Temperatures have plunged to new lows in Europe where a week-long cold snap has now claimed more than 220 lives.

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Hanoi guesthouses turn to families to fill rooms

Hanoi guesthouses have turned to renting out rooms on a monthly basis as the by-the-hour hotel sector suffers a slump.

Mortar fire kills 105 in Syrian "massacre": rights group

Mortar fire killed 105 people and left hundreds injured in a "massacre" in Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Hoi An increases pedestrianisation

The World Heritage Site of Hoi An is intended to be entirely pedestrianised, an official has announced.

Adulterated petrol discovered in major cities

High methanol content was detected in two of 27 petrol samples sold in five cities and provinces.

Bird flu detected in Thanh Hoa

More than 2000 fowl were destroyed in Trieu Son District, Thanh Hoa Province as authorities battle to contain H5N1 influenza.