TENS OF thousands of workers took to the streets yesterday in an Irish Congress of Trade Unions-inspired “day of protest” against the Government’s budgetary strategy, particularly plans to cut the public sector pay and pensions bills by €1.3 billion in the December budget. The anger of the marchers was understandable. They are not responsible for the dire economic circumstances now facing the State. But the Government mismanaged the economy, is now broke and simply cannot afford to pay its bills. The level of borrowing for day-to-day spending is such that, should it continue unchecked, the prospects for an early economic recovery would be grim.

Ethiopia’s highlanders live in a stunning basalt landscape of endless canyons and soaring volcanic peaks. It’s a destination that even family-holiday-averse teenagers will fall for. And an Irish Aid project means that staying here benefits locals directly, writes MANCHÁN MAGAN

Mamree Lodge near Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, has paddocks for ponies and terraced gardens running down to the River Nore – and it’s been completely restored, writes MICHAEL PARSONS

ULSTER BANK made an operating loss of £85 million (€95 million) in the third quarter as impairments soared and margins were squeezed, according to a trading update from its parent bank, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0:Captain John Terry headed Chelsea five points clear at the top of the Premier League today when his 76th-minute goal secured a 1-0 home victory over champions Manchester United.

According to two reports this week, young Irish people - and men in particular - are bearing the brunt of the recession, with potentially devastating effects on their lives and the economy. Members of the so-called 'lost generation' discuss their plight. CARL O'BRIEN,Chief Reporter

ENTREPRENEURS:Setting up a business might seem a daunting prospect but the recession has done nothing to dampen the entrepreneurial spirit of some. EOIN CUNNINGHAMmeets six Celtic cubs who went from bust to boom to find out more about the challenges facing start-up businesses

INTERVIEW:On tour for his novel set during the Roman empire, former political journalist and best-selling author Robert Harris talks frankly about Tony Blair, almost draws a complete blank on Brian Cowen and defends his old friend Roman Polanski, writes ROSITA BOLAND