Cyberattacks Rupture Euro Airports & Michelob Ultra is the King of Beer

Key Takeaways

Jimmy Kimmel's return ignited debate on free speech and affiliate preemptions.
Argentina's President Milei faces economic hurdles despite U.S. backing.
European businesses and airports suffered multiple cyberattacks by financially motivated groups.
The OECD raised global economic forecasts but warned of tariff-induced slowdowns.
Michelob Ultra became the top-selling U.S. beer, targeting health-conscious consumers.
NASA selected 10 new astronaut candidates, with women forming the majority.

Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC following a suspension, delivering an emotional monologue addressing past remarks.
Some ABC affiliates, including Sinclair and Nexstar in major markets, preempted his show, sparking discussions on influence.
Pushback from Hollywood unions and former Disney executives reportedly influenced Disney's decision to reinstate Kimmel.
The preemptions were linked to affiliate owners' potential FCC merger alignments and business implications.
Disney also announced price hikes for Disney Plus amid sensitive timing related to the controversy.

President Javier Milei's free-market reforms in Argentina face challenges, including economic contraction and job losses.
Unemployment is rising and job numbers are decreasing despite Milei's stated goal of curbing inflation.
The U.S. government supports Milei, with Treasury Secretary Scott Persent exploring bailout options, and former President Trump publicly backing him.
Argentina relies heavily on IMF lending and has a history of debt defaults and loan cycles.
Milei's economic strategy strengthened the peso against the dollar, making imports cheaper but exports less competitive, impacting manufacturing.

A ransomware cyberattack on Collins Aerospace, an airline software provider, disrupted check-in systems at several European airports, including London Heathrow and Dublin, causing flight delays.
Jaguar Land Rover experienced significant system disruptions and production halts from a series of cyberattacks impacting European businesses.
British government officials noted a 600% rise in aviation sector attacks, acknowledging increasing cybercrime sophistication, potentially amplified by AI tools.
A Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the Jaguar Land Rover incident, identifying the perpetrators as 'Scattered Lapsus Hunters.'
These hacker groups, known for targeting companies like Microsoft and Uber, are characterized as young, English-speaking individuals motivated by financial gain.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported a more resilient global economy than anticipated, raising growth forecasts for the U.S. and the world.
Increased business orders ahead of tariffs and investment in new technologies like AI contributed to the revised 2025 global economic forecast.
The report warns that the full impact of tariffs, the highest since 1933, is yet to be felt and could slow future growth.
Key trends from the OECD report include strong AI investment, a drop in net immigration, and federal workforce reductions impacting the labor market.
U.S. lawmakers are reportedly taking the OECD's predictions seriously for policy recommendations, particularly for the near future.

Michelob Ultra has become the top-selling beer in the U.S., dethroning Modelo Especial, with 95 calories and 4.2% ABV.
Anheuser-Busch's marketing strategy focused on health-conscious, active lifestyle consumers, mirroring the success of skinny can formats popular with Gen Z.
Michelob Ultra's success is attributed to its zero-alcohol version and its form factor, resonating with younger consumers seeking lighter options.
Constellation Brands (Modelo Especial's distributor) saw its stock fall 39% year-to-date, while AB InBev rose 17% following Michelob Ultra's surge.
Modelo's decline from the top spot is partly attributed to a pullback in consumption habits by Hispanic consumers, influenced by political climate.

NASA introduced its 10 newest astronaut candidates, selected from over 8,000 applicants.
This class features six women and four men, marking the first time women outnumber men among new astronaut selections.
Candidates will undergo two years of training at Johnson Space Center for future missions to the International Space Station and potentially Mars.
One candidate from this class could be among the first Americans to land on Mars.