Japan says Olympics with no fans still possible as COVID spreads

Tokyo — The island nation of Samoa has withdrawn its weightlifting team from the Summer Olympics, citing Japan's rising rate of coronavirus infections. Vaccinations are accelerating, but so too are the number of daily COVID-19 cases, especially in the capital Tokyo, which is set to host the Summer Olympics in just over three weeks.

The capital region recorded 673 new cases on Thursday, marking 12 straight days of week-on-week rises. Tokyo and neighboring regions are still under a "quasi-lockdown," with bars and eateries asked — but not ordered — to stop serving alcoholic beverages by 7 p.m. A decision on whether to lift the remaining restrictions is expected before the current quasi-state of emergency order expires on July 11.