Italy's inflation decreases to 1.6 pct in May
The agency reported that the country's core inflation rate, which excludes energy costs and fresh food prices, fell to 1.9 percent in May, down from 2.1 percent in April.
ISTAT said the slowing growth of energy prices, although still mostly higher than a year earlier, was a key factor behind the decline in May's overall inflation rate.
Inflation in both Italy and the broader eurozone has fallen sharply from the record highs of 2022 and early 2023, which were driven by soaring energy prices following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
EU-US tariff deal "unsatisfactory", "imbalanced"
BRUSSELS: A senior European lawmaker has strongly criticised a draft trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), warning that it could undermine the bloc's economic stability and job security, reported Xinhua. Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, described the proposed framework, which includes a 15 per cent tariff on all EU exports to the US, as "unsatisfactory" and "significantly imbalanced." The tariff rate, he noted, would represent a fourfold increase over current average levels, while the EU would commit to zero tariffs on US goods. "This is a deal with a slant. Concessions have been made that are difficult to bear," Lange said in a statement on Sunday. US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced earlier in the day that the two sides had reached a trade agreement, under which the US would impose a baseline tariff of 15 per cent on EU goods. Although both leaders described the deal as a step toward restoring "trade balance" and promoting more equitable two-way commerce, the agreement allows Washington to levy broad tariffs while securing zero-tariff access for a range of strategic American exports. In contrast, the EU has pledged to purchase US$750 billion worth of American energy and commit an additional US$600 billion in investments in the US. Lange noted that while Trump publicly declared a blanket 15 per cent tariff during remarks following the talks, he had earlier explicitly excluded certain sectors, including steel and pharmaceuticals. He added that increased European purchases of US energy, particularly liquefied natural gas, were anticipated, as the EU continues efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian fossil fuels. However, Lange criticised the US$600 billion in planned additional investments, including increased funding for US military technology, calling such measures contrary to European economic interests. He likened the pressure tactics used in the deal to those Washington employed in recent negotiations with Japan. "Overall, this deal will contribute to weakening the EU's economic development and harming its gross domestic product," he said.
Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Ultra-fast charging powers EV use in China's mountainous regions
Electric vehicles are charged at the Quanhu Park station equipped with ultra-fast liquid-cooled chargers in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 13, 2025. (Xinhua) GUIYANG (July 28): Nestled in the hills of Guizhou, a mountainous province in southwest China, a new generation charging station is elevating the experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The Quanhu Park station in the provincial capital of Guiyang, covering over 3,900 square meters, has 130 charging bays that offer charging speeds of nearly 'one-kilometer-per-second.' This advancement comes as China faces mounting infrastructure demands from its rapidly growing EV fleet. National data shows a charging market still dominated by low-power units, with fast charging underrepresented and ultra-fast technology only beginning to emerge. In July, four central government departments jointly released a roadmap aiming to build over 100,000 high-power charging points nationwide by the end of 2027 to achieve substantial upgrades in service capacity and tech innovation. Co-developed by Hubei Shanxin energy technology group and China Southern Power Grid's Guizhou EV service company, the Quanhu Park station represents Guizhou's first liquid-cooled integrated facility combining ultra-fast charging, solar power, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) energy exchange. 'Our aim is to match the refueling efficiency of petrol vehicles, ultimately boosting premium EV adoption,' said Lin Xiaolan, a director at Shanxin Energy, highlighting the station's multi-functional design as the template for future infrastructure. Equipped with 20 ultra-fast liquid-cooled chargers with a maximum power of 600 kW, 100 fast chargers with a maximum power of 250 kW, and 10 bidirectional V2G units of 20 kW, the station can serve 120 vehicles simultaneously with rapid charging. This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows the Quanhu Park charging station equipped with ultra-fast liquid-cooled chargers in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua) An intelligent system displays real-time operational data and manages energy flows across charging, solar power generation, and battery storage subsystems. Station manager Shi Jihong noted that charging between midnight and 8 a.m. — the period of lowest electricity rates — caters primarily to ride-hailing drivers and taxi drivers that favor low-cost charging. 'This is the premier charging experience,' said Che Zhong, a ride-hailing service driver, praising the environment and minimal queuing. It only takes 50 minutes of charging to get enough electricity for a day. China Southern Power Grid's Guizhou EV service plans comprehensive ultra-fast coverage across Guizhou's urban centers and widespread fast-charging availability in county-level areas, steadily weaving a network that promises seamless EV operation even in one of the country's most mountainous regions. – Xinhua charging station China electric vehicle rural area
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Cambodia records 50.7pc rise in tourist arrivals from China
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has reported a 50.7 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of Chinese tourists in the first half of 2025, said Xinhua, citing the Tourism Ministry's report released on Saturday. A total of 586,771 Chinese visitors travelled to the Southeast Asian country during the January to June period, it said. The number of Chinese tourists accounted for 17.4 per cent of the total 3.36 million international tourist arrivals to Cambodia in the first half of this year, it said, adding that China was the third-biggest source of foreign holidaymakers after Thailand and Vietnam. Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said the 50.7 per cent increase in Chinese visitors in the first half indicated strong and growing interest from China. "With the easing of travel restrictions and increased bilateral cooperation, I expect this trend to continue into the second half of the year," he told Xinhua. "The rising middle class in China, coupled with targeted marketing and expanded flight routes, should further boost Chinese arrivals. However, maintaining this growth will depend on sustained flight connectivity, visa facilitation and the appeal of Cambodia's tourism offerings to Chinese travellers." Bernama-Xinhua
