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In this 2012 file photo, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Kurama leads other vessels during a fleet review in Sagami Bay, south of Tokyo. Japan recently made a marked shift by vowing to protect Taiwan. Itsuo Inouye/AP hide caption

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Itsuo Inouye/AP

After Being Silent For Decades, Japan Now Speaks Up About Taiwan — And Angers China

Driven by perceptions of an increasing threat from China, Japanese politicians have publicly and unprecedentedly said that if China attacks Taiwan, Japan should defend the island with the U.S.

After Being Silent For Decades, Japan Now Speaks Up About Taiwan — And Angers China

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After making history Monday, weightlifter Laurel Hubbard thanked the International Olympic Committee "for living up to the Olympic values and showing that sport is for all and that weightlifting can be done by all types of people." Swen Pförtner/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images hide caption

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Swen Pförtner/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Trans Athlete Laurel Hubbard Has Made Olympic History

"Thank you to the IOC for living up to the Olympic values and showing that sport is for all and that weightlifting can be done by all types of people," Hubbard said after her competition.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives to testify before a joint hearing of the Commerce and Judiciary Committees on Capitol Hill in Washington in April 2018. In July 2020, Holocaust survivors around the world urged Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg to take action to remove denial of the Nazi genocide from the social media site. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

Antisemitic Posts Are Rarely Removed By Social Media Companies, A Study Finds

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok took no action on 84% of antisemitic posts, despite pledging to crack down on hate speech, according to the Center to Counter Digital Hate.

Jacqueline and Nicky Flores at their home in Virginia last month. They are part of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, a group calling for an end to Title 42 so their family members can seek asylum. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

A Trump-Era Rule That Blocks Most Migrants Is Still In Place — And Now Back In Court

Immigration advocates had put their lawsuit on hold to give the Biden administration time to phase out the Title 42 measure. But they say they're tired of waiting.

Sifan Hassan of Team Netherlands celebrates as she walks the track with her country's flag after winning the gold medal in the Women's 5000 meter final on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Michael Steele/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Steele/Getty Images

Dutch Runner Who Fell During Her Race Went On To Win Gold. She's Aiming For 2 More

Sifan Hassan is going for it: three gold medals in three races. She's already won gold in one of them — the women's 5,000 meter race.

Members of the 40+ Double Dutch Club gather regularly to jump rope and connect with other women. 40+ Double Dutch Club hide caption

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40+ Double Dutch Club

Women Are Gathering To Jump Rope And Make Connections In The 40+ Double Dutch Club

The Chicago-based 40+ Double Dutch Club has more than a hundred chapters across the country and two internationally. Founder Pamela Robinson says it's about more than just jumping rope.

Women Are Gathering To Jump Rope And Make Connections In The 40+ Double Dutch Club

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Dave Chappelle: This Time This Place chronicles Chappelle's efforts to entertain audiences during the pandemic with a series of outdoor shows. He's pictured above in North Charleston, S.C., on Jan. 30, 2020. Sean Rayford/Getty Images hide caption

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Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Dave Chappelle — And Masked Fans — Made A Triumphant Return With 2 Live Events

Dave Chappelle drew sold-out crowds to his live, indoor appearances in Washington, D.C. — 3,500 attended his show at the concert venue The Anthem and more than 2,000 came to the Kennedy Center.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson promoted COVID-19 vaccinations at a community town hall at Arkansas State University Mountain Home (ASUMH) in Mountain Home, Arkansas, on July 16. Arkansas is one of several states that has passed laws prohibiting vaccine requirements. Liz Sanders/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Liz Sanders/Bloomberg via Getty Images

National

Several States Are Working To Prevent Vaccine Mandates

The vast majority of these laws apply only to state and local governments, meaning private schools and employers could still require people to get vaccinated.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona visits a summer program at a Los Angeles school in mid-July. Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images hide caption

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Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Students Need To Be In Classrooms — With Masks, The Education Secretary Says

Students learn best in classrooms, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona tells NPR — but "we have to make sure that we're following mitigation strategies."

Students Need To Be In Classrooms, With Masks, This Fall, Education Secretary Says

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Protesters hold signs during a hearing on the possible evictions of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem, outside the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Maya Alleruzzo/AP hide caption

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Maya Alleruzzo/AP

The Israeli High Court Floats A Plan To Shield Palestinians In East Jerusalem From Eviction

A plan put forward by the court would prevent the evictions of dozens of Palestinians in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Attempts to expel them sparked an 11-day war in May.

U.S. star sprinter Allyson Felix, shown here in June during U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, is competing this week at the Tokyo Olympics. Ashley Landis/AP hide caption

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Ashley Landis/AP

10 Unique Storylines To Follow In The Final Stretch Of The Tokyo Olympics

The swimmers are now leaving Japan and the spotlight moves to the track and field events at Olympic Stadium. We'll walk you through the biggest things to watch for until the closing ceremony.

A relationship contract is a tool for couples to express their needs and work together to craft the parameters of their own unique relationship roadmap. Marie Bertrand/Getty Images hide caption

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Marie Bertrand/Getty Images

From Housework To Sex, Here's How Relationship Contracts Can Help Couples

Relationship contracts might not sound romantic, but all relationships are contractual, Writer Mandy Len Catron says this is a tool for couples to express their needs and work together.

Civil rights leaders and members of the Texas Legislature, pictured on July 28, met to discuss actions to stop restrictive voting, announcing a national march will take place on Aug. 28. Cheriss May/Getty Images hide caption

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Cheriss May/Getty Images

Some Black Leaders Question Whether Biden Will Fulfill His Promises To Black Voters

With national voting rights legislation stalled, Black leaders are watching to see what President Biden does next. Activists say the country is in a "state of emergency" when it comes to voting laws.

Some Black Leaders Question Whether Biden Will Fulfill His Promises To Black Voters

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Becca Turchanik, of Nashville, Tennessee, drove four hours to Atlanta for an abortion in 2019, and the emotions of the ordeal have stayed with her, she says. She's angry that she had to call from state to state to find care, and that she couldn't have her abortion close to home, with friends nearby. "We got an appointment in Georgia because that was the only place that had appointments," she says. Laura E. Partain for Kaiser Health News hide caption

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Laura E. Partain for Kaiser Health News

Restrictive Abortion Laws Across The South Mean More Women Are Traveling To Find Safe Services

Kaiser Health News

For many women, that also requires taking time off work, arranging child care and finding transportation and lodging — all of which can increase anxiety, expense and logistical complications.

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