In Mathura’s Khapparpur village, Uttar Pradesh, a couple and their three young children were found dead inside their home, in what police suspect was a mass suicide pact. The victims were identified as Manish Kumar (35), his wife Seema (about 32), and their children Honey (8), Priyanshi (5) and Prateek (3). Neighbours broke into the house after there was no response in the morning. Police recovered a video message recorded by Manish and messages scribbled on the wall indicating the deaths were voluntary. Post-mortem findings showed varied causes: the father by electrocution, the wife by hanging, and the children by strangulation. Investigations are ongoing.

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)

The White House revised its India-US trade deal fact sheet, making significant changes to language and commitments. Key modifications include: dropping "certain pulses" from agricultural products eligible for tariff elimination, softening India's purchase commitment from "has committed to buy" to "intends to buy" over $500 billion in US goods, removing "agricultural" from the product category list, and deleting mention of India removing digital services taxes and customs duty prohibitions on electronic transmissions. The changes occurred one day after the initial fact sheet release describing the interim framework as a stepping stone toward a full Bilateral Trade Agreement. The revisions soften the strength of India's procurement pledges and narrow commodity specifications. (PC: News18)

India and China reviewed bilateral ties Tuesday during the India-China Strategic Dialogue, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meeting Chinese Executive Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on the BRICS Sherpa Meeting sidelines in New Delhi. Both sides emphasized maintaining peace and tranquility along the border as critical for overall relations while addressing "sensitive issues" including bilateral trade concerns. Discussions covered expanding people-to-people exchanges, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at larger scale, finalizing an updated Air Services Agreement, and facilitating visas. China expressed support for India's successful BRICS-2026 Summit and acknowledged respecting India's UN Security Council membership aspirations. The dialogue highlighted "positive momentum" in stabilizing relations while implementing leaders' guidance on approaching issues from broader political and strategic perspectives. (PC: ANI)

At least 10 private schools in Chandigarh and neighbouring Mohali received bomb threat emails on Wednesday, prompting panic among parents and authorities. School administrations immediately evacuated students and sent them back home as a precaution. Police and bomb disposal squads were deployed to conduct thorough security checks on the campuses, but no explosives or suspicious objects were found so far. Officials are investigating the source of the threatening emails and tightening security around schools. Authorities assured parents that all necessary safety measures are in place while the probe continues. (PC: HT)

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. 

As Bangladesh approaches landmark elections, anti-India sentiment dominates political discourse. With Sheikh Hasina's Awami League absent, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami alliance compete to weaponize "pro-India" accusations against opponents. Dhaka University graffiti reading "Delhi na Dhaka? Dhaka Dhaka" captures the nationalist mood, questioning whether Delhi or Dhaka should rule Bangladesh. The slogan gained prominence during July 2024's uprising that ousted Prime Minister Hasina, whose government was accused of maintaining power through Indian support. Nationalist rhetoric now serves as both political shield and sword, reshaping Bangladesh's electoral landscape. The anti-India positioning has become central to campaigning strategies as parties attempt to establish nationalist credentials. (PC: AFP & X)

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India February 17-19 at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation, the MEA announced Tuesday. The leaders will hold bilateral talks in Mumbai on February 17, discussing the Horizon-2047 roadmap marking a long-term framework adopted in 2023 steering ties through India's Independence centenary, 100 years of diplomatic relations, and 50 years of strategic partnership. They'll jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation, strengthening collaboration in AI, digital infrastructure, space, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Macron participates in New Delhi's AI Impact Summit on February 19. Discussions will cover Indo-Pacific cooperation, defence, security, and emerging technologies. France supports India's UN Security Council permanent membership bid and partners in defence modernization. (PC: X)

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)

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi denied pushing for bilateral cricket talks with India during Sunday's ICC meeting in Lahore, insisting discussions focused solely on "getting respect for Bangladesh." His clarification follows Pakistan's reversal of its T20 World Cup boycott threat against India's February 15 Colombo match. Speculation had suggested Pakistan conditioned withdrawal on resuming bilateral series with India, dormant since 2012-13. Naqvi categorically rejected these claims, stating the government reversed its boycott only after ICC acknowledged injustice toward Bangladesh. The ICC subsequently called Bangladesh's absence "unfortunate," promised no sanctions, and awarded them hosting rights for a 2028-31 event. A PTI report claims undisclosed "concessions" were offered to Pakistan, details pending post-tournament disclosure. (PC: X)