The Economic Times

Social Security is approaching a funding gap projected to occur by 2032, necessitating Congressional intervention. Options under consideration include increasing payroll taxes and lifting the income cap for taxation. Some experts advocate for reducing benefits or increasing the retirement age as part of potential reforms.

Japanese Mindset: Ganbaru embodies a Japanese philosophy that champions the spirit of perseverance and effort, especially during trying times. It inspires individuals to steadfastly pursue their ambitions, reminding them that victory often demands patience and ongoing dedication. Rather than seeking instant results, Ganbaru values the power of consistent, incremental efforts on the journey to lasting success, illustrating that persistence is a crucial form of advancement.

Kamala Harris visited Michigan to rally support for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, emphasizing the necessity of Democratic unity. She stressed the critical role of voter participation to diminish Donald Trumps impact. El-Sayed must enhance his appeal to diverse communities, particularly Black and Jewish voters. Harris's goal is to strengthen ties with Black voters, who are essential for success in the upcoming elections, potentially influencing Senate control and future political trajectories.

Chinese mindset of the day: Goal-setting might appear easy, but transforming aspirations into reality demands fierce dedication and a strong desire for achievement. Along the way, challenges can test ones resolve, and while ambition directs efforts, determination fuels perseverance through hardships. It's often essential to adapt strategies to maintain momentum.

LIVE | Trump welcomes Chinese Prez Xi in rare airport spectacle! B-2 Bombers & F-22s take the sky

Solar Opposites Season 6 will arrive on Netflix in the US. It is expected to release in other regions on October 13, 2026. The season serves as the final chapter of the adult animated sci-fi comedy. It follows the alien family from Planet Shlorp as they deal with Earth, the Pupa, the Wall storyline and a future linked to Earths destruction.

Unicorn Academy: Secrets Revealed Flying Free returns to Netflix with eight new episodes. The first four episodes will premiere globally on October 8, while the remaining four are set for Spring 2027. Sophia and Wildstar search for shooting stars during the Fairy Moon to bring Sophias father back.

Miriam Haley, who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault in 2006, commented after his recent sentencing. She revealed the long legal battle had been extremely challenging and publicly scrutinized. While she expressed relief at the verdict, Haley acknowledged that the experience would linger in her life. Her attorney praised her bravery and resilience throughout the trials.

A $10 million retirement account can create a major tax burden for someone retiring before 50. Forbes contributor Cicely Jones explains how 72(t) distributions can provide income before age 59 while potentially avoiding the 10% federal early withdrawal penalty, but the strategy requires careful planning.

US natural gas prices have climbed 2% to an 11-week high as forecasts for cooler weather point towards higher heating demand. Falling daily output and rising gas flows to LNG export plants also supported prices, while US gas production remains near record levels and storage stays above the five-year average.

American power grids face a severe double strain. Surging electricity demand from new data centers and industrial electrification is colliding with extreme summer heat waves that strain existing generator capacity. Meeting those sudden evening spikes usually means firing up costly, inefficient fossil fuel peaker plants. Yet a massive battery capacity already exists, sitting parked in municipal lots and port corridors for most of the day.

Polls show that Democrats currently hold a significant advantage in the race for the 2026 midterm elections. Many voters perceive their congressional votes as expressions against Donald Trump rather than in support of him. The House appears more favorable for Democrats, while the Senate races remain highly competitive. Prediction markets also indicate a strong likelihood of Democratic gains in both congressional chambers.

Scientists at the National University of Singapore have developed a highly precise optical atomic clock using lutetium. Researchers at the Centre for Quantum Technologies measured its frequency to 19 decimal places and reported an uncertainty of 1 10-19, which they said is the lowest recorded for an optical atomic clock. The team compared two separate clocks to test the measurement and achieved a comparison uncertainty of 5.7 10-19. The technology could support future research involving gravit

US midterm elections 2026 are putting Republicans under pressure as voters are currently highly concerned about gas, food, healthcare and housing costs. This comes as Senate Republicans are deciding whether to go home to campaign or stay in Washington to push affordability measures. Polls show Democrats are ahead in preferences while Trump continues to be a key factor for voters.

When someone makes dinner plans on Monday for Friday night, Friday still feels comfortably far away. By the time the day actually comes around, the plan has to compete with everything that wasn't part of the original decision, exhaustion after a long week, a stressful day at work, unpleasant weather, the comfort of staying on the sofa and even the simple hassle of getting dressed and heading out.

The FBI is currently investigating claims made by a hacker group known as ShinyHunters. This group asserts they breached the FBI's systems and stole sensitive employee data. They allegedly extracted information on approximately 56,000 current and former employees, including health reports and mental health details. ShinyHunters claims their motives were linked to past accusations made by the FBI. The investigation is ongoing as the FBI assesses the situation.

Emmanuel Macron urged nations to collaborate on creating an independent AI model free from major powers. He expressed concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza while advocating for a stop to military strikes on civilians in Ukraine. Macron highlighted the need for a unified front against a regressive law of the jungle threatening international order.

Summer was supposed to be winding down. Instead, parts of the south-central U.S. were still dealing with temperatures close to 104F on September 15. NASAs map showed the heat across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, while more than 41 million people were under extreme heat alerts.

Scott Bessent is being considered to take on the role of AI czar amid growing concerns. President Donald Trump has indicated plans to appoint an artificial intelligence adviser and create an AI force. Recent discussions between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng focused on AI regulations and national security. The Treasury has yet to comment on Bessent's potential new position.

Masoud Pezeshkian, in his speech in New York, condemned what he called signs of a bullying mentality from the US and said that Iran would never surrender. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, had used the same forum to threaten to annihilate Iran.

President Donald Trumps approval rating on the economy has dropped to just 27% among Americans. Many respondents believe he has worsened economic conditions and manage inflation poorly. Concerns about financial well-being are prevalent, with two-thirds feeling uncertain about their finances.

A Morgan Stanley staffer inadvertently shared an internal document listing more than 100 investment deals. The leaked list included potential initial public offerings in Asia, along with private equity partners and suspended projects. The incident arose from an email sent this week, which the staffer attempted to retract later. Morgan Stanley stated it takes client confidentiality seriously and addressed the information leak immediately.

A study from Colorado State University and Northwestern University has developed a carbon dioxide-based polyester system designed for repeated chemical recycling. Using bicyclic butane and bicyclic pentane, researchers produced high-molar-mass materials with up to 50 mol% CO2 incorporation. The polymers showed tunable properties, while separate depolymerisation pathways allowed molecular building blocks to be recovered and reused.

When Nish Kankiwala arrived at John Lewis in 2023, the retailer was facing a problem that went beyond a weak set of accounts. The business had recorded three consecutive years of losses. Kankiwala's job was to help change that position while also changing how the retailer worked.

Bitcoin price fell below $84,000 after a morning rally pushed BTC above $87,000. The reversal came as stronger US business activity lifted Treasury yields, while traders also turned their attention to Bitcoins roughly $14 billion options expiry on Friday.

Incendiamoeba cascadensis, a newly discovered amoeba, can reproduce at temperatures up to 145F. It challenges prior beliefs about the heat limits for complex life. This organism demonstrates unique adaptations that allow it to thrive in extreme conditions. Its discovery has implications for understanding potential life forms on other planets. Researchers suggest that similar organisms may exist in geothermal environments worldwide.

Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Brian Schatz say the Trump administration plans to allow $725 million to reach the deadline without directing the money toward new projects. They also allege that the White House is redirecting another $2.5 billion, which Congress had approved for global health and development programs, to cover costs associated with winding down USAID.

Michael Kearney made academic history when he earned a bachelors degree in anthropology from the University of South Alabama at 10 years and 4 months old in June 1994. The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed him as the youngest university graduate in history. Kearney had completed high school at six and continued his education rapidly, earning a masters degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University at 14 and another masters in computer science from Vanderbilt University at 18.

Jeffrey Katzenberg is optimistic about artificial intelligence transforming the film industry and enhancing storytelling techniques. He points out that AI can help lower production costs and break down obstacles in filmmaking, potentially leading to a surge in film production and more creativity in narratives. Katzenberg calls for partnerships between AI innovators and artists to foster equitable engagement and anticipates that technology will unlock fresh creative opportunities in Hollywood.

Political strategists predict that by 2028, artificial intelligence will revolutionize campaign operations, allowing for hyper-targeted messaging tailored to individual voters through advanced data analytics. While AI's benefits include rapid fact-checking, it raises significant concerns, particularly regarding deep fakes and misleading political ads. The emergence of AI-driven ads in various races signals a shift in the political landscape, prompting vital discussions about the ethical ramifica

Following significant layoffs in 2026, Amazon is reaching out to its former workforce, offering new job opportunities primarily in AI and cloud computing sectors. Amazon has introduced 'Swami's Boomerang Reengagement Initiative' to attract these ex-employees back, reflecting a broader company trend of rehiring across departments. Amazon has already floated rehiring laid-off employees before.

The Supreme Court of India addressed the constitutional validity of the Chief Election Commissioner Act, 2023. The law excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel for election commissioners, prompting various challenges. Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma expressed differing opinions on the need for a larger Constitution bench. The Centre argued the issues raised were of significant constitutional importance and warranted further examination.

The Central government has announced a reduction in the basic customs duty on edible oils. Crude soybean oil and crude palm oil duties have decreased to 5% from 10%. Additionally, the duty on refined sunflower oil has been lowered to 22.5% from 32.5%. These changes will apply starting September 24, 2026 as part of a strategy to manage edible oil prices.

RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta mentioned the rupee could stabilize or appreciate after its recent depreciation. She highlighted India's potential to reduce the current account deficit through services exports and remittances. Gupta noted that capital account conditions may improve, supporting foreign investments. She emphasized the RBI's capacity to manage external pressures and maintain orderly exchange rates. The overall outlook indicates a positive trend for the rupee and India's financial

Have you heard about Senator Bernie Sanders proposal for a new Social Security hike? His plan would add $200 to monthly benefits, which comes to an extra $2,400 a year. The increase would be paid on top of regular Social Security benefits and the annual COLA. There is a catch, Sanders proposal is still a bill, so the extra money is not being paid yet.

Gold prices fell more than 1% on Wednesday due to a stronger US dollar and Federal Reserve comments increasing expectations for more rate increases. Spot gold fell to $4,304.89 an ounce, while US gold futures also declined. Investors are also watching oil prices, inflation concerns and monetary policy as key factors for gold.

The Mahindra Thar OG arrives with a revised lineup and several updates borrowed from the Thar Roxx, while retaining the existing Rs 10.32 lakh starting price. Compared with the outgoing Thar, it is wider, gets more ground clearance, updated lighting and new cabin features, along with revised suspension and traction hardware. Its three engine options, however, continue unchanged.

The discovery of packaged kratom at the location of the two deceased Ole Miss students has sparked speculation that the substance may have been responsible for their deaths. Law enforcement say that investigations remain ongoing and have not comfirmed that kratom was connected to deaths of Mississippi students. Kratom is available for purchase as powders, capsules, extracts, gummies, teas and drinks at stores around the United States and online

Ukrainian military sergeants are being trained to make independent decisions on the battlefield. The initiative is aimed at reforming a traditionally rigid command structure influenced by Soviet practices. Empowering younger leaders can help address significant battlefield challenges and reduce losses. The new commander-in-chief is determined to promote better command practices that prioritize soldiers' lives. Improved training and leadership practices may enhance Ukraine's position against Russ

Quote of the Day by Humphrey Bogart: A memorable observation associated with Humphrey Bogart offers a thought-provoking way of looking at privacy, human nature and the things people choose to keep hidden. His striking words, Everybody has something to conceal, suggest that every person carries private thoughts, experiences or feelings that may not always be visible to others. The idea raises an intriguing question about why people keep certain parts of themselves concealed and whether having som

Dolly Parton's estate has severed ties with her nephew Bryan Seaver, who previously held the head of security position. We remain unshakably resolved to fulfill her final directive to protect her family, and we refuse to be intimidated, Bryan Seaver and his team said in the response. Bryan Seaver has been accused of making threats of real-world violence to Partons staff, partners, legal and business advisors.

Tensions between the Trump administration and the United Nations refugee agency have escalated due to a new appointment. Tressa Rae Finerty, the deputy head, is seeking a waiver to engage with US officials. This situation has arisen after her nomination instead of Washington's preferred candidate, Simon Hankinson. The agency faces severe funding challenges, with contributions from the US significantly reduced.

Hurricane Polo has rapidly escalated to a formidable Category 5 storm and is being treated 'extremely dangerous', boasting maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. It is forecasted to track along Mexico's southwestern coastline, leading to school closures in vulnerable regions as authorities have warned of possible mudslides and flash floods from intense rainfall. The US Embassy in Mexico has advised citizens to steer clear of beaches and heed local precautions.

The Big Short fame Michael Burry has disclosed a long position in copper producer Ero Copper, as supply constraints, falling inventories and limited discoveries fuel expectations of further gains in the red metal.

The British Prime Minister sat down with the US president on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, at a time when relations between the two countries were facing several points of friction. Differences over the Chagos Islands, rules governing artificial intelligence and ongoing international conflicts were among the issues adding another layer of complexity to the talks.