What Thursday's papers say

IRISH TIMES

- The Irish Times leads with news that thousands of patients may need to have their medical tests redone after a major flaw was identified in the Health Service Executive's computer system. At least 25,000 X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds taken since 2011 are affected by the error, discovered last week.

- The paper reports that the Connecticut bankruptcy court in the US has found property developer Seán Dunne to be in contempt of court for disobeying a subpoena compelling him to produce e-mails about his property dealings to his bankruptcy official.

- In business, the paper reports on figures from the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland showing a big increase in mortgage drawdowns in the second quarter of 2017, indicating a resurgence in the property market.

- The paper says Irish writers, sculptors and painters saw their earnings increase in 2015, as the amount of tax relief claimed under the artists' exemption scheme almost doubled to €10.8 billion.

FINANCIAL TIMES

- The Financial Times leads with an analysis which finds that the chief executives of Britain's biggest companies saw their pay fall on average by nearly £1m last year, following pressure from investors and politicians. The average pay of FTSE 100 chiefs fell 17 per cent to £4.5m in 2016, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

- The FT says US president Donald Trump has reluctantly signed legislation imposing sweeping new sanctions on Russia, while lashing out at the bill as "seriously flawed" and "unconstitutional".

- The paper reports that rap star Kanye West is suing his insurers, claiming they failed to pay out after he cancelled dates on his Saint Pablo tour last year. According to the suit, the insurers have suggested they may deny the claim due to "the unsupportable contention" that marijuana use by the star may have caused the medical condition which forced the cancellations.

- The FT says superhero film Wonder Woman lifted Time Warner's sales and profit past Wall Street expectations in the second quarter, with revenue at Warner Bros film studios jumping 12 per cent. Wonder Woman has grossed $800m at the global box office.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- The Irish Independent leads with reaction to suggestions from Department of Finance officials that capital gains tax could be imposed on family homes, which are now exempt. The paper says older people and farmers would take to the streets in response, and quotes Michael Dowling of the Irish Brokers Association as saying that people were enraged at the suggestion.

- Lidl Ireland managing director John Paul Scally has told the paper the German retail chain could boost its footprint in Ireland to as many as 200 stores in a move that would probably involve an investment of at least €300m.

- The Irish Independent says airline representatives have urged European border controls to introduce an emergency plan to avoid massive queues for passengers at airports this weekend. This follows lengthy airport queues caused by stricter passport controls.

- The paper says the ESB is billing itself as Britain;s cheapest electricity and gas provider as it prepares to take on giant incumbents in the multi-billion euro market there. Its new British consumer business, ESB Energy, will fully launch this autumn.

IRISH EXAMINER

- The Irish Examiner says the Port of Cork has confirmed its purchase of the long-disused IFI plant in Marino Point, Cobh, in a joint venture with Wexford-based Lanber Holdings which will see the site developed for additional cargo handling.

- The paper reports on yesterday's Exchequer figures, quoting a Department of Finance spokesperson as saying that it was still confident of hitting revenue targets despite unexpectedly hitting a speed bump over Vat revenues.

- The Examiner says Irish Water plans to have spent €5.5 billion between its foundation in 2014 and 2021, but it has told an Oireachtas committee that the funding of the capital investment scheme is a matter for the Government.

- In business, the paper reports that the Irish arm of British insurer RSA posted a £2m profit for the first half of the year, and said it was targeting a profit for the full year despite a "challenging" market.