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

Chief Jon Lewis admits outsourcer has ‘more to do and requires more investment’ than expected

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

Housebuilder Barratt furloughs all but 15% of workforce and slashes executive pay

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 epidemic could weaken Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, feed conspiracy theories and lead to closed borders

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

Miles Johnson and Daniel Dombey discuss the lockdowns in Italy and Spain

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

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

Gideon Rachman talks to Joseph Nye about the role of morality in shaping foreign policy

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

Player values tumble as Europe’s top teams prepare to cut spending after pandemic weakens revenues

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

Commission warns pandemic will wipe out growth in all member states and result in an uneven recovery

Pexip deal marks bright spot in otherwise bleak European IPO market

Combination of O2 and Virgin Media set to transform British telecoms market

Airline forecasts capacity will be almost wiped out in the second quarter