August 2, Monday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. Temperatures in western to northern Japan are soaring on Monday. The mercury hit 35 degrees Celsius or higher before noon in some areas. Weather officials are urging people to rest frequently an stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke.
2. Japan’s coronavirus state of emergency has taken effect in Osaka and three prefectures neighboring Tokyo due to a surge in new cases in those areas.
3. Sources say an athlete from Belarus taking part in the Tokyo Olympic Games has expressed her wish to seek asylum in a third country. Krystsina Tsimanouskaya told NHK that she was about to be sent home because of her social media post, which was regarded as criticism of the Belarusian government.