Northern Ireland's criminal law on abortion is a matter for the "democratic judgment" of the legislature, the UK highest court has heard.

Two men arrested by detectives investigating the intimidation of four Catholic families in Belfast have been released.

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is refusing to back down in a bitter aerospace trade dispute which could financially devastate one of the North's biggest employers.

Victims of historic child abuse in the North should receive State-backed compensation payments of up to £100,000 (€115,000), an inquiry has recommended.

A senior Nama director has dismissed as "simply wrong" claims that Nama lost up to €210m in its controversial sale of a massive Northern Ireland property portfolio.

A deal to save the powersharing Executive in Northern Ireland is likely to be announced imminently.

Martin McGuinness has expressed concern that “state agents” intent on creating problems for Sinn Féin were involved in the two murders that have rocked powersharing at Stormont.

Peter Robinson has resigned as Northern Ireland’s first minister and pulled all his party colleagues bar one from the power sharing administration. Here are some key questions and answers about the political crisis.

Peter Robinson has resigned as the North's first minister and pulled all his party colleagues bar one from the powersharing administration.

A 25-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of a former IRA commander in Belfast.

The UK Government's plan for the coming years has been laid out by the British Queen - including the commitment to an EU membership referendum in the next two years.

Northern Ireland’s highest ranking police officer has been summoned to court to explain why a crucial report on the murder of a GAA official almost 18 years ago has been withheld from an inquest.

In the North, Traditional Unionist Voice Jim Allister has said he expects the Stormont Executive to collapse.

The North's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness says the five parties in the Stormont Executive believe the time has come for the British Parliament to give greater fiscal powers to the Northern Ireland administration.

One of the world’s leading law firms has chosen to set up a new base in Northern Ireland – a move that will create more than 250 jobs.

Airline Jet2 is creating almost 90 jobs at Belfast International Airport as it announced four new routes from its base in the North.

President Michael D Higgins is holding back from an immediate response to a public invitation to attend the only Orange Order parade in the Republic next year.

Belfast has avoided the serious flooding that many feared after a tidal surge came and went without breaching defences.

Police have warned that the docks area close to Belfast city centre could flood in a tidal surge later today, but have expressed hope that serious flooding in the east of the city may now be prevented.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has condemned last night's reported gun attack on a police station Co Fermanagh, calling it "cold blooded".

Political leaders in Ireland and the UK have today appeared to reject a proposal by the North’s attorney general to end prosecutions in conflict-related cases.

There should be no more criminal prosecutions in Troubles related murders, the North’s attorney general has proposed.

Almost 180 new jobs are being created at a Co Tyrone meat processing plant.

Snow drifts and abandoned vehicles continue to hamper efforts to restore power to 800 homes and businesses cut off when blizzard conditions hit the North.

The threat to political donors from terrorism in the North should be taken seriously, the leader of the DUP said.

Police in the North have arrested a 42-year-old man after a protest linked to the Union flag controversy.

A major redevelopment at the home of Ulster Rugby will get under way later this month after the club secured almost £15m (€18.7m) of promised British Government funding.

The North's Attorney General has called for an investigation into the opening of Belfast's first private abortion clinic.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described as "daft" demands by Sinn Féin to know how many people will be taken off the dole next year by the Government's jobs plan.

Plans for a major Dublin to Derry road link are not being abandoned, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted.

First Minister Peter Robinson has claimed he is confident a reduction in corporation tax in the North will not create cross-border tensions.

Student fee rates in Northern Ireland are to remain largely unchanged, the Stormont Executive has decided.

David Cameron will address the North's Assembly today as the region’s political leaders continue to lobby him for tax varying powers.

A major reinvestigation of cold case dissident republican attacks has been launched as it emerged that the terror groups are continuing to target policemen in the wake of Pc Ronan Kerr's murder.

Trade through Belfast harbour is on the up again after a three-year downturn.

Heads should roll at the failed water company which has left thousands of people in the North cut off, the deputy First Minister said tonight.

Water bosses in the North tonight faced demands to quit as engineers struggled to repair leaking pipes to tens of thousands of homes, amid fears the drinking water fiasco could develop into a major health emergency.

The Stormont Executive has approved a four-year budget plan aimed at absorbing €4bn of spending cuts in Northern Ireland.

The British Government’s public spending plans for the North will hit policing and justice powers and stymie investment, the Stormont Executive said today.

The North’s new Secretary of State Owen Paterson today held out the prospect of devolving corporation tax powers to the Stormont Assembly.

The 21-page Hillsborough Agreement sets out plans for devolving policing and justice powers, dealing with contentious loyal order parades and resolving outstanding issues facing the Stormont Executive.

WITH a holiday home in Florida and a sprawling property in east Belfast, Peter Robinson, 61, enjoys the rewards of a life lived in the political spotlight.

A £21m (€24m) package to support businesses and apprentice tradesmen struggling in the economic downturn was announced by the Stormont Executive today.