North Korea has threatened to take firm military action against the United States if it continues to pursue additional sanction. The warning is coming two days after North Korea launched a long range intercontinental ballistic missile believed to have the capacity to hit mainland United States.

North Korea is said to have conducted another missile test, officials from Japan and South Korea say. The missile launched from North Korea’s northern Jangang province landed in the sea, possibly in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, they added. The test was the latest in a series of test conducted in defiance to UN sanctions.

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".

Pakistan's ruling party has decided Saturday to name Shehbaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab province, as the country's new Prime Minister (PM). The decision was announced by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after a meeting of the parliamentarians from the ruling party. The Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be appointed as the interim prime minister until Shahbaz resigns from his regional post and contest a National Assembly (NA) seat to become eligible to take over.

Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif has resigned as prime minister of Pakistan following a decision by the country's Supreme Court to disqualify him from office. The ruling came after a probe into his family's wealth following the 2015 Panama Papers dump linking Mr Sharif's children to offshore companies.

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.