A fair question to ask about any service or product is: Who’s asked for it? From whom, in other words, comes the demand that will give the supplier a viable business?

It was an effervescent and often moving turn by an artist with a meaningful claim to the title of world’s most interesting pop star.

Whether it’s a passion for knitting or shamanism that reels them in, how public figures spend their free-time is revelatory of their inner psyches, writes Rita de Brún.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

Introducing the new queens of Christmas.

A star-studded advertising campaign featuring celebrities including Charlie Sheen and Mariah Carey is helping boost bookings at online site Hostelworld as it posted record annual earnings.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

Ed Power looks at the state of popular music which is increasingly dominated by performers working their back catalogues to death.

As Westlife ended, Mark Feehily also split up with his long-term boyfriend. He admits it took time to readjust, but is very much back on track, with a new album, solo gigs and a support slot for Mariah Carey, writes Esther McCarthy.

Now that singer Mark Feehily has moved back to his native Sligo, he can enjoy his mum’s home cooking.

Rachel Marie Walsh picks the best beauty stocking-fillers for this season.

Rita de Brún says it is cruel to call older women who date younger men ‘cougars’. They just want loving, fulfilling relationships.

Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden are bringing their Boyzlife show to Cork in May. They share some memories with Jessica Casey.

Winners never quit, I would tell myself, and quitters never win, writes Louise O’Neill.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

New Year’s celebrations across the world ushered in 2017 with dazzling fireworks displays and crowded streets amid tightened security measures for the festivities.

All our favourite celebrities, one classic Christmas song.

Not long till we’ll be hearing Mariah Carey on repeat folks.

A warning to those of a sensitive disposition: this piece is unavoidably littered with the c-word.

USA: Lightning, a spider, and now a snake — a central Florida man is proving to be a survivor.

Carolyn Moore has some sound advice for all you over-packers out there — she shares her secrets on how to nail a stylish yet simple holiday capsule wardrobe

Beyonce and Mariah Carey have reportedly held talks over making a duet together.

Footballer Steven Gerrard has said he is enjoying his “Z-list” celebrity status in America after moving to LA Galaxy.

Jess Glynne is revelling in her role as one of the most exciting new voices in pop, writes Ed Power.

As RuPaul’s Drag Race begins broadcasting on TruTv, Caomhan Keane wonders why the female of the species remains a rarity in drag circles?

Police investigating the death of Irish student Karen Buckley are keen to trace a potential witness seen on CCTV, Michael Clifford looks at the commission of inquiry into IBRC, a 17-year-old student received a garda escort to a Leaving Cert exam and Liverpool have secured the first major signing of the summer. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

CATE BLANCHETT was not impressed when an interviewer suggested she looked like the kind of Aussie girl who would like to crack open a beer with him.

Noel Gallagher’s performance on this week’s Saturday Night Show was the subject of much speculation on Twitter. Is he guilty of lip-syncing or is he simply just that good? 

Mariah Carey had a pretty awful day at work at the Jazz and Blues festival in Jamaica Saturday night - when she forgot the words to her own song.

Mariah Carey had a pretty awful day at work at the Jazz and Blues festival in Jamaica Saturday night - when she forgot the words to her own song.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are being sued by their former nanny.

The 44-year-old singer has signed up to headline the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas

A company based in America has come up with an ingenious way to get back at people you don’t like - glitter. No, not that horrible Mariah Carey movie (although would be a fitting punishment too) - actual glitter.

A company based in America has come up with an ingenious way to get back at people you don't like - send them glitter in the post.

The first Hello Kitty theme park outside Japan — 150 acres, in China, which cost over $300 million to construct — will open to the public on January 1 to a predicted one million visitors a year.

Mariah Carey has reportedly slammed production staff for leaking a recording of her vocals from her performance at the switching on of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lights.

Ammmm … is that how it goes?

'All I Want For Christmas Is You' sung in the style of 20 different artists - from John Lennon to Bruce Springsteen.

’All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey is regularly touted as the Best Christmas Song Ever and it’s not hard to see why. Whenever it comes on the radio, just try not to feel festive - you’ll fail.

All you want for Christmas is here, three weeks early and ready for wrapping. 

Nick Cannon insists he isn't ready to date.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are allegedly fighting over custody of their eight dogs following their split.

Nick Cannon has sparked rumours he's dating again.