Hi °C | Lo °C Threats to politicians have no place in democratic life
Threatening elected representatives to influence their decisions strikes at the very heart of democracy.
Don't let Leveson turn press into celeb mags
I once had to sue a newspaper to get a simple correction. It quoted a criminal calling me a liar over a story I had written for another outlet.
Without change DUP won't attract Catholics
Catholic unionists are, according to the commentator Fionnoula O'Connor, like unicorns - much talked about, but never seen.
Poots' claims on abortion laws invite European challenge
Abortion in the Republic is governed by the same pre-partition 1861 Offences Against the Person Act as we use here.
Would Euro pact give Jim Allister a fighting chance?
Tuv and UKIP, now there is a marriage made in heaven; or Euro-hell if you happen to be one of the bigger unionist parties. Last weekend during a speech to the Tuv conference in Cookstown Paul Nuttall, the UKIP's deputy leader, floated the idea of a possible pact in the 2014 European election.
We must act on abortion before tragedy hits home
The most poignant detail of the death of Savita Halappanavar is that, as she was wheeled into the operating theatre, she talked of her hope of having more children in the future.
Labour to avoid electoral confrontation with SDLP
Labour looks set to strengthen its links with the SDLP, instead of authorising its local Constituency Labour Party to field candidates here.
Well done Obama, but now come and visit us
Barack Obama's re-election is good news for Northern Ireland. Now we need to try to get him over here. Since the Clinton presidency, Northern Ireland has been more of a Democratic project than a Republican one. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in particular, has a personal interest.
SDLP looking keen to see the fruits of their labour
The SDLP's annual conference starts tomorrow and the party is working hard not to let Peter Robinson's unsolicited endorsements go to their heads.
Gay rights issue hasn't been solved in last 30 years
It is hard to believe that, 30 years ago, homosexuality was illegal in Northern Ireland - the law never took lesbians under its notice - and every Northern Ireland MP voted against reforming the law.
Leaders must realise that it's good to talk
Declan Kearney's recent Westminster speech did indeed, feed 'uncomfortable conversations' between republicans and unionists. Unfortunately, these conversations haven't been particularly productive and were conducted through megaphones.
Morrow right to keep driving trafficking Bill
There is a strong case for David Ford, the justice minister, to incorporate large chunks of Lord Morrow's Human Trafficking Bill into the Criminal Justice Bill which he is preparing.
Politicians should quit the power games at Stormont
Stormont was meant to provide more approachable and friendly leadership than the direct rule grandees who previously ruled the roost.
Time to clear up legal position on abortions
The Marie Stopes clinic opened yesterday, offering medical abortions up to nine weeks, in a legal limbo. After two judicial reviews nobody can say what guidelines apply.
Holding a border poll in Northern Ireland would be good for stability
As soon as Alex Salmond and David Cameron agreed on a Scottish independence referendum Sinn Fein was out of the traps demanding a border poll in Ireland.
There's nothing funny about joker Johnson as the PM
It was the Tories, but not as we know them.
Despite his blind spot Poots does have vision
Edwin Poots has a blind-spot when it comes to his continuing ban on gay blood transfusions, his espousal of creationist displays and his determination to tighten up still further on abortion.
Nesbitt still has much to do to quell rebellion
The sacking of John McCallister as deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party could yet split the party and lead to the emergence of a new organisation.
Employment of ex-officers must be fair and transparent
Policing in Northern Ireland needs to be accountable and transparent. That is why Matt Baggott and his top team have questions to answer over the recent Audit Office report on the employment of casual staff - most of them former RUC officers.
UUP leader yet to bring an edge to party policy
When he took over as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Mike Nesbitt told a closed meeting that he should be judged on his first 100 days.
Good guy Zach Galifianakis
Hangover star takes 87-year-old to premiere
Cannes femmes: Shayk and Ambrosio on red carpet
In pictures: UK Soap Awards
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
Latest News
Call to halt golf resort plans
Unesco has called for a halt to the development of a controversial £100 million golf resort on Northern Ireland's North Coast.
Freedom accolade for TA soldiers
Territorial Army soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be granted the Freedom of Castlereagh.
Charity warns of 'bailiff boom'
Fears of a "bailiff boom" as soaring numbers of people struggle to cope with council tax benefit cuts have been raised by a debt advice charity.
Latest Sport
George Best was in a different league new
George Best was the finest footballer of them all, according to England World Cup winner Ian Callaghan.
Who wins the duels across the pitch will decide final destination of pro12 crown new
They know each other inside-out as a result of having squared up so often in the past. As well as having gone head to head on such a regular basis, most of the protagonists are Irish training camp regulars. In addition, many of them have been Test match colleagues.
Tipuric ready to fight for spot new
Justin Tipuric hopes Sam Warburton's selection as British and Irish Lions captain will not harm his chances of earning a Test spot against Australia.
Latest Showbiz
Cutting It star heads for Paradise
Cutting It star Ben Daniels is joining the department store costume drama The Paradise for its new series.
Channel 4 reveal new music shows
DJ Nick Grimshaw and chart stars Rizzle Kicks have been lined up to host a pair of new music shows for Channel 4.
Flanagan fleshes out skins protest
Former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan did her bit to protest against the skin trade by showing off some flesh of her own.
