August 4, Wednesday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline read by Ms. Keiko Kitagawa

1. The head of the Japanese government’s advisory panel on the coronavirus has urged consideration of expanding the current state of emergency nationwide. Omi Shigeru said in a Lower House committee meeting on Wednesday that the Delta variant is definitely a factor in the ongoing surge of infections. 2. Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics say its first coronavirus cluster has been reported, after several members of the Greek national team tested positive. Greece’s artistic swimmers did not take part in Tuesday’s duet and also pulled out of team events due to start on Friday after five of the 12 members, including athletes and coaches, came out positive for the coronavirus. 3. New York City will require people to prove they are vaccinated against the coronavirus before they eat indoors, go to a gym, or see a movie in a theater.