Ben Lowry

​It was timely that three leaders were rarely seen together last week, because it coincided with yet another News Letter birthday – our 288th.

​Days ago, many readers of this newspaper would not have heard of Charlie Kirk. Mr Kirk defended US conservative values and had a big following among young people who grew up in the internet age.

​It is good that Germany this week said it will pull out of the Eurovision song contest if Israel is banned.

​This week the interaction between the UK government and the Republic of Ireland one edged towards its inevitable – and disgraceful – conclusion.

​An important – even extraordinary – driverless bus experiment is under way in Belfast.

​This is now a good time to buy home heating oil in Northern Ireland.

​This week I was at the memorial service for Barry McIlheney held in east Belfast, a music writer.

Northern Ireland had another sweltering day on Sunday, in what was a very hot weekend.

Early this month, oil prices had just reached their lowest level in Northern Ireland in four years. Now they have shot up again.

​Five years ago, in a saga that was barely reported, a brave young Hong Kong activist expressed alarm at a meeting between China and Northern Ireland’s then leaders.