The US military has said 10,000 US and Iraqi troops are taking part in a major operation against militants linked to al-Qaeda north of the capital, Baghdad.

Pregnant Iraqi women who have been forced from their homes by worsening violence are obtaining illegal abortions because they are unable to get medical care for themselves and their unborn, according to a new report by a national humanitarian group.

Israeli tanks have crossed into Gaza near a key crossing point where at least 500 Palestinians are trapped, trying to flee from the territory since Hamas took it over.