In Kabul, Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai repeated his insistence that he will not sign the security pact that was endorsed by the Loya Jirga, or tribal elders on Sunday.
The death toll in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, the powerful storm that wiped out entire villages in the Philippines two weeks ago, continues to rise with newest numbers reaching over 5,200. That number will surely grow larger as some 1,600 people are still listed as missing.
Iran and six world powers entered a crucial third day of talks Friday in Geneva, where they will try to close gaps on a proposed interim deal that would curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
President Barack Obama is appealing directly to lawmakers to delay any new sanctions against Iran while international negotiations aimed at curbing the country's nuclear program continue.