The Donald J. Trump administration imposed new economic sanctions on eighteen Iranian banks in a move that could effectively cut off Tehran from the global financial system. Critics said the sanctions are unlikely to force Iran back into negotiations with the United States and will further alienate U.S. allies in Europe (New York Times).

Gang violence in Rohingya refugee camps have forced hundreds to flee. Seven people have died in the past week (Guardian).

The country could unveil a new missile during a military parade on Saturday celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party, sources said. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to deliver an address (Yonhap).

Citing “widespread” political persecution, the UN Human Rights Council voted to extend its investigation of alleged rights violations in Venezuela for two years (Buenos Aires Times).

Fighting in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has displaced half the people living there, according to its rights ombudsman. International mediators are set to meet in Geneva on the ongoing conflict today (Agence France-Presse).

A dozen military and political figures arrested during the country’s August coup were released by the new transitional government. Among those released were former Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and a former national assembly speaker (Agence France-Presse).

Delegates from the country’s two rival administrations agreed on criteria for choosing government leadership during talks in Morocco, which are expected to continue (Al Jazeera).

The United States will reduce its number of troops stationed in Afghanistan to 2,500 by early next year, said U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. President Donald J. Trump contradicted O’Brien, tweeting that troops could be home by Christmas (New York Times).

President Nicolas Maduro successfully appealed a British court ruling that said the UK recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s leader and denied Maduro access to $1 billion worth of gold held by the Bank of England. The case will now go back to the UK High Court (BBC).

More than one hundred alleged or convicted militants were released in a prisoner swap in exchange for the freedom of former opposition leader and presidential candidate Soumaila Cisse and French aid worker Sophie Petronin, unnamed officials said (Agence France-Presse).