Russia builds hypersonic missiles to counter the US; Venezuela won't hold early elections

"In 2019-2020, we must develop a ground-launched version of the Kalibr cruise missile," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russian defense officials on February 5. "Also during this period, we must create a long-range hypersonic missile." Mr. Shoigu said the plan was approved by President Putin and ordered the military to start developing the system from today. He wants the manufacturing work to be completed by the end of next year so that the new system is ready to go into operation by 2021.

These are Russia's responses after the US announced on February 1 that it would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty within 6 months unless Moscow destroyed INF-violating missiles, launchers and equipment. Putin then announced that he would stop complying with the agreement in response to the US and asked the Russian military to research and develop new missiles.

Venezuelan President Rejects Possibility of Early Elections

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Source: Time Magazine

Sputniknews reported that on February 5, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro affirmed that the country will not hold presidential elections in the near future. In an interview with Russia's RT channel, Mr. Maduro emphasized: "We do not lack elections in Venezuela. The problem lies with the opposition, not with regular elections. We have held 25 elections in 20 years. In the past 18 months, we have had 6 elections. The 2018 election was held at the request of the opposition."

In addition, the leader also welcomed Uruguay's initiative to hold an international conference in Montevideo on February 7 to discuss the Venezuela issue.

IMF disburses $2 billion loan to Egypt

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Egyptian Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to disburse a fifth loan tranche worth $2 billion to Egypt in the coming days. The IMF's agreement to disburse this loan is a result of the success of the "Land of the Pyramids" economic reforms and Egypt is seriously implementing this program.

Earlier, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde praised Egypt's significant achievements and progress in macroeconomic stability. Ms. Lagarde noted that Egypt is among the countries with the highest economic growth rates in the region, as the budget deficit has been reduced, inflation has been controlled and is approaching the target level of the Central Bank of Egypt by the end of this year. In addition, the unemployment rate in Egypt has decreased to about 10%, the lowest level since 2011, and measures to strengthen social security have been expanded.

South Korea reaffirms priority in resolving issue of families separated by Korean War

A reunion scene between a South Korean (left) and his North Korean relatives at the Kumagang mountain resort in North Korea in August 2018. Photo: Kyodo/VNA

According to a VNA reporter in Seoul, South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myung-kyun on February 5 affirmed that Seoul is making every effort to resolve the issue of families separated by the Korean War (1950-1953). Speaking at a ceremony held at Imjingak Tower in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province, Minister Cho Myung-kyun apologized on behalf of the government for the work related to resolving the issue of separated families that is currently taking place relatively slowly, not as desired by the people.

According to him, the Korean government will make continuous efforts to ease the pain and longing of separated families. The South Korean Unification Minister stressed that Seoul always considers this one of the top important agendas in meetings with Pyongyang.

Taliban attacks many areas in Afghanistan, dozens of people killed

Afghan security forces stand guard at the scene of an attack in Kabul on December 25, 2018. Photo: THX/TTXVN

Afghan media reported on February 5 that Taliban insurgents attacked many areas in northern Afghanistan, killing dozens of people. Accordingly, on the evening of February 4, the Taliban attacked a security checkpoint in Baghlani Markazi district, Baghlan province, killing at least 11 police officers and injuring 5 police officers. According to local officials, the attack led to a clash that broke out for about 2 hours. Taliban insurgents seized all weapons and ammunition of security forces before reinforcements were dispatched to the scene. Currently, Afghan police have regained control of this security checkpoint.

On the same day, Taliban insurgents attacked pro-government gunmen in a village in Samangan province, killing 10 people and injuring four. Meanwhile, Sputnik reported that Taliban insurgents also carried out an attack in Kunduz province, also in northern Afghanistan, killing at least 28 security personnel. There are no details about the incident yet.

Dense fog covers Tongren, Guizhou province, southwest China, January 22, 2019. Photo: THX/ VNA

Chinese authorities on February 5 issued a yellow alert due to thick fog covering many areas in the south of the country on the first day of the Lunar New Year 2019. This is the third highest warning level in China's four-level scale.

According to the China National Meteorological Center, fog affected many southern provinces such as Anhui, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangsu on the morning of February 5, reducing visibility to less than 200 meters. The forecast of the China National Meteorological Center said that in the coming days, the fog situation may ease and end.