Titanic shipyard rescued from bankruptcy

LONDON - Iconic Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff, which built the Titanic, has been rescued from bankruptcy by InfraStrata, the British energy infrastructure company announced Tuesday.

The giant of Northern Ireland's industrial past has been purchased for £6.0 million or $7.4 million from administrators BDO, InfraStrata said in a statement.

This shipyard's main assets "comprise a multi-purpose fabrication facility, quaysides and docking facilities in the port of Belfast, ideally suited for the energy infrastructure industry," the statement said.

As well as building the doomed Titanic, which sank in 1912, Harland and Wolff built its two sister ships Olympic and Britannic, and also supplied almost 150 warships during World War II.

It has since moved away from shipbuilding and was until recently working mostly on wind energy and marine engineering projects.

Harland and Wolff, whose history dates back to 1861, sank into administration in August after its Norwegian parent, Dolphin Drilling, filed for bankruptcy having failed to find a buyer.

Harland and Wolff, whose huge yellow cranes have towered over the Belfast skyline for decades, employed more than 30,000 people in the early 20th century but had only 130 staff prior to its collapse.

"The 79 employees who did not opt for voluntary redundancy earlier in the year will be retained immediately following completion of the acquisition," InfraStrata said.

"The InfraStrata board plans to significantly increase the size of the workforce by several hundred over the next five years as it progresses the development of its infrastructure projects."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Donaire lauds Frampton, plans to move down in weight

MANILA – Former world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire was the picture of class following his unanimous decision loss to Carl Frampton in their featherweight showdown in Belfast on Saturday (early Sunday in Manila).

Frampton put on a show in his hometown, and won with scores of 117-111 across the board. In the process, he earned the interim WBO featherweight championship.


Donaire had no complaints about the scores and immediately hugged Frampton when the decision was announced. Backstage, he was again shown congratulating the younger fighter and saying "I'm cheering for you."

Frampton earned a shot at the WBO's regular belt, as well as the IBO featherweight belt, with his triumph.

"First of all, always want to thank God for keeping me safe in that ring. Not taking anything away from Frampton. He is an amazing fighter, smart and a tough mf," Donaire said on social media after his bout.

"Congratulations… may you continue to be on top," he added.

Donaire, who sustained his fifth career loss, also said that he intends to move back down in weight after a difficult campaign as a featherweight.

"My team, family, and Ringstar will have a meeting but I think it has already been predecided that although I have done my best to gain weight and keep my weight on and strong, it's best I move back down in weight," he said.

Donaire's biggest success came when he was a super bantamweight. As a featherweight, he has compiled a 2-2 win-loss record; one of those defeats was a stunning knockout at the hands of Nicholas Walters.

Still, Frampton was wary of Donaire's power and commended the Filipino star for his effort following their bout.

"Nonito Donaire was dangerous from start to finish. I stuck to the game plan and at times my boxing was beautiful," said Frampton, who was rocked by Donaire during the 11th round of the bout but stayed strong.

Donaire's record dropped to 38-5 with the result.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Queen Elizabeth II tours 'Game of Thrones' set

BELFAST - Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip visited the set of hit TV show "Game of Thrones" in Northern Ireland Tuesday -- receiving a replica of the throne to crown her visit.

During the set tour in Belfast, the monarch was presented with a miniature Iron Throne, the massive black, snarled mesh of melted swords fought over by rival families in the global hit HBO series.

She also met actors from the show including Maisie Williams, 17, who plays Arya Stark and 18-year-old Sophie Turner, who stars as her sister Sansa.

It is not known whether the Queen is a "Game of Thrones" fan but her youngest son Prince Edward and his wife Sophie are reportedly avid viewers.

Scenes from the series are filmed in the city's Titanic Quarter, named after the doomed liner which was built in Belfast before sinking on its maiden voyage in 1912.

"Game of Thrones" has brought investment worth £82 million plus 900 full-time and 5,700 part-time jobs to Belfast, whose economy is now growing after decades of unrest in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com