we start in the us, where the rate of inflation has slowed to its lowest level in nearly 2 years. figures released in the last hour, show the consumer prices index came in at 5% last month, lower than expected. but what does it mean for central banks that have been agressively raising interest rates around the world, to keep a lid on prices? well the deputy director of the imf has been speaking to our north america correspondent, samira hussain, about what could happen next. let s speak to her now. she s in washington. it isa it is a really interesting interview. if the idea that banks need to hold firm on the idea of raising rates until we are clear of the peak of inflation? we raising rates until we are clear of the peak of inflation? raising rates until we are clear of the peak of inflation? we spend such a lona time the peak of inflation? we spend such a long time in the peak of inflation? we spend such a long time in an the peak of inflation? we spend such a long ti
welcome to bbc news. we start with president biden who s made an impassioned defence of the good friday agreement 25 years after it was signed. he said northern ireland will not go back that the enemies of peace will not prevail. he was talking to students at ulster university where he talked about the need for renewal and repair it matters to me personally he said. the president is expected to land at dublin airport in the next half an hour the start of three days in ireland a mix of politics and events linked to his strong irish roots. more on that in a moment. but it s been a busy, busy day for the president. it started with a meeting with rishi sunak, both expressing their hope that power sharing can be restored. joe biden also met the leaders of the five main parties off camera he said he was in listening mode. these the pictures after the president spoke at the university, he clearly was enjoying every bit of the visit it was so obvious the way he en
its lowest level for nearly two years. consumer prices rose by 5% of the year to march, a far cry from the 9% it was that in june. but there are warnings of a possible recession in the pipeline. our business reporter is katie silver, she s been looking through the dater and joins me now on the programme. great to have you on the show. this looks pretty optimistic, doesn t it was back it s good news it isn t it? it’s doesn t it was back it s good news it isn t it? news it isn t it? it s good news it isn t it? it s good news but it news it isn t it? it s good news but it needs - news it isn t it? it s good news but it needs to - news it isn t it? it s good news but it needs to be i news but it needs to be analysed further and taken with analysed further and taken with a grain of salt. inflation is down and there are warnings every session but still we are hearing the fed may hike rates for the three things that don t normally go together. in terms of the inflation figure w
months of this year. these are the first set of quarterly gdp figures since the end of the country s strict covid poilcy in december. this boosted retail sales, which were up over 10% on this time last year. also a huge expansion in travel, with some 45 million air passengers taking trips last month. all of this has helped spark positivity from investors, with groups like citi upgrading their china growth forecast to 6.1% that s well over china s own targets. joining me now is rory green, chief china economist at consultants ts lombard. these numbers look strong. is it a short term bounce or was it more sustainable. it short-term bounce or was it more sustainable- sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for the sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for the remainder i sustainable. it is generally fairly sustainable for the remainder of 2024. what sust