Thursday evening UK news briefing: Boris Johnson and Joe Biden signal unity in first meeting ahead of G7 summit

Joe Biden and Boris Johnson sought to play down suggestions of a rift as the pair joked at the start of their first-ever in-person meeting.

The US President had put the cat among the pigeons after a senior member of his team warned Lord Frost he was "inflaming" the situation in Northern Ireland.

In public, the pair were all smiles as Mr Biden said the two men "have something in common - we both married way above our stations". Read Mr Johnson's response.

While the pair are keen to signal the strength of the special relationship, tensions are bubbling up over the Northern Ireland protocol and Mr Biden's intervention.

Nile Gardiner argues Mr Biden should keep his sneering anti-British, anti-Brexit views to himself.

James Crisp analyses how, hamstrung by the Brexit deal, the EU is considering its retaliation over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

For Mr Biden, the Cornish seaside air will be a welcome relief from the bickering that has engulfed his domestic agenda in Washington.

Nick Allen reveals all on the President's headaches at home.

It also emerged Mr Biden and his wife will be welcomed at Windsor Castle by the Queen with a Guard of Honour on Sunday, followed by afternoon tea.

With the summit beginning in earnest tomorrow, Mr Biden will want to restore American credibility while Mr Johnson will try to cement relationships to vindicate his post-Brexit vision of "global Britain".

Roland Oliphant analyses what each world leader wants from the G7 summit.

Hancock denies lying to PM as he is quizzed by MPs

Matt Hancock has denied lying to Boris Johnson at any point during the pandemic, telling MPs he has always been driven by "honesty and integrity". The Health Secretary was questioned over allegations made by the Prime Minister's former aide Dominic Cummings to the Commons health and social care committee and science and technology committee. In a marathon four-and-a-half hour session, Mr Hancock also said the Delta variant first identified in India now comprises 91 per cent of cases of coronavirus in the UK. Read a blow-by-blow account of the session.

England 2.0: How Gareth Southgate rebuilt after 2018

On the eve of a major tournament, England fans are often gripped by a mix of hope and nagging pessimism. The 2018 World Cup has fostered some optimism but England have not gone deep in successive major tournaments since 1970. Yet with a squad of young, exciting players, Gareth Southgate can end that at Euro 2021. Jason Burt examines how the manager rebuilt after 2018. The other big question is what the commentary on TV will be like. Alan Tyers analyses which channel has the best punditry team. You can download your tournament wall chart, use our sweepstake kit and read the Telegraph's Euro 2021 predictions.

At a glance: Coronavirus evening briefing

• Covid symptoms | Most common 'are now headache and sore throat'

• 'Grim milestone' | Record 5m waiting for NHS hospital treatment

• Travel latest | Foreign trips risk 'screwing up' unlock, says Shapps

• New strategy | Denmark scraps mask wearing in public

• Drinker vs landlord | Should apps and table service stay in pubs?

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

'Excessive intrusion' | The Earl of Wessex has acknowledged that the family drama surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's departure from royal life is "very sad," adding: "It's difficult for everyone, but that's families for you." Prince Edward, 57, could not avoid the subject dominating headlines as he gave two television interviews to mark what would have been his father, the Duke of Edinburgh's, 100th birthday.

• Trans debate | 'Gender critical' beliefs must be tolerated, rules judge

• Fishmongers' Hall | Police 'lawfully killed' terrorist, inquest finds

• Rhodes row | Boycotting Oxford tutors are 'useless', says Rees-Mogg

• Victim blaming? | 'I let my daughter wear modesty shorts to school'

• Telegraph readers | Why are millions heading for a retirement crisis?

Around the world: Navalny vows to fight on after ruling

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Russian opposition leader, has vowed to fight on despite a court ruling outlawing his entire movement, saying he is supported by millions of Russians who will keep fighting against President Vladimir Putin's corrupt regime. The move marks the Kremlin's most daring attempt to do away with significant opposition.

Thursday big-read

Car crash, adultery, addiction: Can Tiger Woods still bounce back?

He's the comeback king of golf, but as the US Open begins next Thursday, Jim White reveals how all the talk is about Tiger Woods' continued absence

Read the full feature

Comment and analysis

• Robert Taylor | Queen backing BBC over Harry marks turning point

• Tom Harris | Why has Starmer abandoned Duffield over trans debate?

• Judith Woods | 'Half-lockdown' is turning us into a nation of tutters

• Barney Henderson | Time to change the rules on being 'gazumped'

• Robbie Collin | Is 'creepy' Indiana Jones a cradle-snatcher? No

Editor's choice

1. 'Ring of fire' | Solar eclipse seen in UK and around the world - watch

2. Alastair Campbell | 'Cabinet is a recipe for mental illness – more ministers should open up'

3. Weinstein, delays and identity politics | The difficult birth of the film of the summer

Business and money briefing

Rising costs | US inflation has soared to the fastest annual rate since the financial crisis, fuelling worries that the world's top economy is running hot. See a graph showing how prices are at their highest since 2008.

• 'Toxic' and 'rotten' | BrewDog boss under fire for workplace culture

• Ben Marlow | BT must not become plaything of maverick billionaire

• On top of markets | Live stocks and shares updates 24 hours a day

Sport briefing

England vs New Zealand | After a solid start, England steadily lost wickets in their first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston. Follow live.

• Summer tests | Eddie Jones picks 21 uncapped players

• Comment | Cancel culture would have destroyed Lions legends of '74

• French Open | What happened in the women's semi-finals

Three things for tonight

• Watch | Statue Wars: One Summer in Bristol, BBC Two, 9pm

• Listen | Scientist tells Planet Normal podcast lockdowns are 'mistake'

• Plan | The 12 best UK gardens to visit this June

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Duke of Edinburgh's Award | On the day the Duke would have turned 100, Camilla Tominey spoke to five young people whose lives have been transformed by the scheme founded in his name.