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)

Unidentified assailants brutally killed 62-year-old Hindu shopkeeper Susen Chandra Sarkar in Trishal, Mymensingh district, Bangladesh, Monday night. Attackers struck him with sharp weapons inside Bhai Bhai Enterprise, shuttered the shop, and fled with several hundred thousand taka. Family discovered him blood-covered when he failed to return home; he died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. His son Sujan reported no known conflicts, demanding swift justice. This attack intensifies minority safety concerns following December's killing of radical youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council recorded 51 communal violence incidents in December 2025 alone, ahead of February 12 parliamentary elections, the first since Sheikh Hasina's August 2024 removal. (PC: X)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to attend the inaugural Board of Peace on Gaza session scheduled for February 19, 2026, at the US Institute of Peace think-tank in Washington. Pakistan formally joined the Board of Peace last month during a World Economic Forum event in Davos, where US President Donald Trump was present. The meeting marks Pakistan's first major engagement with the Gaza peace initiative since joining the board. The session at the Washington-based institute represents a significant diplomatic opportunity for Pakistan to participate in international peace efforts regarding the Gaza conflict alongside other global stakeholders under the framework established during the Davos gathering. (PC: The Indian Express)

A 62-year-old Hindu trader, Susen Chandra Sarkar, was hacked to death inside his shop in Trishal, Bangladesh, on February 9, 2026. Attackers struck him with sharp weapons, looted several hundred thousand taka, and fled after shuttering the shop. His family discovered him covered in blood; he died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. His son reported no prior disputes, calling for swift justice. This killing follows recent violent attacks on Hindus, including victims burned alive and murdered. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council documented 51 communal violence incidents in December 2025 alone, raising alarm as parliamentary elections approach on February 12. (PC: X)

Europe’s security outlook is under focus as leaders gather for the Munich Security Conference this week, amid continued policy shifts under US President Donald Trump. Last year, Vice-President JD Vance criticised Europe’s migration and free speech policies at the same forum. Since then, Washington has pushed Europe to take more responsibility for its own defence. The latest US National Security Strategy says Europe must “stand on its own feet.” Tensions over Trump’s past remarks about Greenland and his approach to Russia and Ukraine have raised fresh doubts about transatlantic ties. Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger said the alliance is changing but added, “It isn’t broken.” (PC: BBC)

The White House released a factsheet explaining key points of the new India–US trade deal after President Donald Trump said India would cut tariffs on US goods to “zero”. The note says India will “eliminate or reduce tariffs” on many US industrial and farm products, not remove all duties at once. It also says the US will lower its reciprocal tariff on India from 25% to 18%. According to the statement, India will address non-tariff barriers and remove its digital services tax. Both sides also plan wider talks on digital trade and technology goods. The White House called the deal a “historic” step. (PC: NDTV)