Good Morning! Today’s edition is 792 words, a 3-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Scientists map fly brain for the first time

• Biden won’t support Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites

• Alaska’s Fat Bear Week gets violent

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Big Story

Biden Deploys More Troops For Helene Relief

President Joe Biden deployed 1,000 additional troops to support the 10,800 aid workers already helping with Hurricane Helene relief.

• He and Vice President Kamala Harris also visited the storm-hit regions, including North Carolina and Georgia — key states in the upcoming presidential election. Meanwhile, Donald Trump also visited Georgia, adding a political tone to the disaster relief efforts.

• The storm caused massive destruction, with homes, bridges, and mines washed away. Rebuilding could take years, and more than a million people are still without power. (See satellite images of power outage)

• Hurricane Helene is one of the deadliest storms in recent U.S. history. The death toll is now at least 175 people and hundreds are missing across six southeastern states. Search and rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas, and aid is being delivered by air and even mules.

Big Story

WWII Bomb Detonates at Japan Airport

A buried U.S. bomb from World War II exploded at Miyazaki Airport in Japan.

• The bomb blew a large crater in the taxiway but caused no injuries. The explosion led to the cancellation of over 80 flights. Officials confirmed it was a 500-pound bomb and assured that there was no further danger to the airport.

• Videos of the explosion showed pieces of asphalt flying into the air, and the crater left was about 7 yards wide and 3 feet deep. Japanese authorities are investigating why the bomb suddenly detonated.

• Miyazaki Airport was originally used as a training base for Japanese pilots during WWII. Many unexploded U.S. bombs remain buried in Japan and are sometimes dug up at construction sites. Japan’s Self-Defense Force disposed of over 2,000 bombs in 2023 alone.

Big Story

Scientists Map Fly Brain

Scientists have mapped every brain cell and connection in a fly’s brain for the first time.

• The brain, about the size of a poppy seed, contains 140,000 neurons and 50 million connections. Understanding the fly's brain can help scientists learn more about how human brains work since both share similar features, especially in how they are affected by diseases.

• Researchers sliced the fruit fly’s brain into 7,000 sections, used microscopes to analyze the tiny pieces, and created a 3D image. They then added details to the map, like labeling streets on Google Maps. The final map, or "connectome," shows how the brain’s cells and connections guide actions like walking, seeing, and tasting.

• This fly brain map is free to scientists and will help them study neurological diseases like dementia and migraines. The fly brain’s map is expected to drive future research, including efforts to map larger brains like mice and humans.

Little Stories

• The Houston Astros were knocked out of the playoffs by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Wild Card Series. The loss stopped their streak of reaching the AL Championship Series, which they had done every year since 2016. (More)

• Daniel Day-Lewis is coming out of retirement after seven years to star in a movie directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. The film, called Anemone, is Ronan's first as a director and will also feature Sean Bean and Samantha Morton. Daniel and Ronan co-wrote the movie. (More)

• Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports have filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France. They claim NASCAR has used unfair practices that hurt competition in the sport. (More)

• President Biden said he would not support Israel striking Iran's nuclear sites, but mentioned that the U.S. and its allies are thinking about new sanctions on Iran because of its missile attack on Israel. Israel is planning to hit back by targeting places in Iran, like oil facilities, in response to the strike. (More)

• Police arrested a North Korean defector living in South Korea after he stole a bus and crashed it into a barricade on a bridge near the border while trying to return to North Korea. He had defected over 10 years ago but told police he was trying to return home because he had trouble adjusting to life in the South. (More)

Extra Credit

🐻 Alaska’s Fat Bear Week gets off to a violent start. 

🎨 Junk dealer discovers his family owns an original Picasso.

🚶 Interactive map shows how walkable your city is. 

🏠️ Tiny home for $19,000 available on Amazon.