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Mali residents are expressing shock at an attack on the country's interim president by protesters unhappy with an agreement to let him stay in office for a year. West African leaders have condemned the attack and threatened sanctions on those it finds responsible for trying to block a return to civilian government, two months after a military coup.

The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog Monday said talks with Iran's top nuclear negotiator were "positive", Iranian state TV reported, as he was slated to hold discussions with Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

Nearly 100 people, mostly soldiers, were killed when a man apparently wearing an explosive laden vest under his army uniform blew himself up in the midst of a military parade rehearsal Monday, officials said.

NATO alliance leaders meeting here for talks aimed at paving the way for ending the nearly 11-year-long war in Afghanistan, affirmed plans for an "irreversible transition" in which Afghan security forces will take control by mid 2013.

Iraq is acquiring unmanned surveillance drones from the United States as part of efforts to boost bilateral relations and also to beef up security of its oil installations and energy fuel exports amid growing tensions in the region.

The 29 Chinese fishermen and three fishing vessels seized in the Yellow Sea by unidentified North Koreans have been freed, marking an end to a 13-day standoff but the mystery persists about the identity of the captors.

Ahead of their visit to Côte d’Ivoire, the members of the Security Council commended Liberia for its progress since the end of its civil war in 2003, and reiterated their support for efforts on reconciliation and inclusive dialogue in the West African country.

Amb. Agshin Mehdiyev.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right), with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, at the NATO Summit in Chicago.

A high-level U.S. delegation focused on North Korean matters met with South Korean and Japanese diplomats in Seoul Monday. The group had words of warning for North Korea.