DUBLIN, Aug 21 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Ireland's newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy:

THE IRISH TIMES

- Economic gloom intensified yesterday as new figures showed that unemployment has soared to its highest rate since 1999, and a total of 500 jobs were lost in Co Cork and Co Offaly.

- The government is being urged to publicly condemn Russia over its alleged use of cluster munitions against Georgian civilians last week.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday told his successor Brian Cowen to "knuckle down" and get us out of the economic crisis.

- The row over immigrants' language skills deepened last night after a Fine Gael senator called for a mandatory English test for all foreigners entering the country. - A government minister conceded last night that deep spending cuts in the wrong places could tip Ireland into recession.

IRISH EXAMINER

- Pay increases for Irish workers are running far ahead of those among the EU's wealthier nations.

- Bertie Ahern last night rejected responsibility for the recession as he opened up about his post-power life of babysitting and sports presenting.

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