Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made stark admissions in Parliament, accusing the US of exploiting Pakistan for strategic interests then discarding it "like toilet paper." He termed Islamabad's involvement in two Afghan wars a "mistake," acknowledging current terrorism as blowback from past dictatorial decisions. Asif said realignment with Washington post-1999, especially after 9/11 attacks, proved devastating. Pakistan turned against the Taliban while America eventually withdrew, leaving Pakistan facing violence, radicalization, and economic strain. Challenging official narratives, he rejected claims religious obligation drove Afghan involvement, stating military dictators Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf joined wars "to appease a superpower," not for Islam. He called losses "irreversible" and acknowledged Pakistan's reshaped education system still embeds war-justifying ideology.

US President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting comes as talks with Iran over its nuclear programme enter a critical stage. Netanyahu is expected to urge Trump to demand limits on Iran’s missiles and support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.   Iran has said it is ready to limit its nuclear work in return for sanctions relief. But it has rejected other demands. Trump has warned of possible military action if no deal is reached. Both sides say a diplomatic solution is still possible. (PC: AFP via Getty Images)

A 13-year-old boy was arrested after two students were stabbed inside a secondary school in north-west London. The victims, aged 12 and 13, suffered neck injuries and were taken to hospital in serious condition. Witnesses told local media the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack. Police said counter-terror officers are leading the probe due to the circumstances, but the case has not been declared a terrorist incident. Officers reached the school within minutes and later recovered the suspected weapon. The incident happened inside a classroom. Students present are being treated as witnesses. Authorities asked the public to share verified information only. (PC: X)

A tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada has left 10 people dead, including the suspected shooter, and around 27 others injured, police said. Six fatalities were found inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, two at a nearby residence, and one victim died en route to hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported. The suspected shooter appears to have died from a self-inflicted injury, and authorities believe there is no ongoing threat to the public. The remote community of about 2,400 residents was profoundly affected, with schools closed and counselling offered as officials continue their investigation. (PC: X)

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif delivered an unusually blunt critique of Islamabad’s past ties with the United States, telling the National Assembly that Pakistan was “used like toilet paper and then thrown away” after serving U.S. strategic goals, particularly in Afghanistan. He described the country’s alignment with Washington after 1999 and post-9/11 as a grave miscalculation that inflicted long-term damage, including prolonged violence and economic strain. Asif challenged the official narrative that Pakistan’s involvement in Afghan wars was driven by religious duty, instead calling it a damaging mistake. His remarks signal deep frustration in Pakistan’s political discourse over its foreign policy legacy. (PC: Getty Images)

Concerns are rising in Bangladesh’s 2026 general election as the once-banned Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami gains momentum ahead of Thursday’s vote, potentially reshaping the country’s political future and women’s rights. Critics warn that Jamaat’s leadership, including Shafiqur Rahman, openly opposes female political leadership, has suggested limiting women’s working hours, and the party has not fielded a single woman candidate, despite promises of cabinet roles, sparking alarms about a rollback of freedoms. Many women who played key roles in the 2024 uprising feel disenfranchised, and grassroots activists fear the election could threaten gains in gender equality even as younger voters support the party’s anti-corruption rhetoric. (PC: The Guardian)

A mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada has left at least 10 people dead, including the suspected shooter, and 27 others wounded, in one of the deadliest school attacks in Canadian history. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of an active shooter on February 10, evacuating all remaining students and staff safely. Six victims were found inside the school, with more fatalities at a nearby residence and on the way to hospital. Two critically injured victims were airlifted for treatment, while others received local care. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities say no further suspects are believed at large. (PC: Al Jazeera)

At least nine people died in shootings at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a connected residence in northeast British Columbia, Canadian police reported Tuesday. Six victims were found dead inside the school, with a seventh dying during hospital transport. Two more were discovered at a nearby residence believed linked to the incident. The female suspect died from a self-inflicted injury inside the school. Two victims were airlifted with life-threatening injuries, while approximately 25 others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. RCMP Superintendent Ken Floyd confirmed investigators identified the shooter but withheld her name, stating the motive remains unclear. The 2,400-resident community was placed under lockdown until 5:45 p.m. Both local schools closed through week's end. (PC: X)

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the United States of exploiting Pakistan “worse than toilet paper” during a speech in the National Assembly. He claimed Islamabad aligned with Washington after 1999, especially in the Afghanistan wars, which he said brought long-lasting harm to Pakistan and “a very heavy price” that the country still bears. Asif criticised past leaders for entering conflicts not in Pakistan’s interest, saying Americans used Islamabad for their strategic goals and then abandoned it. He also rejected the idea that Pakistan’s role was religious duty, calling it a misused geopolitical move. 

At least nine people died in a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in north-eastern British Columbia, Canada. Police found six victims dead inside the school, with a seventh dying during hospital transport. The suspected shooter was found deceased with an apparent self-inflicted injury. Two additional victims were discovered at a nearby residence believed connected to the incident. Approximately 25 others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while two were airlifted with serious conditions. RCMP received active shooter reports at 13:20 local time in the Rocky Mountain foothills community of 2,400 residents. Officers are searching additional properties for potential victims. Local schools closed for the week. Police confirmed no outstanding suspects or ongoing public threat. (PC: X)