The Net

The Wall Street Journal reports that the 'buy, borrow and die' strategy, in which wealthy Americans borrow against appreciated assets to avoid capital gains taxes and pass assets on tax-free, has grown into a market worth roughly $5 trillion. Securities-based lending and similar credit lines have expanded rapidly as advisors and private banks market the approach to high-net-worth clients, drawing fresh scrutiny of how the ultrawealthy legally minimize taxes.

Personal finance creator Humphrey Yang has released a breakdown of the net worth thresholds that define upper, middle and lower class status in 2027. The breakdown is drawing large engagement as people compare their own finances to the benchmarks amid ongoing concerns about inflation, housing costs and wealth inequality.

The Swiss Indoors in Basel is drawing wide attention after Valentin Vacherot beat Taylor Fritz in a match disrupted when the net posts suddenly went missing, costing Fritz a break and sparking an angry reaction. Ben Shelton won a tense tiebreak against compatriot Aleksandar Kovacevic, Daniel Altmaier took revenge on Cerundolo, and Djokovic faced Jan-Lennard Struff. Stan Wawrinka also announced his retirement from tennis at 41.

Personal finance author Ramit Sethi worked with a couple earning $818,000 a year with a $1.8 million net worth who nevertheless fear they cannot afford to retire early. Sethi says two simple exercises can resolve their anxiety, arguing the problem is emotional rather than mathematical. The case highlights how even high earners struggle with money psychology and retirement confidence.

The Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets on a late game-winning shot by Jayson Tatum, and attention has turned to the play design behind it. Fans and analysts are breaking down how Boston set Tatum up for the decisive basket in the closing seconds of the matchup.

The New York City Marathon has adopted a net zero emissions target, prompting questions about whether the wider global sports industry can match its environmental commitments. The move puts one of the world's largest mass-participation events at the front of efforts to cut carbon footprints in athletics. Attention is turning to whether other major competitions and governing bodies will follow with credible climate plans of their own.

A privacy-focused net-worth tracking tool called QuietWorth is being discussed as an alternative to mainstream finance apps. Most trackers require linking a bank or brokerage account, giving companies a live feed of users' assets. QuietWorth instead lets users type in their numbers manually once a month, with no account linked. The trade-off is convenience versus keeping financial data out of corporate hands.

Golf News Net has published the field list and player rankings for the 2026 World Wide Technology Championship on the PGA Tour. The overview sets out which tour players are entered and how they stand in the rankings heading into the event, giving fans an early look at the competitive lineup for next season's tournament.

NatWest Group, listed on the London Stock Exchange, is heading into its third-quarter earnings with analysts and investors questioning the state of its net interest margin and the quality of its loan book. Commentators are weighing whether the bank's lending growth and profitability can hold up as rate conditions shift, with the upcoming results seen as a test of management's outlook.

Indian ad-tech firm Affle has agreed to acquire Israeli ad-tech company Perion Network for $420 million. Perion shareholders will receive $11.70 per share in cash, a 34.5% premium. Perion held $228.3 million in cash and securities as of September 30, effectively lowering the net deal price. The agreement includes a go-shop period running to December 11, leaving open the possibility of a competing higher bid.

The Brooklyn Nets face the Indiana Pacers in an NBA game on November 1, and viewers are looking up how to follow it. Coverage lays out the tip-off time, the TV channel carrying the broadcast and the streaming options available for fans watching at home.

The Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers meet on the NBA court Sunday, November 1, with sports outlets publishing betting odds, predictions and picks ahead of tip-off. Coverage centers on how the two teams match up and which side bettors should favour, as part of the usual early-season NBA betting preview coverage.

Environmental commentary is highlighting the damage bottom trawlers inflict on fragile ecosystems on undersea mountains, or seamounts. The discussion raises the prospect that restrictions or a ban on the practice could finally be within reach. Conservationists argue these deep-sea habitats, rich in slow-growing marine life, take decades or centuries to recover from trawling nets.