What the papers say

Journalist Fionola Meredith takes a look at what is making the headlines in Tuesday's morning papers.

Flu and economic gloom - those are the grim topics that occupy the local papers.

The Irish News describes how the worsening flu outbreak is "stretching emergency services to breaking point".

All non-emergency surgery has been cancelled at Belfast's three main hospitals, as all the intensive care beds fill up with patients suffering flu-related illnesses.

'Anti-social habit'

The paper takes a dim view of those who cough and sneeze without covering their mouth - this "anti-social habit is spreading disease", it says.

As for the money woes, the Belfast Telegraph focuses on "Northern Ireland's beleaguered retail sector", which looks set for a fresh battering as major retailers - like Debenhams and Marks and Spencer - brace themselves for gloomy updates this week.

According to the Times, it's looking bad - it reports that M&S will announce massive job losses on Wednesday after "dire Christmas trading".

Over at the News Letter, Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey is calling for a savings tax break for pensioners - he says "in these tough economic times, it's essential that those who have saved throughout their lives aren't penalised".

Back with the Belfast Telegraph's editorial, the paper warns of an exceptionally tough year ahead, and urges us to brace ourselves.

'Arctic Monday'

Don't be expecting a lot of laughs from the tabloids either. The Sun says yesterday was "Arctic Monday".

With plunging temperatures, 1,000 more jobs axed, and 2.4 million workers calling in sick, the paper says that the start to 2009 just got worse.

Inside, page 3 model "Sam, 22, from Manchester" is distressed that Morris dancing looks set to become extinct.

"We are losing too many of our traditions," she frets, "let's hope Morris men keep waving their hankies for years to come".

And finally, strangest headline of the morning goes to the Guardian: "Mills and Boon whisper sweet nothings in cauliflower ears."

It turns out that the romance publisher has teamed up with the Rugby Football Union to produce a series of tales about tall, dark and handsome rugby heroes.

Here's a flavour - in The Ruthless Billionaire's Virgin, the heroine stands to sing the national anthem only to suffer a "wardrobe malfunction" from which she is saved by the chivalrous hero.