Iraq asking for more help against IS...Clash coming over Iran deal...Rents going higher

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Defeating the Islamic State militants is number one on the agenda as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (HY'-dahr ahl ah-BAH'-dee) makes an in-person appeal today to President Barack Obama for more aid. He says U.S. airstrikes and other aid have already made a difference and that additional help could put Iraq over the top and "finish" IS.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is on course to help set up a clash between Congress and the White House over the Iran nuclear deal. The committee is voting on legislation today to give lawmakers a voice in any final agreement reached by the end of June deadline. The legislation has drawn a veto threat from President Barack Obama.

UNDATED (AP) — More apartments are on the way but so is higher rent because supply can't keep up with demand. Commercial property tracker Reis Inc. says the average U.S. rent has climbed 14 percent to $1,124 since 2010. That's more than inflation and more than double the rise in U.S. home prices over the same period. The main reason: More people than ever are apartment hunting. Reis says the broader upward trend isn't going away.

BERLIN (AP) — The forecast for global trade growth this year is contracting. The World Trade Organization forecasts that trade will expand by 3.3 percent this year, down from its forecast in September of 4 percent. The WTO also says trade growth last year was only 2.8 percent. The WTO blames sluggish economic growth in emerging economies, the uneven recoveries taking place in developed economies as well as geopolitical tensions.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President-elect Muhammadu Buhari (moo-HAH'-mah-doo boo-HAH'-ree) has issued a gloomy update on the 219 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists one year ago in the northeastern part of his country. Speaking on the anniversary of the abduction, he says he can't make any promises and doesn't know if they can be rescued. But a hopeful message comes from Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai (mah-LAH'-lah YOO'-suhf-zeye), promising the girls scholarships and saying they must never lose courage.