Secret pressure pads in airports to see how fat you are before boarding flight - that's being suggested as a way to cut fuel costs and emissions.
Airlines are looking at a new scheme which would mean passengers could be weighed before they board flights in a bid to cut fuel costs and emissions. Discreet "pressure pads" could be used as passengers pass through the airport - with data then used to determine how much fuel is needed per flight. Would you be happy to be weighed before you fly? Stephen got the views of Kathryn Szrodecki and co...
12m May 02, 2019
12m
Bel Tel journalist John Laverty on surviving a stroke
Most of us know someone who's suffered a stroke. On average, 11 people a day are brought to hospital in Northern Ireland with signs of a stroke - more than 4,000 people a year. But a new survey by the Stroke Association reveals that we have very little understanding of the condition - 27% of people don't know that it's something that happens in the brain. It happened to the Belfast Telegraph's ...
9m May 02, 2019
9m
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sacked over #Huawei leak.
Shock at Westminster as Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is sacked after a probe into a National Security Council leak. In a letter, the Prime Minister Theresa May said she has lost confidence in his ability to serve in the cabinet. Mr Williamson "strenuously" denied he was involved in disclosing plans to allow Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to help build the UK's 5G network. There's been call...
4m May 02, 2019
4m
NI should 'aggressively' target tourists in Dublin and tell them 'you're in the wrong part of the island' - Ian Paisley
"You're in the wrong part of the island". That's the message Ian Paisley wants to give to tourists landing in the south. The DUP MP wants to start aggressively targeting people landing at Dublin Airport to boost tourism here. But is there a better way than we can sell ourselves? Stephen got the views of journalist Amanda Ferguson and commentator David McNarry.
40m May 02, 2019
40m
Free ATMs in UK under threat as more operators start charging - that's the warning from @WhichUK
So are we now going to have to pay to get our own money? When one of our team went to take some money out of an ATM in Belfast City Centre last week she was charged 95p. Why? To help explain Stephen was joined by Megan French from Money Saving Expert and Retail NI CEO Glyn Roberts.
12m May 01, 2019
12m
Professional Footballers' Association accused of sexism over 'scantily clad dancing girls' at #PFAawards
More controversy about alleged sexism in the world of football. The Professional Footballers' Association is under fire after a troupe of scantily clad women danced on stage at its awards dinner on Monday night. The women - dressed in white swimsuits - were performing alongside male singers clad in dark suits. Sky Sports presenter Clare Tomlinson - who was at the awards night - tweeted: "- some...
25m May 01, 2019
25m
Unite union calls for 55 nursing homes here to be nationalised as care home giant Four Seasons goes in to administration.
One of Northern Ireland's largest care home groups, Four Seasons Health Care, has gone into administration. Two of the holding companies behind the firm appointed administrators yesterday after struggling to repay their debts. Four Seasons said the move would not affect care arrangements or lead to the closure of homes. The union Unite have now called on the Department of Health to nationalise ...
29m May 01, 2019
29m
NI Secretary confirms fresh talks will begin on 7th May to restore devolution.
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has confirmed fresh talks will begin on 7 May to restore devolution. We've been without a devolved government since January 2017 and since then several rounds of talks aimed at restoring the Assembly have failed. A joint statement by Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "The aim of these talks is quickly to re-establish to full ope...
9m Apr 30, 2019
9m
Exam stress part of life, says @DamianHinds. But @jeremycorbyn says we need to prepare young people for life, not just for tests.
Exam stress is part of life and it helps children to build character and resilience. That's the view of the UK's education secretary Damian Hinds. But he's at odds with the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who has vowed to end what he calls "extreme pressure testing" if Labour gets into power. Last week, a group of parents marched on Downing Street to demand that the government scraps its plans to i...
32m Apr 30, 2019
32m
‘Once you get to 50, it’s over.’ - Is @StephenNolan going through a mid-life crisis?
Stephen talked to Vinny this morning about his fears of growing older.
24m Apr 29, 2019
24m
Local restaurant criticised for ‘mocking religion’ after posting online advert featuring Jesus
Local restaurant Boojum has faced a backlash following a posting on their Facebook on Easter Sunday. With the post title - 'There's only one cure for a two day sesh!', the post shows a picture of Jesus, emerging from the tomb, holding a burrito with the line 'when the only thing worth rising for is a Boojum' In the image Jesus has a speech bubble which says - "Yeoo! Knew I Smelled a Boojum". M...
34m Apr 29, 2019
34m
Belfast mum calls for action after finding used needle dumped in her back garden beside her 3yo son's toys
A Belfast mother is calling for action to protect her three year old son after she found a used needle in her back garden. Nadine Matthews lives in Maryville Street in the heart of Belfast City Centre and says she was horrified to discover the bloody needle lying beside her son's toys over the Easter weekend. Our reporter, Nicola Weir, went to speak to Nadine. We also heard reaction from Alex B...
6m Apr 26, 2019
6m
A prominent member of the Free Presbyterian Church says he will not vote for the DUP after the party endorsed its first openly gay election candidate
Earlier this week the DUP MLA Jim Wells told the Nolan Show that the party's decision to field an openly gay candidate is a 'major and very worrying change'. Does this signify a shift from within the party, and if so, what does it mean for the party's traditional Free Presbyterian base? Stephen spoke to the Reverend David McIlveen, who was close to the DUP founder Ian Paisley, and asked him whe...
9m Apr 26, 2019
9m
Government urged to SCRAP some pension benefits to help struggling young people.
Should we SCRAP some "outdated" benefits for older people and replace them with support for the young? Well - that's the call from 'The Committee on Intergenerational Fairness'. These would include: removing the triple lock for pensions, phasing out free TV licences based on age (currently free for over-75s) and limiting free bus passes for the over-65s and winter fuel payments until five years...
40m Apr 26, 2019
40m
Climate activists Extinction Rebellion announce they are ending their environmental protests
Extinction Rebellion have announced that they are ending their environmental protests today. For more than a week, climate protests were held in various parts of London and other cities.Over 1,000 people were arrested since the protests began, police say. Organisers have described the environmental protests as the biggest civil disobedience event in recent British history while London mayor, Sa...
19m Apr 25, 2019
19m
Nicola Sturgeon pushes for Scottish independence vote if #Brexit goes ahead.
Scotland is gearing up for a re-run of the Independence Referendum. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs at Holyrood yesterday that she's drawing up plans for a vote within the next two years. The last referendum took place in 2014 and delivered a vote against independence, but Ms Sturgeon said that Brexit means the circumstances have changed and that Scottish people should be given another...
9m Apr 25, 2019
9m
Standing ovation at #LyraMcKee's funeral as priest issues challenge to political leaders. Will it make a difference?
We've had countless big funerals for victims of terrorism. We've had thousands of powerful sermons from the pulpit. But few have been as remarkable as the effect of yesterday's homily by Father Martin Magill at the funeral of murdered journalist Lyra McKee. With the Prime Minister and Taoiseach looking on, he issued a direct challenge to the Northern Ireland party leaders sitting in the front r...
24m Apr 25, 2019
24m
A devout Christian mother of a gay man hits out at Jim Wells over his attitude to the DUP's openly gay election candidate.
Yesterday the DUP's Jim Wells hit out after the party fielded its first openly gay candidate in the local elections. A devout Christian mother of a gay man contacted us and hit out at Jim Wells over his attitude to the DUP's openly gay election candidate.
24m Apr 24, 2019
24m
DUP stands openly gay candidate - just how significant a moment is this for the party?
Yesterday the DUP's Jim Wells hit out after the party fielded its first openly gay candidate in the local elections. So how significant a moment is this for the DUP? Is the party softening up its base for a major shift on LGBT issues? Stephen spoke to Jon Tonge, politics professor at Liverpool University, and commentator Alex Kane.
9m Apr 24, 2019
9m
Donald Trump set to make state visit to the UK. Do you welcome him?
US President Donald Trump will make a three-day state visit to the UK from 3 to 5 June, Buckingham Palace has announced. The President and First Lady Melania Trump will be a guest of the Queen and attend a ceremony in Portsmouth to mark the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. He will also hold talks with the Prime Minister at Downing Street. Some are even suggesting he may come here. Stephen got the vie...
15m Apr 24, 2019
15m
Fr Joe Gormley - who anointed #LyraMcKee after she was shot - says he is willing to talk to the 'New IRA' who murdered her.
Father Gormley anointed Lyra McKee after she was shot. He's spoken about the family's heartache at what happened. He has also opened a debate about dialogue with the New IRA who murdered her. So is it time to open dialogue with the New IRA? Should our political leaders be speaking to them? Stephen got the views of commentator Chris Donnelly and Ben Lowry from the Newsletter.
15m Apr 24, 2019
15m
As Belfast prepares to bury journalist #LyraMcKee, listen back to her interview with @StephenNolan and tributes from those who knew her
The Prime Minister will travel to Belfast today where she will attend the funeral of Lyra McKee. A Service of Thanksgiving will take place at St Anne's Cathedral later today. The 29 year old journalist was shot dead by the New IRA in Derry on Thursday night, while watching a riot in the city. Lyra was a journalist and author, and a tireless campaigner for LGBT rights, having spoken publicly on ...
8m Apr 24, 2019
8m
DUP @Jim_Wells_MLA takes aim at his own party for fielding its first openly gay election candidate
DUP MLA Jim Wells has hit out at his own party at what he calls a major and very worrying change in the policy of the DUP on social issues. It comes after they nominated a candidate who is in an openly same sex relationship. Alison Bennington is running for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in the forthcoming local elections. Jim joined Stephen in studio this morning.
29m Apr 23, 2019
29m
The 'New IRA' admits it was responsible for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee
The New IRA has admitted killing the journalist Lyra McKee in Derry last week. Lyra, who was 29 and a rising star of journalism, was shot dead while observing rioting in the Creggan area of the city on Thursday night. In a statement to the Irish News using a recognised code ward, the dissident republican paramilitary group said it wanted to apologise to her family. "The IRA offer our full and s...
25m Apr 23, 2019
25m
Journalist Lyra McKee - murdered in Derry last night - talking to @StephenNolan in 2014.
Last night Lyra McKee was shot dead on the streets of Derry by what the police believe were dissident republicans. This morning we will get political and community reaction to this senseless murder. What is your message to the people who carried out this despicable act? We want to play a powerful interview that Lyra did with Stephen in 2014. We want you to listen to it because it will show you ...
10m Apr 19, 2019
10m
Tech solution for NI border post-Brexit at least 10 years away - that's according to a leaked Home Office document.
Any hi-tech solution to the problem of how to keep the Northern Ireland border open after Brexit is at least 10 years away. That's according to a leaked Home Office document. The memo said the cost and complexity of using new technology to remove the need for border checks meant "the challenges of this work cannot be underestimated". And the third most powerful politician in the United States -...
14m Apr 18, 2019
14m
Porn will be age-checked in UK from 15th July.
An age-check scheme designed to stop under-18s viewing pornographic websites will come into force on the 15th of July. From that date, affected sites will have to verify the age of UK visitors. If they fail to comply they will face being blocked by internet service providers. Vinny got the views of commentator Emma Woolf and Jim Killock from the Open Rights Group.
7m Apr 18, 2019
7m
Patrons scream as rat scurries around Portrush restaurant and is then killed in front of diners.
Diners at a popular north coast restaurant were left screaming after a rat scurried around their tables on Tuesday evening. A video that's being shared on social media shows the rodent running amongst tables in the Ramore restaurant, Portrush. At one point it can even be seen scuttling up someone's leg! In the video, the rat is then crushed to death in the restaurant. Vinny spoke to Daniel Barc...
24m Apr 18, 2019
24m
Erection of Parachute Regiment flags in towns across NI branded "hate crime" by Bloody Sunday families.
If you've driven through Newtownards, Larne, Carrickfergus or Cookstown recently, you may have noticed a number of new flags and banners appearing on lamposts. The distinctive symbol of the Parachute Regiment is being displayed in some areas in support of Soldier F. The former Para has been charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney, who were shot dead on Bloody Sunday in Janua...
10m Apr 17, 2019
10m
£40K spent on Freedom of Borough ceremony for Ireland and Ulster rugby captain Rory Best.
Ireland and Ulster Rugby captain Rory Best received the Freedom of the Borough at a cost of nearly £40 thousand pounds. The award was given by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council last September at a ceremony that included a spend of £14K on venue hire and another £14K on catering. But is this a good use of taxpayers money? Vinny got the views of commentators Fionola Meredith and Brenda...
12m Apr 17, 2019
12m
Obesity has become a "social norm" - that's the claim from a leading cardiologist here.
A doctor here has described our unhealthy lifestyles "frightening." Dr Susan Connolly was speaking ahead of a new programme at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. The new programme aims to help people reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by becoming physically active, stopping smoking and having a better diet. Dr Connolly said people here had much more unhealthy lifestyles tha...
12m Apr 17, 2019
12m
Notre-Dame coverage "hysterical" says @KittyHollandIT
"I'm sorry. The coverage of the burning of a church in France is getting hysterical. It's a building....I am not grief-stricken." A tweet from Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland. It follows hours of round the clock news coverage of the fire that engulfed the 850 year old cathedral in France on Monday night. Many have flocked to the area, to witness firsthand, the aftermath. Does she have a po...
28m Apr 17, 2019
28m
Should sports stars keep their religious beliefs to themselves or are they entitled to promote their views?
"'Hell awaits' drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters". That's the social media post that ended the international rugby career of Australia's Israel Folau - one of the best known players in the world. His contract was terminated by the Australian rugby authorities for breaching his code of conduct. Should sports people - particularly high level inte...
6m Apr 16, 2019
6m
Australian school bans kids from handing out birthday party invites in the playground.
A primary school in Sydney has banned their pupils from giving out birthday party invitations in the classroom or playground after a pupil became upset at not being included in a classmate's party. Is this going to far? Or is it a reasonable way to protect children from feeling excluded? Vinny got the views of commentators Tina Calder and Naomh McElhatton.
10m Apr 16, 2019
10m
Michael contacted @BBCNolan to take on a concern he has with BBC NI facilities for people with disabilities
Michael Holden campaigns for better accessible toilet facilities for people with disabilities. He contacted the Nolan Show to take on a concern he has with BBC NI facilities for people with disabilities.
12m Apr 16, 2019
12m
Massive fire ravages Notre-Dame cathedral - Fr Aidan Troy spoke from Paris
4m Apr 16, 2019
4m
IS bride Shamima Begum expected to get legal aid to fight for UK citizenship.
Shamima Begum - the teenager who left the UK to join the Islamic State group - is expected to be given legal aid to fight the Home Secretary's decision to strip her of British citizenship. She's is in a detention camp in northern Syria after IS fighters were driven from the region. The Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, says the decision makes him "very uncomfortable". So how can she qualify, at a...
28m Apr 16, 2019
28m
"As someone who comes from an Irish background, I hate the way Ireland is being used to try to scupper Brexit" - Brendan O'Neill
Talks between the government and Labour are set to continue over the Easter recess in the hope of finding a Brexit agreement that will be acceptable to Mps. One of the biggest stumbling blocks has been the Irish backstop - the insurance policy in Theresa May's negotiations with the EU - that the Irish border remains open whatever the outcome of the UK and the EU's future relationship. Author Br...
25m Apr 15, 2019
25m
The Tiger roars again as Woods wins #TheMasters golf championship
It's been described as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. After more than a decade without winning a major title - and following a string of health and personal problems - Tiger Woods has won this year's US Golf Masters. Vinny spoke to sports journalist Steven Beacom.
7m Apr 15, 2019
7m
Scrap foreign aid as we can't give "our precious money to other countries" when our own is in such a state - Karren Brady
"We need to scrap foreign aid" - that's the call from Karren Brady. Baroness Brady - known for her role in BBC's Apprentice - said in her Sun on Sunday column that: "looking around at the state this country is in... I cannot see how on earth we can justify allotting our precious money to other countries when there is no evidence it helps." Do you agree? Vinny got the views of commentator Phil K...
28m Apr 15, 2019
28m
Miami Showband massacre survivor Des Lee talks to @vinnybelfast as Netflix launches new documentary on the 1975 murders
One of the most notorious murders of the Troubles is the focus of a Netflix's latest documentary. The Miami Showband massacre tells the story of the murder of three band members killed by the UVF while returning from a gig in the early hours of 31st July 1975. Vinny has been speaking to surviving member Des Lee.
25m Apr 12, 2019
25m
Singer Sam Smith gives himself a 'naked day' to promote body positivity.
Singer Sam Smith has been letting it all hang out! He took time out of his world tour to have a "naked day". Sam said: "Today I decided to have a naked day and spend the day in my room and watch TV and read, and eat what I want and just celebrate this bod. It has been so empowering and wonderful". So should we all be having our own naked days? Vinny asked commentator Heidi McAlpin and naturist ...
18m Apr 12, 2019
18m
Holywood heaven - the North Down town is voted the best place to live in NI.
Where in Northern Ireland do you think is the best place to live? It ain't Ballymena... the City of the Seven Towers has been well and truly ignored as according to the Sunday Times you need to get moving to Holywood. Vinny was joined by comedy legend and famous resident, Shane Todd, and ready to give him a run for his money was renowned sporting commentator and Ballymoney's answer to George Cl...
4m Apr 12, 2019
4m
Boris Johnson holds talks with DUP as pressure increases on Theresa May - that's what the Times newspaper reports today.
Reports this morning that the DUP have held more talks with Boris Johnston and his Tory leadership campaign team. It comes as Theresa May faces pressure to resign from Tory Brexiteers. Vinny got the views of commentators Phil Kelly and Nelson McCausland.
30m Apr 12, 2019
30m
Patrick Crossan lives with #Parkinsons - he shared his #WorldParkinsonsDay story with @vinnybelfast - and says he'll keep on running
Today is World Parkinson's Day. Over 3700 people are living with the condition here in Northern Ireland and about 9 people every week will be diagnosed this year. In a survey launched today, 91% of people living with Parkinson's in Northern Ireland said they'd had negative experiences as a result of people not understanding their symptoms. These negative experiences included: being laughed at, ...
9m Apr 11, 2019
9m
Should cyclists be made to have number plates on their bikes? That's the call from @ProfRWinston
The scientist Sir Robert Winston says he might bring a private members bill to the House of Lords to force cyclists to have number plates or electronic tags on their bikes. The Labour peer was attacked by a cyclist in London after he told her off for riding on the pavement. Lord Winston, who was kicked and verbally abused by the woman, was speaking on ITV's This Morning programme yesterday. Do ...
18m Apr 11, 2019
18m
New Gillette ad sparks fat-shaming debate.
Gillette's latest advert has sparked a 'fat-phobia-debate' after the razor brand chose a plus-size model to front their new campaign. Body-positive influencer Anna O'Brien was chosen by Gillette to feature in a social media post showing the model splashing around in the sea. Is it irresponsible for a brand to use a severely obese model to promote its products? Vinny got the views of commentator...
14m Apr 10, 2019
14m
Footballer Jay Donnelly jailed over distributing an indecent image of a child.
Should the Footballer Jay Donnelly be sacked by Cliftonville now that he's been jailed for three months for sharing an indecent image of a child? This all started in 2016 after Donnelly took a photograph of a 16-year-old girl while having sex with her. He then sent the photograph to a friend and a WhatsApp group that included fellow Cliftonville players. The Club's Management Committee say they...
18m Apr 10, 2019
18m
Is it time Belfast introduced a vehicle levy to help tackle pollution?
A Ultra Low Emission Zone has come into force in central London. Meaning drivers of older, more polluting vehicles, could have to pay £12.50 per day to enter a certain zone. Anyone who does not pay the charge will face a fine of £160. Recently we have heard about the levels of pollution in Belfast so would this be something that you would welcome here? Vinny got the views of environmental journ...
26m Apr 10, 2019
26m
Cannabis users 'let off' because police don't want to 'harm life chances' - that's the move from West Midlands Police.
Drug users in England are being let off because police do not want to harm their 'life chances'. Officers in the West Midlands are being told not to charge or hand out warnings to everyone caught with cannabis. The region's Chief Constable, Dave Thompson, told MPs he did not want to 'criminalise lots of young people'. What do you think at home about this? Should people be given another chance i...
10m Apr 10, 2019
10m