Newspaper headlines: Covid rates reach 'all time high'

The FT Weekend examines the impact of record high Covid infection rates on companies.

The Federation of Small Businesses reveals that one in seven firms had reported they could not trade fully because of staff absences.

The Guardian says there are urgent calls from medical experts for the return of free testing.

The chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, tells the Independent that health trusts are nervous about the withdrawal of lateral flow tests and the "significant" risk still posed by the virus.

The i leads on the cost of living crisis and speculation that Chancellor Rishi Sunak may have to to call an emergency budget before the summer.

The Sun suggests the Conservatives did themselves no favours by arranging a champagne and canapes event at Claridge's Hotel in London for Boris Johnson and senior ministers on Thursday, on the eve of the energy price rise.

As the government tries to expand the UK's energy production, the Daily Telegraph says officials have been asked to see how 7,000 new onshore wind turbines could be built in the next 13 years.

The Times says that despite the reservations of some of his MPs, Mr Johnson believes the government needs to consider relaxing rules to treble onshore wind power.

But an ally of the prime minister has told the Guardian Mr Johnson would not be pushing for turbines in England, but they might be considered an option in Scotland.

The Times says it is thought a Russian helicopter has been shot down in Ukraine by a British advanced portable missile system.

It says Ukrainian forces have been given intensive training to use the Starstreak missile.

The Daily Express and Daily Star are among several papers to examine claims that President Vladimir Putin has been visited many times by surgeons specialising in thyroid cancer.

The Express says that investigative journalists from Project Media suggest different doctors saw him on more than 130 occasions.

The Telegraph reports that as well as using steroids, the Russian leader has taken to bathing in blood extracted from severed deer antlers as an alternative therapy.

Sign up for a morning briefing direct to your inbox

Reporting on the fraud trial of the Turkish businessman, Selman Turk, the Daily Mail says he gave money to the Duke of York's children.

The Express suggests England's football manager got lucky with the side's World Cup group of the USA, Iran and one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine.

The Sun calls it a "dream draw" that will raise the team's "hopes of glory".

The Weathergirls song inspires its headline: "It's Iranian men, hallelujah!" While a nursery rhyme is the basis for the Mirror's "Yankee Doddle Dandy."