Sunak’s Brexit deal clears Commons vote despite Tory revolt
March 22, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's deal with the European Union to rewrite the post-Brexit rules on Northern Ireland trade.
N. Ireland unionists say no to Sunak’s Brexit deal, for now
March 20, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s main British unionist party said Monday it will vote against a deal struck by Britain and the European Union to resolve a thorny trade dispute that vexed U.K.-EU relations and triggered a political crisis in Belfast.
Boris Johnson skeptical about Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal
March 2, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday poured cold water on current premier Rishi Sunak’s new Brexit deal with the European Union, saying he would “find it hard” to vote for it in Parliament.
UK’s Sunak tries to win over skeptics to his Brexit deal
February 28, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Belfast on Tuesday to sell his landmark agreement with the European Union to its toughest audience: Unionist politicians who fear post-Brexit trade rules are weakening Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.
Northern Ireland’s history makes post-Brexit deal complex
February 28, 2023 GMTBritain and the European Union have reached a new agreement on post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland, raising hopes that more than six years of wrangling over the U.K.’s departure from the bloc may finally come to an end.
UK, EU hail ‘new chapter’ with deal to fix Brexit trade spat
February 28, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. and the European Union sealed a deal on Monday to resolve their thorny post-Brexit trade dispute over Northern Ireland, hailing the agreement as the start of a “new chapter” in their often fractious relationship.
IRA splinter group claims responsibility for police shooting
February 27, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Police in Northern Ireland said Monday they were looking into an unverified statement by an Irish Republican Army splinter group claiming responsibility for the shooting of a senior police officer.
UK and EU leaders to meet amid hope of Brexit trade spat fix
February 26, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen are set to hold face-to-face talks, with expectations high they will seal a deal to resolve a thorny post-Brexit trade dispute.
Irish leader: Brexit talks over N Ireland close to a deal
February 25, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Ireland's prime minister said Saturday that the U.K. and the European Union are “inching” closer to agreeing on a deal to resolve a thorny post-Brexit dispute in Northern Ireland.
Leo Varadkar told reporters that he believed an agreement may be possible within days.
Intense talks, familiar wrangles as UK, EU seek Brexit reset
February 23, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Senior U.K. and European Union officials met Thursday as part of what Britain called “intensive negotiations” to resolve a thorny post-Brexit trade dispute that has spawned a political crisis in Northern Ireland.
IRA dissidents suspected of shooting N Ireland detective
February 23, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — A senior Northern Ireland police officer was in critical but stable condition in a hospital after two masked men shot him after he coached a children’s soccer team, authorities said Thursday.
Off-duty police officer shot and wounded in Northern Ireland
February 22, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — An off-duty police officer was shot Wednesday in Northern Ireland, where paramilitary groups have previously attacked members of the security services.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the officer was injured in a shooting at a sports complex in Omagh, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Belfast.
UK PM splashes cold water on prospects of quick trade deal
February 18, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday sought to dampen optimism about an imminent settlement in the dispute over post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland that has brought political turmoil to the region and clouded relations with the European Union.
Flurry of activity signals deal is near on Brexit trade feud
February 17, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K, the European Union and Northern Ireland’s bitterly divided political parties said Friday that progress was being made on resolving a post-Brexit trade dispute that brought economic headaches and political turmoil to the region.
UK PM travels to NIreland amid hope post-Brexit deal is near
February 16, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Northern Ireland on Thursday evening to meet with local political leaders, a sign that the U.K. and European Union may be nearing a settlement of the post-Brexit trade dispute that has brought economic headaches and political turmoil to the region.
Scottish leader Sturgeon quits with independence goal unmet
February 15, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said Wednesday that she plans to step down after more than eight years in office, amid criticism of her drive to expand transgender rights and her strategy for achieving independence from the United Kingdom.
N Ireland politics stay stuck as organ-donor law bid fails
February 14, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s main British unionist party scuttled an attempt to restore the collapsed Belfast-based Assembly on Tuesday, refusing to budge on a Brexit-related boycott that has kept the legislature on ice for a year.
Wang, Del Rey atop leaderboard in Singapore Classic
February 11, 2023 GMTSINGAPORE (AP) — Wang Jeung-hun and Alejandro del Rey both shot 6-under 66 on Saturday to sit atop the leaderboard after three rounds of the Singapore Classic.
McKibbin, Ding in lead at weather-affected Singapore Classic
February 10, 2023 GMTSINGAPORE (AP) — Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland and Chinese amateur Ding Wenyi were tied for the lead at the Singapore Classic when play was suspended by darkness Friday.
UK gives Northern Ireland more time to form a new government
February 9, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. is giving Northern Ireland more time to form a new power-sharing government, eliminating the threat of elections that could derail efforts to renegotiate a post-Brexit trade deal for the region.
UK to probe whether 1998 Omagh bomb could have been stopped
February 2, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K. government said Thursday it will hold a public inquiry into whether the deadliest bombing in Northern Ireland’s decades of violence could have been prevented.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris announced a judge-led independent probe of the 1998 car bombing in the town of Omagh that killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, and wounded hundreds more.
Irish premier hopeful deal can be reached in post-Brexit row
January 12, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Irish premier Leo Varadkar said after meeting with political leaders in Northern Ireland Thursday that he remained hopeful an agreement can be reached between the European Union and the U.K.
UK, EU inch closer to deal over N. Ireland-Brexit trade spat
January 11, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s foreign minister met politicians and businesspeople in Belfast bearing good news Wednesday: The U.K. and the European Union are inching closer to settling a post-Brexit trade dispute that brought economic headaches and political turmoil to Northern Ireland.
Ex-Rep. Joe Kennedy III named envoy to Northern Ireland
December 19, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration named former Rep. Joe Kennedy III as a special envoy to Northern Ireland on Monday, turning to a member of a storied Irish American political dynasty to deal with post-Brexit economic tensions.
Northern Ireland police vehicle hit in suspected bomb attack
November 18, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Police in Northern Ireland said Friday that two officers escaped injury when their vehicle was damaged by a homemade bomb. The force said it was treating the attack as attempted murder.
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.
Rishi Sunak seeks thawed relations at UK-Ireland summit
November 10, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aimed to repair frayed relations with Britain’s European Union neighbors — and with highly skeptical leaders in Scotland and Wales — when he attended a summit of leaders from across the U.K.
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 Northern Ireland vote to restore power-sharing
November 4, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland elections aimed at restoring the region’s power-sharing government have been delayed until January amid concerns about holding them during the holiday season, the U.K.
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.
Brexit crisis pushes N Ireland to brink of new election
October 27, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland is headed for an unwanted early election after its deadlocked lawmakers failed Thursday to break a political impasse triggered by Britain's exit from the European Union that has shaken the power-sharing structure underpinning the region's hard-won peace.
Ian Baraclough fired as coach of Northern Ireland
October 21, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Ian Baraclough was fired as coach of Northern Ireland on Friday after a poor campaign in the Nations League.
The team had targeted promotion in the Nations League but barely avoided relegation from the third tier after collecting only five points from a possible 18.
Lafferty banned for 10 games in Scotland for sectarian slur
October 20, 2022 GMTGLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty was handed a 10-match ban by the Scottish Football Association on Thursday for using a sectarian slur toward a fan.
A video showed the 35-year-old Lafferty appearing to pose for a photo with a fan who then expressed support for Celtic, the defending Scottish champion which traditionally is supported by people of Catholic faith.
UK, Ireland signal new hope of deal to end Brexit trade feud
October 7, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain and Ireland hailed a new spirit of compromise on Friday in a grinding feud over post-Brexit trade rules, expressing hope of making enough progress in the next three weeks to avoid a destabilizing new election in Northern Ireland.
Dave Caulkin, Associated Press photographer, dies at 77
September 25, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Dave Caulkin, a retired Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic moment when ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the 1984 Olympic gold medal, has died. He was 77 and had cancer.
Northern Ireland withdraws player over alleged slur
September 23, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Northern Ireland took Kyle Lafferty out of its squad Friday for Nations League games after a video on social media appeared to show the veteran striker use a sectarian slur against Celtic.
At UN, Biden, Truss seek to smooth over N Ireland divide
September 21, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss declared themselves staunch allies Wednesday as they tried to patch up a divide over Brexit’s impact on peace in Northern Ireland.
US-UK relations enter new chapter as new PM, king settle in
September 17, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — President Joe Biden arrived in London to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II at a time of transition in U.S.-U.K.
What’s next for the UK as Queen Elizabeth II laid to rest
September 13, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The death of Queen Elizabeth II set in motion a tightly choreographed series of ceremonial and constitutional steps, as Britain undergoes a period of national mourning and enters the reign of King Charles III.
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.
Stark claims 3rd LET title and gets LPGA Tour membership
August 14, 2022 GMTBALLYMENA, Northern Ireland (AP) — Maja Stark of Sweden closed with a 10-under 63 on Sunday and won the ISPS Handa World Invitational for her third victory this year on the Ladies European Tour, and this one with an additional perk.
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.
Tributes paid to Northern Ireland peacemaker David Trimble
July 26, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — David Trimble helped end decades of violence in Northern Ireland by shunning his hardline unionist past and negotiating with a former foe in pursuit of a goal they both shared: Peace.
David Trimble, architect of N Ireland peace deal, dies at 77
July 25, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — David Trimble, a former Northern Ireland first minister who won the Nobel Peace Prize for playing a key role in helping end Northern Ireland’s decades of violence, has died, the Ulster Unionist Party said Monday.
Austria beats Norway, sets up Euros quarterfinal vs Germany
July 15, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Austria set up a Women’s European Championship meeting with Germany by eliminating star-studded Norway 1-0 on Friday.
Nicole Billa's header in Brighton clinched the win that sealed second place in Group A, leaving Norway in third place despite being able to deploy 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.
England women’s coach Wiegman tests positive for COVID
July 15, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — England women's coach Sarina Wiegman tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss their match against Northern Ireland on Friday at the Women's European Championship.
The host nation has already advanced to the quarterfinals with a game to spare after an 8-0 rout of Norway on Monday.
Mead hat trick powers England to 8-0 rout of Norway at Euros
July 11, 2022 GMTBRIGHTON, England (AP) — Beth Mead’s hat trick propelled England to a Women's European Championship record 8-0 rout of Norway on Monday in a ruthless display that sent the host nation into the quarterfinals with a game to spare.
Norway routs Northern Ireland 4-1 to open women’s Euros bid
July 7, 2022 GMTSOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Norway didn’t need Ada Hegerberg to score to cruise to an opening victory at the Women’s European Championship on Thursday, beating tournament newcomer Northern Ireland 4-1.
Germany, Ireland slam UK move toward overriding Brexit deal
July 3, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Germany and Ireland have condemned the U.K government’s move towards unilaterally rewriting parts of the post-Brexit deal with the European Union.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Irish counterpart Simon Coveney said there was “no legal or political justification” for overriding the agreed trade rules in Northern Ireland.
Johnson’s move to rewrite Brexit rules clears 1st hurdle
June 28, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s bid to rip up parts of the post-Brexit trade deal he signed with the European Union has cleared its first hurdle in Parliament, despite warnings from opponents that the move is illegal.
UK presses on with Brexit rules rewrite; EU calls it illegal
June 27, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signalled Monday that a plan to rip up parts of the post-Brexit trade deal he signed with the European Union could become law by the end of the year.
EU sues UK over move to rewrite post-Brexit trade rules
June 15, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union sued Britain on Wednesday over its move to rewrite the trade rules agreed to when the country left the EU two years ago, ratcheting up tensions between the major economic partners.
UK moves to rewrite Brexit rules; EU threatens legal action
June 13, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s government on Monday proposed new legislation that would unilaterally rewrite post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland, despite opposition from some U.K.
UK to introduce bill next week to breach Brexit deal with EU
June 10, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The British government said Friday it will introduce a bill next week to override parts of the Brexit trade treaty it signed with the European Union before the U.K. quit the bloc in 2020.
Billy Bingham, former NIreland player and coach, dies at 90
June 10, 2022 GMTBELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Billy Bingham, a former Northern Ireland soccer player who twice guided the national team to two World Cups as a coach, has died. He was 90.
Bingham's death was announced Friday by his family in a statement.
Irish leader sees no UK will to end Brexit trade standoff
June 8, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The British government appears to have no political will to resolve its festering trade dispute with the European Union and risks endangering the hard-won peace in Northern Ireland, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said Wednesday.
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.”
N Ireland party leader pans Pelosi’s warning on Brexit terms
May 20, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is facing criticism from the leader of Northern Ireland’s biggest unionist party after saying Congress won’t approve a trade deal with the U.K. if Britain scraps the agreement governing post-Brexit trade on the Irish island.
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.
UK ramps up threat to rewrite Brexit deal with the EU
May 11, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain and the European Union were once again at loggerheads over Brexit on Wednesday, after the U.K. government ramped up threats to scrap parts of its trade treaty with the bloc, saying the rules are blocking the formation of a new government in Northern Ireland.
Unionist party refuses to form new N Ireland government
May 9, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, which lost last week’s local elections, refused Monday to return to a power-sharing government saying it will not do so until its demands over post-Brexit customs arrangements are met.
N.Ireland parties urged to work together after Sinn Fein win
May 8, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K., U.S. and Irish governments have urged rival parties in Northern Ireland to come together to resurrect its power-sharing government after Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein scored a historic victory to become the biggest party in Northern Ireland's Assembly.
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.
EXPLAINER: What’s next for N. Ireland after Sinn Fein wins?
May 7, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The election of Sinn Fein as the biggest party in Northern Ireland’s Assembly is a historic moment -- the first time an Irish nationalist party, rather than a British unionist one, has topped the voting.
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.
Coach apologizes for saying women ‘more emotional than men’
April 13, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The coach of Northern Ireland’s women’s team apologized Wednesday for saying girls and women are susceptible to conceding multiple goals in a short space of time because they are “more emotional than men.”
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.
UK to offer COVID vaccine to all children 5-11
February 16, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — British authorities will offer a coronavirus vaccine to almost six million children from age 5 to 11, officials said Wednesday.
The government said young children will be offered a low-dose COVID-19 shot on a “non-urgent” basis beginning in April in England.
Judge says post-Brexit N Ireland border checks must continue
February 4, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — A judge in Belfast on Friday suspended an order by Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister to halt border checks on goods from the rest of the U.K. that were imposed under the Brexit agreement struck between the U.K.
N. Ireland 1st minister quits amid battle over Brexit checks
February 3, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland's First Minister resigned Thursday as tensions over Britain's departure from the European Union triggered a fresh political crisis in the region.
Paul Givan stepped aside after one of his ministers tried to block the inspection of goods arriving from other parts of the U.K.
N Ireland orders halt to border checks in new Brexit glitch
February 2, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister on Wednesday ordered a halt to post-Brexit border checks at ports, another complication in a saga that has soured relations between the U.K. and the European Union.
Northern Ireland marks 50 years since Bloody Sunday
January 30, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in Northern Ireland to mark 50 years since “Bloody Sunday,” one of the deadliest days in the conflict known as The Troubles.
Thirteen people were killed and 15 others wounded when British soldiers fired on civil rights protesters on Jan.
Biden names major Democratic donors as UK, Denmark envoys
January 19, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced his intention to nominate prominent Democratic fundraiser Jane Hartley to serve as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and major donor Alan Leventhal to serve as his envoy to Denmark.
UK says there is ‘deal to be done’ to resolve feud with EU
January 14, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain’s foreign minister expressed optimism Friday that there is a “deal to be done” to resolve a Northern Ireland trade dispute that has soured the U.K.’s relations with the European Union.
New year, same feud: UK-EU resume talks on Brexit trade spat
January 13, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called for Britain and the European Union to rebuild their relationship, as she and bloc’s top Brexit official met Thursday for talks on a thorny dispute over Northern Ireland trade.