amid a currency crisis that is leaving the country increasingly cut off from the rest of the world.