Chandra And JWST Help "Connect The [X-Ray] Dots" -- All Formed In The Very Early Universe... To Today's Black Hole Populations -- A Family Tree.

Time for some lighter / "Gee Whiz!" interstellar / space / early Universe science fare, on a Friday afternoon.

Here may be the evidence, that connects "first gen bodies" in the early Universe, to the family tree that becomes what we now call super-massive black holes -- in our present day observations. But even that is a euphemism, as many of them are just being observed now -- after their waves have traveled for some 5 billion years, to reach JWST and Hubble and Chandra. But they are the likely great grand-kids of these primordial "red dots", it seems:

. . .A newly discovered object may be a key to unlocking the true nature of a mysterious class of sources that astronomers have found in the early universe in recent years.

A “X-ray dot” found by NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory could explain what the hundreds or potentially thousands of these objects are. A paper describing the results published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Shortly after NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope started its science observations, reports of a new class of mysterious objects emerged. Astronomers found small, red objects about 12 billion light-years from Earth or farther, which became known as “little red dots” (LRDs).

Many scientists think LRDs are supermassive black holes embedded in clouds of dense gas, which mask some of the typical signatures in different kinds of light – including X-rays – that astronomers usually use to identify them. This would make them different from typical growing supermassive black holes, which are not embedded in dense gas, allowing bright ultraviolet light and X-rays from material orbiting the black holes to escape. . . .

This new “X-ray dot” (officially known as 3DHST-AEGIS-12014), which is located about 11.8 billion light-years from Earth, may provide a crucial bridge between black hole stars and typical growing supermassive black holes. It exhibits most of the features of an LRD, including being small, red, and located at a vast distance, but it glows in X-ray light, unlike other LRDs.

“Astronomers have been trying to figure out what little red dots are for several years,” said lead author Raphael Hviding of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany. “This single X-ray object may be – to use a phrase – what lets us connect all of the dots. . . .”

Said another way, these red dots are about. . . twice to thrice as old as our known supermassive black holes. . . thus they are "the ancestors" -- to ours. Grin. . . .

नमस्ते

New Status Update -- On The Mediation Of Some Texas Border / Dilley-Related Disputes, In The Four Decades Of Flores Class Litigation, In LA...

It is maddening that Team Trump 2.0 lawyers continue to drag their feet, as to what are essentially kidnapped children.

But that is where we are, in MAGA Gov. Abbott's Texas at the border facilities -- at the moment. These kids deserve far better, indeed. Here's the latest:

. . .After a joint meeting with the parties on April 27, 2026, the parties provide the Court with this update regarding mediation.

As previously reported, joint mediation discussions, with the assistance of Andrea Ordin and Dr. Paul Wise, took place on January 23, 2026, February 4, 2026, and March 2, 2026, in accordance with the Court’s Order of December 15, 2025. ECF No. 1714 at 1. The parties also met briefly on March 10, 2026, and April 27, 2026. The parties have also had several private caucuses with Ms. Ordin and Dr. Wise.

To date, mediation has focused on Plaintiffs’ concerns with conditions at the South Texas Family Residential Center (“Dilley”), including children’s time in custody, medical care, nutrition, access to hygiene products, sleeping conditions and Plaintiffs’ notice of their Flores rights. Most recently, mediation has focused on access to medical care and notice of Flores rights to class members.

With respect to children’s access to medical care at Dilley, Defendants continue to allow Dr. Paul Wise to conduct site visits at Dilley to assess the architecture and quality of medical care at Dilley. Dr. Wise conducted a site visit on March 5, 2026, focused on assessing the architecture of the medical care delivery system at Dilley. Dr. Wise conducted a second site visit at Dilley on March 24, 2026, to assess the functioning of the medical system, and a third site visit on April 23-24, 2026, to provide a factual basis for continued negotiations between the parties. The parties agree that Dr. Wise’s continued participation will support the mediation efforts as to medical services for class members at Dilley.

With respect to the notice of Flores rights, Plaintiffs provided Defendants a proposed written notice of Flores rights on April 15, 2026. Defendants are considering Plaintiffs’ proposal and their own position or alternate proposal. In light of the status of negotiations relating to notice of Flores rights and medical care, the parties have agreed to continue mediation discussions through the end of May.

The parties agree to provide the Court with an update no later than June 5, 2026. . . .

Now you know. Onward, resolutely -- since BEFORE the days of the Reagan presidency. . . this has been a broken [non-]system.

नमस्ते

Additional Briefings Needed, In NY's Hudson Tunnel De-Funding Case, According To USDC Judge...

While Tangerine 2.0's appeal of his preliminary injunction loss, to the Second Circuit, remains pending, the trial court is moving forward toward a full trial on the merits -- the fact that Trump cut funding to construction workers is. . . appalling, when the NY/NJ commissioners would not rename the the tunnel after Trump. Damn him. [My prior backgrounders are voluminous, but here is the last prior one.]

In any event, the workers are now getting paychecks -- and work is steadily progressing, while the matter wends its way to trial in federal court in Manhattan -- here is the latest trial court USDC order, from yesterday:

. . .The Court requires supplemental briefing from the parties with respect to certain of the jurisdictional issues that have been raised by the pending motions in this matter.

By Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Plaintiffs shall submit a letter brief of no more than four (4) pages, single spaced, addressing the following questions:

(1) With respect to the RRIF loans, is it Plaintiffs’ position that the suspension of those loans violates 2 C.F.R. § 200.339 and 2 C.F.R. § 200.342, which appear to be limited to grants? If so, Plaintiffs should set forth the manner in which the September 30 Suspension of the loans is in violation of the stated regulations.

(2) If the answer to the prior question is no, what is the source of rights for Plaintiffs’ claims relating to the suspension of the RRIF loans?

(3) If Plaintiffs’ only source of rights with respect to the prior question is the APA itself, to what extent can the APA itself provide the requisite source of rights under the Megapulse test?

[Team Trump] may file a responsive letter brief of no more than four (4) pages, single spaced, by May 13, 2026. . . .

Now you know -- given the storm forecasts, I've decided not to fly down to the Derby -- but will watch it on TV tomorrow, and get some bets down, via the TwinSpires betters' app. Smile. . . .

नमस्ते

Riot Tangent: Every Bit Of Q1 Was "Trust Our Future Plans (AGAIN!)" -- But They Lost A Half-Billion Dollars, In 3 Months! Yikes.

Yes, this is absolutely the worst quarter Mr. Les has ever disclosed.

The current cost to mine one Bitcoin, including the depreciation of his rigs, is about 126% of the price of Bitcoin.

That is -- he is losing $26,000 -- on every $100,000 worth of Bitcoin he mines/sells off.

And to top it all off, over the past two years (Riot doesn't disclose pay until about 16 months after a year ends), on average, Riot's board has paid Mr. Les a little over $30 million PER YEAR to run up about a $1.8 BILLION accumulated deficit.

Holy sh!t.

This is. . . madness. And they fired the guy in charge of. . . "the future" -- the chief data center honcho, at left (but gave him very generous severance).

More tomorrow. Damn.

नमस्ते

Merck Posts A Solid Q1 2026... And The Stock Falls... What Gives?

Here is that very solid quarter -- beats at the top-, and bottom- lines. But it is trading down a fraction on the NYSE.

What gives, indeed?

Meanwhile, Riot Platforms, a hapless Bitcoin miner that will, in all probability post its worst quarterly loss in history -- after posting its worst ever annual results (about a month and a half ago) -- is up, almost 6% after falling 20% early in the week.

One could be forgiven for making the assumption that -- with the SEC being hog-tied by Tangerine 2.0 appointees, Wall Streeters are. . . manipulating stocks for pump and dump runs.

As to Merck though, the vast capital to manipulate the needed volumes on the NYSE. . . are well-beyond any one firm's capital reserves. So -- I just think people are just. . . unduly cautious -- on pharma, of late.

We shall see. Onward -- and I haven't even begun to handicap the Kentucky Derby entrants yet, this year -- but may fly down, anyway and snag a seat. . . smile. To the Rockies -- on Monday, no matter what.

नमस्ते

USDC Judge Cummings Orders The Immediate Release (By ICE And DHS), In Chicago, Of Ten More Wrongly Detained Humans -- Under That 18-cv-3757 2018 Consent Decree.

The enforcemnt hearing at 3 PM CDT on the 12th Floor of the Dirksen Building went exactly as I expected: the people are freed, without bond or other conditions.

Immediately. I won't post the whole order, as it lists identifying details -- and these folks deserve anonymity, as victims of Bovino/Noem lawlessness. They were grabbed despite being protected by prior federal court orders (from the time of Trump 1.0, and signed by Judge Cummings in 2020) prohibiting any re-detention of them on immigration related matters:

. . .For any of the above ten individuals that remain detained, defendants are ordered to facilitate their immediate release on their own recognizance and without bond or conditions of release as specified in Section IV(E)(2) of the Decree, (Dckt. #155-1 at 9), by no later than 12:00 p.m. CT on May 4, 2026. With respect to those individuals who have already been released, but on bond and with conditions, defendants must take action to refund any bonds and remove all conditions on or before 12:00 p.m. CT on May 4, 2026. Defendants shall certify in their weekly report, due at 5:00 p.m. CT on May 8, 2026, that all individuals have been released on their own recognizance and without bond or conditions of release as required by Section IV(E)(2) of the Consent Decree. . . .

Now you know. At least one court got it "right" -- today.

नमस्ते

Ultimately... Trivial -- But Tangerine 2.0 Minions Just Cashiered Former Congressional Ally Devin Nunes As CEO, Of The '34 Act Public Co. "Truth Social" / DJT Media...

Look -- the social media platform has been dying a slow death since launch in 2020. So much so that it agreed to merge with a nascent fusion research outfit, in early 2026 -- likely at Nunes' own insistence (to line his personal pockets, yet again).

But there are. . . long suffering public shareholders in this debacle -- and it seems they've pressed for the ouster of a few crony board members, and now. . . the former MAGA Congressional power broker himself. Nunes of course gets oodles of severance pay -- but he was gone with essentially immediate effect. Here's that, from the SEC Form 8-K filing of last week:

. . .The Company and Mr. Nunes entered into a Separation and Release Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2026 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Nunes ceased to be an employee, officer or director of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company—including Chairman of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Separation Agreement also contains certain provisions which supersede the severance provisions of Mr. Nunes’s Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of January 2, 2022, as amended on March 7, 2024 (as amended, the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to such terms, the Company will provide Mr. Nunes with continuation of his base salary in effect on the Transition Date for the period beginning on the Transition Date through September 30, 2026. Additionally, the Separation Agreement provides for accelerated vesting of 96,721 time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted to Mr. Nunes on August 6, 2025 under the Company’s 2024 Amended & Restated Equity Incentive Plan, and the forfeiture of all other unvested equity. In addition, to the extent not already paid, Mr. Nunes is entitled to receive the accrued benefits provided under the Employment Agreement, which include any unpaid base salary through the Separation Date, reimbursement for unreimbursed business expenses, and all other accrued and vested payments, benefits, or fringe benefits required to be paid under applicable plans or by law.

As part of the Separation Agreement, and in consideration for receiving the separation benefits described above, Mr. Nunes agreed to execute a general release and waiver of claims in favor of the Company and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, and other related parties. The Separation Agreement also includes confidentiality, trade secret, nondisparagement and other restrictive covenants. . . .

Couldn't have happened to a. . . nicer guy! This will never be a profitable public company / set of businesses -- it is a graft machine, to grift off of the MAGA faithful. . . essentially, in perpetuity. Onward!

नमस्ते

Apparently, Only "Discrimination", AGAINST Whyte Voters -- In Drawing Maps -- Is Unlawful, According To Five Supremes... Damn. Louisiana: Wrong On The Law Of Section 2 Of VRA.

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, passed by Congress long ago. . . has been effectively removed from the statute, by Alito / Thomas / Kavanaugh / Gorsuch and Roberts.

So much for deferring to Congress -- when it speaks clearly, under the Fourteenth Amendment.

This is a terrible day for Louisianans -- of color. If the maps are previously designed to limit Black voting power -- Section 2 specifically says the maps must be redrawn. . . to give Blacks more of a chance of electing someone. . . who hears them.

And so, this is a terrible day for this nation. We would do well, here to recall that Dr. King said that "a riot is the language of the unheard. . . ."

But rest assured: there will be a blue wave this Fall.

Bank on it.

Elections. . . will have consequences.

Full stop.

नमस्ते

Ahem. Tangential Martin Shkreli Trivia -- I Think It Best To Just Do It... This Way. Onward.

This nonsense happened a few days ago, while I was largely off grid -- at my youngest son's half-, in Eugene. As I've mentioned before -- he is pretty elite, and has qualified for the world championships in the half-iron, in Nice, France this Fall.

This was a tune-up, to see how his splits are shaping up for that race -- as he makes prep, to head to the south of France and train there -- getting a racer bike hard-boxed and shipped, etc. Getting a house to sleep a rotating crew of 10 (for family and friends!) -- for the whole month of September (outside Nice but) right on the rail line, for "side quests" to Paris, Vence, Eze and certainly Monaco. . . and on and on.

It will be an extended family vacay, if nothing else. [But he will do quite well -- he literally knows no other way.]

Anyway -- the graphic relates to MY weekend, not Martin's. The part about Martin Shkreli, then: apparently claims he lives in SF now. This is (apparently) due to the fact that the mother of his only child lives there. Whatevs. The gossip page in SF has more, but (as you will read in blue below) I too wouldn't want to promote fraudulent claims. So under the pull-quote -- I will simply place a link. Read at your own risk [his "news / gossip" is the third item -- in the link below]:

. . .The Waggle could not verify anything Shkreli claimed above (we are dealing with a convicted fraudster here), so if you happen to know anything about this, please drop us a line.

Fatherhood, for what it’s worth, does seem to have [slightly] tamed Shkreli: The Waggle had an amiable chat with the “Pharma Bro,” with only one mention of “boning babes. . . .”

As I say -- here's a link to the gossip/twaddle if you are interested.

That is all the trivia I've got today, but I am out of pocket for each of the next three Fridays to Tuesdays. . . so keep it spinning in good karma. I know you will.

Out.

नमस्ते

USDC Judge Alia Moses -- In Del Rio, Texas -- Orders "Mediation" Of The Razor Wire Barrier Cases, From 2021-23...

It seems the families whose children were maimed, and mothers were drowned. . . may see some recompense, from the State of Texas. . . for MAGA TX Gov. Abbott's Hitlerian tactics -- on the Rio Grande river. A waterway he has zero jurisdiction to patrol, or place barriers upon. That is a US federal law / Nation of Mexico perogative, exclusively -- under our treaties and federal statutes stretching back nearly 150 years. Damn.

We have covered these awful cases for about five long years. Do search "razor wire" in the box above left, if you are curious. Or search "Alia Moses". Here's the latest order:

. . .Pursuant to Chief United States District Judge Alia Moses’ Order [ECF No. 142], the parties have been ordered to appear before the undersigned for mediation on May 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. The mediation will occur in Courtroom No. 4 of the United States Courthouse, 111 E. Broadway Street, Del Rio, Texas.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall each file, on or before May 18, 2026, a mediation brief that meets the following requirements:

1. Filed ex parte and under seal -- The filing party shall adjust the viewing permissions when filing the brief to only allow access by the filing party and the Court. Any questions regarding this procedure should be directed to the Clerk's Office in the Del Rio Division.

2. Addresses the following matters: (a) the main issues in this dispute; (b) amendable resolutions to this matter; and (c) any prior cases in the Western District or the Fifth Circuit in which the requested relief was awarded. . . .

SIGNED this 28th day of April 2026. . . .

Onward, resolutely -- hopefully, those potential asylum-seekers injured and killed by MAGA Gov. Abbott's lawless razor wire abominations [during the Biden Administration]. . . will now see some compensation.

नमस्ते

Power Alley, After A Long Weekend Away: Sun Pharma To Pay Almost $12 Billion For Merck Spin-off Organon...

We mentioned this -- as a rumor piece, a few weeks ago. And the Organon NYSE common stock price is now up almost 100% -- since the morning before the rumor piece floated through various financial outlets, that week. It does seem like a pretty high price for these very mature brands. But we shall, as ever see.

In any event, here's FiercePharma's finely cogent take on it all, from while I was in the air yesterday:

. . .Already the largest biopharma company in India, generics powerhouse Sun Pharma has doubled in size with its acquisition (PDF) of women’s health leader Organon. With its $11.75 billion buyout, Sun has picked up a drugmaker that matched the $6.2 billion in sales that it generated in 2025.

Sun is paying $14 per share, which is a 24% premium on Organon’s closing price on Friday. It is also a more than 100% premium on Organon’s share price at the start of April. With the agreement, which is expected to close by early 2027, Sun’s stock increased by 7%, while Organon’s jumped by 17%.

The deal, which is the largest ever by an Indian biopharma, the company said, will boost Sun’s portfolio of innovative medicines and will catapult it to No. 7 among the world’s top sellers of biosimilars, the company said in its release. . . .

Organon’s stock had been weighed down by “heavy headwinds,” according to Evercore ISI analyst Umer Raffat, citing the New Jersey company’s debt, its oncoming loss of exclusivity of contraceptive implant Nexplanon and its “bad M&A to digest,” which is a reference to Organon’s $1.2 billion 2024 buyout of Dermavant. . . .

Now you know -- even if I'm a little out of date.

Onward -- with travel ahead, on each of the next three weekends -- with one more half-marathon toward the end -- and Colorado and points eastward, too. Woot!

नमस्ते

Does He Not Realize… Ari Onassis Heard Much The Same?! Sheesh!

Well, it seems Mr. Trump can't understand that -- in the case of many wealthy older men who've had multiple wives, and are presently with younger wives -- a common joke for decades from comedians has been that the younger wife has been invested in / involved. . . with... waiting for them to die. Just ask Andrew Dice Clay, Rodney Dangerfield, and before them, Lenny Bruce.

We may quibble about whether that particular joke was in good taste -- given what happened later in the evening, Saturday night. But there is no doubt that Mr. Kimmel's joke is protected expression.

So I will rerun my column from November 2025 and the last time Donald Trump tried to punish speakers (including comedians!) whose jokes offend him -- and of whose views he does not approve:

Tangerine and Melania today said it pretty plainly, that FCC should review (with a threat toward revoking) the broadcast licenses of networks that criticize him.

Charming. We will -- as ever -- peacefully -- resist. Resist the trampling of our First Amendment rights.

Nearly 250 years of freedom now hang in the balance. Forget this loser, folks:

. . .President Trump said federal regulators should revoke broadcast licenses over late-night hosts who speak negatively about him, a day after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show “indefinitely” after pressure from the Federal Communications Commission chairman. . .

“They’re giving me all this bad press, and they’re getting a license,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, after ABC suspended the late-night Jimmy Kimmel Live show. “I would think maybe their license should be taken away. . . .”

Not on my watch you Manchurian Cantaloupe.

Nope. [I ask you to please forgive any typos you might notice above, as I posted this from the iPhone mid air between Eugene and Chicago. Tiny screen effect; big fingers!]

नमस्ते

New Data Out Of US CDC Suggests That Mpox Clade 1b Is Unlikely To Be A Vector, On The Summer's Commercial Air Travel Routes: CIDRAP

Of course, the Clade 1b is associated with the more severe symptoms -- and is thus of highest concern. But the empirical data so far suggests the data of "catching it" -- from an infected seat mate, on a jet. . . is negligible. That's good news, as so many will hop on international flights -- from as early as June through November of this year, here.

Still -- there are reports of people with Clade 2, getting sick on the airplane. So far, none of those have resulted in "close contact" transmission, to others on the plane. But if you've had, or have Clade 2, please do not board a plane until you are virus free (no visible legions). In any event, here's the pretty reassuring news -- from the U of Minn's fine CIDRAP outlet:

. . .Transmission of clade 1 mpox virus during commercial air travel appears to be uncommon, according to a study published yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The analysis looked at data from five commercial flights taken by three men with active mpox symptoms to assess the risk of in-flight transmission. The three men were aged 20 to 40 years. The flights took place from November 2024 to January 2025.

Among 60 identified contacts, defined as nearby passengers and crew, one person reported symptoms of fatigue, body aches, and a skin lesion after the flight, but that person tested negative for mpox. No secondary cases were identified. . . .

Based on these results, the CDC discontinued routine aircraft contact tracing for all mpox clades and subclades in 2025. But public health officials continue to recommend that people with mpox avoid travel until they have fully recovered. Vaccination of at-risk groups remains an important tool for reducing transmission and disease severity, the authors said. . . .

Onward, to "remote view" the 2026 Eugene Marathon tomorrow, over the web/on the internet -- and track my youngest's progress in getting down to world class splits. Smile. . . .

नमस्ते

DC Appeals Court Rules (AGAIN!) Trump Pretended To Have Power Over Asylum Seekers... He Plainly Lacked. End Of Tangerine Proclamation 10888.

A per curiam opinion -- out of the DC federal Court of Appeals today tells us all what we long knew: Trump cannot countermand Congressionally mandated due process, for people who seek protection from abuse at our borders -- no matter where they cross.

Once again, his black Sharpie scribbles mean. . . essentially nothing, not without an entirely new act of the Congress. And that never happened. At all.

So he is (again) toast -- and people seeking asylum in the US must be granted due process hearings, despite what the dotard says -- here's that 105 pager, and a bit of the opening stanzas:

. . .More than a century of precedent assures that “over no conceivable subject is the legislative power of Congress more complete” than it is over the admission of foreign individuals. Dep’t of State v. Muñoz, 602 U.S. 899, 903 (2024) (quoting Oceanic Steam Navigation Co. v. Stranahan, 214 U.S. 320, 339 (1909)); see also INS v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919, 940 (1983) (“The plenary authority of Congress over aliens under Art. I, § 8, cl. 4 is not open to question.”). . . .

This is a statutory interpretation case. Our task is to determine whether Congress has granted the Executive the authority to remove foreign individuals present in the United States without adhering to the removal procedures or providing the substantive removal protections that Congress prescribed in the INA. . . .

We conclude that the INA’s text, structure, and history make clear that in supplying power to suspend entry by Presidential proclamation, Congress did not intend to grant the Executive the expansive removal authority it asserts.

The Proclamation and Guidance are thus unlawful to the extent that they circumvent the INA’s removal procedures and cast aside federal laws affording individuals the right to apply and be considered for asylum or withholding of removal protections. Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Plaintiffs. We also affirm the district court’s class certification order, modifying the class definition as clarified by this opinion. . . .

Yep -- bit by bit, sanity (and the rule of actual law) is making a come-back. Onward, resolutely.

नमस्ते

Tangent: A Trend Line, On Tesla / Muskian Lobby Spend, Since Tangerine 2.0 Began...

[As long as we are digging through crates of federal forms, this morning. . . "why not?" Right? Right.] This is what his spend trend looks like, at right.

And this is the first time we've ever detailed how he went down the (at least on legal/on-the-record) path -- of lobbying Tangerine 2.0. Obviously, his role in the early days of Tangerine 2.0 were chaotic.

Issues related to avoiding any meaningful oversight -- and preserving federal EV tax breaks, probably predominated. That, and getting him "in" at DOGE, while never filing a conflict of interest disclosure form required by federal law, nor disclosing his finances, in full -- thus effectively avoiding all Congressional oversight efforts. . . was the whole game.

Then, he bailed before the LDA authorities could act, to bring him in for a chin-waggle. Damn.

In any event, here's the latest (small by pharma standards, but he has his fingers in lots of different pots, to be certain -- including national defense, via SpaceX contracts). I suppose it is mostly surprising. . . how cheaply the MAGA-Congress-critters may be bought:

. . .Autonomous Vehicle policies; Artificial Intelligence/Robotics; Surface Transportation Reauthorization; EV Fees/Highway Trust Fund Reform; EV charging infrastructure/EV signage; National Electric Vehicle Initiative (NEVI); Advanced Battery Supply Chain and Manufacturing; Automotive Technology and Safety; Privacy; H.R.1566, REPAIR Act; SELF DRIVE Act. . . .

H.R.1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act; Critical Minerals and Battery Components. . . .

General trade policies; Issues related to manufacturing supply chain; Issues related to non-tariff trade barriers; Issues related to global market access and global competitiveness. . . .

Solar and energy permitting; Virtual Power Plants; Energy Storage. . . .

Permitting and critical mineral policies; Permitting Reform provisions related to Budget Reconciliation; Discussions regarding export controls. . . .

Issues related to transportation appropriations, Issues related to H.R.1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, permitting reform, Highway Trust Fund, NEVI/CFI, and Spectrum Auction Authorities. . . .

Issues related to spectrum/ultra-wide band. . . .

Issues related to Significant New Alternatives Policy Program; Issues related to TSCA. . . .

Issues related to intellectual property. . . .

[SpaceX:] The FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act (No Bill Number): issues related to space launch competition. . . .

The FY2027 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act (No Bill Number): issues related to commercial, civil, and defense space transportation. General monitoring of issues related to the space launch licensing approval process. . . .

The FY2027 Defense Appropriations Act (No Bill Number): issues related to the funding of military space launches. The FY2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (No Bill Number): issues related to the funding of civil and military space launches. . . .

As I say, this whole thing. . . smells. Smells to high heaven. And we all know (in our heart of hearts) much, much more moved, via dark money -- but this is just the tiny portion required to see. . . sunshine, under long-standing federal laws.

D A M N A T I O N.

Elon -- being Elon. And MAGA cheering it on.

नमस्ते

Eli Lilly's Q1 2026 Lobby Spending: Pretty Large, By [Prior] Lilly Standards...

It is clear that the increased spend is driven primarily by business decisions to protect the GLP-1 weight loss juggernaut franchises.

Here -- without other color commentary -- is that for the first quarter:

. . .Issues related to intellectual property protection and market access within current trade negotiations; Canada IP; USMCA implementation; Mexico patent linkage; Special 301; Trade talks: US-Japan, US-China, US-EU, US-UK, US-India, and US-Brazil; US Tariffs. . . .

Patient protection; Pharmaceutical supply chain issues and shortages; Drug pricing, coverage, value, access and quality; Transparency; Intellectual property; Health insurance accessibility; Implementation of the "Inflation Reduction Act" (HR.5376); Prescription drug approval; Policy matters related to Artificial Intelligence in health care. . . .

Intellectual property; 340B Program; Medicare & Medicaid prescription drug diagnosis and screening reimbursement pricing, coverage, value and access; Implementation of the "Inflation Reduction Act" (HR.5376); CMS National Coverage Determination on Alzheimer's disease. . . .

Multi-lateral threats to IP and the biopharmaceutical industry; Drug importation; Prescription drug value, access and quality. . . .

Pharmaceutical intellectual property issues. . . .

Implementation and extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; Domestic manufacturing tax incentives; Expensing of research and development costs; Global minimum tax; Pension and retirement benefit issues; round-tripping. . . .

Hospital discounts; 340B program; Prescription drug value, access, quality and compliance with Drug Quality and Safety Act. . . .

This last bit is lobbying on preventing compounders from offering cheaper versions of the GLP-1 weight loss packages.

Onward, smiling -- and, we still don't know what the longer term side effect profiles will be -- for this class of blockbuster drugs. It concerns me that it is becoming seen by the low-information public, as a "cosmetic" drug. But one you'll likely need to stay on, for life. Yikes.

नमस्ते

Now Pfizer’s Q1 ‘26 Spend: Pretty Much Steady State, Compared To Q1 ‘25

This is number three of a four part series -- maybe five -- if I decide to add Amazon Health in (or if I decide to take a look at Elon Musk's Tesla/SpaceX -- as the latter goes public). For now, this is what the largest spend of the majors went to in Q1 2026.

You'll notice that -- unlike the others, Pfizer goes into far less detail about exactly what they are jaw-boning about. It is my opinion (expressed here, on and off for about 15 years) that, given how relatively high the company's spend on lobbying is every year -- that this below, barely meets the command of the statute, to describe, in reaonable detail, "a list of the specific issues upon which a lobbyist employed by the registrant engaged in lobbying activities, including, to the maximum extent practicable, a list of bill numbers and references to specific executive branch actions. . . ." at 2 USC § 1604 Section (b)(2)(A):

. . .[US House] Vaccine Coverage; Pediatric Immunization Schedule; Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; Executive Order 14297 - Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients; H.R. 7837 - Most Favored Patient Act of 2026; Lyme Disease Issues; 340B Issues; Counterfeit Drugs; Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA); Drug Pricing; PBM Reform; Direct-to-Patient Prescription Drug Purchase Platforms and Insurance Coverage; H.R. 5509 - Safe Step Act; S. 2903 - Safe Step Act; S. 3510 - Biosimilar Inspection Modernization Act of 2025. . . .

[US Senate] Executive Order 14297 - Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients; Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA); 340B Issues; Direct-to-Patient Prescription Drug Purchase Platforms and Insurance Coverage; PBM Reform; Counterfeit Drugs; P.L. 117-169 - Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022; Drug Pricing; Medicare/Medicaid Issues. . . .

International Supply Chain; Market Access; Most Favored Nation Policies; Foreign Freeriding Issues; Non-Tariff Trade Barriers; Competiveness Issues; Trade Issues. . . .

Intellectual Property Protections. . . .

Onward, to a warm if cloudy Spring Friday morning -- Eli Lilly likely up next, before Noon. Smile. . . .

नमस्ते

In Which The Race-Hating Frothy Hard Right's Blog Of Record… Earns His White Hood & Sheet/Robes — Anew.

Of course, the race-hater-right had to come forward — with the most preposterous of lies, since more likely than not, they helped engineer this bogus indictment in the first place -- through their MAGA contacts in the Trumpian 2.0 “justice department”.

I won’t repeat a word of what these would-be Klanners said. It. Is. All. Lies.

But I will note that the resurgence of the Klan was a direct response — to the election of Barack Obama in 2008.

These haters' false timeline, even in their own arguments -- is full of holes, lies and misrepresentations. There had been documented resurgent Klan gatherings and activity throughout the last half of the 1990s (as Bill Clinton advanced various civil rights measures), and they mostly subsided, while Bush43 was president. [Mostly because these hate groups were getting their way.]

All the while, the Southern Poverty Law Center was investigating, and yes, using paid informants (who were risking their very lives), to keep track of Klansmen — nationwide. [This is in no manner like Steve Bannon essentially stealing charity funds, from "We Build The Wall" -- to pay off his personal credit card debts, rent wild private jet rides -- and fund his other hate enterprises.]

As just one example, consider that Matthew Hale, and the World Church of the Creator hate group, were first identified by the SPLC, shortly after Ricky Birdsong was murdered in cold blood (in a racial assassination) not even one and a quarter miles from my house.

He was shot dead — in front of his daughter — while they were jogging. He was also the head basketball coach of Northwestern University.

Quickly finding his killers (and their affiliations to whyte supremacy / evil insanity groups), was in part due to the efforts of the SPLC — and that organization’s databases. Notice that that is at least 15 years prior to the idiotic claims in the racists' / frothy hard right’s timeline.

What an embittered, darkly shriveled, and decrepit soul that guy is.

Out.

नमस्ते

The Able USDC Judge Xinis Will Hold A Very Illuminating Hearing In Maryland, On May 12, 2026 -- But I'lll Be In The High Rockies, Then.

Mr. Abrego Garcia -- and his counsel -- have all of this nonsense well in hand. They will win, on May 12, 2026.

I'll not likely even try to get cell-service, to listen in on that day. And by then, the Fourth Circuit is likely to have summarily dismissed Todd Blanche's rather. . . insane "appeal" -- in any event:

. . .PAPERLESS ORDER

In light of Petitioner's motion at ECF 166 [Ed. Note: 166 is a motion from Abrego's counsel, for an indicative ruling that the government's pretending to have a final order of denial -- which Judge Xinis has never intimated, let alone entered -- upon which to base its immediate appeal, to the Fourth Circuit -- an appeal Todd Blanche filed anyway (without even a shred of authority for)!] and in the interest of fairness and judicial economy, the Court hereby

RESCHEDULES the in-person hearing to May 12, 2026 at 11:00AM [EDT] in Courtroom 2C, and sets the following briefing schedule:

Respondents SHALL respond to the motion at ECF [166] by April 28, 2026;

Petitioner SHALL reply by May 5, 2026.

Signed by Judge Paula Xinis on 4/22/2026. . . .

Now you know. Onward, resolutely, against this lawless thuggery.

नमस्ते

And Here Is The Significantly DECREASED Amgen Spend -- And Where All It Went, In Q1 2026...

As I indicated in the last post, it seems Merck has increased its spend by almost as much as Amgen has cut its. Interesting -- we shall see if this reversal of fortunes continues through all of 2026. [It is typical that all majors may decrease spending slightly, in the third quarter, as Congress may recess for most of August.] So, we shall wait and see what Q2 brings.

Here is the decreased Amgen Q1 2026 -- and you may compare it to the Amgen Q1 2025 listing, here, in any event:

. . .[Both Houses of Congress:] Issues related to drug pricing; Issues related to cardiovascular disease awareness and treatment; Issues related to FDA; Issues related to patient affordability issues, including copay cards, copay accumulators, copay maximizers, National Benefit Payment Parameters; Issues related to biosimilars reimbursement; Issues related to Supply Chain; Issues related to 340B; Issues related to pharmacy benefit managers; Issues related to biosimilars regulatory standards; Issues related to bone disease awareness and treatment; Issues related to Public law 117-1769 Inflation Reduction Act; HR 1492 Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act; HR 1672 Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act; HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14); S 1954 Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act; S.3345 PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act; H.R. 6166 Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act; S.3019 No Big Blockbuster Bailouts Act; HR 4317 PBM Reform Act; S 3510 Biosimilar Inspection Modernization Act; PL 119-75 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026; HR 4299 Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act; H.R.7837 Most Favored Patient Act of 2026; S 3788 Clear Labels Act; HR 5256 340B Access Act; H.R.5526 Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act; HR 7391 Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act. . . .

Issues related to drug pricing; Issues related to cardiovascular disease awareness and treatment; Issues related to reimbursement for biologics/biosimilars; Issues related to PBM reform; Issues related to bone disease awareness and treatment; HR 1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14); S.3345, PBM Price Transparency and Accountability Act; HR 6166, Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act; S 3019 - No Big Blockbuster Bailouts Act; S 3349 PBM Disclosure Act; HR 4317 PBM Reform Act; Issues related to Public law 117-1769 Inflation Reduction Act; HR 1492 Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act (EPIC); HR 1672 Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act (MINI); HR 4299 Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act; H.R.7837 Most Favored Patient Act of 2026; PL 119-75 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. . . .

[Taxes:] Issues related to corporate and international tax; Public Law 115-97, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; Public Law 119-21, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14); Issues related to Puerto Rico; Issues related to OECD negotiations on the taxation of global income. . . .

Federal Trade Commission related issues: Issues related to the Patent Act, no specific bill; Issues related to March-In/Bayh Dole, WTO/TRIPS; Issues related to patent thickets; Issues related to obviousness/ double patenting; Issues related to FDA/PTO coordination; Issues related to skinny labeling; S.1041 A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to address the infringement of patents that claim biological products, and for other purposes; S.1040 -A bill to amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to prohibit product hopping, and for other purposes; S 708/ HR 1574 -- Realizing Engineering, Science and Technology Opportunities by Restoring Exclusive Patent Rights Act of 2025 (RESTORE); S.1553/HR3160-- Promoting and Respecting Economically Viable American Innovation Act (PREVAIL); S. 1546/ HR 3152-- Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025 (PERA); S 2276 / HR 3269

Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act (ETHIC Act); S. 43/HR 6485 Skinny Labels Big Savings Act; S.2658 Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act; S. 3452/HR 6624 Biological Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2025. . . .

Issues related to tariffs; Issues related to trade agreements; S. 3452/HR 6624 Biological Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2025. . . .

Now you know -- and maybe, just maybe -- Amgen figured out that the Supremes (as we's long said -- and as did many other wise heads) were going to all but end tariffs regardless, and thus the company needed to spend less overall, in Q1 -- jaw-boning Congress for some future possible legislative "fix".

Who knows? Anyhoo -- onward now, grinning into the Spring sunshine, for a bike ride -- by the clear, cold azure waters of the lake. . . .

नमस्ते