Meloni Looks to Moody's to Finally End Italy's Near-Junk Status
Italy is just two days away from the chance to start shaking off the near-junk status that has hung over Giorgia Meloni's premiership.
The prime minister and her colleagues are awaiting a potential review verdict on Friday from Moody's Ratings. That company's shift in August 2022 to place Italy on negative outlook at the last rung of investment grade cast a shadow over the election victory she clinched just weeks later.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Car and Driver
35 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
2026 BMW XM Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview Some letters carry a lot of weight in BMW nomenclature, with "X" and "M" being two of the most significant badges in all of Bimmerdom. Xs are reserved for SUVs, while Ms mark the touch of the fabled BMW Motorsport division; put them side by side and you end up with the BMW XM super-SUV. With all-wheel drive and ample space for five passengers in a seriously lavish cabin, the X holds up its end of the bargain. The M is where things get tricky; its 738-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain makes the XM Label a certified rocket, but it lacks the overall finesse expected of Bavaria's motorsport maestros. The sole trim on offer is a pricey proposition, especially considering the BMW X7 is more practical and nearly as capable for far less money. What's New for 2026? BMW has whittled down the XM lineup for 2026, ditching the entry-level XM and leaving the XM Label as the sole trim. The XM Label gets a few fresh exterior options, including a new BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue paint color, a revised welcome light animation, and a Jet Black finish for the 23-inch wheels. There are also new interior themes to choose from, combining three new hues of Merino leather with either brown or black accents. AC charging speed has also been increased, up to 11 kW from 7.4 kW previously. BMW says that production for the 2026 XM Label will begin in August. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 BMW XM is expected to start around $187,000. XM Label $187,000 (est) 0 $50k $100k $150k $200k $250k $300k The removal of the base XM trim from the lineup takes the guesswork out of selecting a trim. The 738-hp XM Label is the only option, and with a starting price of over $186,000, it's a pricey one. However, it does come loaded with luxury features, including leather upholstery, huge 23-inch wheels, a cool curved infotainment display, and a host of driver-assistance features. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Engine, Transmission, and Performance A twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 isn't new to the BMW powertrain portfolio, but in the XM Label, it's partnered with an electric motor and a battery pack to create 738 horsepower. The XM uses a coil-spring suspension system that's augmented by adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars. The resulting ride isn't as compliant and composed as we'd like, but in comfort driving mode it is acceptably absorbent. When set to sport, the XM's handling is responsive, but the ride gets stiff-legged. 0–60-MPH Times We haven't had a chance to sample the XM Label's acceleration yet, but when we tested a standard XM with 94 fewer horsepower, it delivered a 3.4-second sprint to 60 mph. BMW claims that the XM Label is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, but with even the standard model besting that claim, we wouldn't be surprised if the Label's sprint time was closer to 3.2 seconds. We'll update this section when we have a chance to test it for ourselves. View Photos BMW Range, Charging, and Battery Life The XM's 25.7-kWh battery pack is said to be good for about 31 miles of electric-only range per charge, according to the EPA. BMW says the XM's onboard charger is now capable of juicing the battery at up to 11 kW on an AC charger, up from just 7.4 kW previously. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 XM yet, but last year's Label model received unspectacular ratings of 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway despite its plug-in hybrid system. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, a standard XM bested its EPA estimate by returning 20 mpg when driving solely on the gasoline engine; when factoring in the 29 miles we drove on electric power, its result is an even more palatable 49 MPGe. We'll update this section when the EPA releases information on the 2026 model. For more information about the XM's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Everything about the XM's cabin is high-end, including its optional vintage-look leather upholstery, which was first shown on a concept version of the SUV. The XM's cabin is strictly a two-row affair, and in place of a large panoramic sunroof, the XM can be had with a geometric-patterned faux-suede headliner that features dramatic fiber-optic lighting. An optional audio upgrade adds a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with tweeters that illuminate. View Photos BMW Infotainment and Connectivity A large, curved display stretches across two-thirds of the dashboard. The display serves as both a digital gauge cluster as well as an on-board infotainment center, and it runs BMW's latest iDrive 8.5 software interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and additional features such as SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium stereo system are included as well. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features Basic features such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are standard on all XM models, but more advanced tech, including an adaptive cruise control system with a lane-centering feature, is available too. For more information about the XM's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Standard lane departure warning with lane keeping assist. Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature. Warranty and Maintenance Coverage BMW offers a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that is bolstered by above-average complimentary scheduled maintenance.
E&E News
an hour ago
- E&E News
National Park Service adds more projects to NEPA exclusion list
Completing a job initiated by the Biden administration, the National Park Service on Wednesday announced 33 types of projects that will no longer require the most extensive environmental reviews. The so-called categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act are designed to speed work on projects deemed not to have significant environmental impacts. 'The Department of the Interior is focused on streamlining government processes that have slowed progress for too long,' Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. 'These reforms will help the National Park Service act more efficiently while continuing to uphold environmental standards.' Advertisement NPS cited examples that include infrastructure upgrades, communications improvements, rights-of-way authorizations, cultural and natural resource management, recreation access and emergency response efforts.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
New Zealand's Willis Criticizes RBNZ Handling of Orr Resignation
New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis has criticized the Reserve Bank for its handling of former governor Adrian Orr's resignation, saying it should have been more transparent about his reason for quitting. 'It's my expectation that all government agencies comply with their statutory obligations and wherever possible are open and transparent with New Zealanders,' Willis told reporters on Thursday. 'Of course they need to balance that against their legal obligations when it comes to employment discussions and agreements, but on this one I think they could have pulled their socks up.'
