Syrian forces fight their way into Palmyra as Kerry visit to Moscow prompts speculations of U.S.-Russia thaw

Syrian troops backed by Russian air support fought their way into the Islamic State-held city of Palmyra on Thursday, their biggest offensive yet against the jihadist caliphate, as Moscow and Washington discussed how to help to end the civil war.  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in an atmosphere that was noticeably more amiable than past meetings, reflecting new diplomacy the two Cold War superpowers have championed in recent weeks. Both men expressed hope for more progress toward ending the fighting.  Later, Kerry met with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.