The Papers: Madeleine suspect latest and Covid infection rates

Newspaper headlines: Madeleine suspect linked to second missing girl

By BBC News Staff
The Daily Mirror front page 6 June
Image caption The Daily Mirror, like many of Saturday's newspaper front pages, leads with the Madeleine McCann suspect who has reportedly been linked to the disappearance of a five-year-old girl in Germany. The farmhouse of the suspect, named in reports as Christian B, was searched after the child, Inga, went missing in 2015. Police found child abuse images, but no body, the paper reports. Because of German privacy law, and the BBC website being accessible in Germany, the BBC has not included his surname, nor that of the missing five-year-old German girl, Inga.
The Daily Express front page 6 June
Image caption The Daily Express also leads with news that the prime suspect in Madeleine's disappearance is being linked to the case of a second missing girl.
The Daily Telegraph front page 6 June
Image caption "Green light for no-fault 'quickie' divorces," is the lead story on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. The divorces will be legal from as early as next month, the paper reports, as reforms are due to be voted on in the Commons on Monday. However, the proposals face opposition from potentially dozens of Conservative MPs, the paper adds, with concerns they may lead to a spike in divorces. Divorce inquiries have reportedly jumped by more than 40% during lockdown. The investigation into the German suspect in Madeleine's disappearance and the abduction of missing German girl, Inga, also features prominently on the front page.
The Daily Mail front page 6 June
Image caption The Daily Mail leads with "Boris Budget to fire up UK", reporting that the PM is planning to draw up a "Great Recovery Bill" to cut red tape and help kickstart the economy. Ministers have been told to put forward ideas for reforms that would allow firms to adapt to the pandemic upheaval, the paper reports. The Mail features the Madeleine development prominently, reporting on the "chilling" link between the missing British child and German girl Inga eight years later.
The Times front page 6 June
Image caption "Plans to open shops all day on Sundays," is the lead story on the Times. The paper reports that Sunday trading laws will be suspended for a year and cafes and pubs will be given fast-track approval to serve food and drive outside under plans to bolster the economy. The paper says that Downing Street is drawing up the package of measures following concerns that Britain could face mass unemployment as it emerges from lockdown.
The Financial Times Weekend front page 6 June
Image caption There is "no sign" of the summer Budget, the FT Weekend reports, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak delays his "stimulus plan" until the autumn. Mr Sunak wants to wait until the problems facing the economy are clear before making further spending commitments, the paper reports. Across the Atlantic, there has been a surge in jobs, fuelling recovery hopes, the paper adds. It comes after US employers unexpectedly added 2.5 million jobs to payroll, lowering the unemployment rate from 14.7% to 13.3%.
The Guardian front page 6 June
Image caption The Guardian leads on reports that the World Health Organization has advised over-60s to wear medical face masks. Ministers face pressure to rethink rules on face masks, the paper reports, following WHO guidance that simple coverings are inadequate for the public. The news comes after the government declared face coverings would be mandatory in England on public transport from 15 June. Also on the front page is a report that a Conservative MP spearheading efforts to promote the contact tracing app trial on the Isle of Wight might have broken lockdown rules.
The i weekend front page 6 June
Image caption "Follow the science? Ministers ignored it on testing," is the lead headline on the i's front page. The paper reports that UK leaders "disregarded" advice on test and trace plan to escape lockdown. Ministers reportedly overruled scientists who wanted tracing to start when symptoms first show. The paper says that official notes reveal experts and politicians were still "underestimating" Covid-19 in March.
The Sun front page 6 June
Image caption "Baldies are hit hardest by virus," is the lead story on the Daily Star's front page. The paper reports that bald men could be at greater risk of dying from Covid-19, following a study that found almost three quarters of men who have been hospitalised do not have hair on their head.
The Sun front page 6 June
Image caption The Sun leads with an exclusive interview with television presenter Kate Garraway whose husband Derek Draper is critically ill after contracting Covid-19. The paper reports that Ms Garraway was told by doctors to prepare for the "second worst case scenario" of him possibly being in a coma permanently.

The Madeleine McCann investigation makes many of the front pages again.

The Daily Mirror and the Daily Express are among those to print images of a German girl, whose disappearance five years ago has been linked to the same man suspected of involvement in the the British case.

The Sun says police are preparing to "dig up land" around two Portuguese properties where the suspect lived for a while.

The Daily Telegraph says detectives are keen to trace a string of the man's former girlfriends - including a British woman with whom he is believed to have lived in the Algarve before Madeleine went missing.

Other papers focus on how the government plans to steer the economy through the coronavirus pandemic.

Image caption A picture of the suspect, Christian B

"Boris Budget to Fire up UK" is the headline on the front of the Daily Mail - which says the PM minister is drawing up what is being called a "Great Recovery Bill" to get the economy moving again.

The paper says the Chancellor - who is already under pressure to lower VAT and stamp duty - is also considering giving employers a National Insurance holiday.

The Mail says a mini-budget has been pencilled in for July - but The Financial Times thinks there is unlikely to be any major announcements until the autumn.

It reports that any financial update during the summer months will "fall far short" of an emergency budget, with details of a big stimulus package of tax cuts and spending not announced until later in the year.

There could be other changes afoot before then though, according to The Times, which says the government is planning to suspend Sunday trading laws for up to 12 months.

Mr Johnson - reportedly supported by the Chancellor - thinks the move could help retailers get back on their feet, amid "mounting concerns" of impending mass unemployment.

The paper says other proposals under consideration could see pubs and cafes given "fast-track approval" to serve food and drink outdoors - while planning laws could be simplified to make it easier for properties to switch between residential and retail use.

Image copyright Press Associaion

Many of the papers pick up on concerns that infection rates are rising in some parts of England.

The Guardian says a study suggesting the reproduction rate of the virus has risen above one in the north-west of England has put pressure on the government to bring in tougher lockdowns in some areas. 

Elsewhere, millions of people who have taken up a new hobby while in lockdown may experience an unanticipated benefit, according to scientists.

The Daily Mail says rewarding pastimes including baking and gardening have been shown to aid a good night's sleep.

But be warned. Becoming obsessed with your chosen leisure activity could have the reverse affect - with the study showing those who allowed their hobby to dominate their life, literally lost sleep as a result.

Many of Saturday's newspaper front pages have named the suspect in the Madeleine McCann case. Because of German privacy law, and the BBC website being accessible in Germany, the BBC has not included his surname, nor that of the missing five-year-old German girl, Inga.

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