1. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to sack farm minister Taku Eto following remarks the minister made about rice.

2. Taiwan wants peace and dialogue with China but the government must continue to strengthen the island's defences, President Lai Ching-te said.

3. Iran said US demands that Tehran refrain from enriching uranium are "excessive and outrageous".

4. Honda said that it was scaling back its investment in electric vehicles given slowing demand.

5. Israel pursued its military operation in Gaza, killing at least 20 Palestinians in overnight airstrikes after it agreed to lift a two-month-old blockade on aid deliveries.

6. Starlink launched in Bangladesh, as the South Asian nation steps up efforts to ensure reliable, uninterrupted access to the internet.