Gaelic sports venues on list for UK-Ireland Euro 2028 bid
November 16, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — A Gaelic sports venue in Northern Ireland has been included on a shortlist of 14 stadia selected by the United Kingdom and Ireland’s bid team to host matches at the European Championship in 2028.
UK delays N Ireland election call to buy time for talks
November 9, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The British government on Wednesday delayed calling a fresh election in Northern Ireland, hoping to buy time to break an impasse over post-Brexit trade rules that put the administration there on ice.
UK delays calling N Ireland election amid Brexit impasse
October 28, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland's political deadlock deepened Friday when the U.K. government delayed calling an early election for the Belfast-based Assembly after a deadline to restore the mothballed administration expired.
Mom convicted in death that led to child welfare reforms
October 18, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A woman accused of fatally beating her 3-year-old son in a high-profile case that drew statewide attention and renewed interest in reforming Maine's child welfare system was convicted of murder on Tuesday.
A week in the life of the new King
September 16, 2022 GMTSTORY: HZ UK Charles Wrap - A week in the life of the new King
Ireland clinches T20 series win vs. Afghanistan
August 17, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — George Dockrell edged Ireland to a T20 international series victory over Afghanistan in a tense conclusion to a rain-affected decider in Belfast.
Dockrell hit the decisive run as the home side clinched a 3-2 win by seven wickets after reaching a reduced target of 56 with two balls of their seven allotted overs to spare.
Former presidential yacht to be restored at Maine shipyard
August 12, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A private shipyard is preparing for a painstaking stem-to-stern restoration of a floating piece of presidential history.
The Sequoia is a 1925 motor yacht that served eight presidents before being sold by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Ireland beats Afghanistan by 7 wickets in 1st T20
August 9, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Ireland clinched their first home T20 International win of the season by beating Afghanistan by seven wickets in Belfast on Tuesday.
George Dockrell hit the winning boundary off the penultimate ball to lift Ireland onto 171-3 after they were set a target of 169.
UK, Irish leaders at funeral for peacemaker David Trimble
August 1, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The leaders of Britain and Ireland joined scores of mourners on Monday for the funeral of politician David Trimble, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
UMS renews chancellor Malloy’s contract despite criticism
July 11, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — The University of Maine System chancellor who came under criticism for his handling of staffing and restructuring will keep his job for another year.
Trustees voted unanimously Monday to extend the contract for Chancellor Dannel Malloy despite recent votes of no confidence from faculty at three of the system’s seven campuses.
Triple killing trial is underway in Belfast, Maine
May 25, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Maine man on trial in the killings of three people delivered his own opening statement Wednesday, calling the victims “drug addicts" and describing the deaths as “accidents” and “self defense.”
Victims groups slam UK plan for amnesty over Troubles crimes
May 24, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Relatives of people killed during Northern Ireland’s decades of violence protested in London and Belfast on Tuesday, urging the government to drop plans to grant immunity to perpetrators of crimes committed during “the Troubles.”
Johnson: UK will act on Northern Ireland rules if EU won’t
May 16, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday renewed British threats to break a Brexit agreement with the European Union, blaming it for a political crisis that's blocking the formation of a new government in Northern Ireland.
UK’s Johnson urges end to N Ireland deadlock, spars with EU
May 15, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is heading to Northern Ireland on Monday to try to end a political deadlock that is preventing the formation of a regional administration.
The trip comes amid threats by Johnson's government to break the Brexit agreement with the European Union that it signed, but now blames for the crisis.
Unionists block new N Ireland govt over Brexit trade rules
May 13, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s second-biggest political party on Friday blocked the formation of a working legislature in Belfast, and said it would keep up the boycott until the U.K. government tears up post-Brexit trade rules it accuses of destabilizing the region.
UK warns ‘no choice but to act’ to change Brexit deal
May 12, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain's foreign secretary warned the European Union on Thursday that the U.K. will have “no choice but to act" to revoke parts of a Brexit agreement on Northern Ireland if the EU does not show flexibility.
Sinn Fein hails ‘new era’ as it wins Northern Ireland vote
May 7, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — The Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, which seeks unification with Ireland, hailed a “new era” Saturday for Northern Ireland as it captured the largest number of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time in a historic win.
Sinn Fein eyes historic win in Northern Ireland election
May 4, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Ever since Northern Ireland was founded as a Protestant-majority state a century ago, its governments have been led by unionist politicians who defined themselves as British.
Maine man sentenced to life in prison for double-killing
April 4, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Maine man charged with killing his sister and brother-in-law was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.
Glenn Brown, 68, of Benton, pleaded no contest to the killings of Richard Bowden and Tina Bowden, both 64, in October 2020 at the couple’s home in the town of Waldo.
Oscars live: Coming-of-age film ‘CODA’ wins best picture
March 28, 2022 GMT“CODA” has won best picture at the Oscars.
The small, coming-of-age film about the only hearing member in a family of deaf adults written and directed by Siân Heder took the top prize over bigger-budget contenders at the Academy Awards on Sunday night.
Oscar predictions: Will ‘Power of the Dog’ reign supreme?
March 21, 2022 GMTAhead of the 94th Academy Awards this week, Associated Press Film Writers Lindsey Bahr and Jake Coyle share their predictions for a ceremony with much still up in the air.
Planned Maine salmon farm closes on land for project
March 18, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — Construction of a long-planned salmon farm in Maine could begin in as little as eight months now that the developer has purchased land where the farm will be built.
Nordic Aquafarms wants to build a $500 million salmon farm in land-based tanks in Belfast.
N Ireland child abuse victims get formal government apology
March 11, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The Northern Ireland government issued a formal apology on Friday to people who were abused in orphanages and children’s homes, telling them that “the state let you down.”
Ministers from all five political parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly read out apologies to survivors gathered at the Stormont government buildings near Belfast.
Maine man faces sentencing for double killing after plea
March 2, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Maine man charged with killing his sister and brother-in-law pleaded no contest to murder on Wednesday.
Glenn Brown, 68, of Benton, will be sentenced next month for the killings in October 2020 at the couple's home in Waldo.
List of nominees for the 94th Academy Awards
February 8, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Nominees for the 94th Academy Awards, which were announced Tuesday. Winners will be announced on March 27 in Los Angeles.
Major guilds announce film nominees, clarifying Oscar field
January 27, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Hopes that a few of last year's biggest box-office hits, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “No Time to Die,” might join the best-picture Oscar race were dealt a blow on Thursday when several of Hollywood's top guilds announced their film nominations.
Jamie Dornan talks ‘Belfast’, TV and going behind-the-scenes
January 20, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — One of the most memorable scenes in “ Belfast ” is when Jamie Dornan's character serenades his wife (played by Caitriona Balfe) with “ Everlasting Love.” The lighting, choreography and wardrobe makes Dornan look like a matinee idol.
Will Smith, Lady Gaga, Ben Affleck score SAG nominations
January 12, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The Oscar race may be missing in-person glitz this year, but it doesn't lack for star power. Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Ben Affleck landed individual nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards on Wednesday, while the casts of “Belfast” and “CODA” were among those nominated for the guild's top award, best ensemble.
List of nominees for the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards
January 12, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Nominations for the 28th annual Screen Actor Guild Awards, which will be handed out on Feb.
Santa Barbara Film Festival to honor Haim, DeBose, 6 others
January 6, 2022 GMT“West Side Story’s” Ariana DeBose, “Licorice Pizza’s” Alana Haim and “Belfast’s” Caitriona Balfe are among the actors who will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Award this year.
GOLab secures financing for construction at Madison mill
December 30, 2021 GMTMADISON, Maine (AP) — Belfast-based GO Lab has secured the $85 million in financing needed to begin transforming the former Madison Paper Industries mill.
GO Lab intends to produce three types of wood-fiber insulation, employing 120 people at the Madison mill.
N Ireland collective wins prestigious Turner Prize for art
December 2, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — An 11-person collective from Belfast that aims to transcend Northern Ireland’s political and religious divides won the U.K.’s prestigious Turner Prize for art on Wednesday.
The Array Collective took the 25,000 pound ($33,000) prize for “The Druithaib’s Ball,” a recreation of a traditional Irish shebeen, or speakeasy, that is full of references to 100 years of Northern Ireland history.
Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds savor their moments in ‘Belfast’
November 12, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Kenneth Branagh put it directly to Judi Dench.
“He said, ‘Will you play my grandmother?’” Dench recalls. “And I said yes.”
In “Belfast,” Branagh reconstructs a poignant and pivotal moment from his childhood.
Review: Childhood in a turbulent time in nostalgic ‘Belfast’
November 10, 2021 GMTIf you didn’t know Kenneth Branagh’s new film “ Belfast ” was based (somewhat) on his own childhood, you probably wouldn’t know it by the end either.
N. Ireland official suing Van Morrison over COVID criticism
November 8, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s health minister is suing Van Morrison after the singer called him “very dangerous” for his handling of coronavirus restrictions.
The Belfast-born singer opposes restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, and has released several songs criticizing lockdowns.
Bus set on fire in Northern Ireland amid post Brexit tension
November 8, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — A bus has been hijacked and set on fire in Northern Ireland, amid discontent over the trade deal struck as part of the U.K.’s departure from the European Union.
Four masked men boarded the double decker bus on Sunday on the outskirts of Belfast.
Aquaculture operation wins lawsuit in Belfast
October 30, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — Nordic Aquafarms won a court battle over ownership of a disputed mudflat that's critical to the company’s $500 million aquaculture project.
The ruling was a defeat for two plaintiffs who sued Nordic Aquafarms over access to the property, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Aging UK soldier dies while on trial for Troubles shooting
October 19, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — An 80-year-old British army veteran has died while on trial for a shooting that occurred during “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, fueling debate over the prosecution of soldiers for alleged crimes committed decades ago.
Belfast closer to goal of planting a million flowers
October 17, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — The town of Belfast is inching toward a goal of planting a million flowers.
Elisabeth Wolfe, who launched the effort, said this is the fourth year people have worked to plant bulbs through the Belfast Daffodil Project.
Maine triple homicide trial moves to avoid jury bias
October 5, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — An upcoming trial of a man accused of killing three people last year is being moved from Washington County to Belfast after the defendant's lawyers raised concerns the jury could be tainted by publicity.
Maine lobster fishers donate 600-pound tuna to soup kitchen
September 29, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Belfast soup kitchen had a tuna weighing 600 pounds (270 kilograms) donated for its meals last week by a lobster fishing crew that netted the fish.
The crewmembers from J & J Lobster were catching bait near the coast when the massive bluefin tuna hit their net, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Belfast’ wins TIFF People’s Choice Award
September 19, 2021 GMTKenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical “Belfast,” a black-and-white family drama about the Northern Ireland city during the tumult of the late 1960s, on Saturday won the Toronto International Film Festival's People's Choice Award, a telling indicator of Academy Awards chances.
City worker dies when he falls from dump truck
September 10, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A public works employee died after he fell out of the back of a dump truck on the city waterfront, officials said.
Stephen Mathieson, 69, of Montville, hit his head when he tumbled to the ground Thursday morning and was pronounced dead Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Unionist leader says Brexit deal could sink N Ireland govt
September 9, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — The leader of Northern Ireland’s largest British unionist party heightened post-Brexit political tensions on Thursday, saying the U.K.’s divorce deal with the European Union could collapse the Belfast government and trigger a new era of violence and instability.
Giant rubber ducky takes flight; where will it land next?
August 24, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A 25-foot inflatable duck named Joy disappeared over the weekend, as mysteriously as it arrived, after bringing days of delight to a seaside Maine community.
Big bird on water is mystery, but town calls it just ducky
August 18, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — The sudden appearance of a giant rubber duck in a Maine harbor is a whimsical whodunit that's defied sleuths so far.
The yellow waterfowl emblazoned with the word “joy” appeared in Belfast Harbor over the weekend, and it’s a mystery who put it there.
Large, land-based salmon farm in Maine gets key approval
August 13, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A large, land-based salmon farming operation in Maine has obtained a key approval it needed to move forward, but opposition to the project remains.
Nordic Aquafarms wants to build a $500-million, 55-acre (22-hectare) salmon farm in Belfast.
Late sub Kepa helps Chelsea win UEFA Super Cup on penalties
August 11, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Thomas Tuchel made the bold call, and Kepa Arrizabalaga made the big saves.
Brought on as a substitute with seconds remaining in extra time, Kepa kept out two spot kicks as Chelsea beat Villarreal 6-5 in a penalty shootout to win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
Bail set for Maine woman charged in death of 3-year-old son
June 25, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — A Maine woman charged with murder stemming from the death of her 3-year-old son was ordered held on $150,000 bail during an initial court appearance Friday.
Jessica Trefethen, 35, did not enter a plea during the appearance, which followed her arrest on Wednesday.
Maine woman charged in death of her 3-year-old son
June 23, 2021 GMTBELFAST, Maine (AP) — Police arrested a 35-year-old woman on Wednesday in connection with the death of her 3-year-old son in Stockton Springs, officials said.
Maddox Williams died on Sunday after his mother and grandmother brought him to Waldo General Hospital in Belfast, police said.
Veteran lawmaker to lead N. Ireland’s DUP after turmoil
June 22, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party on Tuesday named veteran lawmaker Jeffrey Donaldson as its new leader, weeks after he narrowly lost the election to lead the senior partner in Northern Ireland’s government.
Donaldson bids to lead N. Ireland’s biggest unionist party
June 21, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — Jeffrey Donaldson confirmed Monday that he will stand again for the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party, just five weeks after narrowly losing the election to lead the senior party in Northern Ireland’s government.
Man fleeing traffic stop hits SUVs, barrier, dies in crash
June 16, 2021 GMTNAZARETH, Pa. (AP) — A driver fleeing a traffic stop in eastern Pennsylvania struck several other vehicles and a concrete barrier and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Northampton County coroner Zachary Lysek said 23-year-old Jimmy Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred shortly after 2 p.m.
UK apologizes for 1971 Belfast deaths; families want more
May 13, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — The families of 10 civilians killed during a British military operation in Belfast half a century ago sharply criticized Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday after he sent a member of his Cabinet to Parliament to apologize for the deaths, instead of doing so himself.
UK apologizes for deaths of 10 civilians during ‘Troubles’
May 12, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized Wednesday for the deaths of 10 civilians during military operations half a century ago in west Belfast, a day after a coroner’s court determined that they were innocent victims...
Judge rules victims in 1971 Belfast shooting were innocent
May 11, 2021 GMTLONDON (AP) — A coroner in Northern Ireland ruled Tuesday that 10 civilians killed during military operations in west Belfast half a century ago were innocent victims, clearing them of suggestions that they were shot for attacking British soldiers...
Former Ireland midfielder Alan McLoughlin dies aged 54
May 5, 2021 GMTDUBLIN (AP) — Alan McLoughlin, who famously scored a goal to send Ireland to the 1994 World Cup in the United States, has died...