Stand-up comic robot an automatic winner of science photography prize

World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson has defended the new UK Championship format after criticism from some of the world's leading players.

Acclaimed tenor Ronald Samm describes Orpheus, in which he plays the lead role, as “a loving and stately opera”.

Anne Hathaway said being cast as tragic heroine Fantine in the film adaptation of Les Miserable was her “dream” job as she attended the movie’s world premiere last night.

Anne Hathaway said being cast as tragic heroine Fantine in the film adaptation of ‘Les Miserable’ was her “dream” job as she attended the movie’s world premiere tonight.

Irish artist John Keating has won a gold medal for a painting exalting the Olympic spirit.

Judd Trump tonight laid his hands on the williamhill.com UK Championship trophy after beating Mark Allen in a gripping final in York.

Mark Allen was offered an olive branch by World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn today as his hopes of winning the williamhill.com UK Championship took a blow.

Judd Trump is confident he will be able to handle the pressure of being the favourite in tomorrow’s williamhill.com UK Championship final.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn is tomorrow expected to issue a response to Mark Allen’s call for him to be deposed.

Justin Bieber has been offered a role in 'Les Miserables'.

Oscar-nominated actor John Malkovich is to tread the boards in London playing a Josef Fritzl-style Austrian psychopath, it has been announced.

A Samuel Beckett play is to go on the biggest tour ever seen in Ireland.

Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the quarter-finals of the Welsh Open today but continued to insist that playing well – rather than just winning – is most important to him.

World snooker chairman Rodney Walker maintains Ronnie O’Sullivan will be asked to explain his walkout at the Maplin UK Championship.

Five-times UK champion Stephen Hendry rolled back the years to book a date in today’s Maplin UK Championship final after edging out Graeme Dott 9-7 in an epic encounter.

RONNIE O’Sullivan last night expressed regret for his amazing Maplin UK Championship walkout, admitting frustration with his game had got the better of him.

Ronnie O’Sullivan tonight expressed regret for his amazing Maplin UK Championship walkout, admitting frustration with his game had got the better of him.

Ronnie O’Sullivan conceded his Maplin UK Championship quarter-final against Stephen Hendry today after only five frames.

Ken Doherty has gone 7-1 up against Mike Dunne at the midway point of the second round of the UK championship.

Stephen Maguire will be hoping history repeats itself when he meets Ronnie O’Sullivan in the third round of the Maplin UK Championship in York tomorrow.

Scott Mackenzie completed a 9-0 whitewash of hapless Michael Holt in the Maplin UK Championship and revealed he had smelled blood as early as the fifth frame.

Ricky Waldon refused to let Ronnie O’Sullivan have it all his own way as the second round of the Maplin UK Championship got under way in York.

Scott Mackenzie was just one frame away from a meeting with world champion Graeme Dott after whitewashing Michael Holt in the opening session of their Maplin UK Championship first-round clash in York.

Dave Harold has the ideal opportunity to remind snooker fans he is still around when he plays Stephen Hendry in the second round of the Maplin UK Championship on Saturday.

Alan McManus maintained his encouraging start to the season when he began his Maplin UK Championship campaign in York today.

Firefighters had to be decontaminated today after dealing with a major blaze near a filling station in Co Down.

Three-times Masters champion Steve Davis crashed out of the SAGA Insurance Masters at the hands of a flu-stricken Stuart Bingham.

Steve Davis continued his magnificent run at the Travis Perkins UK Championship by storming to an amazing 7-1 lead in his emotionally-charged semi-final against Stephen Hendry today.

Steve Davis has lifted the lid on the change of technique that has carried him through to a dream semi-final against Stephen Hendry at the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.

John Higgins, installed as favourite for the Travis Perkins UK Championship after Ronnie O’Sullivan’s exit, was knocked out by a rejuvenated Ken Doherty in York.

Paul Hunter’s dream of success in the Travis Perkins UK Championship was quickly ended today but the 27-year-old, who is battling against cancer, insisted he had plenty to look forward to.

SHAUN MURPHY today embarks on his first major challenge to prove his stunning World Championship success was not a flash in the pan.

World number four Matthew Stevens became the highest-ranked casualty of the Travis Perkins UK Championship so far when trounced 9-3 by Stuart Bingham in York today.

World number 30 Barry Hawkins is relishing the opportunity of another head-to-head with Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.

Chinese rising star Ding Junhui showed he is ready to become a major contender for snooker’s top prizes by cruising into the second round of the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.

Ali Carter feels the time has come for him to fulfil his abundant potential, and that winning the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York would be the ideal way to start.

Grand Prix champion John Higgins has had a week to savour in Preston after a memorable victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan in this year’s Showcase final.

Stephen Maguire tonight warned Ronnie O’Sullivan he is preparing to use brutal tactics when snooker’s two most mesmeric talents clash on the opening day of the Embassy World Championships.

Matthew Stevens is certainly going to have a happy Christmas after ending the blackest spell of his career by winning the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York last night.

Matthew Stevens and Jimmy White will lock horns today in the first semi-final of the £615,000

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry will go head-to-head in the second semi-final of the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York after both players breezed through their quarter-finals tonight.

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry were in defiant mood this afternoon as they powered their way into commanding 6-2 leads in their best-of-17 frame quarter-final matches at the Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.

Jimmy White continued the push to reach his first semi-final at a world ranking event for nearly three years after edging ahead of Nigel Bond at the £615,000 (€822,000) Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.