US reached 150,000 COVID-19 deaths

The United States marked a grim milestone on Wednesday when its coronavirus deaths topped 150,000 -- far exceeding the toll in any other pandemic-hit nation.

Brazil is second to the US in terms of cases and fatalities, and also reported a sobering figure as it surpassed 90,000 deaths.

Nations around the globe, even those that believed they had largely curbed the disease, are seeing a rise in cases that are damaging economies and forcing protection measures that have disrupted all aspects of life.

The sacred hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has begun with some 10,000 Muslim faithful allowed, instead of the roughly 2.5 million that attended last year.

Pilgrims were brought in small batches into Mecca's Grand Mosque, walking along paths marked on the floor, in sharp contrast to the normal sea of humanity that swirls inside its walls.

Even with efforts in place to contain the virus, it has killed more than 660,000 people around the world and total infections are approaching 17 million.

While US President Donald Trump sought to link a spike in cases to protests in some cities, leaders in Congress conceded late on Tuesday they were still far from a deal to support the world's leading economy.

Democrats had proposed a $3 trillion aid package and Republicans this week put forward a $1 trillion deal -- but many in their own party disagree on principle with such spending.