1. New Zealand said it would boost defence spending by NZ$9 billion ($5 billion) over the next four years, and aim to nearly double spending to 2% as a share of GDP in the next eight years.

2. South Korea said it will work to lift a US ban on salt imports from the country's largest sea salt farm.

3. Several powerful Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq are prepared to disarm for the first time to avert the threat of an escalating conflict with the US Trump administration.

4. EU said it would start collecting retaliatory duties on some imported US goods next week.

5. Britain softened demands on automakers to switch to production of electric vehicles, seeking to alleviate pressure on an industry left reeling from US tariffs.

6. Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD launched on Monday its premium Denza brand in Europe.