Who qualifies for the February 18, 2026 Social Security payment and what amount you will receive with the 2.8% increase

Overview of February 2026 Social Security Payments More than 71 million Americans depend on Social Security. On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, a significant number of beneficiaries will get their next monthly payment. The current average check reflects a cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 2.8%. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will maintain its payment schedule […]
Social Security Update: Payments Reaching $5,181 Arriving This Week

Millions of individuals receiving Social Security will anticipate their payments this week. Why Is It Important? Over 70 million Americans depend on Social Security for essential income, covering retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. This program is sustained by payroll taxes, which workers pay during their careers, and allows benefits to be claimed starting at age […]
NYC health worker wished for the destruction of Israelis in disturbing social media post: report

Controversial Post Sparks Outcry in NYC Health Department A long-time official from the New York City Health Department expressed extreme sentiments about Israelis in a recently revealed social media post. “If there is one Israeli left in this world, it will be too many!” Ahmat Akkad, the community coordinator for the health department since 2017, […]
Jillian Michaels: Social media’s addiction system is focusing on our kids

Concerns Over Social Media’s Impact on Youth “Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.” This statement rings true as we look back at the 1990s when tobacco executives swore that nicotine wasn’t addictive. They were, without a doubt, misleading us. Later revelations showed that cigarettes were engineered to enhance their addictive properties, and […]
Paige Spiranac discusses her break from social media.

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac has amassed over 4 million followers on Instagram and 1.1 million on TikTok, but her posting frequency has decreased recently. In a Q&A session on Instagram last week, Spiranac revealed she’s been less active on social media. Her latest Instagram post dates back to January 26, while her last TikTok video […]
Liz Weston: Will I really lose my Social Security benefits if I relocate and work in another country?

Dear Liz: I’ve been struggling to find a decent job in my field lately. There are actually some openings abroad that really match my skills and interests. If you manage to get a job in another country, there’s a chance you could end up paying taxes in both the U.S. and that country. Plus, not […]
Many states do not tax Social Security, but a few still do. Here’s a list.

February 15, 2026, 8:01 a.m. ET Social Security benefits can significantly impact the financial situations of many Americans. Yet, there’s a catch. While these funds may help alleviate some financial burdens this year, they could inadvertently push household incomes into ranges that trigger tax obligations. The federal government imposes taxes on Social Security income for […]
AI-only social media platform launches — here are the unsettling topics bots are discussing

New AI-Driven Social Media Platform: Moltbook At the end of January, Matt Schlicht, CEO of Octane AI, introduced a new social media platform by the name of Moltbook. It functions like traditional social networks, allowing users to post, engage in discussions, comment, and upvote content. However, there’s an unusual twist. Only AI agents are permitted […]
Trump criticizes Bill Maher in a Truth Social post, calling him ‘very nervous’ and claiming he has ‘no confidence in himself.’

It’s amusing how quickly some moments can turn into regrets. Recently, President Trump reflected on a dinner he had with comedian Bill Maher at the White House back in April. The occasion was part of an event hosted by Kid Rock, and, in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the dinner […]
Support pours in for ‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin following his candid social media updates

Concerns Grow for Ilya Marinin Following Olympic Performance Fans have expressed worry after Ilya Marinin, known as ‘Quad God’, shared a video on TikTok that conveyed a vulnerable message. The 21-year-old athlete faced a challenging night in the men’s singles figure skating event, where he fell twice and ended up finishing in eighth place. After […]