Brexit and election weigh on sentiment as builders suffer eighth month of contraction

French regulator says agency failed to verify false story that sent Vinci shares down 18%

Countries ban exports in attempt to protect environment as consumption is set to soar

Failed outsourcer’s work on Liverpool and Birmingham hospitals running years behind schedule

Middle East building downturn that began in 2015 shows little sign of abating

PMI rises to 8-month high on reduced uncertainty but downturn continues

The technology has significant potential to shake up the construction sector

Properties changing hands for tens of thousands less than market value

Activity grew at its fastest pace in more than a year in February

Targets to include more women mean little without cultural change in the industry

Should the UK deliver its promises, infrastructure contractors will be in for a bonanza

Taylor Wimpey and Barratt halt work in effort to stem spread of coronavirus

Move comes amid escalating political row with London’s mayor over coronavirus risks

Mixed messages follow industry protests over 2-metre distance ruling

Companies with strong balance sheets are best placed for post-crisis rebuild

Work in the sector slows at fastest rate since financial crisis

Coronavirus damage to economy drives eurozone investor sentiment to a record low

Lockdown threatens UK’s push to tackle national housing shortage

Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry set to reopen some operations

Differences remain but Europe leaders are growing accustomed to US president’s style

Commission president sets out Brussels’ plan for CO2 border adjustment mechanism

Chief executive defends government’s handing of protesters and police conduct

But its coal addiction and authoritarian system mean it will struggle to take a global lead

The pro-Beijing venture capitalist on Trump, China’s rise — and Xi Jinping’s ‘little red app’

The UK’s decision on Huawei should give the US cause for reflection as much as reproach

It is not illegitimate to change borders, but it must be done through negotiation

The UK is being belligerent, the EU inflexible. But a deal can be done this year

Human rights are regressing worldwide and the UN’s ability to defend them is under attack

It is an illusion to see victory for the former US vice-president as a geopolitical calendar reset

Arguments for authoritarianism and against democracy will be made with increased boldness

The pushback against globalisation will come from protectionists, national-security hawks and greens

As the human and economic damage mounts, old political divides are likely to re-emerge

Gillian Tett on the city's struggle to contain the virus and the financial fallout

Why the Germans and Dutch are right to resist this way of sharing coronavirus costs

Two questions serve as a reality check on excessive American declinism

How do democracies measure up against autocratic regimes in handling the pandemic?

It is easy to take advantage of frightened people who have accepted infringements on freedom

Gro Harlem Brundtland on lessons of SARS and how to handle a pandemic

Several long-running conflicts are edging towards a temporary halt to hostilities

Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, Hannah Kuchler and Gideon Rachman assess the next stage of the coronavirus crisis

An inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 is needed if important lessons are to be learnt

Activist investor sought to take control of strategy at French group led by Arnaud Lagardère

The ECB’s asset purchases are vital to the stability of the eurozone

Alternative providers fear it will harm competition in market for loans to small business

Private equity firms in separate discussions to back coronavirus-hit Serie A

Union Investment says new outside executives are needed to move the company on after special audit

Jean Pierre Mustier’s nascent turnround derailed as bank slips to first-quarter loss

Strategists expect concerns about eurozone stability to dent the currency

Deka Investment urges chairman to act quickly to end crisis of confidence in payments group after special audit

European Commission seeks to strengthen enforcement powers after banking scandals