Virus deaths surge in US as scaled-down hajj begins Coronavirus deaths in the United States surged to their highest level in months as Muslim pilgrims began on Wednesday a pandemic-curtailed version of their sacred hajj.

China says virus pushing US ties to brink of 'Cold War' China said Sunday that its relations with the United States were "on the brink of a new Cold War," fuelled partly by tensions over the coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 350,000 people worldwide and pitched the global economy into a massive downturn.

Iran quake kills at least one, sparks panic in capital An earthquake struck early Friday near Iran's highest peak and jolted Tehran, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20 as people ran for their lives.

Việt Nam urged to tap global supply chain for halal products

As global supply chains for Halal products have been disrupted by the pandemic, Vietnamese companies have been urged to further tap the halal market which has export value of US$34 billion a year, experts said at an online seminar on Tuesday.

Saudi announces Ramadan starts Friday amid virus fears

"I am pained that the holy month arrives amid circumstances that make us unable to perform group prayers and Taraweeh -- special Ramadan night prayers -- at mosques due to precautionary measures to protect the peoples' lives and health in combating the coronavirus pandemic," the king said in a statement cited by SPA.

New Zealand mosque shooter changes plea to guilty An Australian far-right extremist charged with murdering 51 Muslim worshippers in last year's mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques unexpectedly flipped his plea to guilty on Thursday.

Party of India PM Modi stung in New Delhi election Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right wing party suffered a crushing defeat on Tuesday in an election for control of the capital New Delhi after a vitriolic campaign in which it concentrated on defending a controversial new nationality law.

Trump confirms killing of AQAP chief in Yemen President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that the US had killed the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula - days after the jihadist group claimed responsibility for a mass shooting at a US naval base.

PM receives Malaysian, Armenian ambassadors

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc highlighted the need to maintain co-operation mechanisms during separate receptions in Hà Nội on Monday for the Malaysian and Armenian ambassadors.

Malaysia's hand-made incense craftwork a declining art Thousands of giant incense sticks, many decorated with dragon heads, line the walls at a Malaysian business where they are made by hand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.