5 things you need to know this morning: July 29, 2024

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Alzheimer's blood test hailed as 'transformational'

A blood test for cognitive decline has a 90 per cent accuracy rate in linking memory loss to Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. The chief science officer at the Alzheimer's Association in the US said he'd "love" for the procedure to be used in primary care "like a cholesterol test."

“These are absolutely transformational times.” New research reported at #AAIC24 suggests that, in the future, highly accurate blood tests could improve Alzheimer’s diagnosis in primary care & provide a quicker path to research participation & treatment. https://t.co/WAjFWPoXV7

— Alzheimer's Association (@alzassociation) July 28, 2024

2. Several people, including kids, stabbed in English town

Eight people, including children, have been stabbed in the English seaside town of Southport today. Police said a man has been detained, but provided no further details.

Police have declared a "major incident " in Southport after reports of a stabbing and a "number of reported casualties"

— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 29, 2024

3. Police spotted Trump shooter 90 minutes before he opened fire

The man who shot Donald Trump earlier this month was spotted by police 90 minutes before he opened fire, newly revealed text messages show. A SWAT team sniper saw Thomas Crooks at a picnic table and told colleagues, but the 20-year-old was not detained.

A local SWAT sniper noticed the suspected gunman at former Pres. Donald Trump's deadly campaign rally earlier than previously known, according to text messages obtained by ABC News.

Read more: https://t.co/3WemP4GZR2 pic.twitter.com/FcotAl7lh5

— ABC News (@ABC) July 29, 2024

4. Left-wing extremist arrested in connection with France railway attacks

A far-left extremist has been arrested in France in connection with the mass sabotage of the country's railway lines last week. Police said the 28-year-old man was spotted behaving suspiciously near a railway site, and when detained was found to have various tools and "ultra-left" literature.

French police arrest ultra-left activist after sabotage attacks https://t.co/AgGwqQdzg0

— The Local France (@TheLocalFrance) July 29, 2024

5. Canada soccer coach apologizes for drone scandal

Canadian women's soccer coach Bev Priestman has issued an apology after a drone was flown over a New Zealand training session. She said she is "absolutely heartbroken for the players."

Bev Priestman apologizes for Olympic spy scandal: 'To Canada, I am sorry' https://t.co/BPqZpLxYD7 pic.twitter.com/bQlYoj713W

— National Post (@nationalpost) July 29, 2024