Iraqi forces closed in on Tikrit Tuesday, their progress slowed by jihadist snipers and booby traps, on the second day of Baghdad's largest operation yet against the Islamic State group. The government has mobilised a 30,000-strong force for the push to retake Tikrit made up of Shiite militiamen and Sunni tribesmen as well as troops and police. Iraqi forces are moving on Tikrit from three directions, with units targeting the towns of Al-Alam and Ad-Dawr to the north and south, while another large contingent drives from the east. The jihadist group announced in a radio bulletin Tuesday that a US national from its ranks had carried out a suicide attack against Iraqi forces near Samarra, the other main city in Salaheddin province.

The two-month process to select a jury for the trial of Boston bombings suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was completed Tuesday, authorities said, a day before opening statements in the long-awaited case are to begin. Tsarnaev, 21, faces the death penalty if convicted of the April 15, 2013 bombings near the finish line at the Boston Marathon which left three people dead and 264 injured in the northeastern US city.

By Scott Malone BOSTON (Reuters) - The jury that will hear the trial of accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was selected on Tuesday on the eve of opening statements. The jury selection process began in early January when more than 1,350 potential jurors filled out questionnaires on their ties to the attack and their views on the death penalty.