Up to 60% of new Covid-19 infections in NI are Kent variant + NI lockdown 'interrupted potential catastrophic crisis'

Good morning
In the news today:
* The Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr. Michael McBride has warned that reopening schools at the wrong time could see the infection rate increase up to 50 per cent.
* Unionists have accused the EU of not listening to those flagging up concerns about post-Brexit Irish Sea trading arrangements.
* The PSNI is perfectly free to say if it is running criminal investigations into civilians at a victims commemoration on the Ormeau Road in Belfast on Friday, despite claiming to the contrary, the Police Ombudsman has said.
* The Gaelic Athletic Association should make a fair contribution to the cost of building the new Casement Park stadium, unionists have said.
* Micheal Martin: I hear what unionism is saying on NI Protocol, but they need to take a different tack.
And
* A group of Ulster cricketers are lending their support to a former Ireland international who is preparing for life in a wheelchair due a rare hereditary disorder.
Michael Cousins
Deputy digital editor

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