Global News Roundup: Fares Rise, Subscriptions Emerge, and Tech Deals Abound

Global markets and technology sectors experienced a flurry of activity, with Ryanair announcing fare increases, Meta testing premium subscriptions, and Apple's AirPods Max seeing a price drop. Simultaneously, global events saw Caribbean nations entering the cannabis industry, gold prices surging, and social media platforms facing scrutiny.

Ryanair announced it expected fares to rise by more than previously forecast due to "strong demand," predicting a significant increase in passenger numbers, according to BBC Business. The budget airline anticipated prices to climb by up to 9%, compared to the 7% rise predicted in November, estimating traveler numbers to grow to almost 208 million this year. The company reported its average fares rose 4% to 44 (38) over the three-month period ending in December. However, Ryanair also reported a steep drop in quarterly profits after being fined 256 million (222 million) by Italy's competition watchdog for "abusing its dominant position" by blocking travel agencies from accessing its services.

Meta announced plans to test new subscriptions that give people access to exclusive features on its apps, TechCrunch reported. The tech giant stated the new subscriptions would unlock more productivity and creativity, along with expanded AI capabilities. In the coming months, Meta said it would offer a premium experience on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp that gives users access to special features and more control over how they share and connect, while keeping the core experiences free. Meta plans to test a variety of subscription features and bundles, with each app subscription having a distinct set of exclusive features. Meta also planned to scale Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired.

Meanwhile, Apple's AirPods Max were available at Best Buy as part of a flash deal for $429.99, one of their lowest prices ever, according to The Verge. The deal was set to expire on January 28th.

In other news, drawing from multiple sources, Meta is introducing premium subscriptions with AI enhancements across its platforms, while X faces EU investigation over Grok AI's deepfake potential, and YouTubers sue Snap for unauthorized AI training data usage, according to BBC World. Simultaneously, UpScrolled, a user-centric social network, is gaining traction amidst potential TikTok restrictions, and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman defected to Reform UK.

Multiple news sources reported that Caribbean nations were entering the cannabis industry by legalizing it for medical and recreational use, leveraging favorable conditions to cultivate unique strains, according to BBC Technology. Simultaneously, gold prices surged to record highs due to geopolitical instability, inflation, and central bank actions, prompting investors to seek safe-haven assets.