Newspaper headlines: 30 days to do a deal and HS2 'heading for buffers' By BBC News

Staff Published duration 22 August 2019

image copyright Getty Images image caption Mr Johnson met the German chancellor in Berlin on Wednesday

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's challenge to Boris Johnson to come up with an alternative solution to the Irish border issue within 30 days dominates the front pages.

The Daily Telegraph says it is being seen as "a victory" for Mr Johnson that could help him "fend off Tory rebels" opposed to a no-deal Brexit.

The Daily Mail welcomes what it calls "signs" that the prime minister could be "on the brink of a triumphant breakthrough".

But the Daily Mirror describes it as an "ultimatum" and says if Mr Johnson falls on his face it would serve him right for over-promising.

The Times focuses on what it calls the expected "harsher" position of President Emmanuel Macron. The paper says the French leader warned that a no-deal Brexit would be of Britain's own making and questioned whether the cost of such an exit could be offset by a trade deal with the US.

The Financial Times quotes the head of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee, who says Mr Johnson had taken the trip only to show UK voters he had tried everything, so he could then blame EU intransigence.

The Times reports that the prime minister's senior aide, Dominic Cummings, called HS2 a "disaster zone," days before it was announced the rail project was to be reviewed.

The paper's editorial says cancelling the project "could be an easy win", given opposition to the scheme among Conservatives but cautions that there is a case for spending on infrastructure.

The Financial Times reveals that experts from within the rail industry doubt the plans will be scrapped but rather tweaked to place more focus on efforts to improve links to northern cities.

There is a warning in the Telegraph that nearly two million pensioners are being put at risk after being prescribed lethal cocktails of drugs. The paper says it is causing a rise in emergency hospital admissions.

According to the Express one-in-50 cases recently have proved fatal.

The Royal College of GPs explains in the Mail that many older people live with multiple and complex conditions.

The Mirror and the Times warn that sitting down for more than nine hours a day increases your risk of dying early.

The Mail and the Guardian advise, after examining the same study from Norway, that dusting or washing the dishes can add years to your life.

image copyright Getty Images image caption More than 700,000 pupils are receiving their GCSE results on Thursday

As teenagers wait to find out their GCSE results, the i says head teachers fear they could lose their jobs if performances are poor.

Pupils face having to get higher grades to get into state sixth forms, according to the Times

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson reveals in the Telegraph that his top priority is to help teachers tackle poor behaviour in schools.

The paper says staff will be given training to make them tougher with unruly children.

A man who likes to spend £500 a month on tanning treatments tells the Sun that his habit cost him a mortgage.

Karl Dinis believes his lender rejected his application after finding out about his tanning injections through an online search - a suggestion rejected by the mortgage provider.