Alzheimer's blood test, Boeing issues, and burrito season.

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Big Stories

Alzheimer’s blood test

A new blood test can detect Alzheimer’s disease, a study found.

• Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Over 6 million Americans have it and it’s usually diagnosed with expensive brain scans or painful spinal taps.

• The new blood test, known as the ALZpath pTau217 assay, has similar accuracy to current tests with the bonus of being cheaper and easier to administer. The test is expected to be available soon.

• Experts believe that patients could go on the offensive against the disease by having routine blood work — similar to cholesterol screenings. The test would allow people to make informed decisions about their cognitive health before symptoms arise.

Russia claims Ukraine shot down a plane carrying Ukrainian POWs

Russia has accused Ukraine of intentionally shooting down a military transport plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners.

• The crash occurred during a negotiated prisoner swap between Moscow and Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of all 74 people on board, including the majority who were Ukrainian POWs.

• According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the plane crash was the result of a "terrorist act," and Russian radars detected the launch of two Ukrainian missiles before the incident. The ministry accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack to blame Moscow for a false flag-style operation.

• Ukrainian military sources initially reported the downing of the Russian military transport, but later updates suggested the information was unconfirmed. Some Ukrainian authorities and media figures dismissed the Russian claims as propaganda.

Boeing feels the heat from Washington

Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, is facing questions from lawmakers in Washington over a recent incident where a panel broke off one of its planes during an Alaskan Airlines flight.

• An anonymous whistleblower, claiming to work at Boeing, posted online about production issues with Boeing's 737 planes. The post alleged that bolts critical for securing a door were missing when the 737 Max 9 plane was delivered to Alaska Airlines. Just 8 weeks later, the panel blew out mid-flight. Calhoun declined to comment on the report.

• The incident has led to lawsuits, flight cancellations, and frustration from airline leaders. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 planes for inspection and recommended checks on older models. The whistleblower also suggested Boeing should have halted production due to multiple issues.

• Boeing has taken immediate actions to “strengthen quality,” including more inspections, and appointed a retired admiral for a comprehensive quality review. However, consumers are already spooked about the company’s planes. Travel site Kayak reported searches from users trying to avoid Boeing 737 Max planes have increased 15x since the incident.

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Little Stories

• Jon Stewart is making a comeback as the host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" every Monday starting from February 12 until the 2024 presidential election. The rest of the week's episodes will feature a rotating lineup of the show's correspondents as hosts. (More)

• Almost all Senate Democrats, except for two, are backing a measure endorsing the creation of a Palestinian state. The measure is part of a broader national security package, which includes military aid to Israel, and is seen as a rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent rejection of Palestinian statehood. (More)

• The Supreme Court approved Alabama's scheduled execution of death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith, using the untested method of nitrogen gas. He will be the first person executed using this method, despite concerns raised by human rights experts about its potential pain and humiliation. (More)

• The United Auto Workers (UAW) officially endorsed Joe Biden's re-election campaign. Both Biden and Donald Trump had sought support from the union, with Biden previously being the first president to join a picket line in support of the UAW during a strike against major US automakers. (More)

• Approximately 245,000 Jewish survivors of the Holocaust are still alive, residing in over 90 countries, according to a new report. Nearly half of them, 49%, live in Israel, while 18% are in Western Europe, 16% in the United States, and 12% in former Soviet Union countries. (More)

• Jim Harbaugh is leaving Michigan Wolverines to be the head coach for the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the team. (More)

Extra Credit

Get lost in the 2023 travel photography awards.

Chipotle is gearing up for “burrito season.” 

Book a trip to one of the world’s 50 best cities to visit.

…and feast at one of Yelp’s top US restaurants in 2024.