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US Congress passes defense bill defying Trump anti-Europe rhetoric

US lawmakers on Wednesday passed a sweeping defense policy bill, signaling ironclad bipartisan support for Europe and delivering a blistering repudiation of President Donald Trump's increasingly hostile posture toward NATO and America's closest allies.

Three Russia-themed anti-war films shortlisted for Oscars

Three films about Russian anti-Kremlin journalists and activists under President Vladimir Putin have been shortlisted for the Oscars, in what critics said Wednesday sent a clear anti-war message.

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Stocks mark time ahead of Fed decision

Global stock markets marked time and the dollar steadied Wednesday with investors' eyes on a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy announcement later in the day.

Veggie 'burgers' remain on table as EU talks stall

EU wrangling over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop and restrict such labels to meat products will grind on into next year after countries and lawmakers failed to reach a deal on Wednesday.

M23's advance in DR Congo prompts uncertainty, border closure

Streets were empty, shops shuttered and soldiers fled the eastern DR Congo city of Uvira on Wednesday, a day after a Rwanda-backed militia entered the strategic city's outskirts, prompting Burundi to close its border.

Daughter of Venezuela's Machado picks up Nobel peace prize in her absence

Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Wednesday urged her compatriots to fight for freedom against "state terrorism", as she said she was coming out of hiding to travel to Norway after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in her absence.

Tens of thousands petition against Croatia Catholic men's public prayers

More than 60,000 people signed a petition delivered Wednesday to Croatia's government calling for the removal of public Catholic men's prayers that promote patriarchal authority from city squares.

French special forces helped Benin after attempted coup: military

French special forces provided support to Beninese troops who put down an attempted coup at the weekend, the head of the country's republican guard told AFP on Wednesday.

Venezuela's Machado 'safe' but will miss Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is "safe" and will reach Oslo by Thursday at the latest, but will not accept her Nobel Peace Prize in person, Nobel officials said.

Stocks retreat ahead of Fed decision

Stock markets mostly fell and the dollar steadied Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy announcement later in the day.

Venezuela opposition chief Machado to miss Nobel Peace Prize award

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who lives in hiding, will not attend Wednesday's Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the award will be accepted by her daughter, organisers said.

Brazil lawmakers approve bill to cut Bolsonaro sentence after ruckus

Brazil's lower house of Congress approved a bill early Wednesday that could slash former president Jair Bolsonaro's prison sentence for plotting a coup, after efforts by a lawmaker to disrupt the proceedings sparked chaos in parliament.

Cambodia-Thailand border clashes send half a million into shelters

Half a million evacuees in Cambodia and Thailand were sheltering in pagodas, schools and other safe havens on Wednesday after fleeing renewed fighting in a century-old border dispute in which US President Donald Trump has vowed to again intercede.

Cambodia pull out of SEA Games in Thailand: organisers

Cambodia withdrew on Wednesday from the Southeast Asian Games, a Games official said, as a border conflict with hosts Thailand escalated and forced a mass exodus of civilians from both sides of the disputed frontier.

Nepal faces economic fallout of September protest

When Nepal's government was toppled in September after deadly youth-led protests against economic stagnation and corruption, many in the impoverished country hoped for a period of meaningful political change.

Asian stocks in retreat as traders eye Fed decision, tech earnings

Asian markets retreated Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street as investors bided their time ahead of a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy announcement later in the day.

US Fed appears set for third rate cut despite sharp divides

The US Federal Reserve is expected to deliver a further interest rate cut Wednesday despite divisions among its ranks, with chief Jerome Powell's ability to secure support from fellow policymakers put to the test.

Suspense swirls if Nobel peace laureate will attend ceremony

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who lives in hiding, is due to receive her Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Wednesday, but hours before the ceremony it was still unclear whether she would attend.

Ruckus in Brazil Congress over bid to reduce Bolsonaro jail term

Chaotic scenes erupted in Brazil's Congress Tuesday as a lawmaker disrupted lower house efforts to vote on a bill that could slash former president Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence for a coup plot.

Nasdaq Verafin Joins Global Anti-Scam Alliance

THE HAGUE, NL / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is pleased to announce that Nasdaq Verafin has joined GASA as a Foundation Member, strengthening the global effort to combat scams, financial crime, and digital fraud. As fraud tactics continue to evolve across borders and digital channels, cross-sector collaboration has become essential to protecting consumers and building safer financial ecosystems.

Honduran leader alleges vote tampering, US interference

Honduran President Xiomara Castro on Tuesday denounced what she called tampering with results in the recent general election, and accused US counterpart Donald Trump of interfering in the vote.

Zelensky says ready to hold Ukraine elections, with US help

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday he was ready to hold new elections in Ukraine provided security could be assured, and that he expected to send Washington within a day revised proposals on ending the nearly four-year war with Russia.

Trump slams 'decaying' and 'weak' Europe

President Donald Trump blasted Europe as "decaying" and "weak" on immigration and Ukraine in an interview published Tuesday, deepening a rift between the United States and some of its oldest allies.

Thousands flee DR Congo fighting as M23 enters key city

M23 fighters entered the key eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Uvira late on Tuesday, souces said, with thousands fleeing across the border into Burundi to escape the Rwanda-backed militia's latest advance.

Thousands flee DR Congo fighting as M23 closes on key city

Fierce fighting rocked the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Tuesday as the Rwanda-backed M23 militia rapidly advanced on the strategic city of Uvira, with tens of thousands of people fleeing over the border into neighbouring Burundi.

Zelensky says ready to hold Ukraine elections

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday he was ready to hold new elections in Ukraine, and that he expected to send Washington within a day revised proposals on ending the nearly four-year war with Russia.

French lawmakers give first approval to social security budget bill

The lower house of French parliament on Tuesday narrowly approved a social security budget, clearing a major hurdle for Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu as he seeks to finalise a 2026 spending plan by year-end.

Communist vs Catholic - Chile prepares to choose a new president

Chile votes in a presidential runoff Sunday between two sharply different candidates: Jeannette Jara, a communist backed by a broad left coalition, and Jose Antonio Kast, a devout far-right politico promising a hard line on security and migration.

Thousands reported to have fled DR Congo fighting as M23 closes on key city

Fierce fighting rocked the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday as the Rwanda-backed M23 militia rapidly advanced towards the strategic city of Uvira, with tens of thousands of people fleeing over the nearby border into Burundi, sources said.

Zelensky says will send US revised plan to end Ukraine war

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said he planned to send the United States revised proposals "in the near future" on ending Russia's war on Ukraine, after meeting with European allies to strategize on their next steps.

Nobel event cancellation raises questions over Machado's whereabouts

Nobel officials cancelled a press conference with Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado in Oslo Tuesday, as it was unclear where the Venezuelan opposition leader was and whether she would collect her award in person.

Trump slams 'decaying' Europe and pushes Ukraine on elections

US President Donald Trump deepened his rift with Europe in an interview published Tuesday, calling it "decaying" and blasting key allies as "weak" over immigration and Ukraine.

Ukraine should hold elections, Trump says

Ukraine should hold elections, Donald Trump said in an interview published Tuesday, calling into question whether the country is truly democratic, as he reiterated his sharp criticism of the Ukrainian leader.

Why west African troops overturned Benin's coup but watched others pass by

When Benin's government over the weekend fought back a coup attempt, they had unlikely help: troops and air strikes from neighbouring countries.

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The Japan Times - Politics (English)