Newspaper headlines: Johnson and Biden's 'love-in' and PM mulls 21 June delay

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-57436753

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson described US President Joe Biden as a "breath of fresh air" as the two leaders met in Cornwall on Thursday for the G7 summit of world leaders, reports the Daily Mail. The paper says the pair and their families bonded with a display of "extraordinary warmth" on their first ever meeting.

The Daily Express quotes Mr Johnson as saying there is a "massive amount" their partnership could achieve. The paper says the pair also agreed to step up preparations for a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and US.

But the Guardian says the G7 summit risks being overshadowed by a "bitter Brexit stand-off" between France and the UK. French President Emmanuel Macron increased pressure on Mr Johnson over post-Brexit regulatory checks on goods going into Northern Ireland from Great Britain, the paper says, insisting "nothing is negotiable".

In other developments, ministers are considering delaying ending coronavirus restrictions in England for a month to give businesses "certainty" and allow more time for people to receive two vaccinations, the Times reports. The paper says plans are being discussed to push back the end of lockdown - planned for 21 June - by either two or four weeks.

The i says a shortage of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine over the next few weeks could also hit hopes for what some have dubbed "freedom day" 21 June. It comes as clinical trials begin for a new vaccine to protect against coronavirus variants.

The Metro says Health Secretary Matt Hancock caused "outrage" when he defended his performance during the pandemic, at an appearance in front of MPs. Mr Hancock said Britain had never had a shortage of personal protective equipment, despite medical staff having to wear bin bags earlier in the pandemic, the paper reports.

The Daily Mirror says Mr Hancock faced a "furious backlash" for his claims about PPE. One nurse quoted by the paper says: "The families of those affected by callousness deserve an apology."

The Daily Star jokes about the health secretary's remarks being "totally believable". It features a mocked-up image of him with a Pinocchio-style nose.

The Sun previews the start of the delayed Euro 2020 football championships with an editorial aimed at England's footballers. The paper says 56 million people will be following the players and in return "you can give this football-mad nation hope, unity and, perhaps, some joy".

Finally, the Financial Times reports that US consumer prices increased by the most in nearly 13 years in May compared with a year ago, the Financial Times reports. The jump exceeded economists' forecasts, the paper says, fuelling a debate over whether the US economy is at risk of overheating.

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