Almost 2,000 more new cases as NI infection rate continues to soar

Another 11 people have died after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in NI.

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Subscribe              Dec 31, 2020           Good evening,   As we head into the final moments of 2020, many of us are reflecting on what has been a very different year to the one we imagined at this time 12 months ago.   The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has brought so much uncertainty, disruption and tragedy since March - but the outbreak has also shown us the best in people; showing care, compassion, love and strength.   We may be seeing out this year in a different way to how many of us normally would, but we can still focus on what hopefully will be a better year ahead.   Reliable and accurate news has never been more important and your continued support helps us keep our readers well-informed, entertained and inspired.  Thank you to everyone who supports what we do in any way.   Why not start off the New Year with a digital subscription to have unlimited access to the work of our top journalists, thought-provoking columnists and exclusive content from as little as £1 a month? Check out your subscription options here.       Or you can gift a whole year of our online content to a loved one here.   Stay safe and all the very best for 2021.   Valerie Martin, Head of Content.           Coronavirus NI: 1,322 people now dead after testing positive for COVID-19 - 495 people in our hospitals and 34 fighting for lives in ICU - 1,929 more infections - 107 patients with COVID-19 in NI Care homes           Another 11 people have died after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in NI.                 Education minister changes plans for reopening of NI schools due to increasing cases of COVID-19   Education Minister Peter Weir has announced revised plans for schools reopening after the Christmas break following recent advice on the current situation of the epidemic, levels of transmission and numbers of cases.           Education minister Peter Weir blasted by teaching union for making announcement two weeks 'too late'   Northern Ireland teachers have welcomed the delay of face to face teaching next week but say it's two weeks too late.           Rollout of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines - will begin from GP Practices from January 4   The Department of Health has published guidance for health and social care staff in relation to the Covid-19 vaccination programme.           Owen Polley: It is true that Covid probably will change our world for good and that should worry us   In June, the head of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Klaus Schwab, told world leaders to use the Covid-19 crisis to implement a "great reset" of capitalism, writes OWEN POLLEY.                 View more news

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New school re-opening dates announced + full NI New Year Honours list

Your daily news update from the Belfast News Letter

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Subscribe              Dec 31, 2020           Good afternoon,   Welcome to your lunchtime update on the last day of 2020 from the team at the News Letter.  I hope you enjoy this specially selected round-up of news, sport, features and opinion pieces.   It is fitting that at the end of a very bleak year we celebrate those who have made a difference across Northern Ireland in all walks of life. The Queen's New Year Honours List recognises the service of people from a diversity of backgrounds and our reporters have been catching up with as many of these inspirational individuals as possible.    Check out the full list of local recipients here and take a moment to enjoy our stories of their success by clicking on the headlines below and on our website.   Thank you for reading this newsletter. It is more important than ever that the public in Northern Ireland have access to fact-checked, accurate information, so if you haven't already, then please consider taking out a digital subscription with us from just £1 a month.  Check out your subscription options here.      Take care.   Valerie Martin, Head of Content.           The Northern Ireland protocol and how it could change everyday life           The Northern Ireland Protocol governing trade between Great Britain and the region comes into effect when the Brexit transition period ends at 11pm on New Year's Eve.                 New Year Honours: Kingsmills survivor Alan Black dedicates MBE to those who helped him through 'tough years' and the bereaved families   Kingsmills massacre survivor Alan Black has dedicated his MBE – announced tonight – to the community which helped him survive the trauma, and the 10 families bereaved in the atrocity.           New Year Honours: Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan says BEM 'a huge honour'   A 21-year-old champion gymnast from Northern Ireland has been awarded a BEM, in a key recognition of the sport.           New Year Honour: Transgender fire chief in Co Down is made an MBE   A member of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has been made an MBE for her work in helping the LGBTQ community.           Republic of Ireland moving into Level 5 coronavirus restrictions for at least a month   Ireland will face Level 5 coronavirus restrictions for at least a month, the taoiseach has announced.           We should worry that Covid will indeed change world   In June, the head of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Klaus Schwab, told world leaders to use the Covid-19 crisis to implement a "great reset" of capitalism.           New Year Honour: Principal of first integrated school gets an MBE   The principal of Northern Ireland's first integrated secondary school, who is set to be made an MBE, has paid tribute to her colleagues.           New Year Honour: Top hotelier Lord Rana is made a CBE   One of Northern Ireland's most successful entrepreneurs has been made an OBE.           New Year Honour: Acclaimed pianist Barry Douglas is made a CBE   An internationally acclaimed concert pianist from Lurgan has been honoured in the New Year list.           Secretary of state kept meeting tobacco firm against health advice – and conveyed their pro-cigarette lobbying to chancellor: Declassified file   The secretary of state repeatedly met with one of the UK's largest cigarette manufacturers well into the 1990s – despite regular advice from health officials not to do so, declassified documents reveal.           'Cunning and capable' Bertie Ahern's republicanism could be an asset, British diplomats thought   Two and a half years before Bertie Ahern became Taoiseach, the British Embassy in Dublin profiled him as the potential occupant of that position and someone whose republican background could help him sell a compromise deal.               Jonny McCambridge: Diego Maradona, Paolo Rossi and the heyday of the Panini sticker albums   In a time before games consoles, mobile phones and drones, there was instead the Panini sticker album.       Picture special: 2020, A year through the photographers lens   A year like no other with many lows but still a few highs.                             Isle of Man TT ace John McGuinness 'humbled' after being awarded MBE in 2021 New Year's Honours List           Isle of Man TT great John McGuinness says he is 'humbled' after being awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List.                   FLASHBACK: Test your sporting knowledge   Test your sporting knowledge with our daily quiz:       Darren Cave hails the impact of Ulster's rising stars   Ulster's joint appearance record holder Darren Cave has praised the impact of young centre duo James Hume and Stewart Moore as Ulster have won all nine games this season in the Pro14.       On This Day in 1989: Brian Clough celebrates his 1000th game as a manager   Brian Clough celebrated his 1000th game as a manager with victory on this day in 1989 as Nottingham Forest won 3-2 at Tottenham.                   View more news

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