UK inflation eases more than expected to 2.8%, led by lower electricity and gas bills – as it happened

Food inflation slows to 3%, led by meat and chocolate; prices of computer game downloads drop sharply; economists say benign inflation data reduces chances of June rate hike

US employers spend more than $1.5bn a year to fight labor unions, report finds

Critics say employers spend money hiring union-avoidance consultants and lawyers while not investing in workers

UK delays some sanctions on Russian oil and gas amid Middle East conflict

‘Short-term’ measures on import of jet fuel and diesel, and shipping of LNG, aimed to help tackle soaring prices

More than £52m reserved for social housing at risk after collapse of investment firms

Exclusive: 3,500 social homes could switch to private sector after companies run by Heylo Housing group go into administration

George Soros group pledges $300m to US economic security and civil liberties

Billionaire philanthropist’s Open Society Foundations has worked to advance justice and human rights around world

EU agrees to implement US trade deal struck last summer

MEPs had twice frozen ratification process in protest at Trump’s threats to increase tariffs and take control of Greenland

Call for food price caps ‘completely preposterous’, says M&S boss

Stuart Machin argues government should reduce tax and regulatory burden on supermarkets instead

Germany urged to stop admiring Beijing and wake up to ‘China Shock 2.0’

‘China has already eaten much of German industry’s lunch and is preparing to start on dinner,’ thinktank says

UK inflation slows to 2.8% as energy price cap softens impact of rising fuel costs

Lower than expected April annual rate a lift for Rachel Reeves as impact of Iran war yet to fully hit households

Scrap stamp duty and council tax to fix London housing crisis, thinktank says

Centre for London report finds levy on property wealth would free up homes, fund social housing and help renters save for deposits

UK supermarkets urged to consider voluntary price caps on essential foods

Retail sources rebuff government proposal as ‘unjustified’ and likely to push costs up across board

Spending watchdog warns £38bn cost of Sizewell C nuclear plant is ‘risky’

National Audit Office says potential benefits are ‘considerable but uncertain’ while risks are ‘immediate and substantial’

Billionaire Trump donor in line to make millions from Thames Water bid

Paul Singer is founder of a leading creditor in the hedge fund consortium locked in talks with the UK government

Paramount expresses support for CBS News leader Bari Weiss amid criticism

Online publication Puck previously reported Weiss could be moved to a new role with less oversight of the network

Can Burnham turn ‘Manchesterism’ into a practical offer for government?

Roots of idea for ‘ending neoliberalism’ have been growing over many months – with many different influences