Iranian Truckers.

A “tidal wave” of debt.

“It’s the first thing I read every day.” — Brigadier General (retired) Russ Howard, founding director of The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

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1. A world-first brain scanning technique could identify signs of Alzheimer’s disease long before symptoms appear. The method, which analyses the cell structure of the brain, has been found to identify subtle changes in the cortical regions, including areas typically affected in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. At the moment, diagnosis of diseases such as dementia normally relies on questionnaires which show memory problems combined with MRI scans, which can show loss of brain volume. However, this means many people are diagnosed only when the disease has progressed. The British scientists behind the “precision diagnostic tool” said it could bring hope for millions of people with concerns about dementia. Tests suggest it is able to spot disruption in the structure and function of the cortex, particularly those associated with functions such as memory, decision-making and language. (Source: telegraph.co.uk)

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2. China has increased its ability to launch a sudden attack on Taiwan with faster-paced air operations, new artillery systems and more alert amphibious and air assault units, according to Taiwanese and US officials and experts. One senior Taiwanese military official said Chinese air force and missile units that would play a role in a Taiwan invasion had improved to a point where they could “switch from peacetime to war operations any time”. (Source: ft.com)