Briefly

DPRK

US strategy slammed for 'disturbing peace'

The United States "Indo-Pacific" strategy is a "geopolitical confrontation "that is "disturbing regional peace and stability", according to an article published by the Korean Central News Agency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Sunday. Two years after the strategy's launch, the present situation clearly shows the absurdity of the "construction of the free, open, prosperous and stable (Indo-Pacific) region" advocated by the administration of US President Joe Biden, said the article by Ri Ji-won, a researcher of the Institute for American Studies of the DPRK Foreign Ministry. It added that the strategy has caused "instability and danger of war "in the region, rather than "stability".

ARGENTINA

Poverty hits 20-yr high at 57.4%, study shows

Poverty levels in Argentina hit 57.4 percent in January, the highest in at least 20 years, according to a report by the Catholic University of Argentina, or UCA, cited by local media on Sunday. The report said the devaluation of the peso by President Javier Milei shortly after his inauguration in early December, and the price hikes caused by it, exacerbated poverty levels, which closed the year at 49.5 percent. Milei took office promising to "dollarize" the economy, tame an annual inflation rate of more than 200 percent, eliminate the fiscal deficit and end benefits for Argentina's political dynasties, which Milei calls "the caste".

AFGHANISTAN

25 killed in landslide caused by snowfall

At least 25 people were killed and 10 others injured as a landslide struck a village in the Norgaram district of eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province on Sunday, district Governor Qari Habibullah Sabir said on Monday. The disaster took place in the wake of heavy rain and snow in Tatin Dara area of Norgaram district late on Sunday night, the official said, adding women and children are among the victims. Rescue operations have been continuing, the official said. At least 20 houses were also destroyed or badly damaged due to the landslide. Parts of Afghanistan including the capital city Kabul have been receiving rain and snowfall since Sunday afternoon.

Agencies - Xinhua