Business

A 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment will raise the Social Security maximum monthly benefit to $5,251 in 2026; to qualify for the maximum, beneficiaries must have 35 years of work, have paid maximum payroll taxes for those years, and claim benefits at age 70.

A homeowner opened kitchen cupboard doors and raised the heating after temperatures fell to about -5°C, and reports frozen pipes thawed within two hours; British Gas advises thawing frozen pipes with hot (not boiling) water and ensuring pipes are insulated.

Heated Rivalry, a queer ice hockey romcom, has driven interest in hockey and highlighted how inclusive storytelling exposes hyper-masculine cultures in sport.

The Labor Department reported the producer price index rose 0.2% in November from October and 3% from a year earlier; the release was delayed by last fall's 43-day federal government shutdown.

The government says a recent auction secured 8.4GW of offshore wind, including the first phase of Berwick Bank, while the sector faces higher project costs and critics warn contracts may lock in elevated prices.

Klarna has added instant peer-to-peer payments for users in 13 countries, including the UK. The Financial Conduct Authority is consulting on bringing buy now, pay later into its remit, with rules expected to take effect in July 2026.

Hays reported a fall in recruitment fees at the end of 2025 and said it expects a new-year 'return to work' boost while forecasting about £20 million profit for the first half of its financial year.

Barclays published a short guide called 'Savvy ways to save without noticing' that lists five simple saving methods, including a 'vanishing £2 coin' jar idea, daily penny transfers, smaller ATM withdrawals, and breaking goals into milestones.

Vistry reported slightly lower full-year revenue and a small rise in adjusted pre-tax profit, and welcomed the government's £39 billion, ten-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme which aligns with its Partnerships strategy.

After a strike by delivery workers, the government privately urged quick‑commerce companies to stop promoting explicit 10‑minute delivery deadlines; some firms such as Blinkit have removed the promise but wider compliance appears unclear.

TGI Fridays has closed 16 UK restaurants, resulting in 456 job losses, while Sugarloaf Holdings has bought the UK business and will operate 33 outlets, administrators said.

Riyadh hosted the fifth Future Minerals Forum ministerial roundtable, bringing representatives from 100 governments and 70 international organisations to discuss a draft Future Minerals Framework and the appointment of a 17‑member steering committee to guide implementation.

China reported a full-year trade surplus of $1.189 trillion for 2025, with exports and imports both beating forecasts, customs data showed.

An article lists six UK banks offering cash incentives for switching in 2026 and highlights TSB's offer, which requires switching by March 20, depositing at least £1,000, making five debit-card purchases and logging into the TSB app to qualify for rewards totalling up to £200.

The Commons backed an inflation-linked rise in alcohol duty that takes effect on 1 February, and modelling from UKHospitality suggests about 540 pubs could close in 2026.

Asian stocks rose modestly, led by Japanese shares, as a weak yen—at its weakest since July 2024—revived concerns about possible market intervention and the prospect of fiscal stimulus after a reported snap election; gold and silver also hit record highs amid geopolitical tensions.

The government has set out a major Northern Powerhouse Rail programme, with a £45 billion funding cap and an initial £1.1 billion for development and design work.

The government announced a new rail line between Birmingham and Manchester but provided no timetable or funding details, and said it would open only after Northern Powerhouse Rail is completed.

The government has outlined the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme, allocating £1.1bn for design and preparation and planning phased upgrades and new lines with construction not expected before 2030.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said reports showed Prince Harry recently went on a skiing trip while Meghan Markle stayed in Montecito with their children, and he noted Harry is preparing for a review of his UK security as Meghan focuses on her brand, As Ever.

Microsoft warned that Chinese open-source AI models, supported by state subsidies, are expanding users outside the West, and its research highlighted rapid uptake of DeepSeek's models in parts of Africa and other countries.

Mike Tomlin has stepped down after 19 seasons as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach; he won one Super Bowl and led the team to 13 playoff appearances.

The African Development Bank met Arab development finance institutions in Abidjan to secure more long-term funding as some Western donors retreat; the parties signed a declaration to coordinate co-financing and plan a platform for large regional projects, while AfDB president Sidi Ould Tah said the annual financing shortfall is about $402 billion.

Research described an AI system that ran end-to-end recruitment and offered more than 100 jobs at a Chinese electronics plant, and the authors suggest AI may take on managerial roles within about ten years.

Gas central heating remains commonly cheaper to run for many UK homes, while electric systems are nearly 100% efficient at the point of use and can suit smaller or well‑insulated properties and off‑grid homes.

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Fed chair Jerome Powell over his testimony and spending tied to a multibillion-dollar renovation; the Justice Department served grand jury subpoenas and Powell has said the inquiry threatens the Fed's independence.

Octopus Energy began offering domestic solar in 2022 and sells panels, batteries and installation services with warranties and export tariffs; the company estimates a typical payback around nine years and larger savings over 25 years.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland says Diageo will raise list prices on draught products, with a pint of Guinness up 7c and Guinness 0.0 up 10c from February 2, and that repeated supplier increases are adding pressure on rural pubs.

The Red Arrows have named Wing Commander Sasha Nash as Officer Commanding, the first woman to lead the RAF aerobatic team. She succeeds Wing Commander Adam Collins and will oversee the 150‑strong unit as training begins for the new display season.

Weather maps and forecasts show snowfall affecting 41 UK cities between Jan 17 and Jan 26, with temperatures near -7C and heavy accumulations expected in parts of central Scotland.