TOKYO, Japan: In response to the surge in Covid infections in Japan, the government is weighing imposing regulations to require those fans attending the games to show proof of negative COVID-19 test results or vaccination certificates. A state of emergency currently exists in Tokyo, and was extended on Friday until June 20.The Olympics are scheduled […]

ORLANDO, Florida: An amendment to a Congressional bill would provide NASA with the billions of dollars needed to again land American astronauts on the moon. NASA would require a 40 percent increase of $10 billion to allow competing companies to build the rocketry needed to land on the moon and return to Earth, according to […]

Minister of Defence Peeni Henare, and Minister of Police Poto Williams have confirmed New Zealand’s ongoing contribution to the Operation Gallant Phoenix intelligence mission in Jordan. Cabinet has extended the mandate for New Zealand’s multi agency deployment for two years until June 2023, the number of deployed personnel remains fewer than 10. Operation Gallant Phoenix […]

LOS ANGELES, California: Three major movie theater chains in the United States – AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, and Regal Cinemas – have ended mask requirements for ticket holders who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. “In accordance with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, masks are not required for guests who are fully […]

MANILA, Philippines:The Philippines has formally protested what they describe as China’s continuing “illegal presence and activities” in the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said on Saturday. Manila has said China’s presence near Thitu Island has become an “incessant deployment, prolonged presence, and illegal activities of Chinese maritime assets and fishing vessels.” The Philippines demanded […]

WASHINGTON D.C.: Democratic and Republican governors have contacted President Joe Biden, urging him to continue the manufacturing of F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin Co. Biden’s $753 billion national security budget request, expected to be delivered to Congress on Friday, will increase research and development spending to prepare for future warfare. However, states became concerned […]

PRAGUE, Czech Republic: Restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the Czech Republic will open their doors to indoor dining beginning on Monday. The government had planned to reopen dining in mid-June, however, the country’s Supreme Administrative Court ruled this week that blanket restrictions on restaurants were illegal. Following the court ruling, Health Minister Adam Vojtech announced […]

Geoff Hobson Those young Bengals defensive linemen have arrived as advertised. Big. Long. Hungry. Joseph Ossai, the tireless third-round pick from Texas who started running on the back side as a freshman at Conroe High School and hasn’t stopped even though he’s on an NFL front, is emblematic of what this draft on the edge […]

WASHINGTON D.C.: A bill to boost economic competitiveness against China and push Beijing on human rights, entitled the “Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement Act,” was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The Biden administration is backing efforts to counter China, with officials repeatedly listing competition with Beijing as one of their […]

Hey, you’re busy! We know rferl.org isn’t the only website you read. And that it’s just possible you may have missed some of our most compelling journalism this week. To make sure you’re up-to-date, here are some of the highlights produced by RFE/RL’s team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists over the past seven […]