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Welcome to Wednesday, Europe. Here’s the latest news and analysis from Bloomberg Economics to help you start the day:

• U.K. shop prices rose in March at the fastest annual pace in more than a decade
  • The U.K. is debating delaying checks on EU imports to avoid adding fresh costs to businesses and consumers
  • Britain’s economy may flirt with recession this year, Bloomberg Economics said
• The ECB should raise rates twice this year to increase its policy room, Governing Council member Robert Holzmann said
• Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker said he is open to a half-point move in May
• China is a “systemic rival” that poses a threat to the German economy, according to Finance Minister Christian Lindner
• Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an old ally to Vladimir Putin, faces a tough vote as war rages next door
• Half of Russia’s 20 richest people have not been sanctioned over the war in Ukraine, leaving a group of powerful billionaires free to operate around the world
• The Bank of Japan looks set for a short-term victory as interventions helped push down bond yields
• Hong Kong’s home prices will slump about 20% in the next four years, according to Goldman Sachs

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