One of the more colourful events last week was the raising of Alex Maskey’s tricolour, to join the Union Jack, put there by one his predessors, Reg Empey. For some like Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, putting one up beside the other …

Looks like the new straight-talking Chief Constable is earning some new friends in un-expected places, even as the Garda Siochana come under increasing criticism. Still Sinn Fein are resisting the recent call from Professor Des Rea to join the new …

Something’s cooking! American Larry Zaitschek, chef at Castlereagh on the day of the robbery is under investigation. Though he’s now in the US police are seeking his extradition, whilst his ex-wife is being held under guard. Brian Rowan gives a …

McQuillan’s statement, since condemned by Reg Empey for lack of balance, encourages McGuinness to attack anti-agreement Unionists. Meanwhile, the long term corrosion in civil society continues, David Gordon asks, ‘Who’s in charge?’. A Police Federation spokesman warns of the longer …

Fair play to David Trimble. As Eammon McCann points out in his column in last night’s Belfast Telegraph: “To adapt an ancient remark – Typical! Given the choice between saving the planet and saving the Ulster Unionist Party, Trimble takes …

Alex Maskey’s been re-decorating his parlour in City Hall (more).

David Trimble enjoys an unpressured meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa before coming back to the hothouse that is Northern Ireland. More speculation on the upcoming meeting of the UUC here and here.

As a relative calm comes back to the interface areas, the weighing up of an impossible summer for residents on both sides of the peace wall. John Reid gets a rough ride after seeing both sides at Short Strand, as …

I linked back to a great idea on Phil Murphy’s site some time ago. All manner of politicians and institutions can be grouped into one of two categories – Shaken or Stirred? As a starter, he produces his own list: …

Some of this could also be said about Belfast, but as the author hails from Armagh originally, I guess he had his reasons for heading for the southern metropolis instead of the big smoke of the North.