Northern IrelandOwners of defective apartments will not pay ratesNI finance minister says legal action taken over unpaid rates will also be paused.Northern IrelandTwo in hospital after incident in KilkeelThere is a significant policing operation in the County Down town, as officers conduct inquiries.Northern IrelandToddler steals the show during Queen's NI visitThe Queen visited shops in south Belfast to celebrate NI's artisan producers on Thursday afternoon.Northern IrelandOver 1,000 special needs pupils need school placeEducation Minister Paul Givan says the special needs system for children is "no longer sustainable".Northern Ireland£150m injection agreed for Strule school campusStrule Shared Education Campus in Omagh is the biggest school building project to be planned in NI.Northern IrelandTwo in hospital after incident in KilkeelThere is a significant policing operation in the County Down town, as officers conduct inquiries.Northern IrelandHarris says he is ready to 'step up and serve'Nominations for a new Fine Gael leader opened on Thursday following Leo Varadkar's resignation.EuropeDuffy and co-accused acquitted of terror chargesA judge says he could not be satisfied they were the men recorded by MI5 discussing a gun attack.Northern IrelandToddler steals the show during Queen's NI visitThe Queen visited shops in south Belfast to celebrate NI's artisan producers on Thursday afternoon.Northern IrelandNeighbourhood police plugging other gaps in PSNIA review finds some officers spend just one or two days a month in their dedicated roles.Northern IrelandUK ministers direct Stormont on framework deliveryUnder new legislation, UK ministers will direct civil servants on delivering the Windsor Framework.Northern IrelandDublin Airport operator car park purchase blockedDaa planned to buy a 6,000 space QuickPark site which is about a mile from the airport. EuropePSNI submit file into 1971 killing of schoolgirlAnnette McGavigan, 14, was shot dead in her school uniform during rioting in Londonderry in 1971.Northern IrelandSpecial Olympics hopefuls aim to ski for successAbout 300 athletes will compete in the Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games in County Armagh.Northern IrelandTaoiseach steps downLeo Varadkar: Key moments for Brexit taoiseachLeo Varadkar was taoiseach during the intense phase of Brexit, when Irish border took centre stage. The GP who became Ireland's youngest taoiseachLeo Varadkar also made history as the first gay prime minister of the Republic of Ireland.EuropeThe taoiseach who was a unionist bogeymanDuring his time in politics, Mr Varadkar had a fractured relationship with unionist parties in Northern Ireland.Northern IrelandVaradkar steps down for 'personal and political' reasonsIn an emotional address, he thanked the Irish people for giving him "the opportunity to serve them".I am no longer best man to be Irish PM - VaradkarFine Gael leader Leo Varadkar became the Republic of Ireland's youngest prime minister in 2017.EuropeFeatures & Analysis'My father's hands were stuck together with blood'A woman whose father died during the Covid-19 pandemic gets an apology from Northern Trust for failings.Northern IrelandCommunity reeling from loss of last village bankUlster Bank closes its doors in Crumlin for final time, leaving the village with no physical bank.Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland weather forecastThe weather forecast in Northern Ireland.Northern IrelandStroke survivor left 'abandoned' by systemMatt Cooke suffered a stroke in August 2020 which has left him with multiple disabilities.Northern IrelandResidents to leave apartments amid safety concernsRadius Housing says there are "serious safety and construction issues" at the Belfast apartment block.Northern IrelandWatch/ListenToddler in tuxedo dominates Queen's bakery visitThe bakery owner's son stole the Queen's limelight when visiting Belfast on Thursday.UKCounty Armagh skier preparing for Special OlympicsCaolan McConville will be among 300 athletes at the Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games.EuropeIrish PM fights back tears announcing his resignationLeo Varadkar announces that he is stepping down as taoiseach (Irish prime minister).Europe'My drip bag was on a coat hanger in the kitchen'A pensioner given treatment for pneumonia in his kitchen describes it as "tremendous".Northern IrelandListen live: BBC Radio UlsterFoyle & WestPSNI operation in village as car recorded at 100mphSome motorists are accused of endangering lives by doing speeds of up to 100mph through Drumsurn. Northern IrelandSchool leaders urge Stormont to find Strule fundingThe shared education campus is the biggest school building project ever planned in Northern Ireland.Northern IrelandMinister says meeting A5 families 'heart-breaking'John O'Dowd says he is determined to deliver road upgrade after meeting campaign group Enough is Enough.Northern IrelandFarmer fears gang targeting farms in north westPSNI figures show a sharp rise in reported agricultural crime in the Derry and Strabane area last year.Northern IrelandGunshot reports after man seen with gun in DerryA man was seen with a handgun in Gartan Square and police believe he fired shots.Northern IrelandRepublic of IrelandMurder investigation launched after Cork assaultIan Baitson died after an assault took place in a car park in Cobh, County Cork on Friday night.EuropeCrumbling playgroup leaves kids 'devastated' The manager at the Raphoe community playgroup says mica is causing their building to crack and crumble.EuropeIrish policeman charged with false imprisonmentCiaran Whelan is also accused of perverting the course of justice and burglary.EuropeRapist jailed for bomb threat against Irish ministerMichael Murray's trial heard that he called from his prison cell, claiming to be from the INLA.EuropeMan in court over Dublin Airport cocaine seizureAbout 7.8kg of the drug was discovered by revenue officers in luggage on Monday.Latest updatesTwo in hospital after incident in KilkeelThere is a significant policing operation in the County Down town, as officers conduct inquiries.Northern IrelandToddler steals the show during Queen's NI visitThe Queen visited shops in south Belfast to celebrate NI's artisan producers on Thursday afternoon.Northern IrelandOwners of defective apartments will not pay ratesNI finance minister says legal action taken over unpaid rates will also be paused.Northern IrelandO'Neill expects 'challenging game' against RomaniaNorthern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says his side are expecting a "challenging game" against Euro 2024 finalists Romania on Friday.Northern Ireland£150m injection agreed for Strule school campusStrule Shared Education Campus in Omagh is the biggest school building project to be planned in NI.Northern IrelandWhat is pregabalin and why can it be dangerous?The prescription drug has been linked to a number of deaths in the UK and around the world.Northern IrelandUK ministers direct Stormont on framework deliveryUnder new legislation, UK ministers will direct civil servants on delivering the Windsor Framework.Northern IrelandDuffy and co-accused acquitted of terror chargesA judge says he could not be satisfied they were the men recorded by MI5 discussing a gun attack.Northern IrelandPSNI operation in village as car recorded at 100mphSome motorists are accused of endangering lives by doing speeds of up to 100mph through Drumsurn. Northern Ireland