Hi °C | Lo °C New party needs new ideas to be heard on crowded stage
In politics, as in marriage, any decision to walk away from the relationship often turns out to be easier than what follows.
No dissenting voices as media prays for liberal Pope
With Pope Benedict gone, the hope of some people is that his successor will be more 'liberal'. It is hoped he will permit married priests and women priests.
Rory faces a painful journey to get game back in swing
Only six months ago, Rory McIlroy played the best final round I had seen in a Major championship to capture the US PGA by a record eight strokes at Kiawah Island. Now, only six weeks from the US Masters, his game is in crisis.
A market upturn is only hope for those in the property trap
A wave of homeowners who bought at the height of the housing boom now find themselves caught in a property trap – creating a crisis that has effectively paralysed a large part of the market.
Let first generation of peace escape traps of divided past
This year, thousands of young people across Northern Ireland will celebrate their 18th birthday.
History repeating itself is familiar lesson in schools
No one devising an education system for an agreed Northern Ireland would have come up with the hodge-podge we have today.
Alliance Party finds strength in adversity
Shared hardship can bring people together. The attacks of recent months appear to have galvanised Alliance, giving it a renewed sense of purpose.
Blowing the whistle could mean blowing your career
As alleged nicknames for Lord Rennard go, 'the human octopus' – if that's indeed true – has a certain zing. It's quite an image.
Revived town centres will put fun back into shopping
In spite of the grim – almost daily – reports of declining sales and increasing number of shop closures, you could be forgiven for thinking that our retail sector and town centres are in terminal decline.
Electorate must help us hold Stormont to account
Only the creation of a new party can challenge widespread disillusionment with Assembly politics, write Basil McCrea and John McCallister
PSNI backed into political corner over flag protests
Do you think this is China or something?" inquired one flag protester, under the impression that the PSNI's reaction to his part in an illegal protest was an undemocratic affront to the rule of law enjoyed by the collective which was blocking a road in east Belfast.
Westminster could learn from Stormont reform drive
The Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee is in Belfast this week for evidence sessions at Stormont on the draft Northern Ireland Bill.
MP honours nun's bravery
The DUP's Strangford MP, Jim Shannon (below), has signed a Commons motion marking the life of a Catholic nun who spent six years hiding at a French convent during the Second World War.
A wind of change is blowing through St Peter's
Cardinal Keith O'Brien has not resigned as Scotland's top Catholic. He has been sacked by the Pope. And that is a measure of just how grave the crisis in the world's biggest church has become.
Minister in ruck with Irish TDs
Minister of State Mike Penning was part of a Commons and Lords rugby team that took on the Dail in Dublin on the morning of the Ireland v England Six Nations clash earlier this month.
Nursery integration must be an option open to us all
The consultation on the Framework for Early Education – Learning to Learn, which outlines the intended way forward for pre-school children, ended recently.
Society should still be keeping mum in a special place
Mother's Day is coming up – I know this because the shops are full of sentimental merchandise they're hoping to flog off to sons and daughters feeling vaguely guilty about not paying enough attention to their mothers.
Letting taxis use bus lanes is not fare on brave cyclists
On the back of new legislation that proposes to change taxi regulations, the roads minister, Danny Kennedy, is considering allowing all taxis into Belfast bus lanes.
Why I need your help to uncover the painful truth
When the First Minister and Deputy First Minister announced the establishment of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, they emphasised their wish to set up a process which met the needs of victims and survivors.
Peter and Martin would do more staying at home
There used to be a saying in Derry that if John Hume saw an aeroplane fly overhead on its way to America, he would wonder why he wasn't on it.
In pictures: UK Soap Awards
New suspects in Maddie probe
In Pictures: North West 200
In Pictures: Balmoral Show
Nice-but-dull Kate's annoying baby bump pose
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
Latest News
37 killed as tornado hits Oklahoma
A monstrous tornado as much as a mile wide has roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing at least 37, flattening entire neighbourhoods with winds up to 200 mph and landing a direct blow on at least one school.
The Doors founder dies aged 74
Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist who was a founding member of The Doors, has died. He was 74.
Staff at British intelligence agency GCHQ rapped as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange reveals messages that he says point to 'fit up'
GCHQ, the British government's intelligence agency dealing with communications, has asked staff to behave more professionally after Julian Assange obtained internal e-mails saying he may have been framed over charges of sexual assault.
Latest Sport
Ferguson signs off with LMA award new
Sir Alex Ferguson was on Monday night named the LMA's Premier League manager of the year.
Wilkinson happy to be on standby new
Jonny Wilkinson has vowed to do everything he can to be fit and ready to answer an injury SOS from the British and Irish Lions if the call was to come this summer.
O'Connell sings Warburton's praises new
Paul O'Connell has spoken in glowing terms of his successor as British and Irish Lions captain, Sam Warburton, describing the Wales flanker as "wise beyond his years".
Latest Showbiz
Abbingdon: Bankrupt publicity mean
Amanda Abbington - the long-term partner of Hollywood star Martin Freeman - has called it "mean" and upsetting that her bankruptcy woes went public.
The Doors founder dies aged 74 new
Ray Manzarek, the keyboardist who was a founding member of The Doors, has died. He was 74.
MacFarlane says no to 2014 Oscars
Seth MacFarlane is too busy to host the Oscars in 2014, he said.
