Newspaper headlines: Biden under pressure and Cavendish’s Tour de France record

Political coverage and commentary takes up most of the front pages. The BBC, along with other broadcasters, is not allowed to report details of campaigning while the polls are open.

Away from the UK election, a number of papers report on speculation that US President Joe Biden is considering ending his bid for a second term in the White House. It follows a shaky performance by Mr Biden in his first debate against Republican contender Donald Trump last week.

The Guardian reports that, at a briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Mr Biden was “absolutely not” thinking about stepping back and that he had been “very clear” he was busy doing his job.

A CBS News poll which indicated Mr Biden was in the lead a month ago found that Trump was two points ahead following the debate, according to The Financial Times. The paper says Mr Biden is under mounting pressure to withdraw, as Democratic politicians, party operatives, and donors question his prospects.

The paper also reports on the impact that Hurricane Beryl, which became the earliest category five Atlantic hurricane on record as it moved across the Caribbean this week, is having on the insurance sector. It says the storm has “battered” shares as insurers prepare for significant losses and fuelled fears that warming oceans will worsen such storms in the future.