ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — The one-two punch of Iranian-back militias and Iraqi government troops is likely to prevail in the unfolding battle for Tikrit, but it would not have been possible if U.S. airstrikes had not tied down Islamic State fighters elsewhere in northern Iraq, the top U.S. general says. 

PRESIDENTIAL RACE-BUSH

URBANDALE, Iowa — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says he is standing by his support for the Common Core school standards rejected by a segment of the Republican Party's most conservative members, including other potential presidential candidates. 

CIA-OVERHAUL

WASHINGTON — Director John Brennan has ordered a sweeping reorganization of the CIA, an overhaul designed to make its leaders more accountable and close espionage gaps amid widespread concerns about the U.S. spy agency's limited insights into a series of major global developments. 

BRAZIL-OIL MISFORTUNES

RIO DE JANEIRO — Oil was to have been Brazil's "passport to the future," yet the grand dreams tied to state company Petrobras have been brought to a screeching halt — not only by the plunge in crude prices, but by a mammoth kickback scandal of its own making. 

BRAZL-PETROBRAS INVESTIGATION

RIO DE JANEIRO — An investigation into what prosecutors call the biggest corruption scandal ever uncovered in Brazil wins Supreme Court approval to expand to dozens of top politicians for alleged ties to a kickback scheme at the state-run energy company. 

VENEZUELA-UNASUR

CARACAS, Venezuela — An association of South American countries urges the region to help Venezuela keep basic goods on the shelves. 

CHILE-CORRUPTION

SANTICAGO, Chile — Prosecutors are asking a judge to charge the owners of a prominent Chilean financial company with bribery, tax evasion and illegally financing the campaign of right-wing politicians.