The Japan Times

Iranian authorities have ordered  several schools in in Tehran and several other cities in the country to be closed today because of the dangerous air pollution, health reports stated.

Tehran lay under a thick cloud of smog considered hazardous to health for several days now. Yesterday, the cloud could be seen from the valleys more than 20 kilometers north of the city.

AN EXTREME heatwave that has hit in Japan has led to temperatures as high as 40C, with the casualties climbing up as more deaths were reported.

The Japan Times reports that more than 10,000 people had been taken to hospital due to heat stroke related symptoms.

The death toll had climbed to 30, after 10 more deaths were reported on Thursday.

The United States and Japan have failed to reach a trade deal during the first day of President Barack Obama's visit to the Asian country.

The two sides were unable to come closer to the crucial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, initiated by Washington, The Japan Times revealed.