Newsround: what Wednesday's papers say

The top stories in Wednesday's papers:

THE IRISH TIMES

- The newspaper leads with the story that more than 30 per cent of applications to the government's symphysiotomy redress scheme were unfounded as the women were unable to show that they had the procedure, according to an official report.

- It also reports that the Cabinet has moved to fill a number of vacancies in senior positions of An Garda Síochána less than a week after Garda Commission Nóirin O'Sullivan warned that "critical" roles within the force needed to be filled.

- In a report on yesterday's Public Accounts Committee, which heard evidence from UK firm Lazard, the paper reports that Nama wanted a quick sale of its Northern Ireland loans because it feared losing an offer for the assets from US company Pimco.

- In its Business & Commercial Property supplement, the paper says that the Department of Finance has caved in to political pressure to severely restrict a key tax exemption offered last month to ease the impact of a high-profile clampdown on overseas funds holding Irish property.

FINANCIAL TIMES

- Philip Hammond will put cheaper housing at the heart of the Autumn Statement today but his efforts to help "just about managing" Britons will be tightly constrained by a £100 billion deterioration in the public finances and fears of a Brexit shock.

- The paper also reports that soaring temperatures in the Arctic this month have shocked scientists as November temperatures were almost minus five degrees when they are normally closer to minus 25.

- The FT Big Read features the US economy as it reports that although manufacturing output has hit record highs, employment in the sector is in long-term decline as businesses rely on automation. It says Donald Trump's pledge to restore jobs to faded regions will be hard to fulfil.

- In its Companies & Markets section, it reports that Volkswagen has unveiled an overhaul of its underperforming VW brand aimed at tripling its profit margin and eventually cracking the US market.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- Big investment banks are being discouraged from setting up in Ireland after Brexit because some officials here view them as too high risk. It says the Central Bank has reportedly indicated to global investment banks they would face a tough time getting approval to shift operations here.

- It also reports that Transport Minister Shane Ross was forced to back down on a demand that he be allowed support a referendum on Ireland's neutrality after a furious cabinet row with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

- RTÉ chiefs have yet to make up their minds on proposals to sell up to €50 million worth of land at the station's Montrose base, part of a 'master plan' prepared for Minister for Communications Denis Naughten on its management of assets.

- The paper also reports that Donald Trump will note seek to pursue a criminal investigation against Hillary Clinton over her email scandal and charitable foundation and wants to help her "heal" following their brutal election battle.

IRISH EXAMINER

- A mental health campaigner has called for the establishment of a 24/7 "emotional wellbeing centre" in response to the carnage caused by the suicide crisis sweeping Cork. The paper reports that 16 people have died by suspected suicide in the region in the last two weeks.

- Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the UK's intention to slash its corporation tax is of significant concern to the government although it remains the dark as to what exact form Brexit will take.

- The paper's Business Section reports that two sectors of the economy - hotels and restaurants and construction - provided a major jobs boost in the past year but Ireland's long-term jobless rate remains at an elevated level.

- It also says that Pottermore, JK Rowling's digital publishing company, expects to turn a profit in its current fiscal year, buoyed by rising sales of audio books and new ebooks that build on the nearly 20-year old Harry Potter franchise.