Boeing's New Leader

Boeing has appointed Robert 'Kelly' Ortberg as its new CEO, effective August 8, amid a turbulent period for the aerospace giant. Ortberg, 64, brings significant industry experience from his time leading Rockwell Collins.

The change comes as Boeing grapples with financial losses, safety concerns, and intense competition. The company reported a $1.4 billion loss in Q2 2023 and faces ongoing scrutiny following recent safety incidents, including a mid-air event involving an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 jet.

Ortberg's Seattle-based leadership is expected to shift focus from financial management to engineering expertise, aiming to address Boeing's challenges in both medium-haul and long-haul aircraft markets.

Forbes + 28 • US News • Financial Markets

Preventing Dementia

A groundbreaking report suggests that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors. With over 10 million new cases annually, this finding offers hope in combating a growing global health concern.

The study identifies vision loss and high cholesterol as newly recognized risk factors, joining others like hypertension and social isolation. Experts stress the importance of health equity, as risk factors disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations.

Implementing prevention measures requires coordinated efforts from individuals, healthcare systems, and policymakers. With dementia cases expected to triple by 2050, these findings could lead to significant improvements in quality of life and substantial economic savings.

Time + 13 • Science • Health

Google Targets Deepfakes

Google is implementing major updates to its search engine to significantly reduce the visibility of non-consensual deepfake pornography, cutting exposure by over 70% for certain queries. This move comes amid growing pressure from lawmakers and the White House to address AI-generated explicit content.

The initiative includes easier reporting processes for victims and improved filtering systems to prevent the reappearance of harmful images. Google has consulted with experts and victims to balance information access with online safety.

Concurrently, bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. to criminalize the creation of deepfakes, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect individuals, particularly women, who are often the primary targets.

The Verge + 9 • AI • Tech

Sports, Entertainment & Culture

• Apex Capital Trust outbids Skydance Media with a $43 billion offer for Paramount Global, potentially ending the Redstone era. (More)

• Sony partners with NFL to enhance technological capabilities, including Hawk-Eye for precise play reviews, aiming to reduce game stoppages. (More)

• Bungie lays off 220 employees amid financial struggles and rising development costs, facing criticism for mismanagement. (More)

Science & Technology

• Scientists discover 'tissue resident' memory cells in upper airways, crucial for defending against respiratory diseases like SARS-CoV-2. (More)

• Astroscale and JAXA successfully demonstrate proximity operations around rocket debris, advancing space junk removal efforts. (More)

• AI model predicts male infertility from blood tests with up to 74% accuracy, potentially revolutionizing diagnostic processes. (More)

Business & Markets

• China's manufacturing activity contracts for the third consecutive month, prompting a 300 billion yuan stimulus announcement. (More)

• Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sells over $3 billion worth of Bank of America shares, its first reduction since 2019. (More)

• Fidelity International launches Physical Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product on London Stock Exchange, targeting professional investors. (More)

Politics & World Affairs

• Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants to plead guilty to 9/11 conspiracy charges in exchange for life sentences. (More)

• Germany officially blames Chinese state actors for the 2021 cyberattack on its Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy. (More)

• Nigerians prepare for nationwide protests amid worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, driven by soaring inflation. (More)