Leaders of the European Union and Japan have launched an alliance aimed at boosting economic cooperation, defending free trade and countering unfair trade practices as the two sides face growing challenges from the United States and China.

Plus, legal advocates and family members of detainees call for the closing of Florida's Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center, alleging inhumane conditions.

Japan is the world's fourth largest economy, meaning it accounts for a large part of global trade and growth. Tokyo imports a great deal of energy and food from overseas and is dependent on exports including electronics, machinery and motor vehicles. The US is its biggest export market.

Gold prices fell on Wednesday after a U.S.-Japan trade deal eased market uncertainty, while strong industrial demand and a supply shortage drove silver to its highest level since September 2011.

An additional $5,000 per month will be disbursed to each lawmaker to pay for personal security through the end of the year. In 2024, the US Capitol Police investigated more than 9,000 threats against lawmakers,

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba denied reports he plans to announce his resignation over a historic defeat of his ruling party in a weekend election.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba denied on Wednesday he had decided to quit after a source and media reports said he planned to announce his resignation to take responsibility for a bruising upper house election defeat.