Junk

Experts including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe say the odds of someone being hit by falling space debris, currently lower than the odds of a lightning strike, are shifting as more objects reenter the atmosphere. They argue governments and companies should be required to use materials that fully burn up on reentry, reigniting debate over regulating the growing amount of space junk.

Apollo is reportedly choosing to direct financing toward EasyJet's aircraft funding rather than investing in the airline's junk-rated bonds. The move highlights how private credit giants are increasingly shaping airline financing, backing specific assets like planes instead of corporate debt. Apollo has become a major player in aviation lending, and its choices signal confidence in secured aircraft deals over riskier unsecured debt from the low-cost carrier.

Google has suspended its open-source bug bounty program, with reports linking the pause to a flood of low-quality, AI-generated submissions overwhelming reviewers. The program paid researchers for finding vulnerabilities in Google's open-source projects. The move has sparked debate in the security community about how automated AI content is degrading vulnerability disclosure and whether other bounty programs may follow.

One community has moved to restrict solar energy developments by grouping them in zoning rules with junkyards and adult bookstores, effectively treating solar farms as undesirable land uses. The move, reported by Inside Climate News, highlights a growing tactic in local disputes over renewable energy siting, where opponents use zoning ordinances and nuisance classifications to stall or block large-scale solar projects.

A critique is gaining traction questioning how the idea of 'balance' in nutrition has shifted to the point where diets made up largely of junk food are framed as balanced. Commenters are debating whether the wellness industry's push against restriction has gone too far, with many arguing that moderation language is being used to excuse consistently poor eating habits rather than genuine flexibility.

Thick smog has settled over Singapore just days before the city hosts its Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. The haze, linked to forest fires in Indonesia, has raised concerns about air quality for drivers, teams and spectators. Reports mention people wearing face masks, and questions are being asked about whether the race and surrounding events could be affected by the poor conditions.

The Philippine Supreme Court has dismissed petitions challenging the Senate impeachment court's new ruling on the vote to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. The decision leaves the Senate's handling of the impeachment case intact. The ruling is drawing wide attention in the Philippines, where the impeachment of the vice president remains one of the country's most divisive political battles.

CBS News plans to debut a special election night broadcast aimed at politics enthusiasts, described as a "nerd show" for viewers who want deep statistical and analytical coverage rather than standard anchors-and-projections programming. The network is positioning the format as a way to serve audiences hungry for data-heavy breakdowns on election night, joining a broader trend of networks offering alternative, wonky coverage streams alongside their main broadcasts.

Two former bank CEOs, who describe themselves as 'bank junkies,' have taken over Parkway Bank, a $3.7 billion-asset community bank in Chicago, with plans to kick-start its growth. American Banker reports the pair aim to expand the institution, a notable move in a banking sector where community lenders face pressure from larger competitors.