More or Less

Derek Thompson argues that Americans have stopped inviting people into their homes, charting a long decline in hosting, dinner parties and casual social visits. The essay links the trend to rising loneliness, social anxiety, money pressures and a broader retreat from community life, prompting wide discussion about how much less people see friends than earlier generations did.

Shoppers are noticing unusually high prices for Halloween candy as the holiday approaches. Rising cocoa costs, sugar tariffs and general inflation have pushed candy prices well above last year's levels, and consumers are venting about the cost of trick-or-treating staples. Retailers are responding with promotions, but many families say they are buying less or skipping candy altogether this season.

Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk has beaten its KHL opponent, prompting reaction from the losing side. Player Luzenkov said his team 'scored one goal less' and noted that they got going again in the third period, insisting there are no fitness problems. The comment highlights frustration at a narrow loss while defending the squad's physical condition after the defeat to Neftekhimik.

A popular mountain biking creator is revisiting how riders jump bikes, arguing that decades of common technique rest on flawed assumptions. Using physics explanations and on-trail demonstrations, the piece walks through what actually happens when a rider hits a jump and why the traditional approach may be less effective than believed. Viewers, many of them longtime riders, are debating whether to change habits built over years of riding.

A social media user says they have been deliberately reducing their time online, for a range of reasons, and worries they may be missing current events and commentary as a result. Still, they believe less internet use is probably good for them overall, a sentiment that echoes the wider conversation about stepping back from constant connectivity.

A doctor is explaining why generic medicines cost far less than branded drugs and whether the lower price means lower quality. The explanation covers how generics avoid heavy marketing and research costs, and reassures viewers that cheaper does not mean ineffective, a common worry among patients in India deciding between generic and branded prescriptions.

A Denver realtor says the local housing market is shifting in buyers' favor, with more inventory and less fierce competition giving purchasers more room to negotiate. However, she cautions that mortgage interest rates are unlikely to fall anytime soon, meaning affordability challenges will persist even as conditions improve. The remarks reflect a broader cooling of previously overheated US housing markets.

The Atlantic hurricane season has been remarkably quiet, and the Wall Street Journal reports that El Niño is the main reason. The climate pattern increases wind shear over the tropical Atlantic, tearing apart storms before they can develop, which has left forecasters and coastal residents with far less activity than expected this year.

Speeches delivered at the United Nations on the Gaza war have renewed debate over whether Israel is held to different standards than other countries. Commentary, including in the Jerusalem Post, argues the organization applies disproportionate scrutiny to Israel while giving less attention to other conflicts and violators, a longstanding charge that the latest round of addresses has pushed back into public discussion.

Personal finance commentary argues that the share of a portfolio allocated to cryptocurrency should vary with an investor's age, with younger people typically able to take on more risk and older investors advised to hold less. The piece reflects ongoing debate about how much digital currency belongs in retirement and long-term planning, but it offers general guidance rather than a specific new development.

A new essay on John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' is drawing attention for its reflection on family, guilt and forgiveness. The piece revisits the novel's central question — whether people are bound to repeat their parents' mistakes — and argues that the book endures because readers see their own family conflicts in it. It frames the novel less as a classic of American literature than as a guide to choosing whom to forgive.

Startups weighing Carta against Cake are comparing the two equity management platforms on pricing and how deep their workflows go. Carta is the established name in cap table management, while Cake positions itself as a lighter, more affordable alternative. The debate centres on whether the cost saving justifies a less mature feature set for growing companies.

A new MMGY survey finds that American travelers are responding to financial pressure by adjusting their budgets rather than canceling trips altogether. The findings suggest travel remains a priority for US consumers even as they seek ways to spend less, potentially reshaping spending patterns across hotels, airlines and destinations.

Croatian automaker Rimac has ended production of its Nevera electric hypercar after building 71 units, less than half of the originally planned 150-car run. The Nevera, one of the fastest production electric cars in the world, is expected to be succeeded by a follow-up model, but Rimac has not given detailed reasons for the shortened run, and industry observers are questioning demand at hypercar price levels.

A dietitian asked by Verywell Health says the widely used 2,000-calorie daily guideline is not a one-size-fits-all target. Calorie needs vary based on age, sex, body size and activity level, meaning some people need considerably more or less than the standard figure printed on nutrition labels.

Danone has developed a new drink targeted at consumers taking weight loss medications such as GLP-1 drugs. The product is designed to meet the nutritional needs of people using these treatments, who often eat less and may need additional protein and nutrients. The move shows food companies adapting to the rapid rise of appetite-suppressing drugs.

US Treasury yields have climbed sharply, prompting warnings that America's fiscal position is deteriorating. CNBC reports that, for now, the surge does not signal a so-called 'fiscal apocalypse', though analysts caution that rising borrowing costs leave less room for error if deficits and debt issuance continue to grow.

A case study circulating in personal finance coverage describes a man who bought a less expensive long-term care insurance policy at age 60. When he needed care decades later at 86, the policy had paid out $340,000, allowing his children to inherit the family home without debt. The story is being shared as an example of how long-term care insurance can protect family assets.

A Victorian-era home built in 1872 in the UK has replaced its gas combi boiler with a heat pump, and the retrofit was done without tearing up all the floors, which is often cited as a barrier to heat pump installation in older properties. The case is being highlighted as an example of how older British homes can be decarbonised with less disruptive work.

India cricketer Shubman Gill says the team has 'no time to experiment' and wants the full squad available from the next ODI series, with less than a year remaining before the World Cup. His comments put the spotlight on India's selection choices and how quickly the side must settle its best combination for the tournament.

Indian stock markets are positioned for a rebound after a period of pressure from fears of aggressive US Federal Reserve rate hikes and elevated oil prices. Both concerns have eased, with expectations of less hawkish Fed policy and softer crude prices reducing headwinds for India, a major oil importer. Investors are watching whether the relief rally can hold as global monetary policy uncertainty persists.

A new report argues that the deadliest threat from chewing tobacco is not oral cancer, the risk most commonly associated with smokeless tobacco use. Instead, it points to a different, less expected danger as the leading cause of harm. The finding is drawing attention because it challenges widespread assumptions about how chewing tobacco damages health.