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At last night's virtual meeting the Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to reduce the five day Christmas bubbling arrangements in the region to just one day. It's understood flexibility will be afforded to people working on December 25 to enable them to bubble on another day over the festive break.

Meanwhile First Minister Arlene Foster cannot say if the dangerous COVID-19 variant is in Northern Ireland - but it is “probable it is here”. Speaking on Good Morning Ulster she said that four cases have been identified and samples have been sent to England for analysis.

A miracle toddler who defied the odds to overcome a series of life-threatening illnesses during four months in intensive care is set to spend his first Christmas at home. Caden Coburn from Lisburn was due on Christmas Eve last year but arrived 15 weeks early weighing only 1lb 10oz. 

And, Give My Head Peace will return for four fun-filled episodes, but there’s also a poignancy to the BBC NI comedy series as the cast bids farewell to BJ Hogg. BJ, who played Big Mervyn in the show, died in April during lockdown at the age of 65. 

Have a good day

Michael Cousins

Deputy digital editor