US HEADLINES

Gains made in fighting California wildfires as some residents return

Fire officials say the two blazes, which have killed five people, highlight the severity in drought-stricken California of an intense wildfire season that in the coming weeks could become one of the state’s fiercest on record. The so-called Valley Fire, which is north of the wine-producing region of Napa Valley, has burned 74,500 acres (29,946 hectares), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), or more

Three Westerners flown to Oman by Yemen's Houthis: source

By Mohammed Ghobari DUBAI (Reuters) – Yemen’s Houthis flew two U.S. citizens and one Briton they held for several months to Oman on Sunday, sources in the group said, in what appears as a goodwill gesture ahead of talks with the United Nations on efforts to end nearly six months of fighting. The three Westerners had been held by the Houthis since the early days of a Saudi-led military campaign

Pope offers solidarity with Cuba, highlights Hispanics in U.S.

Pope Francis begins a 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States on Saturday, embarking on his first trip to the onetime Cold War foes after helping to nudge forward their historic rapprochement. He will be offering a show of solidarity with Cubans and making clear that Hispanics in the United States are the bedrock of the American church.

Crews gain ground on California blazes, search for missing goes on

By Curtis Skinner SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Firefighters battling two deadly wildfires in drought-stricken California have gained more ground and some displaced people were allowed to go home, officials said on Friday, even as the search went on for people reported missing. Two men and an elderly, disabled woman have been killed by the so-called Valley Fire, which has scorched 73,700 acres (29,825 hectares) just north of Napa County’s wine-producing

Suspect in string of Arizona shootings arrested: authorities

“We got him! DPS SWAT team is in custody of the individual suspected of I-10 shootings. Apprehended moments ago,” Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said on Twitter. At a late Friday news conference, law enforcement officials gave few details of the suspect and did not release his name, but said a gun he owned was “forensically linked” to the first four shootings on the highway.

Deputy Kentucky clerk questions validity of licenses altered by Kim Davis

A deputy for the Kentucky county clerk who was jailed after refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples questioned on Friday the validity of the licenses he has issued since his boss’ return. In a filing with the federal judge overseeing a lawsuit against Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis for not issuing marriage licenses, the attorney for deputy clerk Brian Mason said he has “some substantial questions” about the