What the papers say: Thursday's front pages

Here are the biggest stories making headlines this Thursday.

The Irish Times reports that grade inflation has “seriously disadvantaged” some students by forcing universities to use lotteries for entry to some high points courses.

The Irish Examiner reveals that a 29-year-old man in Australia was sentenced to 17 years for sexually blackmailing almost 300 girls and women across 20 countries, including Ireland.

Tusla told prospective foster parents they had to lose weight before they would be allowed to care for a child, according to the Irish Independent.

The Irish Daily Mail says Government officials want the pension age to be linked to growing life expectancy.

"Mobster" Liam Roe was a suspect in some gangland shootings, according to the Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star.

The Belfast Telegraph has details on the rape and murder of a 68-year-old woman in Derry.

The European Union takes much of the focus of British front pages.

The Daily Mirror and The Independent both run with Keir Starmer’s efforts to hit reset on Brexit, with the British prime minister meeting with German and French leaders to reforge ties with the EU.

MIRROR: Brexit Reset #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/YZC1hQUQhU
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— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

INDEPENDENT: Starmer takes step closer to EU - but won’t reverse Brexit #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/XdI3TzNivI

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

The i reports EU leaders are eager to leverage Britain’s desire for a bolstered bond with the bloc, calling on Mr Starmer to ease youth immigration rules in exchange.

I: Starmer must give way on youth migration to get softer Brexit, EU sources claim #TomorrowsPapetsToday pic.twitter.com/iFk2aleGEW

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

Also in Brussels, the Financial Times reports the EU is to investigate Russian-owned encrypted texting service Telegram after concerns surfaced of falsified user data which may contravene the bloc’s digital regulations.

METRO: 3 pints and you’re out #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/JZGufWvWK5

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

Moving onto immigration, The Guardian says a thinktank has claimed the then-Conservative-run Home Office “woefully understated” the cost of asylum to the British public during its time in office and has accused the Tories of a fiscal cover-up.

GUARDIAN: Tories ‘woefully’ understated the cost of asylum, claims thinktank #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/2acCUJBHzR

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused Keir Starmer of “failing to act” on asylum seekers after more than 500 were intercepted crossing the English Channel on Tuesday.

EXPRESS: Farage: Not a word from our PM on boats crisis! #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/zVVcqKcl2X

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

Meanwhile, in Westminster, the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail claim anti-motorist tax hikes could be on the way despite pre-election promises to the contrary.

📰 The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:

'Fuel duty could be next in tax grab'#TomorrowsPapersToday

Sign up for the Front Page newsletter 👇https://t.co/JIMevXsl8s pic.twitter.com/8MIa4oFdYQ

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 28, 2024

MAIL: Motorists face fuel hike under Starmer’s squeeze #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/SkeVgpacJF

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

The Times writes that Westminster has been warned that disaster would be “inevitable” if the UK government chooses to release thousands of convicted criminals early to ease prison overcrowding.

TIMES: Mass release of inmates ‘rolls the dice’ on crime #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/QPUBBiqeJw

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

The Sun splashes with a possible ban for both smokes and booze in beer gardens across the country.

THE SUN: No cigarettes and alcohol #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RkIIRJxu3R

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

Ryanair wants to impose alcohol restrictions on airline passengers after an uptick in alcohol-fuelled violence on planes, as per the front page of the Metro.

METRO: 3 pints and you’re out #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/JZGufWvWK5

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) August 28, 2024

Lastly, the Daily Star runs with a tale on the lucky survival of a pilot and passenger after a glider crash-landed in the middle of a road on Tuesday.