An Iraqi man inspects damage at the Mar Afram Syriac Orthodox Church following an explosion in the northern city of Kirkuk, as a series of nationwide attacks hit the country. (AFP)Egyptian anti-Mubarak protesters hang a noose to his poster outside police academy court in Cairo. (AP)

Smoke rises in the Mediterranean port city of Latakia, August 14, 2011. Residents and rights groups said Syrian tanks and navy ships shelled Latakia on Sunday, killing 24 people. (Reuters)

A farmer works in his field as Mount Soputan volcano spews volcanic ash, in Minahasa on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island on August 14, 2011. (AFP)

A supporter of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann attends the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, August 13, 2011. (Reuters)

School children take part in a cultural program to celebrate India's independence day in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh. (Reuters)

Participants ride their horses during the traditional Palio horse race (Il Palio) at the Il Campo square in the Tuscan city of Siena. (AFP)