Good morning. It's Monday, Aug. 31, and we're covering violence in Portland, the passing of a Hollywood star, and an advance in brain-computer interfaces. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

One Dead in Portland Clashes

One person was shot and killed Saturday night amid violent clashes between protesters and counterprotesters in Portland, Oregon. Police have not yet released details, but the victim appeared to be part of a pro-Trump vehicle caravan (see photos) that moved through downtown following a rally in a nearby suburb. Video online shows a brief altercation between two men (warning: sensitive content) but does not capture any preceding events. As of early this morning, the shooter is still at large.

The city has been gripped by protests for three months, sparked by the May 25 killing of George Floyd. Many follow a familiar pattern, beginning peacefully and devolving into smaller pockets of violence and destruction at night. Mayor Ted Wheeler has come under fire for not calling in the National Guard to help quell unrest. Law enforcement officials say the appearance of counterprotesters has added a layer of complexity, increasing the risk of violence—see a series of videos from Saturday's caravan (warning: language).

The chaos caps a tumultuous week across the nation, following the police shooting of Jacob Blake last Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a shooting that left two protesters dead (also in Kenosha, see our previous write-up). President Trump is scheduled to visit the city tomorrow.

Chadwick Boseman Dies

Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman passed away late Friday, succumbing to a four-year battle with colon cancer. The 43-year-old actor had become one of the most prolific and highly regarded actors of the past decade, playing a number of historical Black Americans on screen including Jackie Robinson ("42"), James Brown ("Get On Up"), and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall ("Marshall"). Boseman also played the titular character from Marvel's "Black Panther," instantly becoming one of the most popular characters inside the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe.

His most recent film, "Da 5 Bloods"—directed by Spike Lee—was released in June to critical acclaim (see trailer), and his final film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," is in post-production. His death was a surprise to many as Boseman had not talked publicly about his diagnosis; see reactions and tributes here. 

The final tweet posted to Boseman's Twitter account became the most-liked post in the platform's history.

Neuralink Reveals Prototype

Elon Musk's Neuralink revealed Friday a working brain-computer interface capable of processing real-time information from the brain of a living pig. In a livestreamed demo, the company also revealed a prototype surgical robot capable of inserting the computer chip into the brain and making connections with neurons. The system was shown recording electrical signals from a pig as it rooted in its cage. 

Establishing an interface between the brain and a computer is not novel itself—other companies have demonstrated both surgically implanted connections and noninvasive links by recording brain waves. Neuralink's advantage reportedly lies in a sewing machine-like manufacturing process that allows more than 1,000 electrodes on a quarter of an inch-sized chip (see overview). In the short term, the company hopes to create early warning systems for heart attacks and strokes, with a grand vision of curing neurological disorders and even achieving seamless, two-way communication between human brains and computers. 

Watch a condensed version of the demonstration here.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> The 2020 US Open begins today in New York City without spectators; 2018 women’s tennis champ Naomi Osaka and men’s world No. 1 Novak Djokovic are favorites to win (More)

> Former NBA All-Star Clifford Robinson dies at 53 (More) | Julia Reed, author and journalist known for writing on Southern food and culture, dies at 59 (More)

> The Weeknd wins Video of the Year for "Blinding Lights," Lady Gaga takes home five total awards at the MTV Video Music Awards; see full list of winners (More)

Science & Technology

> Google conducts the largest chemical simulation using a quantum computer to date; demonstration involved the company's Sycamore system paired with a classical computer (More)

> Maze study demonstrates how cells are able to travel efficiently to precise targets throughout the human body by measuring the concentration and location of molecules known as chemoattractants (More)

> NASA approves final development stage for October 2021 mission to the Trojan asteroids (More) | More on Jupiter's rocky entourage (More)

Business & Markets

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> Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway discloses more than 5% stakes in five multinational Japanese companies investing a total of more than $6B (More)

> China issues restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence technologies, move will likely complicate the potential TikTok divestiture as deal may require approval from Beijing (More)

> Bank of America report reveals US technology stocks are now worth more than the entire European stock market (More)

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Politics & World Affairs

> The University of Alabama reports more than 1,200 students have tested positive for COVID-19 (More) | India sets record for new cases per day at more than 78,000 (More) | Total US cases at 6 million as of this morning, with 183,068 deaths; see the rolling daily case average (More) | ... and deaths (More)

> Hurricane Laura death toll rises to at least 16 in the US, with more than 350,000 Louisiana homes without power; storm missed major population centers (More) | ... but caused $8B to $12B in damage (More) | Forecasters eye two more storms on the horizon (More)

> Georgia authorities recover nearly 40 missing or endangered children in weekslong sweep of child trafficking hotspots; nine people arrested (More)

ETCETERA

Iowa's derecho destruction, in a photo essay.

More companies are providing workers paid leave to vote.

... and where workers are saving the most time working from home.

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We could all use a visit to Denmark's Happiness Museum.

Engineer uncle builds a backyard rollercoaster for quarantined nephew.

Waking up in a friend's body will mess with your mind.

Pretend you're not home with nonstop ambient noise.

A Banksy-sponsored migrant boat stalls out in the Mediterranean Sea.

Clickbait: Three-year-old girl in Taiwan miraculously safe after being lofted by a kite (w/video). 

Historybook: HBD Richard Gere (1949); RIP boxing legend Rocky Marciano (1969); Princess Diana dies in car crash in Paris (1997); 953 die in bridge stampede in Iraq (2005).

"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward."

- Princess Diana

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