Herald section
The latest reporting from across the Belfast Herald news desks.
Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip killed at least 24 Palestinians, including five children, seven women, and an on-duty paramedic, following a militant attack that injured an Israeli soldier.
Ofcom confirms ongoing probe into Twitter-owned chatbot Grok, while the ICO launches a separate investigation into data processing related to harmful content generated by the AI.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported five deaths in Israeli attacks on 2 February 2026, including a 3-year-old boy, with strikes in Nuseirat, Al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, and Jabalia. The Israeli military stated the victims were militants near the demarcation line.
Israel partially reopens the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which has been closed since May 2024, allowing 150 people to leave Gaza and 50 to enter per day.
A Russian drone strike hits a minibus transporting mineworkers in Dnipro, Ukraine, killing at least 15 people and injuring seven others.
Flooding and transport disruption occurred across Northern Ireland due to heavy rain, with some areas experiencing prolonged water levels and delayed emergency responses.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency concerning Cuba, enabling new tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island. The move follows accusations of Cuba's ties to hostile actors and its role in regional security concerns.
The Public Health Agency has announced a three-day closure of Knockavoe Special School in Strabane due to a scabies outbreak, with coordinated treatment and deep cleaning planned.