Trump Sends Carrier, Inflation Cools, Regime Speaks Out

Inflation in the United States cooled in January, according to the Department of Labor, while the US military conducted a lethal strike in the Caribbean Sea, and President Donald Trump announced the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. These events occurred amidst ongoing tensions with Iran and political shifts in Thailand.

The consumer price index rose by 2.4% over the 12 months to January, a decrease from 2.7% the prior month, marking the slowest pace since May, according to BBC Business. This retreat could influence the Federal Reserve's decisions regarding interest rates. However, some analysts have warned that progress toward the Fed's 2% target could stall if companies pass on tariff costs or if labor shortages push up prices.

Simultaneously, the US military attacked a boat in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, killing three people, as reported by Al Jazeera. This strike is part of a series of deadly air strikes that have resulted in at least 130 deaths since September 2025, according to the same source. The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed the lethal kinetic strike.

In the Middle East, President Trump announced he would send a second aircraft carrier to the region "very soon," as reported by Al Jazeera. The USS Gerald R Ford is expected to depart the Caribbean for the Middle East, increasing pressure on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This decision follows indirect talks in Oman last week, where nothing definitive was reached regarding Iran.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the recent election saw a shift towards more conservative politics, as reported by Al Jazeera. Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, secured a comfortable victory, according to an unofficial count by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT). This outcome reflects the dynamics of local power brokers and the challenges faced by the main progressive party.

Adding to the complexities, Sky News reported that an Iranian doctor, Yaser Rahmani-Rad, was arrested and detained after accusing the country's security forces of arresting injured protesters inside hospitals. Dr. Rahmani-Rad, an internal medicine specialist, had previously spoken to Sky News about the crackdown.