Inflation in the United States cooled in January, with the consumer price index rising by 2.4% over the 12 months, the slowest pace since May, according to the Department of Labor, as reported by BBC Business. This easing was partially attributed to falling prices for energy and used cars. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump stated that regime change in Iran "would be the best thing that could happen," as the US deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, as reported by Sky News. In other news, Airbnb announced that its custom-built AI agent is now handling roughly a third of its customer support issues in North America, as detailed by TechCrunch.
The slowdown in inflation, down from 2.7% the previous month, could bolster arguments for potential interest rate cuts by the central bank, as suggested by President Trump and others, according to BBC Business. However, some analysts have cautioned that progress towards the Federal Reserve's 2% target could be hindered if companies pass on tariff costs to consumers or if labor shortages drive up prices.
President Trump's remarks on Iran, made after visiting troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. He also indicated that the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford was necessary, particularly if a deal with Iran was not reached, as reported by Sky News.
In the tech sector, Airbnb's move to integrate AI into its customer support system marks a significant shift. CEO Brian Chesky expressed confidence that the AI would improve service quality and reduce costs, with the company aiming to have AI handle over 30% of its total customer support tickets globally within a year, according to TechCrunch.
In other news, the Beats Studio Buds Plus are on sale for less than $100 for Presidents Day, as reported by The Verge.
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