The Economic Times

Social Security payments in 2026 depend on when you claim benefits and how much you earned over your working years. Small choices like waiting longer, fixing income records, or working part-time later can change your monthly check. Planning early helps people get more money and feel more secure during retirement.

President Donald Trump asserted on Truth Social that Rep. Ilhan Omar should be jailed or deported to Somalia, alleging her involvement in a Minnesota Somalia Fraud. Trump also accused Omar of hating the USA and suggested her actions, along with the governor's, distract from the alleged fraud. He further questioned Minnesota's stance on removing violent criminals.

Explore the best and worst foods for blood sugar control from berries, nuts, olive oil, and veggies to sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks. Evidence-based tips for stable glucose by Dr Saurabh Sethi.

A fast-moving coronal mass ejection is anticipated to reach Earth, increasing the chance of a severe geomagnetic storm. NOAA forecasters have issued a G4 watch, which means auroras may spread much farther south than normal. Visibility relies on how the storms magnetic field aligns with Earth. Clear skies, low light pollution, and late-night hours will enhance viewing chances. The strongest activity is predicted overnight into early Tuesday.

Word of the Day: Hypothecation Hypothecation is a key financial term every borrower and investor should understand today. It means pledging an asset as loan collateral while keeping ownership and daily use. This system powers home loans, car loans, margin trading, and business financing worldwide.

The 56th World Economic Forum in Davos (Jan 19-23, 2026) is seeing India step onto the world stage with its biggest-ever delegation, a 10,000 sq ft India Pavilion, India is already a key driver of global growth, not just a long-term bet.

The Trump administration plans to immediately reimpose tariffs if the Supreme Court strikes down existing ones enacted under emergency law. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated the administration would implement new levies the day after a ruling. This Supreme Court case represents a significant challenge to presidential authority.

The new Responsible Nations Index has crowned Singapore as its leader, while India shines in 16th place. Launched by ex-President Ram Nath Kovind, this global initiative assesses nations based on their responsible use of power, considering impacts on their citizens, global dynamics, and environmental health.

India has been invited by US President Donald Trump to join a new 'Board of Peace'. This board aims to bring lasting peace to Gaza and address global conflicts. Experts note a lack of clarity on the board's structure and mandate. India will carefully consider the proposal.

China has requested the WTO's dispute settlement body to establish a panel to examine its case against India's incentive schemes for auto, battery, and electric vehicles. Bilateral consultations failed to resolve the dispute, with China alleging the schemes violate global trade rules by discriminating against its goods.

Coronal hole on the Sun: A massive, inverted '1'-shaped coronal hole on the Sun, stretching a million kilometers, is currently facing Earth. This phenomenon, linked to the Sun's approaching solar minimum, is releasing a high-speed solar wind stream. Scientists anticipate increased magnetic storms and potential auroras as a result of this and other recent solar activity.

Addressing a Telugu diaspora meeting in Zurich, Switzerland as part of his four-day visit to the Alpine nation for the 2026 edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the chief minister announced a Rs 50 crore corpus fund meant to catapult non-resident Telugus (NRTs) into industrialists.

The European Union, Russia, Belarus, and Thailand are invited to join President Trump's new Gaza peace plan board. Israel objects to the initiative, calling it detrimental. The board will oversee Hamas disarmament and Gaza reconstruction. Meanwhile, humanitarian efforts continue amidst a fragile situation. Israeli forces conduct operations in Hebron.

Election expert James Carville forecasts a significant Republican loss in the 2026 midterms. He predicts Democrats will gain at least 25 seats and likely secure control of the Senate. This contrasts with other analyses suggesting challenges for Democrats. Republican leaders believe President Trump's influence will be their key to success, defying historical trends for the party in power.

Saudi Arabia is transferring some Vision 2030 project scopes to the private sector to avoid economic overheating and manage timelines. The government is being agile, rescoping projects while maintaining momentum on its economic transformation goals. The kingdom is over halfway through its ambitious plan, with the non-oil economy now exceeding 55% of GDP.

Wealth Quote of the Day by Stanley Tang, Success comes down to hard work plus passion, over time. Stanley Tang, DoorDash cofounder and billionaire, turned early coding skills into scalable tech wealth. He built DoorDash from a college startup into a $75 billion U.S. logistics leader. Tang emphasizes hard work, passion, and long-term focus. IPO success, market expansion, and strategic investments show his vision. Learn how persistence, product insight, and data-driven innovation created enduring

Delhi is introducing a single emergency number, 112, for all services. Residents can now dial 112 for police, fire, ambulance, and disaster management. Assistance will also be available via a mobile app, emergency button, SMS, and online platforms. This unified system will automatically detect caller locations, dispatching the nearest emergency vehicles.

Bill Belichick is making a comeback to television as ESPN adds the legendary coach to its ACC Network coverage of the College Football Playoff national championship game. The matchup between Indiana and Miami will start at 7:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium. Belichicks media position comes shortly following a challenging first season at North Carolina, where the Tar Heels completed 48.

Cabinet ministers convened to discuss recovering critical minerals from e-waste, focusing on Extended Producer Responsibility and enhancing the role of Urban Local Bodies in plastic waste management. The meeting also reviewed electronic waste handling in cities and the reuse of legacy dump materials for highway projects, emphasizing a coordinated, resource-efficient approach to waste management and the circular economy.

In 2026, the Social Security maximum is $5,251 per month. Many people earn less than this. To boost your future check, you can increase your income or wait until age 70 to claim benefits. Delayed retirement credits and higher earnings can raise your personal Social Security payments, helping you have more money and a safer retirement.

The Union Home Ministry is developing a comprehensive policy to integrate former Agniveers into the Central Armed Police Forces. The CISF has formed a committee to create an action plan for this integration. This policy will outline how Agniveers will be utilized within the CAPF. The government has already reserved 10 percent of constable positions for ex-Agniveers in these forces.

Buffalo became the NFLs first team to win a playoff round in six consecutive years but not reach the Super Bowl.

President Trump reportedly told Norway's prime minister he no longer felt obligated to prioritize peace after being denied the Nobel Prize, linking this to his aggressive stance on Greenland. This statement, relayed by European officials, escalates a standoff over his threats to acquire the Arctic island, leading to retaliatory import taxes on several nations.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advised European governments against retaliating against any U.S. measures concerning Greenland. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bessent urged Europe not to doubt President Trump's intentions and to take him at his word regarding the matter.

Gold prices are reaching new peaks, driven by global uncertainty. Investors are turning to gold as a safe haven. Legendary investor Warren Buffett, however, had in the past was not convinced on gold, preferring productive assets. Meanwhile, experts predict gold prices could reach $5,000 per ounce as demand persists. The precious metal's appeal is expected to remain strong amidst economic challenges.

In 2026, Social Security is changing with major impacts for workers. The wage base limit rises to $184,500, increasing payroll taxes for high earners. Cost-of-living adjustments boost retiree income. Self-employed individuals face higher 12.4% taxes on extra earnings. Earnings limits for working retirees also increase. Understanding these updates helps plan finances and maximize long-term benefits.

Bitcoin whale historic profit: A Bitcoin whale, dormant for over a decade, has resurfaced and sold half of its 5,000 BTC stash, realizing a staggering 31,250% profit. The 5K BTC OG wallet offloaded 2,500 BTC for approximately $265 million, demonstrating a calculated selling strategy to avoid market shock. Despite these significant sales, the whale still holds a substantial amount of Bitcoin.

Central banks, led by India and China, are significantly reducing US Treasury holdings and increasing gold reserves. This strategic shift reflects a move towards diversification and risk management amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Gold's role as a strategic reserve asset is being underscored as countries build resilience for an unpredictable future.

Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra met with top officials of select Urban Cooperative Banks, stressing the importance of strong governance and asset quality oversight. He acknowledged UCBs' role in credit delivery and financial inclusion, expressing confidence that recent policy initiatives will foster sector growth and health.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be the chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, and the India-EU summit will be held the next day.

U.S. housing affordability in particular has remained a top issue as high mortgage rates and elevated home prices have sidelined many would-be buyers and slowed market activity.

On January 19, Dolly Parton celebrated her 80th birthday, highlighted by Tennessee declaring Dolly Parton Day. The singer, born in Sevierville, Tennessee, started performing at age ten and has since recorded more than 950 tracks and almost 3,000 original songs. Popular for hits such as 9 to 5 and Jolene, she has also starred in movies and achieved several awards.

Word of the Day: A word from literature now defines modern life. Kafkaesque describes confusing, oppressive situations where logic fails. It stems from writer Franz Kafka's work. These experiences involve overwhelming systems and faceless authority. They cause anxiety and powerlessness. Everyday examples include endless customer service loops and unexplained account suspensions. The term resonates with young people today.

A Gold IRA is a retirement account where you buy real gold or other metals instead of stocks. It follows IRS rules and can help protect savings during uncertain markets. Gold IRAs have fees and strict rules, so they work best as part of a bigger retirement plan. Rollovers are the main way to fund them.

Trump Greenland news: French President Emmanuel Macron wants the European Union to use its powerful anti-coercion tool. This is in response to US President Donald Trump's new tariffs on eight European countries. Trump linked these tariffs to a demand for Greenland. The EU's tool can retaliate with tariffs or other measures. This move could delay or derail a US-EU trade deal.

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is set to attend the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, departing on Tuesday after initially pulling out due to commitments in Delhi and Bengaluru.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has outlined exemptions and discounts for toll charges on national highways, governed by the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008. Specific constitutional authorities, public representatives, senior government and defence officials, and certain emergency vehicles are exempt. Local residents and district-level vehicle owners can avail discounted monthly passes under specific conditions.

A video allegedly showing DGP Ramachandra Rao in a compromising position has gone viral, sparking a political storm in Karnataka. While Rao denies the allegations, calling the clip fabricated, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a thorough investigation, vowing strict action if guilt is proven. The controversy is amplified by Rao's connection to a gold smuggling case through his stepdaughter.

Melania Trumps documentary, produced by Amazon MGM Studios with a reported $40 million budget, is scheduled to debut on January 30, 2026, but early ticket sales suggest weak audience interest. Directed by Brett Ratner, the movie promises behind-the-scenes insight into Melanias First Lady role, which includes inauguration preparations. Critics have stated the trailer as staged and static, and social media backlash has included defaced posters.

Panglossian is a word linked to literature and philosophy. It has roots in a famous European book and later became part of the English language. Over time, the term started appearing in news, politics, and economic discussions. Writers often use it when talking about ideas, beliefs, and attitudes in serious debates and public conversations.