Japan
Virus could force Olympics cancellation, says top Japanese politician
Toshiro Nikai, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's number two, said the Olympics must be cancelled "without hesitation" if the virus situation is too severe.
Haruo Ozaki sounded the alarm as rising daily cases prompt new virus restrictions in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan.
Japan's government argues the release is safe because the water is processed to remove almost all radioactive elements and will be diluted.
In a flurry of diplomacy, Japan announced that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will become the first foreign leader to see Biden in person, a sign of the primacy the new US leader attaches to allies.
The US singer has a huge following in Japan and visited the country three months after the 2011 disaster, declaring 'Japan is safe' and calling on tourists from around the world to do the same.
China, which has largely brought the virus under control domestically, said last month that anal swabs can be more effective than normal throat and nose tests as the virus can linger longer in the digestive system.
Osaka edged a tight first set and broke the American twice in the second to win 6-4, 6-3 in 77 minutes in front of thousands of fans at Rod Laver Arena.
About 40,000 targeted healthcare workers will receive their first jabs starting Wednesday, around double the previously reported number as more people than expected agree to get vaccinated.
The world's third-largest economy has seen a relatively small coronavirus outbreak so far, with around 4,500 deaths and largely without the drastic lockdowns seen in other countries.
Public support for the Olympics has plummeted in Japan, with a recent poll finding that more than 80% of respondents think the Games should be cancelled or postponed again.
The expansion means that from Thursday, 11 of the country's 47 prefectures will be under the state of emergency - accounting for about 60% of its GDP.
Takahiro Shiraishi, 30, admitted killing and butchering his young victims, all but one of whom were women.
The new data shows public sentiment has shifted little since the summer, when surveys in Japan also found only a minority backing plans to hold the Games next year, despite the imminent arrival of new vaccines.
The two leaders discussed the importance of pursuing a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House said in a statement.
Suga, who on Monday was elected leader of the LDP, is viewed as a continuity candidate and has said his run was inspired by a desire to pursue Shinzo Abe's policies.
A powerful government adviser and spokesman, 71-year-old Suga is seen as promising stability and a continuation of Shinzo Abe's policies.
In Japan, around 440,000 homes in the southwestern Kyushu region remained without power on Monday morning after the storm passed through, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The man was discovered as the coast guard continues to search for survivors from the Gulf Livestock 1, a cargo ship carrying nearly 6,000 cows, that sank off Japan's west coast as Typhoon Maysak passed through the area.
Abe has been to hospital twice in the last two weeks, including one visit of 7-1/2 hours. He has not detailed what the visits were for, instead saying he wanted to take care of his health and do his utmost at his job.