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So, Professor Hawking, is Israel worse than China, US or Russia?
Stephen Hawking is either a hypocrite or a fool. How else can you explain his decision to boycott Israel?
Arrested celebs are guilty ... until proven innocent
So Rolf Harris had been arrested months before but it only came out a few weeks ago to a chorus of speculation but no charges yet. The release of his name to the press was never formally sanctioned but no one seemed overly bothered about the fact he hadn't been charged, the moment traditionally when two things happen – the suspect's identity enters the public domain and public comment ceases until the trial.
Olivia really does have a winning way
What is it about Olivia Colman? Everybody likes her. (And quite right too.)
Men are all torque when they wheel out women driver myths
By now you've probably watched the latest viral YouTube hit of the woman trying to parallel park in Fitzroy Avenue in Belfast. First things first, the lads responsible for it were incredibly winning. Their commentary (complete with charming north Antrim accents) was rather droll – "Get in ye girl ye!" indeed. They were chivalrous, too, even going so far as to offer to help the woman to park. We will forgive the odd sexist remark.
Why this was a stage too far for Spice Girls
Viva Forever!? Viva Six Months!, more like. The closure of the Spice Girls musical followed a critical savaging and disappointing ticket sales.
Katie Scarbrough's tragedy should make us treasure life
One of the reasons Belfast ice skater Katie Scarbrough gave for deciding to write her blog was to keep family and friends "in the know" as she battled what tragically turned out to be terminal cancer.
What if we packed up our Troubles ... just for one day?
One day. 24 hours. 1,440 minutes. Is that too much to ask? A single day without being reminded that life in Northern Ireland is Groundhog Day re-written as existential horror and certainly not as upmarket romcom.
No host as sweet as Candy Devine
There was much consternation on Sunday Sequins – Radio Ulster's right-on religious affairs show – when it came to the paper review and a story about a famous Northern Ireland radio personality deciding to leave the country for good.
Spiders spin a web of fear for real men, too
Double standards, girls! In a 'his and hers' survey about what constitutes 'a real man', amidst all the usual bumph about eating quiche and washing dishes, it emerged that 52% of women think that a RM shouldn't flinch when dealing with the removal of spiders.
How dark pall has been cast forever over the classic TV of our childhoods
With the arrest of Rolf Harris – even now an amazing way to begin a sentence – the sunny era of the Seventies and Eighties finally died. I'm talking about my childhood and probably the childhoods of anyone between 35 and 45.
What the devil is Peaches doing now?
You can always rely on celebrities to make you feel good about yourself. Step forward Peaches Geldof.
Being an MP isn't a part-time job
Well, if you can't get away with fiddling your expenses, you can always do less work for the money you are getting ...
What Maggie Thatcher haters really say ... about themselves
The emotional nationwide outburst occasioned by the sad death of former PM Margaret Thatcher – how odd that sentiment seems – is a mirror-image of the outpouring on Princess Diana's demise.
Dream on if you think you'll ever get any benefit from your taxes
I've been working all my adult life since leaving university. All that time I have been paying tax on my earnings. I have never been hospitalised. Any dental work I have had I have paid for.
Tragedy of Julie Ann reveals the uncaring face of Northern Ireland
Shortly before Christmas, many of us watched transfixed, appalled and horrified by Carol Morley's documentary Dreams of a Life, the story of Joyce Carol Vincent, whose body lay undiscovered for nearly three years in her flat.
How the Iron Lady showed that women could rule the world
Margaret Thatcher has been the most important public figure of my lifetime – thus far.
They're derided, but society still relies on Christians' charity
There is something of a frenzy afoot in Britain. The struggle of the Anglican Church to avoid appointing women as bishops and its resistance to gay marriage has been encroaching ever closer on politics and increasingly preoccupying commentators in the media.
Just how will granny explain that tattoo in 40 years' time?
We're evolving into a different species. Casting for its new drama, The Village, set in the early 20th century, the BBC had to reject the vast majority of locals who turned up to be cast as extras because ... erm ... they didn't look right.
Mary's still unable to break free
A weekend interview with Mary Austin, Freddie Mercury's partner, was sad stuff. Cynics may sneer about her being left a fortune by the Queen frontman and opine that she should count herself lucky.
Weather chaos - why can't Northern Ireland cope with snow?
In spite of our well-deserved reputation in Northern Ireland for knee-jerk and violent reactions to perceived cultural slights, political snubs and even loose talk, we have this in common as a population when public services collapse.
Madeleine McCann: New suspects identified by UK police
North West 200: Live pictures plus race schedule
In Pictures: Balmoral Show new
Nice-but-dull Kate's annoying baby bump pose
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
Latest News
Egypt holiday anguish as little Chloe Johnson dies in resort pool tragedy new
A grief-stricken family from London is trying to some to terms with death a little girl who drowned during a holiday at the Egytian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Young women killed in car crash new
A teenage driver and her female passenger have died and three men are in hospital after their car careered off the road into undergrowth.
'Amazing' slimmer loses 21 stone new
A woman branded morbidly obese by her GP has lost 21 stone in weight after an embarrassing trip to the dentist forced her to act.
Latest Sport
Read inspires Crusaders new
Skipper Kieran Read led the way as the Crusaders eased to a 23-3 victory over the Blues at the AMI Stadium.
Mancini thanks City fans new
Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has thanked fans for their support during his three-and-a-half year stint at the club.
Hammers rule out new Pogatetz deal new
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed the club will not be extending on-loan defender Emanuel Pogatetz's stay at the club.
Latest Showbiz
Lohan ‘avoiding Mueller in rehab’ new
Lindsay Lohan is dodging Brooke Mueller in rehab despite repeated attempts on Brooke’s part to reach out to her, according to a new report.
Emma Watson: I have an alibi! new
The Bling Ring star Emma Watson laughs off playful hearsay she and her cast mates may have pulled off the Chopard jewellery heist that went down in a Cannes hotel room Thursday night.
Beyoncé expecting second child - Blue Ivy and Jay-Z braced for stiff competition new
Beyoncé Knowles is expecting her second child with husband Jay-Z, a source has confirmed.
