Other News In Brief

Walk-In Vaccination Clinics Announced For Balmoral Show

Walk-in vaccination clinics have been announced for the Balmoral Show in an effort to increase uptake in farming and rural communities.

Vaccination will be offered to the farming community through the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs and the Public Health Agency's collaborative Farm Families Health Checks Programme.

The Health Checks Programme consists of a mobile unit that visits local livestock markets and community events across Northern Ireland. It offers on-the-spot physical and mental health checks covering such areas as blood pressure monitoring, BMI, cholesterol check and diabetic screening – and now Covid-19 vaccination as well.

Health Minister Robin Swann said: "Vaccination is essential to getting through this pandemic. Initiatives to further increase take-up are continuing and these include these specific initiatives tailored for the farming and wider rural community.

"I would urge anyone who has not already come forward for their jab to do so without delay. Vaccination protects us and the people who are close to us. Every additional vaccine helps our health service as it faces into an extremely challenging winter period."

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots said: "I very much welcome the walk-in clinics planned for the Balmoral Show. This is one of the biggest events in the Northern Ireland calendar and those attending will have ready access to vaccination. I am also pleased that my Department in collaboration with the Public Health Agency and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust plan, in the coming weeks to facilitate vaccinations in low uptake rural areas through utilising the Farm Families Health Checks staff and mobile screening vehicle.

"The last 18 months have been exceptionally difficult for our farmers and the rural community in general. Vaccination is a crucial part of our route map to better times."

Thunderstorm Warning Issued For Thursday

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for thunderstorms on Thursday 09 September.

The weather warning comes into effect at 10am and remains in place until 8pm, with "torrential downpours" expected in some places.

The forecaster has said that flooding is possible in areas where rain is heaviest.

Arlene Foster To Stand Down As MLA Later This Month

Arlene Foster has announced that she will stand down as MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone later this month.

Mrs Foster stepped down as leader of the DUP in May, and First Minister in June. Announcing her retirement on Tuesday night, she said that the process to select her successor had already begun.

Mrs Foster was briefly replaced as leader by Edwin Poots, who remained in the job for just 21 days.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson then replaced Mr Poots and remains party leader, while Paul Givan is First Minister.