THE SCALE of the problems facing Aer Lingus are reflected in its sizeable losses – €108 million last year and a further €93 million in the first half of 2009 – and the rate at which the airline is haemorrhaging cash as it struggles to return to profitability. Time is not on its side. By last June, the company’s net cash position had almost halved in just 12 months – declining by some €363 million. And since then, its cash balance has deteriorated further. Unless the airline makes far-reaching changes to its cost base, its future as an independent operator is not sustainable.

Gilles Peterson was sent to seek out the young, urban sounds of Cuba, and the result is a record featuring some of the finest unsigned talent in the rapidly changing communist country, writesKEVIN COURTNEY

Dominated for a decade by rampant spending, the recession is forcing us to restore some balance to Christmas, writesCONOR POPE

In recent years, Dubai became a beacon of the new Middle East, but now it teeters on the edge of ruin, its excesses typified by ‘The World’ development – featuring an empty blob of sand called Ireland, writesCONOR PURCELLin Dubai

Telecoms firm Talk Talk to create new positions at its contact centre outside the city

Racing:The trainer of Sea the Stars today hailed the “burning ambition” of Mick Kinane that kept the veteran jockey at the top of his game during an outstanding 34-year career. John Oxx’s colt had six Group One wins this year including the 2000 Guineas-Derby-Arc treble, leaving Kinane with virtually nothing left to achieve.

SOME 40 per cent of nine year olds in the State say they have been the victim of bullying in the past year, according to research published yesterday.

It’s the success stories of getting kids back to class that keep school attendance manager Michael Doyle going in what can be a very difficult job, writesGRÁINNE FALLER

MONITOR:I’VE MANAGED TO AVOID having turkey for Christmas, ever. Turkeys undoubtedly deliver something of a convenient edge, and with some good shopping, flavour too. But I find them a challenge. It’s a leg and breast thing, all that golden crispy skin and the need for moistness underneath. Maybe I’m just turkey challenged and need to face up to my weaknesses. This could be the year.

BRIDGET HOURICANreviewsDon’t Mention the WarsBY Tony Connelly New Island 385pp, €17.99