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1. UK inflation stays steady for now
While the United Kingdom's annual rate of inflation didn't jump in February, experts expect to see increases in the coming months due to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Consumer prices rose 3% last month, which is in line with what was reported in January, according to the Office for National Statistics. However, since the Middle East conflict began, inflation outlook has jumped.
“Any sustained increase in oil-and-gas costs will quickly ripple through the economy, lifting transport, production and household expenses — threatening spiraling inflation,” said Joe Nellis, economic adviser at MHA.
2. Airlines revise outlook amid jet fuel price surge
As jet fuel prices jumped from around $90 to a barrel to $150 to $200 a barrel due to the war in Iran, global airlines revised outlooks for the year, Reuters reports. Fuel accounts for up to a quarter of operating expenses for the airline industry.
American Airlines reported an expected $400 million increase in its expenses for the first quarter, while United Airlines executives said it is cutting unprofitable flights for the next two quarters and has been raising fares without seeing huge effects to booking numbers.
3. What it takes to get hotel deals done
The hotel transactions market continues to be slow, and even the players who have been able to get deals done say it has been challenging, reports CoStar News Hotels' Trevor Simpson from the 2026 Hunter Conference.
"Nothing is easy. Everything takes a bit longer today than I would say in times past," said Ben Brunt, managing principal and chief investment officer at Noble Investment Group.
The deals that are getting done require conviction, Brunt said. Lending partners want to see a quarterly distribution and know that there are systems in place that will drive results.
4. Farmers in Australia face costly diesel prices
A rise in diesel prices is forcing Australian farmers to make some tough decisions, per The New York Times. As harvest season is ongoing, farmers are now paying more than 50% more for diesel. If they scale back harvests due to these costs, Asian countries — where Australia exports the majority of its crops — will face food scarcity.
“Do I invest a few million dollars in seeding, hoping you have fuel and fertilizer in two months’ time? If they don’t have that, they’ve lost that crop,” said Nathan Falvo, a farmer and business owner in Victoria.
Farmers are also combatting the threat of theft of their fuel reserves, the newspaper reports.
5. Minor Hotels launches premium soft brand
After launching four new brands in 2025, Minor Hotels has released information about its newest brand — a premium soft brand called the Colbert Collection that will open its first location in Italy, according to a press release. Minor Hotels plans to expand the brand's footprint into the U.K., Spain, Austria and the United Arab Emirates.
The new brand is inspired by the Colbert bistro in London, a part of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, which is owned by Minor International.
“Colbert Collection represents a new chapter for Minor Hotels,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, in the release. “This brand captures specific opportunities in the market, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of modern travelers and owners alike. It celebrates individuality and invites guests to discover hotels that are deeply rooted in their own worlds while connected by a common sensibility."