*) Erdogan declares seven-day national mourning in Türkiye over deadly quakes

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced seven days of national mourning in Türkiye after deadly earthquakes shook several provinces, killing at least 3,381 people and injuring 20,426 others.

A 7.7 earthquake hit the country's southern Kahramanmaras Province at 4:17 am local time Monday, triggering numerous aftershocks and strongly shaking several neighbouring provinces and a few countries.

A second earthquake of 7.6 magnitude also struck Kahramanmaras at 1:24 pm local time.

Authorities fear the death toll will keep climbing as thousands of rescuers look for survivors among tangles of metal and concrete.

*) War-torn Syria grapples with aftermath of deadly quake centred in Türkiye

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake centred in southern Türkiye sent residents of Damascus and Beirut rushing into the street and was felt as far away as Cairo.

The impact was felt hard in northern Syria where people are already suffering under a 12-year civil war and a refugee crisis.

At least 1,602 people have been killed and 4,800 others have been wounded according to the regime’s Ministry of Health and the White Helmets rescue organisation.

So far, over 4,900 people are confirmed dead in Türkiye and Syria.

*) Russian reinforcements pour into eastern Ukraine, says governor

Russia is pouring reinforcements into eastern Ukraine ahead of a new offensive that could begin next week along a strategic front, a Ukrainian governor said.

Ukraine anticipates that the major offensive could be launched for "symbolic" reasons around the February 24 anniversary of the conflict. .

Ukraine is itself planning a spring offensive to recapture lost territory, but awaiting delivery of promised longer-range Western missiles and battle tanks.

Some analysts say Ukraine is months away from being ready for an offensive.

*) France's Macron faces third round of pension reform strikes

President Emmanuel Macron and his government are bracing for a third wave of nationwide strikes and protests against plans to make the French work longer before retirement, as the bill started its bumpy passage through parliament.

The government says people must work two years longer - meaning for most until the age of 64.

The French spend the largest number of years in retirement among OECD countries - a deeply cherished benefit that a substantial majority are reluctant to give up, polls show.

*) Plane carrying Musharraf's body lands in Pakistan

Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf will be buried after a special plane transporting his body from the United Arab Emirates arrived in Karachi on Monday amid tight security.

Family members were also on board when the plane landed at the airport in the city where he will be buried Tuesday.

Musharraf, who remains Pakistan’s longest-serving president, died in Dubai on Sunday after a prolonged illness.