Russian President, Vladimir Putin has vowed to carryout retaliatory action if the United States attempts to impose further sanction on Russia. Putin made this known on Thursday at a press conference held after a brief meeting with his Finish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto. He claimed that Moscow had refrain from taking action in the past but will no longer fold her arms and watch the sustenance of "insolence toward Russia".

North Korea has threatened to launch nuclear attack on the United States if it attempts to illegally effect the removal of Kim Jong Un as the Supreme Leader. The threat followed a statement credited to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director, Mike Pompeo. Pompeo had reportedly stated that the Donald Trump's administration needed to find a way to separate Kim from his nuclear programme.

Metal Detectors

Israel has removed metal detectors from outside a holy site in East Jerusalem after uproar from Palestinians over their recent introduction.

The BBC reports that Israel's security cabinet voted early on Tuesday to remove and replace them with less obtrusive surveillance.

António Guterres

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, says he is concerned by the potential risk of escalating violence over the situation in the Old City of Jerusalem. Guterres, in a statement, cautioned all political, religious and community leaders to refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric.

Indonesian's Anti-drugs Chief, Budi Waseso has advocated for the engagement of ghosts as prison guards to effectively stop the sale and consumption of illicit drugs across the country's detention facilities. According to Media Indonesia, an online news platform, the drug law chief who heads the National Narcotic Agency claimed that 50 percent of drug trade was controlled by dealers from the prisons.

Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih

The world’s largest crude oil producer Saudi Arabia has pledged to cut exports in August to help reduce the global crude glut, in this regard oil prices appreciated by 1% on Monday. Reuters reported that, Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih said his country would limit crude oil exports at 6.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in August, almost 1 million bpd below levels a year ago.