BBL

Professional astronomers do not simply buy observing sessions on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope or Hubble Space Telescope. Instead, they compete through open, peer-reviewed proposal calls, submitting scientific cases that anonymous committees rank, with approved time granted in hours. The process is explained in detail in a new piece, shedding light on how scarce time on the world's most in-demand space telescopes is allocated.

Cricket Victoria's chief has commented on the prospect of Indian owners buying franchises in Australia's Big Bash League, comparing the situation to what England did 150 years ago. The remarks add to ongoing debate about foreign, particularly Indian, investment in Australian domestic cricket and what it could mean for the league's future.

Jackery, known for its portable solar generators, has announced its entry into the recreational vehicle market with Pebble, an all-electric travel trailer that integrates the company's solar charging technology. The move marks a diversification for the power-station maker as electric and solar-equipped RV travel gains interest among campers looking to go off-grid without fuel.

A new analysis ranks home prices across the 20 largest European countries, showing sharp contrasts: some markets are described as being in 'splendid housing bubbles' with prices far above earlier levels, while at least one market has fallen back to its 2009 price level. The comparison highlights how differently European housing markets have moved since the financial crisis and the recent interest rate surge.

Commentary is circulating on how an artificial intelligence investment bubble might actually collapse. The discussion focuses on the mechanics of a potential pop in AI-related valuations, amid ongoing debate about whether the surge in AI company valuations is sustainable. Markets watchers continue to weigh signs of overheating in AI-linked stocks against the technology's genuine long-term promise.

Astronomers have observed dwarf stars consuming material from orbiting companion bodies, a phenomenon reported by Scientific American. The observations offer a rare direct look at how stellar pairs interact, with stars stripping and absorbing matter from smaller partners in their orbit. Space and science communities are sharing the findings, discussing what they reveal about stellar evolution and the violent dynamics of binary and multi-body star systems.

Carlos Alcaraz reached the final at the ATP tournament in Tokyo after a tense match in which he wobbled badly, dropping 16 points before recovering to close out the win. The Spaniard overcame the mid-match lapse to book his place in the title decider, keeping alive his bid for another trophy this season.

Microsoft's Exchange Online will require the EWSAllowedAppIDs setting from 10 October, meaning Exchange Web Services applications not explicitly authorised will be blocked. Administrators need to register and approve their app IDs in advance or risk disruption to integrations and services relying on EWS. The change is being discussed among IT professionals, especially in Italy, as organisations check whether their mail-related apps are compliant before the deadline.