Global National: July 18, 2021 | Olympic COVID cases and concerns rise days before games begin

With only days to go before the Tokyo Olympics, organizers are defending their COVID-19 pandemic game plan, even as two athletes staying in the Olympic Village test positive. As Mike Armstrong reports, the new infections are fueling more fears of the virus spreading, as the Games get underway.

In the United Kingdom, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is self-isolating due to a potential COVID-19 exposure, after his health secretary tested positive. The timing couldn't be worse, with the country is expected to lift most of its pandemic restrictions on Monday. As Sean O'Shea reports, scientists are criticizing the decision to move ahead, expecting the return to normal to come at a high price.

The United States appears to also be seeing another wave of the COVID-19, as the Delta variant drives up new infections and hospitalizations across almost every state. As Jennifer Johnson reports, just under half of the population in the U.S. is fully vaccinated, while Canada manages to pull ahead in its own vaccine rollout.

New data shows Canada has doubled the number of rejections for permanent residency applications from migrants applying to stay in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate grounds. As David Akin reports, advocates warn vulnerable migrant workers are being put at further risk.

Meanwhile, alarming new research suggest areas of the Amazon rainforest are now giving off more carbon dioxide than they removes from the environment. As Crystal Goomansingh explains, experts say the findings create a "nightmare scenario" in our planet's fight against climate change.

And, meet the Vancouver-based rower gearing up to battle nearly 5,000 kilometeres of the Atlantic with three friends, in the world's toughest rowing race.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8036300/what-to-expect-tokyo-olympics/
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