A BBC package finds that the gender pay gap has widened in about half of UK companies but, over in the Guardian, there's a reminder that the headline figures don't tell the whole story.

The Indo reports that local councils are set to lose yet another power, while the Examiner suggests nurses will back Labour Court proposals going to ballot following Monday's INMO executive recommendation.

On Brexit, it's reported that May is poised to make a written offer to Corbyn (perhaps one he can refuse) as the Central Bank predicts a 'no deal' crash-out would mean Sterling-Euro parity. Meanwhile, European Council President Donald Tusk hints at greater flexibility over the UK's departure date, and the Journal attempts to summarise what's going on.

In other news, Scouting Ireland has a go at Tusla, a preliminary report into the Ethiopian Airlines crash exonerates the plane's pilots, and Siptu's health claim (see last Friday's Digest) is pretty much re-reported in the Irish Times.

Don't forget to look at the latest union ebulletins, which went to over 50,000 Fórsa members earlier this week. Thanks to all who alerted us to stories.

Zen today answers the question on everyone's smiling lips. Why do people always look so miserable in old photos?

Watch out for the measles, and have a blast this weekend.

Bernard