JQJO — General news · Page 122

Asahi beer production in Japan is facing significant disruption due to a cyberattack, reportedly ransomware. The beverage maker's systems are offline, halting order processing, shipments, and call center operations. While manual order processing has begun, large-scale operations remain suspended. The company is investigating potential data breaches. Retailers warn of nationwide stock shortages of Asahi Super Dry, Japan's most popular beer, if systems are not restored soon.

Prince William surprised Eugene Levy by arriving on an electric scooter for his Apple TV+ series, "The Reluctant Traveler." While the stunt drew laughs online, some viewers criticized the Prince for not wearing a helmet. The episode also features William giving Levy a tour of Windsor Castle and reflecting on 2024 as his "hardest year" due to family health issues.

PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. has apologized to golf professionals for his initial downplaying of fan behavior at the Ryder Cup. The event, won by Europe, was marred by profane and personal taunts directed at players and Rory McIlroy's wife. Rea's earlier comparison of the crowd noise to a youth soccer game drew heavy criticism. He now acknowledges the behavior crossed the line, was disrespectful, and not representative of the PGA of America, vowing to own the mistake.

Dwayne Johnson underwent an extensive physical and mental transformation to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine." The film, releasing Friday, required hours of prosthetics, voice coaching, and a significant weight gain for Johnson, who trained intensely for the role. Kerr's son provided the ultimate validation, stating Johnson not only looked and sounded like his father but also captured his 'heart,' deeply moving the former fighter.

Grand Duke Guillaume ascended to the throne of Luxembourg on Friday in a traditional ceremony. Following a parliamentary oath, he addressed the nation, vowing to connect with his people and uphold the monarchy's role as a symbol of unity. The 43-year-old new grand duke, who takes over from his father Henri, was celebrated by crowds and attended by European royals and heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron. Guillaume's reign marks Luxembourg's continuation as the world's last grand duchy.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed federal employees to use out-of-office email messages blaming "Democrat Senators" for the government shutdown. Templates provided to departments like Labor, Justice, and Education explicitly cited "Democrat Senators" blocking a resolution, leading to furloughs. Some employees reported these messages were automatically applied without consent, sparking concerns about Hatch Act violations and the neutrality of government service. The White House press office and State Department also employed similar messaging.

A federal government shutdown is impacting Georgia, now on its third day. National parks are closed, and federal employees are furloughed, leading to concerns about increased demand at food banks and potential disruptions for farmers. The shutdown also affects the CDC and National Park Service, with worries about long-term consequences. Public opinion on blame is divided, with some voters prioritizing the resolution of the shutdown over assigning responsibility.

With the Wild Card Series concluded, eight teams remain in the MLB postseason, setting up a wide-open Division Series. The article highlights that each of the remaining teams has a historical precedent, with a past World Series winner exhibiting similar statistical profiles. This suggests that any of the eight teams could potentially win the championship, as past examples demonstrate diverse paths to victory, proving that "anything can happen" in the playoffs.

Hitachi shares surged over 9% following a partnership announcement with OpenAI for global AI infrastructure. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 and Topix saw gains despite a rise in the unemployment rate to 2.6%. Services PMI improved, but manufacturing output declined. Major Asian markets showed mixed results or were closed. U.S. equity futures remained stable after indexes closed at record highs, with chipmakers like Nvidia leading the gains. The U.S. government shutdown paused economic data releases, potentially influencing the Fed's interest rate decisions.

The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-0 in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, advancing to the ALDS. Rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler was the star, throwing eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts. The Yankees' offense broke the game open in the fourth inning with multiple RBI hits. Trade-deadline acquisition David Bednar closed out the game. The Yankees will now face the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.