World News Briefs -- March 3, 2015 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Israel's Netanyahu draws rebuke from Obama over Iran speech to Congress

(Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the United States on Tuesday that it was negotiating a bad deal with Iran that paved the way to a "nuclear nightmare," drawing a rebuke from President Barack Obama and exposing the depth of a U.S.-Israeli rift.

MIDDLE EAST

Netanyahu warns US 'bad deal' would put Iran on nuclear path. Netanyahu urges global unity against Iran's 'terror'.

Fierce clashes outside Iraq's Tikrit after new offensive.

Iraqi army 'kills ISIS second-in-command in Tikrit' as military begins to force militants from the strategic city.

As Iraqis advance on Tikrit, threat of car bombs, mines loom.

IS says US suicide bomber carried out Iraq attack.

U.S.-led coalition launches 14 air strikes against Islamic State: task force.

Syrian rebels reject U.N. envoy's ceasefire plan.

Tehran plans no concessions to US at talks on nuclear program — foreign minister. Iran calls Obama's 10-year nuclear demand 'unacceptable'.

ASIA

Afghan army suffers heavy combat losses: US.

Many killed in Afghan explosion.

U.S. military says tensions are up on DMZ in Koreas.

North Korea warns U.S. about pre-emptive strike 'if necessary'. N.Korea warns can conduct 'strike' on US, denies rights violations.

Pakistani diplomat: Slowing Afghan drawdown would viewed 'positively.

Pakistan arrests parents for refusing polio vaccination.

U.N. calls for accountability in Sri Lanka rights investigation.

China invites world leaders to military parade to mark WWII.

Exclusive: China investigates second top officer for graft - sources.

Australian drug smugglers being taken to Indonesian island for execution: media.

AFRICA

Hundreds killed as Chad forces seize northeast Nigerian town.

5,000 foreign fighters flock to Libya as ISIS call for Jihadists.

Nigeria's Boko Haram releases beheading video echoing Islamic State.

UN Security Council OKs sanctions regime for South Sudan.

Russia, Egypt to sign protocol on military cooperation — Russian defense minister.

Report: As Ebola wanes, other countries remain vulnerable. Ebola: Liberia's Johnson Sirleaf urges 'Marshall Plan'.

Influential Mozambican lawyer Cistac gunned down in taxi.

Tunisia blogger gets 6 months for defaming army.

EUROPE

Some 12,000 Russian soldiers in Ukraine supporting rebels: U.S. commander.

Ukraine says return of Crimea a must for mending ties with Russia.

Three dead as Kiev accuses Ukraine rebels of shelling.

Ukraine crisis: OSCE monitors 'to be sent to truce violation areas'.

Obama holding video talk with European leaders on Ukraine. Obama, European leaders to discuss Ukraine, global security.

Mourners view body of slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. Crowds of mourners pay respect to slain opposition leader Nemtsov. Russians bid farewell to murdered politician Nemtsov.

Turkey withdraws planned military exercise in Aegean, Greece says.

Greece may free jailed Golden Dawn leaders.

Greece faces cash crunch as IMF payments come due.

AMERICAS

Central America proposes security initiatives on Biden trip.

Congress sends Homeland bill to Obama without conditions.

Americans open to U.S. troops for fighting Islamic State.

US pushes back on Venezuela's order to slash embassy staff. Venezuela initiates visa requirement for U.S. travelers.

Britain laughs off Argentine Falklands banknote as 'a stunt'.

Villarrica volcano erupts in southern Chile, thousands flee.

Fugitive ex-U.S. spy Snowden in talks on returning home: lawyer.

US considers banning type of popular rifle ammunition.

Report: More than half of children in U.S. expected to be minorities by 2020.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State plot suspect to be transferred to NY.

Syrian war refugees seen by US as terror recruiting targets.

'Attractive jihadists can lure UK girls to extremism'.

Westerners head to Iraq to fight as Christian warriors against Islamic State.

'Europe will face a 9/11 within two years’ – Colonel Gaddafi’s cousin.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US running out of room to store oil; price collapse next?

Macao's casinos see record revenue fall.

Apple edges out Samsung in global smartphone sales: Gartner.

Exxon's Russia exposure surges as it takes the long view.