06/12/2013

The former South African president passed away last night in Johannesburg. He'd been ill for some time. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

He fought against and eventually defeated the apartheid system, under which a white minority ruled. He spent 27 years in jail before emerging to become the country's first black leader.

Lord Trimble says Mandela was able to see the bigger picture

SF's Gerry Kelly says the first thing Mandela said to NI politicians was 'make peace with your enemies'

DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson says his meeting with Nelson Mandela was 'inspiring'.

South African Adrianne Peltz says Mandela was much more than a politician

Sir Richard Branson reflects on the global impact of Nelson Mandela

Dissident republicans are being blamed for a gun attack on police in north Belfast last night. The PSNI are treating the shooting in the Ardoyne area as "attempted murder".

There are also concerns about tensions and divisions within loyalist paramilitaries. Chief Constable Matt Baggott spoke at the Policing Board yesterday about "fragmenting" and "competing agendas" in loyalism.

Brian Rowan has the latest analysis

Bad news yesterday if you're in your forties, like Stephen. You now won't receive your state pension until you're 68. It's worse news if you're just leaving school, you'll have to wait to at least 70. And for those born today you could have to work until you're 77 years old. 

The plans were announced by the Chancellor, George Osborne, in his Autumn Statement.

Bumper Graham & Ian Collins disagree over the pension age plans

Joe Bugner was British and European heavyweight boxing champion, and briefly held a world title too. He's now in his early 60s. His life is extraordinary - from being a refugee from Hungary, to learning to fight, to how he feels he's been treated by the boxing establishment and the British press. 

The interview didn’t quite end to plan when the former World Champion slammed the phone down on Stephen.