Social Security recipients will get a 3.6% increase in their monthly payments starting in January 2027, the largest raise in four years. This change will add about $75 a month, or $900 a year, to the average retiree's benefits and raise the income cap subject to Social Security taxes.
Key Facts
The 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from July to September 2026.
About 76 million people receiving retirement and disability benefits will get the payment increase.
The average monthly benefit will rise by $75, totaling about $900 more per year.
The income limit for Social Security payroll taxes will increase to $192,300 in 2027 from $184,500 in 2026.
Income above this limit will not be taxed for Social Security purposes.
The higher COLA provides more income to seniors but may speed up depletion of the Social Security trust fund.
The trust fund for Social Security is projected to run out in about six years if current trends continue.
Earlier estimates had predicted a smaller COLA increase of about 2.7% for 2027.
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The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027 will increase by 3.6%, the largest raise in four years. This increase will raise the average monthly Social Security payment to over $2,000 but is driven by higher inflation, meaning prices for goods and services are rising.
Key Facts
The 2027 Social Security COLA is 3.6%, up from 2.8% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2025.
About 76 million Americans will receive this COLA increase.
The average monthly Social Security benefit will rise from $1,940.08 to over $2,000.
COLA adjustments are based on inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
Higher COLA means inflation is causing prices for everyday items to increase.
The goal of COLA is to protect retirees’ purchasing power from being reduced by inflation.
The largest recent COLA was 8.7% in 2023, following spikes in inflation due to the pandemic.
People with higher Social Security benefits will see larger dollar increases due to the percentage adjustment.
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A £10 squishy banana toy called Big Squij is expected to be a popular Christmas gift this year, riding on the current trend for "squishies"—soft, squeezable toys. These toys are driving strong sales growth in UK toy shops and are part of a wider increase in demand for affordable, sensory toys and collectibles.
Key Facts
Big Squij is a £10 squishy toy shaped like a banana and is part of the popular "squishies" craze.
Squishies are soft, squeezable toys filled with a flour-based compound that slowly return to their shape.
The trend is popular on social media, with over 260,000 TikTok posts and 600,000 Instagram posts using #squishies.
UK toy sales were up 13% in value and 19% in volume by August 2024.
Toys costing under £10 are selling fastest, including squishies and World Cup stickers.
Major toy shops like Hamleys and The Entertainer expect a big boost in sales and profits from this trend.
Hamleys has released a list of 15 top toys for Christmas, ranging from £10 Big Squij toys to £75 remote-controlled unicorns.
Other popular toys on the list include Lego, Barbie, Doctor Doom figures, and a Hatsune Miku collectible.
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CBS Mornings Deals offers viewers special discounts on various products to improve daily life. Shoppers can visit cbsdeals.com to access these deals, and CBS earns commissions from purchases made through this website.
Key Facts
CBS Mornings highlights products with exclusive discounts.
Deals are promoted to help improve everyday lifestyle.
Interested customers can buy items at cbsdeals.com.
CBS earns a commission when purchases happen through their link.
The deals cover a range of items featured on CBS Mornings.
The promotion aims to provide value to viewers through special offers.
The report is part of a regular CBS segment focusing on bargains.
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Stephen A. Smith criticized President Trump for how he talks about money and the cost of living during a NewsNation event. Smith said Trump's messages do not seem to convince many Americans, especially with the midterm elections coming up.
Key Facts
Stephen A. Smith is an independent political commentator.
He spoke at a NewsNation town hall event on Tuesday.
Smith focused on President Trump’s communication about affordability and financial promises.
Affordability is a major concern for voters ahead of the midterm elections.
Smith said Trump’s messages often seem directed at business leaders rather than regular Americans.
The criticism came amid ongoing discussions about the economy and election issues.
NewsNation is a broadcast partner of The Hill.
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Yemen's Houthi group said they attacked Saudi Aramco facilities after Saudi Arabia reported a strike on a building near the company's operations center. Saudi forces intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh, the Saudi capital, amid ongoing conflict.
Key Facts
The Houthis are a group involved in the conflict in Yemen.
They said they targeted Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s large oil company.
Saudi Arabia reported a strike near Aramco’s operations building.
Explosions were heard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted a missile launched by the Houthis.
The Houthis are backed by Iran.
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia is ongoing and involves missile attacks and airstrikes.
The situation reflects continuing tensions in the region related to Yemen’s civil war.
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There is a growing interest in arcade-style video games and venues amid the dominance of large, long-lasting online games like Fortnite and Minecraft. New games and gaming bars are bringing back simpler, more focused gaming experiences similar to traditional arcades. This trend is supported by specialized companies making high-quality retro gaming consoles and imported arcade machines.
Key Facts
Big game companies have spent hundreds of millions on large, ongoing online games with constant updates and in-game purchases.
Many of these large games have failed or become overly complex and time-consuming.
New mainstream games inspired by arcade design offer a more focused and contained gaming experience, like Star Wars Galactic Racer and Ace Combat 8.
The appeal of arcade gaming is growing, with venues like gaming bars and cafes offering classic coin-operated games and new arcade-style experiences.
NQ Japan is opening a cafe in London focused on imported Japanese arcade machines and authentic arcade experiences.
Specialty companies like Analogue and Evercade produce high-end consoles for playing classic games on original or emulated cartridges.
Fans are seeking gaming experiences that big corporations and online platforms cannot provide.
The arcade gaming industry and retro gaming market are both growing in popularity.
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A university police department handled the investigation of an alleged gang rape case. A lawsuit was necessary to push for a proper investigation beyond the university police.
Key Facts
The investigation involved an alleged gang rape.
The university's own police department was responsible for the inquiry.
Whether to prosecute the case depended on this investigation.
A lawsuit was filed to demand a more thorough investigation.
The case highlights concerns about relying on university police for serious crimes.
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Pope Leo XIV had surgery to remove a cancerous lump from his lung and is now recovering well. Doctors said he is eating normally, has started walking, and his medical tests show normal results.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV had lung surgery to remove cancer.
Doctors report his recovery is going as expected.
He is eating regular meals like breakfast and lunch.
He has started walking and doing breathing exercises.
Blood tests and chest X-rays show normal results after surgery.
Two doctors, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Dr. Stefano Margaritora, gave the health update.
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King Felipe VI said that Ceuta and Melilla are an unchangeable part of Spain during his visit to the two North African territories. He also stressed the importance of keeping good relations with Morocco after a recent large number of migrants entered Ceuta, creating tension between the countries.
Key Facts
Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish territories located in North Africa.
Morocco claims these territories, creating a dispute with Spain.
King Felipe VI called Ceuta and Melilla "inalienable parts" of Spain.
The king rarely makes political statements but chose to speak on this issue.
A surge of migrants entered Ceuta in July, causing strain between Spain and Morocco.
Spain wants to keep friendly and cooperative relations with Morocco despite disagreements.
The visit by King Felipe VI reflects the importance of this territorial issue for Spain.
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Jonathan Haidt, author of "The Happiness Hypothesis," talked about updating his book to include lessons on living well in a world full of smartphones, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI). He shared his views on how we can still learn from ancient wisdom alongside new technology.
Key Facts
Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and author of "The Happiness Hypothesis."
The book links ancient wisdom with modern life lessons.
Haidt discussed updating the book for today’s technology-driven world.
He focused on smartphones, social media, and AI as key modern influences.
The conversation took place on the CBS Mornings show.
Haidt aims to help people find balance between technology and personal well-being.
His work emphasizes drawing on old ideas to manage new challenges.
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Ukraine has accused SpaceX of restricting the use of its Starlink internet service, which is hindering Ukraine’s military drone operations amid ongoing Russian attacks. This tension comes as relations between Ukraine and the United States worsen after President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel and criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Key Facts
Ukraine says SpaceX limited Starlink services that support its military drones.
Russian missile attacks have damaged power stations in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky called these actions a disrespect to President Donald Trump.
Relations between Kyiv and Washington have worsened recently.
President Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel fuel last week.
President Trump publicly criticized President Zelensky.
Ukraine is asking the US, SpaceX, and NATO to explain the limits on Starlink use.
The situation affects Ukraine’s ability to conduct military missions during the conflict with Russia.
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Ukrainian troops experienced problems with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet system, which slowed down and interrupted their drone operations without warning. At the same time, Ukraine did not get advance notice about Russian missile attacks on its energy facilities, raising concerns about the reliability of US support amid pressure from President Trump for Ukraine to ease its military actions.
Key Facts
Starlink satellite internet used by Ukrainian drones started failing at speeds above 160 km/h, disrupting missions.
The slowdown happened suddenly at night without warning, affecting Ukraine’s efforts to attack Russian supply lines.
Starlink disruptions also impacted Ukraine’s defense against Russian drones because the system is used on interceptors.
Kyiv did not receive prior warning from partners about Russia’s missile strikes on its energy infrastructure.
President Trump increased pressure on Ukraine to stop drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and threatened to cut intelligence sharing.
Trump blamed Ukraine for high diesel prices but analysts say the US war with Iran is a bigger cause.
Ukrainian forces reported that Starshield, SpaceX’s military satellite service, also faced data speed limits for the first time.
Some officials think SpaceX limited Starlink at the Trump administration’s request after Musk criticized Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
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Cornell University has banned all parties and social events at fraternity houses until the end of the school year. This follows a lawsuit filed by a former student accusing seven men of sexually assaulting her at a fraternity party in 2024.
Key Facts
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York.
The ban affects fraternity house parties and social events for the rest of the academic year.
The decision responds to a lawsuit by a former undergraduate called Jane Doe.
The lawsuit alleges that seven men sexually assaulted her during a fraternity party in 2024.
The university president, Michael Kotlikoff, announced the ban.
Cornell has faced criticism for how it handled the assault allegations over recent weeks.
This is the strongest action taken by the university leadership regarding the case.
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The Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% increase in benefits for 2027 to help more than 75 million Americans keep up with rising living costs. This adjustment, called the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), is based on recent inflation data but may not fully cover seniors’ rising expenses, especially healthcare.
Key Facts
The 3.6% cost-of-living increase will start in January 2027, raising the average monthly Social Security payment by about $75 to $2,170.
This is the largest annual COLA increase in four years, responding to higher inflation partly due to rising fuel prices linked to the war in Iran.
Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index rose 3.7% annually in September.
About 7.3 million Supplemental Security Income recipients will see the increase starting December 31, 2026.
Some groups say the current inflation measure (CPI-W) used to calculate COLA does not reflect seniors’ higher healthcare costs.
Advocates suggest using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to better match seniors’ expenses.
The poverty rate among seniors rose to 15.4% in 2023 from 14.2% in 2022, influenced by rising healthcare costs and slower benefit growth.
The Social Security Expansion Act and Social Security 2100 Act propose switching to the CPI-E for future COLA calculations to better support seniors.
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Some high schools in France stayed closed due to ongoing student protests. Tens of thousands joined rallies across the country, and more national demonstrations about the rising cost of living are planned.
Key Facts
Several high schools in France remained closed on a Wednesday amid protests.
Tens of thousands of people took part in rallies supporting students.
The protests are linked to concerns about the rising cost of living.
National demonstrations are scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.
Unions and student groups expect their movements to join together during these protests.
The issue reflects wider social and economic difficulties in France.
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Ukraine is talking with the US, SpaceX, and NATO to understand limits on its use of Starlink satellite internet. Ukrainian soldiers say that the Starlink service stops working when they move at high speeds, which disrupts drone operations that rely on this internet connection.
Key Facts
Ukraine has contacted the US, SpaceX, and NATO about Starlink internet issues.
Starlink is a satellite internet system made by SpaceX.
Ukrainian troops experience disconnections when moving fast using Starlink.
The internet problems affect control of drones in military operations.
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry provided the information.
Starlink helps Ukraine maintain communication and control in conflict areas.
The issue has caused significant disruption to some Ukrainian military activities.
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Ukraine says SpaceX has limited its Starlink satellite internet services without warning, which is affecting the country's air defense systems. This happened after Ukrainian President Zelensky said President Trump threatened to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
Key Facts
Ukraine relies on Starlink satellites for internet, including military and air defense use.
SpaceX reduced the availability or capacity of Starlink services in Ukraine unexpectedly.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhiy Beskrestnov reported the limitations on Telegram.
Ukrainian President Zelensky warned that President Trump threatened to halt intelligence sharing.
The restrictions on Starlink are affecting Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace.
There was no prior notice from SpaceX about the changes.
The issue is tied to wider political tensions between Ukraine and the U.S. under President Trump.
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Russell Brand faces multiple charges of rape and sexual assault involving six women over a period from 1999 to 2009. In court, prosecutors accused him of being a calculated and manipulative sexual predator who ignored women’s refusal and sought sexual encounters aggressively.
Key Facts
Russell Brand is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault.
The allegations involve six women and cover incidents from 1999 to 2009.
Prosecutors describe Brand as having an “insatiable desire” for sex and treating women as objects.
One woman said Brand raped her without a condom, despite her saying no and resisting.
Brand allegedly told a friend he wanted to sleep with 5,000 women and had strategies to achieve this.
Alleged assaults occurred in various places, including hotel rooms, workplaces, a bar toilet, and his home.
Brand denies all charges and claimed many sexual encounters happened with people he just met.
The court heard detailed accounts of the assaults during the prosecution’s opening statements.
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The Houthi rebels in Yemen said they took control of a new important area in Taiz governorate. Fighting has increased recently between the Houthis and the Yemeni government forces, which are supported by Saudi Arabia.
Key Facts
The Houthis are a group backed by Iran.
They have released video showing military actions in Taiz governorate.
Yemen’s government is internationally recognized and backed by Saudi Arabia.
Fighting between the Houthis and government forces has gotten much worse in recent weeks.
The Houthis have captured several key areas that are important for control.
The conflict is part of a larger, ongoing war in Yemen.
The situation affects regional security and involves outside countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
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