Iran Nuclear Talks Stuck, Deadline May Be Extended: Officials -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A deadline for resolving a 12-year-old dispute over Iran's nuclear program may be extended from Monday until March because of sharp disagreements between Tehran and world powers, officials close to the talks said on Thursday.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was due to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with European Union envoy Catherine Ashton to try to break the stalemate, but talk of an extension prompted calls for tougher sanctions in Washington.

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MIDDLE EAST

Senior Islamic State figure killed in Mosul: sources .

Amnesty report reveals desperate plight of Syrian refugees in Turkey .

Iran nuclear talks: Kerry says talks focused on a deal . Race to meet Iran nuclear deal deadline . Still long way to go for Iran nuclear deal: Fabius, Kerry .

Iran rejects West's pressure on nuclear probe, offers site access .

Gaza militants test-fire rockets into sea, Israel says .

Jerusalem tense amid house demolitions .

Israeli Mayor's ban on Arab workers ignites uproar .

Closing of Egypt's Rafah crossing leaves thousands of Gazans stranded .

Iran's Supreme Leader frees pioneering Iranian 'Blogfather': media .

ASIA

North Korea threatens more nuclear tests .

North Korea envoy praises 'landmark' meeting with Putin .

Attacks in Kabul raise concerns about security .

Australia fears Islamist radicals joining forces with biker gangs .

Sri Lanka president seeks third term, critics want powers curbed .

Hard diplomacy ahead despite China showing its softer side .

China manufacturing activity hits six month low .

AFRICA

Egypt's Sisi calls on West to support Libya to avoid new Syria, Iraq .

Boko Haram suspected in deadly Nigeria attack . Boko Haram said to kill about 45 people in Nigeria .

Eritreans 'fleeing conscription drive' for Ethiopia - UNHCR .

Mali, rebels start third round of peace talks .

Tear gas and chaos shut down Nigeria's parliament .

Somali leader sees Islamist rebels out of towns by year-end .

Burkina ex-president Compaore in exile in Morocco: Ivory Coast government .

EUROPE

Almost 1,000 dead since east Ukraine truce - UN . Ukraine peace outlook is bleak: OSCE official .

UN: Rights abuses on rise in war-torn E. Ukraine .

Ukrainian PM accuses Putin of using Ukraine as a 'playing field' .

Russia warns U.S. against arms to Ukraine as Biden due in Kiev . Russia says U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine would destabilize situation .

Russia to need guarantees of Ukraine's NATO non-entry in case Kiev changes mind — diplomat .

Russia can do little to shore up falling oil prices .

Putin says Russia must prevent 'color revolution' .

Prosecutors in Spain to charge Catalonia leader Mas .

Pope blasts food commodity speculation . Cardinal's demotion helps Pope Francis quell 'conservative backlash' -- for now .

Julian Assange: Swedish court rejects appeal to lift arrest warrant .

AMERICAS

Obama to offer immigration relief to about 4.7 million: source .

Mexico on the brink: thousands to protest over widespread corruption and student massacre .

Mexico's president, under pressure over mansion, discloses $3 million in assets .

Colombia rebels to free general, opening door to resume peace talks .

Bruised Venezuelan opposition may make headway in 2015 .

Argentina bill would oust foreign lawbreakers.

Nicaraguans promised ‘big Christmas present’ with work due on new canal .

'Historic' US storm returns to snow-covered north-east . Western New York communities slammed by historic snow brace for two more feet .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Hagel: Islamic State presents new challenge to U S.

UAE targets Islamist accounts in money-laundering clampdown .

DOJ ordered to release memo justifying strike on US citizen in Yemen.

Nursing group urges military not to punish Guantánamo nurse who refused to force-feed detainees .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow, S&P 500 end at records after U.S. data, Intel outlook .

IRNA: Iran to hold market share talks with Saudis at OPEC .

Obesity costs more than military spending worldwide .