February 2, 2026 – Global Headlines

1Gaza patients in limbo amid Israel’s ‘pilot reopening’ of Rafah crossing

Story gist: Israeli officials announced a pilot reopening of the Rafah crossing into Gaza expected Monday. Gaza patients await exit amid ongoing limbo.
Left
These Gazans May Finally Get a Lifeline to the World
— The New York Times
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Center
Reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing expected Monday, officials say
— Reuters
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like NYT use hopeful tone (‘lifeline to the world’), emphasizing Gazan humanitarian relief. Center outlets like Reuters remain neutral, focusing on factual timing and officials’ statements. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting potential emphasis on Israeli security measures or restrictions.

2Czechs rally to support president in his growing rift with government

Story gist: Czech citizens rallied to support the president amid his growing rift with the government.
Left
No major left-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Center
Czechs rally to support president in his growing rift with government
— Reuters
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets absent from coverage, leaving progressive critiques of presidential power or conservative endorsements of anti-government sentiment unrepresented. Center outlet Reuters frames the story neutrally in its headline, focusing on the rally and rift without emphasis on causes, scale, or implications, presenting facts plainly.

3Rising crime, inequality and disenchantment: What’s at stake in Costa Rica’s elections

Story gist: Costa Ricans head to the polls for national elections. Issues include rising crime, inequality, and disenchantment.
Left
Costa Rica heads to polls amid fears of authoritarian turn
— The Guardian
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Center
Costa Ricans vote as right-wing populists aim to extend mandate
— Reuters
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian emphasize fears of an authoritarian turn, using alarmist tone. Center outlets like Reuters neutrally note right-wing populists aiming to extend their mandate, focusing on electoral mechanics. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, absenting a perspective that might stress security gains from populists or critique inequality narratives.

4Pakistan says it has killed 145 ‘Indian-backed terrorists’ in Balochistan after deadly attacks

Story gist: Pakistani officials reported killing 145 alleged Indian-backed terrorists in Balochistan. The action followed multiple suicide and gun attacks that killed more than 120 people.
Left
More than 120 dead after multiple suicide and gun attacks in Pakistan, officials say
— The Guardian
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Center
Deadly gun and bomb attacks hit Pakistan’s Balochistan province
— BBC
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian emphasize attacks first, highlighting over 120 deaths from suicide and gun assaults in Pakistan. Center outlets like BBC neutrally report deadly gun and bomb attacks in Balochistan province. No right-leaning coverage appears, omitting perspectives that might stress Pakistan’s counter-terrorism response or Indian involvement claims.

5Swiss Alpine bar fire claims 41st victim, an 18-year-old Swiss national

Story gist: An 18-year-old Swiss national died from injuries sustained in a bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, raising the death toll to 41.
Left
Death toll from Crans-Montana bar fire rises to 41
— The Guardian
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Center
Teenager dies from Swiss bar fire injuries, bringing death toll to 41
— BBC
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian emphasize the rising death toll and specify the location (Crans-Montana). Center outlets like BBC highlight the victim’s age as ‘teenager’ and injuries from ‘Swiss bar fire.’ Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, leaving that perspective absent and any potential emphasis on national impacts or official responses unrepresented.