Pól Ó Conghaile has just been named the Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year, awarded for “his exceptional body of work” including articles written for the Irish Examiner and the National Geographic.

ONE of the crucial decisions before visiting the city that allegedly never sleeps is where to lay your head.

Police are searching for a suspect after a fatal daylight shooting outside an ice cream shop in Toronto's Little Italy district, where dozens of soccer fans had gathered to watch a Euro 2012 game.

The showbusiness world was today celebrating the life of comic “legend” Frank Carson following his death at the age of 85.

Belfast-born Frank Carson died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Mike Corcoran, proprietor, Mike’s BBQ & Catering, Spiller’s Lane, Clonakilty.

A total of 127 defendants has been named in 16 indictments in the US after one of the largest Mafia takedowns in FBI history.

This “guido” red sauce restaurant dish has probably never been served anywhere in Italy, but I have tasted thousands of versions in Little Italy's all across the United States. Usually it is served with the option of linguine, fettucine, bucatini, or capellini, but I like it as a main course, after a light antipasto and a plate of spaghetti with bottarga. Italians serve most of their shellfish head and shell on, but you could use peeled shrimp here as well.

Martin Scorsese returns to form with yet another gangster movie, but this time he may finally break his Oscar duck with The Departed (EIV, €24.99), a searing drama centred around mobster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) and cops Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon).

Swept into the most powerful political job ever held by a US woman, Nancy Pelosi embarked on a jubilant victory lap with children and grandchildren in tow and a soundtrack by Tony Bennett: I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Boy George has “responded extremely well” to his week sweeping the streets of New York as a punishment for wasting police time, his manager said today.

Boy George will perform his court-ordered community service by picking up litter on New York City streets in the August heat, a sanitation spokesman said.

Boy George has criticised his community service punishment for falsely reporting a burglary, insisting a fundraising concert for an Aids charity would have been a more worthwhile.

BOY George hit out at his community service punishment of sweeping leaves in a New York park last night, saying a charity concert would have been more worthwhile.

Singer Boy George is due to appear in a US court today to hear what community service he must perform after admitting wasting police time.

Singer Boy George was spared a possible prison sentence today after a cocaine possession charge against him was dropped but he was ordered to go on a drug rehabilitation programme.

Boy George's first court appearance on drugs charges has been postponed until next year by a New York City judge.

Police officers allegedly found 13 bags of cocaine at Boy George's New York City apartment when he was arrested on Friday, according to legal papers.

Ex-Culture Club frontman Boy George has denied cocaine found at his New York City apartment belonged to him.

Sixteen years after joining his infamous dad in the family business, John “Junior” Gotti now says he is done with the mob.

WITH ALL the hype and expectation that preceded him into the hallowed ring at Madison Square Garden last Saturday night, it was perhaps inevitable that disappointment and a bruised ego should clamber back out between the ropes and follow heavyweight boxing’s great white hope back to his dressing room.

Movie heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio gave fans a warm glow as they braved the frosty chill for the UK premiere of his latest movie epic Gangs of New York.