Washington rejects Russia's claims terrorists captured by Syrian troops spoke of plan to stage fake chemical attacks, blame them on government forces. Moscow's allegations part of "continuing disinformation campaign" to blame others for chemical attacks carried out by Assad forces, U.S. says.

In Iran briefing, members of Congress say U.S. officials sought to convince lawmakers White House tamping down rhetoric on Tehran. Some House Democrats accuse administration of twisting intelligence to make the case for an aggressive response to any Iranian actions.

Rather than advocate for their constituencies, Arab MKs busy themselves with provocations and external matters, ignoring the high rate of violence and serious socio-economic issues Israel's Arab population faces.

Addressing U.N. Security Council, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert warns that if the issue of thousands of returning Islamic State fighters and their families from Syria to Iraq isn't managed properly, "we risk creating a new breeding ground for the next generation of terrorists."

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan says Iranian threat is "on hold" due to the additional American forces deployed to the Persian Gulf.