Brain Implant Reduces Seizures, WikiLeaks, and Llama Caddies.

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Big Stories

Brain Implant Working

An epileptic UK teenager named Oran Knowlson became the first person in the world to receive a brain implant designed to control seizures.

• The neurostimulator was placed under his skull and sends electrical signals to his brain, reducing his daytime seizures by 80%. His mom says he is now happier, chattier, and has a much better quality of life.

• Oran had the surgery in October at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. He has a treatment-resistant form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which he developed at age three. Before the implant, Oran could have 100+ daily seizures and often needed resuscitation. The implant, called Picostim, was placed in his brain to block the pathways that cause seizures.

• The trial’s success means more patients with similar conditions will be recruited for further studies. The hope is that deep brain stimulation will become a standard treatment for severe epilepsy in children, helping them live more normal lives.

Deadly Kenya Protests

Protests against a tax-raising bill in Kenya have turned violent.

• In Nairobi, protesters clashed with police and tried to storm the parliament, resulting in five deaths. Protests also happened in other cities, with people demanding President Ruto's resignation and lashing out against the tax increases. Ruto blamed the violence on dangerous individuals hijacking the tax debate and promised a strong response.

• Police in Nairobi used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds but eventually opened fire, killing at least five people after they tried to enter the parliament compound. The army was eventually called in to help handle the situation. The protests caused severe disruptions, including internet outages and business closures.

• The tax bill was introduced to raise $2.7 billion to help reduce Kenya's debt but has faced strong opposition. The government agreed to some concessions, promising not to increase taxes on bread, cooking oil, car purchases, and financial transactions. But that hasn’t been good enough for protesters.

NTSB Reveals Cause of East Palestine Toxic Train Wreck

Federal investigators confirmed that a hot railcar wheel bearing derailed a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023.

• The derailment led to a fire and the evacuation of over 2,000 residents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that faulty track sensors, delayed communications, and other missteps contributed to the disaster, which could have been prevented.

• The crash happened when the overheated wheel bearing on railcar 23 caught fire, causing the axle to fall off. Despite sensors and alarms, the bearing's true temperature was underestimated, leading to the train's failure to stop.

• The NTSB criticized Norfolk Southern for recommending a dangerous "vent and burn" procedure, which released toxic smoke. A study published in the Environmental Research Letters estimates that 110 million residents in 16 states, or one-third of the nation's population, were impacted by pollution from the wreck.

• The NTSB made several recommendations to prevent future incidents, including better communication between railroads and first responders, faster response to bearing failure alarms, and improved training for volunteer firefighters. Norfolk Southern has agreed to a $600 million settlement to compensate affected residents and businesses. The company also said it is complying with safety recommendations and improving its safety culture.

Little Stories

• Athing Mu, the defending Olympic gold medalist in the 800-meter race, tripped and fell during trials on Monday, ending her chances of making the U.S. team for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Nia Akins, Allie Wilson, and Juliette Whittaker finished in the top three and are going to their first Olympic Games. (More)

• WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange landed in Saipan to make a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department that will let him return home to Australia. Assange will plead guilty to an Espionage Act charge. Prosecutors agreed to a sentence of the five years he has already served in a British prison. (More)

• Volkswagen is investing $5 billion in EV startup Rivian. The deal includes creating a joint venture so VW can use Rivian's technology to speed up its own EV production. After the news, Rivian's stock shot up 32%. (More)

• Doctors in the U.S. did a kidney transplant on a man who stayed awake the whole time. John Nicholas got his new kidney at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago on May 24 and went home the next day. Usually, patients stay in the hospital for several days or up to a week after a kidney transplant. (More)

• A New York judge lifted part of the gag order on former President Trump in his hush money trial. Trump can now comment on witnesses and the jury, but still can't talk about lawyers, court staff, or their families. He also can't share information about the jurors. The change comes just before the first presidential debate between Trump and President Biden. (More)

Extra Credit

The latest trend in golf: Llama caddies. 

The science behind why cotton shrinks. 

Watch: A case for banning left turns in America. 

Charting the likelihood your child will be taller than you.