The leaders of the eastern Ukraine breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have declared a full military mobilisation, moves that come amid a spike in violence in the war-torn region that the West fears could be used as a pretext for an invasion by Russia.

Despite the country's democratic status, Onir, a critically regarded Indian filmmaker, intended to direct a film inspired by a gay army major who resigned and came out in a blaze of publicity, but the military prevented it from being made.

A significant number of kites continue to hover in the skies of the many cities of Pakistan despite a ban on kite flying, with citizens flouting orders and the administration failing to ensure complete compliance with the restriction.

Speaking at the White House, Joe Biden says the US has "reason to believe" that Russian forces will target Kyiv - "a city of 2.8 million innocent people".

Qatari and Turkish officials met in Doha, Qatar's capital, on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and regional events in the Middle East. 'Turkiye and Qatar will continue to work closely together,' says Turkiye's Embassy in Doha.

Asian refiners, traditionally big buyers of Iranian oil, are keen to resume imports from Iran if there is an agreement to revive a 2015 nuclear deal, which could pave the way for more supply on global markets and soften prices.

"Units of the southern military district that ended tactical exercises at training grounds on the Crimean peninsula are returning by rail to their permanent bases," the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

The textile exports were recorded at $10,933.446 million in July-January (2021-22) against the exports of $8,765.883 million in July- January (2020-21), showing growth of 24.73 percent, according to the latest PBS data.

Operations to eliminate such perpetrators of terrorist acts in Pakistan will continue and they will not be allowed to sabotage peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.

"It is not a question of weeks, it is a question of days," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told the Senate, adding that a major crisis would be unleashed if there is no agreement.

The ministry decided in October to allow women in combat roles but then imposed the restrictions after the defence minister was questioned by conservative lawmaker Hamdan al-Azmi.

In India, 13 women have been killed after accidentally falling down a well during marriage celebrations in UttarPradesh state