THE debate around college fees is one of the most ideologically divisive alive in our world. 

According to a report in Science News, Europe’s oldest living thing is a tree growing in the Pindus Mountains of Northern Greece.

On the 400th anniversary of his death, William Shakespeare is rightly celebrated worldwide as possibly the greatest dramatist of all time.

First dates are tough, but much more so when broadcast on TV, as the lonely-hearts on First Dates Ireland are about to learn, says Michelle McBride

Paul Nicholls extended his lead over Willie Mullins in a pulsating duel for the British trainers’ championship when enjoying a 54th birthday 20-1 four-timer at Wincanton yesterday.

They took the debit card details over the phone. I’d successfully renewed a gym membership for the first time. It feels good. Any eejit can join a gym, but in the world of the dilettante the renewed man is king.

US: A legally blind barber was awarded $100,000 by a Massachusetts commission against discrimination after it says he was wrongly fired.

Some of the stranger stories from around the globe

Sylvester Stallone has been pretty canny at keeping the Rocky series alive, with a decent 2006 rejuvenation of the franchise he birthed in 1976. And he's at it again for Creed.

As fans of the series look forward to the release of Magic Mike XXL this summer, Dean Van Nguyen examines Hollywood’s recent trend of casting bulked-up male actors in its leading roles and asks whether the representation glorifies the Adonis bod.

I AM running late for my appointment with Karl Bowe. I text to apologise and immediately he sends a text back saying not a bother, that there’s no need to apologise.

John Fitzgibbon’s father, Vincie, told me something once in Cloyne when I was a young fella.

Broughton will try to put his Flat speed to good use as he lines up in JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30) at Cheltenham.

Last Instalmen headed to England yesterday as trainer Philip Fenton delayed a decision on his participation in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup until the middle of the week.

WELL, that’s certainly one way to put the ‘riot’ into Cypriot.

Barry Geraghty once again stole the show at Kempton as he followed a remarkable recovery on Tetlami by sweeping up the feature William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle aboard his Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Oscara Dara.

Dolores Ruth’s domination of the Williamhill.com English Derby continued at Wimbledon last night as her three runners all effortlessly qualified for Saturday’s semi-finals with both Razldazl Jayfkay and Razldazl Rioga scoring hugely impressive victories.

JOHN TOOMEY

Jude Law claims he is “too old” to be a big screen heartthrob.

The airline crisis deepened today when the UK flight ban was extended to at least 1am tomorrow.

Three former UK cabinet ministers have been suspended by the Labour Party over allegations they were prepared to use their position to influence government policy for cash.

DAVY RUSSELL will not be worrying about any of his rivals as he gets the leg up on Carlito Brigante in today’s JCB Triumph Hurdle.

PRESSURE on British Airways cabin crew to call off a series of strikes intensified last night after the Prime Minister said the action was “unjustified” and “deplorable”.

A threatened strike by British Airways cabin crew could put the future of the airline at risk, British Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis warned today.

A few outings over fences were originally designed as a way for Henry Daly to get Mighty Man fit to challenge for a third Liverpool Hurdle, but his nimble round of jumping at Huntingdon on Wednesday suggested he may even have found his true calling.

While Kempton yesterday was only about Kauto Star, 24 hours later Nicky Henderson reclaimed his dominant role with a high-profile double and three winners overall.

Dan Buckley asks whether Ryan Tubridy can rekindle that Gaybo attraction.

New boy Stuart Pilkington continued to be the focus of attention in the 'Big Brother' house, when housemates were asked to picture him nude.

Boyzone are baring all to promote their upcoming reunion tour - by stripping for an eye-catching new campaign poster.

Queen guitarist Brian May insists he had no idea bandmate Freddie Mercury was gay - assuming the parading frontman was just flamboyant.

My Petra is the more likely starter of Alan King’s pair of entries in the Racing Post Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday as long as the weather stays dry.

Charlie Mann is to target his promising juvenile hurdler Mobaasher at the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on February 24 as the gelding’s warm-up race for the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson’s Champion Hurdle contender Afsoun is likely to have his prep race for Cheltenham in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday week.

CONNECTIONS of Halcon Genelardais aim to find out if their Welsh National winner is up to totesport Gold Cup standard with an outing in the Letherby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on January 27.

This year’s winner of the Nobel Prize for literature will not be announced until October 12 at the earliest, Swedish Academy officials said today.

A Finn who helped mediate peace in Indonesia is tipped to win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, while bookmakers favour a Turkish novelist for the literature award.

TWIN brothers who sneaked out of their 18th birthday party to rob their grandmother, were yesterday convicted of her manslaughter.

Adopted Hero put himself firmly in the picture for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with a stylish success in the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon yesterday.

Connections were today refusing to panic over the continued wet spell which is delaying the jumping debut of leading JCB Triumph Hurdle hope Prizeman.

The top seed of the Stan James World Matchplay bowed out last night in the