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1. Trump threatens to expand tariffs
Once again, United States President Donald Trump is talking about expanding tariffs, this time saying he wants to broaden the scope to target imported automobiles, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, CNBC reports.
On Tuesday, Trump said he'd start at a 25% tariff with plans to increase that number through the course of the year. The news outlet notes these tariffs are most likely to impact Japan, Mexico and Canada.
"The president did not indicate whether the new tariffs would apply to all vehicles coming into the U.S. or be targeted toward certain countries but said they could start as early as April 2," CNBC reported.
2. UK inflation ticks higher than expected
Inflation in the United Kingdom hit its fastest pace in 10 months, increasing to a 3% rate in January compared to 2.5% in December, the BBC reports. The news outlet said the biggest drivers of the change were "rising food prices, air fares and an increase in private school fees."
CNBC reports inflation outpaced economists' expectations, with a Reuters poll forecasting 2.8% inflation for the month.
"Food shopping has almost doubled from about three years ago," Gaby Cowley, a young mother in the U.K., told the BBC. "We spend, maybe, a minimum of £90 a month now and that doesn't include £20-£30 topping up during the week with fruit, veg and milk."
3. Mandarin Oriental exec describes the generational shift in luxury travel
Luxury hotels are seeing a generational change in expectations, moving from an era of opulence and high design and into an era of elevated experience and service, Mandarin Oriental's Head of Development Tiffany Cooper said on the latest episode of the Hotel News Now podcast.
She noted younger travelers want a more clear connection to the communities around them.
“They want to be conscious citizens,” she said. “They want this conscious vacationing where you can do good in the community. Maybe you’re planting trees. Maybe you’re interacting with the community and our teams and our culture.”
4. Americans feel less safe about air travel
New survey results from the Associated Press indicate Americans' confidence in the safety of air travel is dropping in the wake of recent high-profile crashes, but most still have faith that it is "generally safe."
"The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that 64% of U.S. adults say plane travel is 'very safe' or 'somewhat safe,'" the news agency reports. "That’s down slightly from last year, when 71% said that. About 2 in 10 U.S. adults now say air transportation is very or somewhat unsafe, up from 12% in 2024."
5. Southwest Airlines makes corporate cuts
Southwest Airlines is making widespread cuts, with The New York Times reporting the company is eliminating 15% of its corporate work force.
“We are at a pivotal moment as we transform Southwest Airlines into a leaner, faster and more agile organization,” CEO Bob Jordan said. “I arrived at this decision thoughtfully and carefully, knowing how hard it will be to say goodbye to colleagues who have been a significant part of our Southwest culture and accomplishments.”