TOKYO -- Temperatures jumped in many areas across Japan on Monday, constituting an "extremely hot day" where the mercury rises above 35 degrees Celsius, according to the weather agency.
As of 4 p.m. local time, 22 locations nationwide reported scorching hot temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, the highest this year, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. (Japan-Hot Weather)
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ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency has initiated a crackdown against smoky vehicles in the country's capital city of Islamabad to curb harmful emissions and protect the environment, according to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
The campaign is part of a broader initiative to tackle the capital's worsening air quality, curb harmful vehicular emissions and ensure cleaner air for the residents, a statement from the climate ministry said on Sunday. (Pakistan-Vehicle-Environment)
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NEW DELHI -- At least four women were killed and six others injured Monday in an explosion in a firecracker factory in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said.
The explosion took place in Atrasi village of Amroha district, about 402 km northwest of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. (India-Firecracker Factory-Blast)
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HANOI -- The Vietnamese government has approved the establishment of the country's first free trade zone in the central city of Da Nang, local media VnExpress reported Monday.
Covering an area of 1,881 hectares, the zone is expected to become a major economic, logistics and technological hub in the Asia-Pacific region, the report added. (Vietnam-Free Trade Zone)
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NEW DELHI -- An Air India flight, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft from Hong Kong to New Delhi, returned to its original destination after the pilot reported a technical issue on Monday, said media reports.
The flight AI315 remained airborne for nearly an hour before it safely landed at the Hong Kong International Airport. (India-Hong Kong-Flight Return) ■
