China sues US at WTO, UN negotiates global tax treaty, Italy not ready to increase defense spending

The World and Vietnam Newspaper highlights some notable world news this morning, February 5.

Asia

JAPAN TIMES. An artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot that can answer questions from a Buddhist perspective in English has been launched in Bhutan.

This is a product developed by a research team from Kyoto University and a Japanese startup company, announced on February 3. (Source: Buddhist Channel)

HINDUSTAN TIMES. At least five people were killed and three staff members injured in a prison riot in the city of Vahdat, Tajikistan.

IRNA. Tehran and Moscow signed an agreement to build a railway line between the Iranian cities of Rasht and Astara, within the framework of the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC) project.

ANADOLU. Saudi Arabia's defense spending has recorded an annual increase of 4.5% since 1960, reaching $75.8 billion in 2024, accounting for 3.1% of the world's total defense spending of $2.44 trillion.

RIA NOVOSTIA. Beijing has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism over US tariff measures against China.

THX. China will investigate the US technology corporation Google for allegedly violating anti-monopoly laws.

The move comes amid escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Washington after the US imposed an additional 10% tariff on goods imported from China.

YONHAP. ​​Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol filed a petition with the Seoul Central District Court asking for the cancellation of an arrest warrant against him related to the imposition of martial law.

KYODO. Japan's agricultural, forestry, fishery and food exports hit a record high for the 12th consecutive year in 2024.

THE STAR. Singapore will allocate about S$150 million for six new drainage system upgrade projects in fiscal year 2025.

STRAITS TIMES. Indonesia announced the National Action Plan on Cancer 2024-2034 considering the increasing rate of cases and the resulting burden on the health sector.

Europe

SKY NEWS. The suspect in the shooting at a school in the central Swedish city of Orebro was among five people injured.

Swedish police said the incident at Risberska Skolan school was a case of attempted murder and serious use of weapons. (Source: Reuters)

RIA NOVOSTIA. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union (EU) should increase trade with China, as this relationship will determine the future prosperity of the bloc.

EURONEWS. Italy is not ready to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP as requested by US President Donald Trump.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani: "Italy is ready to reach 2% of GDP, but certainly not 5%, even though we are the country with the largest number of military personnel deployed on foreign missions."

ANSA. The Italian Coast Guard rescued 130 migrants on a small fishing boat, stranded in a fierce storm 177 km south of Crotone, in the Calabria region.

AFP. The Spanish cabinet approved a decree to cut working hours from the current 40 hours per week to 37.5 hours without changing wages.

AP. Thousands of people have been forced to leave the Greek island of Santorini by sea and air after a series of unprecedented earthquakes rocked the tourist resort.

FRANCE 24. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou used special powers to pass the 2025 national budget without a vote in parliament.

America

AFP. The Trump administration has made a major move by officially closing the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and merging it into the State Department.

Previously, President Trump appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Acting Director of USAID to gain control and better understand the agency's operations. (Source: Getty)

"USAID has long strayed from its original mission of responsibly advancing U.S. interests abroad, and it is now abundantly clear that a significant portion of USAID funding is inconsistent with core U.S. national interests," the State Department said.

REUTERS. The US Senate has confirmed Chris Wright, a shale gas executive, as Secretary of Energy in the Trump administration.

RIA NOVOSTIA. The Pentagon has signed a contract worth up to $1.36 billion with defense industry group Lockheed Martin to produce electronic warfare systems for submarines.

CNN. Mexico has begun deploying 10,000 troops to the border as promised to US President Donald Trump in exchange for a delay in imposing a 25% tariff on exported goods.

BARRON'S. The UN launches talks on a global tax treaty to tackle tax evasion by wealthy individuals and businesses.

Africa

SONNA. A senior commander of the Islamic State (IS) branch in Somalia has been arrested, according to Somali officials.

In recent years, the IS branch in Somalia has grown thanks to the influx of foreign fighters. (Source: The New York Times)

AHRAM ONLINE. In a phone call with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called on the bloc to increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

REUTERS. The Democratic Republic of Congo has asked the international community to impose sanctions on Rwanda to curb the M23 rebel conflict.

AFRICAN NEWS. A robbery of a cash transport vehicle occurred in Durban, KwaZulu Natal province (South Africa), leaving 1 person dead and 10 others injured.

Oceania

ABC. A 17-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a shark off Woorim Beach on Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia.

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