2-14-15

* Russian Nuclear Missile Forces Conduct Large-Scale Exercises Across Country Russia's nuclear missile force staged large-scale exercises across the vast country Thursday consisting of drills to combat sabotage and chemical weapons attacks.

* Hezbollah making gains against anti-Assad Islamists in south Syria, Nasrallah deputy says Hezbollah's second in command said over the weekend that the Lebanese Shi'ite movement is in the midst of a military offensive in southern Syria against Sunni Islamist forces that "will yield tremendous results."

* Chris Cuomo, CNN host, to Roy Moore: 'Our rights do not come from God' CNN host Chris Cuomo engaged in a somewhat fiery debate with Alabama Supreme CourtJustice Roy Moore over gay marriage, ultimately telling the top legal mind that God has little to do with making laws for humans and that rights come from a "compromise" of the collective.

* 84% of Americans see Islamic State as 'critical threat' - poll The Islamic State militant group (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) poses the most serious threat to the United States in the next decade, according to 84 percent of Americans quizzed by Gallup.

* Islamic State: Key Iraqi town near US training base falls to jihadists Islamic State (IS) has captured an Iraqi town about 8km (5 miles) from an air base housing hundreds of US troops, the Pentagon says.

* Ukraine crisis: Fighting rages as ceasefire nears Fierce fighting is continuing in eastern Ukraine, hours before a ceasefire is due to come into force at midnight (22:00 GMT).

* Pope Francis appoints 20 new cardinals The Pope has appointed 20 new cardinals, boosting the number of men from developing countries in the group that will elect his successor.

* Paraded in cages 'to be burned alive' like Jordanian pilot: ISIS releases video claiming to show 17 Kurdish fighters in humiliating procession through Iraqi city Heads bowed in terror the orange-clad Kurdish fighters are paraded through streets filled with jeering militants in the latest horrifying video release from Islamic State.

* Political stakes high for Iran's president in nuclear talks DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Throughout the long negotiations over the fate of Iran's nuclear program, President Hassan Rouhani has withstood scathing criticism from hard-liners at home by sticking to his case that a deal with his country's longtime enemies will bring peace and prosperity.

* Steinitz Hints Israel Could Strike Iran as Nuclear Talks Drag On Intelligence Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz warned Thursday that Israel could act unilaterally against Iran over its nuclear drive, saying Tehran has failed to make concessions in talks with world powers.