. . .France has confirmed its first case of Ebola - a doctor who had returned from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The doctor was "immediately admitted to a specialised facility" and is in a stable condition, the French health ministry said on Wednesday.
DR Congo announced an Ebola outbreak last month, but experts believe the virus had been circulating for weeks previously. . . .
This is the first Ebola case to have been confirmed in Europe, although an American doctor who tested positive in DR Congo was treated at a German hospital last month. . . .
The US physician was ultimately brought home to the US to recover, at the beginning of this month.
Isolation / "Altered States" tanking, up next, on a gray but pleasant morning. Smile. . . .
We remind casual readers, again (on the other hand, regular readers have long known this), the US collective bargaining / labor contract law is clear: these diplomats and other US foreign service workers have a right to come home, for treatment -- if ill with Ebola. The Tangerine 2.0 attempt was thus. . . lawless. Again.
But it is over, now. Kenya will not build a holding pen for US people in DRC or Uganda, suspected of having / carrying Ebola. Here's the Beeb on it, tonight:
. . .Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has halted the construction of a controversial US-funded Ebola quarantine facility in the country a day after he was found in contempt of court for ignoring a judge's ruling.
Appearing in court on Tuesday, Duale apologised and said he had "directed the immediate and complete cessation" of building work at a military base in the town of Nanyuki. . . .
Lawyers for those who took Duale to court had asked the judge to impose a 15-month custodial sentence on the minister. [But] High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi accepted Duale's apology saying the minister was "discharged with a stern warning".
Talking about what should happen next, Duale said that both the Kenyan and US governments had agreed to suspend the proposed collaboration concerning the Ebola facility following the court order. . . .
[O]n Monday the judge said the government could not "avoid compliance by recasting or re-characterising the ongoing construction", adding that a court order "is not an invitation to ingenuity -- it is a command to be obeyed. . . ."
This attempt also plainly violated internal Kenyan laws -- thus the able judge had put the brakes on it. Onward, to another hours long isolation tank / float, tomorrow afternoon. Woot!
This pushes things beyond the July 4 holiday weekend. Ugh.
But make no mistake: karma is coming for these goons, who refuse to give children soap, toothpaste, warm bedding and clean water, as well as healthy food, and outdoor rec time -- while being held at Dilley and other facilities.
These are. . . children -- what the actual. . . hell(?!):
. . .By this stipulation, and pursuant to Local Rule 7-1, the parties respectfully ask the Court to continue the deadline for Defendants to file a response to the Court’s Order to Show Cause (OSC) of June 15, 2026, ECF No. 1794, from June 25, 2026, to July 6, 2026, and that the deadline for Plaintiffs to file their response to the OSC be extended from July 6, 2026, to July 15, 2026. . . .
[And, in the Ms. L class litigation, overnight -- before the able USDC Judge Sabraw in San Diego:] [I]n Flores v. Garland, 3 F.4th 1145, 1147 (9th Cir. 2021), where the Ninth Circuit interpreted a landmark settlement agreement entered into by the United States in 1997 with a class of migrant minors subject to detention by U.S. immigration authorities (the “Flores Agreement”), and affirmed the district court’s order enjoining the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) from detaining for more than three days minors protected by the Flores Agreement who were housed in “twenty five hotels across three states[.]” Id. at 1148. There, the United States [Tangerine 1.0] did not advance the habeas argument presently argued by [Tangerine 2.0] Defendants here, and the Ninth Circuit did not require such an approach, i.e., a habeas action, let alone a habeas action in each district in which class members were detained. . . . [In that] historic settlement, [Tangerine 1.0] Defendants here agreed to robust relief for Ms. L. class members to address Defendants’ prior unconstitutional conduct and the harm caused by their family separation practices. . . .
As the Court noted in its prior Order: “[A]lthough it may be theoretically possible for Plaintiffs’ counsel to obtain information about the reason for their client’s detention form sources other than [Tangerine 2.0] Defendants, efforts to obtain that information from those sources is time-consuming and often unsuccessful. . . . As a matter of common courtesy and cooperation, and to ensure Class Members and QAFMs have full access [to] the benefits of the Settlement Agreement, the Court orders [Tangerine 2.0] Defendants to provide Plaintiffs’ Counsel with the requested information.” (ECF No. 937 at 8.) For the reasons set forth above, Defendants should not be detaining class and family members except for reasons justified under the Settlement Agreement. Where Defendants elect to detain class and family members, they must articulate those reasons to Plaintiffs’ Counsel as promptly as reasonably possible so counsel can expeditiously determine whether to seek relief from the Court under the Settlement Agreement. . . .
This is very good news -- for the people wrongfully detained, shot at, and beaten by ICE/DHS in Minneapolis last year.
Eventually, Tangerine 2.0's administration is going to owe millions in damages to the people he abused -- and in at least two cases, to the families of people he. . . killed. Here's the latest, out of the USDC in Minneapolis:
. . .The parties are ordered to meet and confer before July 6, 2026 to develop a plan for limited discovery before the Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 174) is resolved. . . .
Early Discovery requests must be tailored to issues that might inform the parties’ positions in the Motion to Dismiss, and information with a high risk of dissipation over time. . . .
The Early Discovery plan should identify, as to each request, a reasonable time scope and a narrowly targeted range of custodians from whom such discovery is sought. . . .
Failure by either party to negotiate Early Discovery in good faith will be construed as a waiver of arguments as to such discovery. . . .
Increasingly, Lassa fever may appear in an ever widening section of Africa, as climate change renders much larger portions of the continent hospitable to the transmission of the virus. So a vaccine is sorely needed -- and this one uses an inactivated strain of rabies to base the vaccine proteins on. [It comes out of University of Maryland efforts, in Nigeria.]
. . .An investigational vaccine for the Lassa fever virus (Josiah strain) vectored with inactivated rabies has demonstrated clinically significant immunogenicity against both viruses and a favorable safety profile in a first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial conducted by the Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine. . . .
"Climate change is causing Lassa fever to extend its reach far beyond its Nigerian and West African origins, putting an estimated 700 million people at risk worldwide," said UMSOM Dean Mark Gladwin, MD in a statement released on the publication of the trial interim results. . . .
Although the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, exacerbated by late response and lack of vaccine for the circulating species, requires all possible measures, Lassa fever is another zoonotic viral hemorrhagic illness in the region that is a priority target of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is estimated to infect 300,000 people and kill 5,000 each year, with an 80% mortality of mother or fetus when contracted in late-term pregnancy, and with no vaccine yet available. . . .
Onward, with baby-grrls day here -- and sunshine at the park, in cool 70 degree air ahead -- maybe a walk to the beach, to put our toes in sugary warm white sand, as well. Smile. . . .
Well, after a lost appeal -- this one is now back in the federal trial courts, in DC. And this capable Judge will not tolerate any Muskian nonsense. Trust that.
This below (in blue) is the pending schedule of court ordered new dates -- buckle up, Elon!
. . .ORDERED that the parties shall adhere to the following deadlines:
➢ Deadline to Exchange Initial Disclosures: June 25, 2026
➢ Deadline to Amend the Pleadings without leave of court: June 5, 2026
➢ Deadline to Join Additional Parties without leave of court: June 5, 2026
➢ Plaintiffs’ Rule 26(a)(2) Expert Disclosures: August 26, 2026
➢ Defendants’ Expert Rebuttal Report: November 23, 2026
➢ Plaintiffs’ Expert’s Response to Defendant’s Expert: December 9, 2026
➢ End of Discovery: December 18, 2026
It is further ORDERED that the parties shall adhere to the following briefing schedule:
➢ Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment due January 25, 2027
➢ Defendants’ Combined Opposition and Cross-Motion due February 22, 2027
➢ Plaintiffs’ Combined Opposition and Reply due March 22, 2027
➢ Defendants’ Reply due April 12, 2027. . . .
Now You know. It rumbles onward, against Mr. Musk. Flawless.
So, this all has a decidedly strong stank -- of being part of a behind scenes bribe, from Trump surrogates, to the Minister of Health, inside Kenya. And now he may be jailed for it -- for criminal contempt.
Charming. We will know one way or the other, in a few days.
Just as would be true in the US, no Kenyan health official has independent, unchecked authority to bind his nation to a deal with any foreign power -- at least not without the Bunge (both houses of the legislature, there) or William Ruto's (the President's) prior approvals, in writing.
. . .Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale has been found guilty of contempt of court over his handling of the construction of a controversial US-funded Ebola quarantine facility.
Last month, the High Court halted the building of the 50-bed isolation centre at a military base in the town of Nanyuki until a case brought by a rights group could be heard.
But on Monday, a judge ruled that Duale had ignored the order and allowed the project to continue. He is to be sentenced on Tuesday.
The quarantine facility is intended for US citizens who are suspected to have contracted Ebola in the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. . . .
Now you know. Onward, resolutely. Just like the reflecting pool/swamp deal -- this one stinks -- to high heaven.
And, the notice of appeal comes on the very last day allowed under the federal rules -- from the date of the judgment, dismissing Mr. Abrego Garcia's criminal charges -- and leaving him free of all non-civil entanglements. [He is largely free of all civil entanglements in Maryland too -- under USDC Judge Xinis' spearate orders, as well.]
To be certain, these jamokes will lose on appeal. There is not a stitch of thread in the actual evidence before the courts. . . that this was anything other than a baseless witch-hunt. . . resurrecting a 2022 TN highway patrol / traffic encounter (where not even a ticket or warning was issued!) to try to create indict-able felonies. All because Abrego Garcia asserted his right. . . to have. . . rights:
. . .Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, 18 U.S.C. § 3731, and Rule 4(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, notice is hereby given that the United States of America appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from the Opinion and Order on May 22, 2026, by the District Court granting Defendant Abrego Garcia’s Motion to Dismiss the Indictment. . . .
As I say, the able USDC Judge Waverly Crenshaw took his time, and very carefully offered the government every opportunity to prove that the indictment was pursuant to unbiased, "regular" criminal investigatory processes. When nothing supported that conclusion, he held multiple hearings, and even asked direct questions, of the government witnesses himself, from the bench, in open court.
Welcome to the majors, you Trumpians. [And were Mr. McGuire a wise man -- he should be preparing at the same time, for proceedings against his license -- to practice law, in Tennessee. Damn.]
The latest EU member of the ISS crew -- running a near daily all internet media log of her time in space -- and thrilling millions of schoolkids, in the process [with over 210 million views, thus far]. . . has reached the half-way point, of her stay -- in the international "hotel" for near Earth orbit / space travel. [With one of my several prior backgrounders, here.]
She is inspiring STEM kids the globe over, with real, hands on looks at what space-life is like: ocassionally very exciting, sometimes mundane and boring -- maitenence work. . . but never the same thing, more than a few days in a row. And then, there are those endlessly breath-taking views, out the cupola window. Here (below) is the latest video installment from the European Space Agency's feed:
. . .Sophie is halfway through the εpsilon mission onboard the ISS, and she has already accomplished so much. Between hundreds of hours of scientific research and thousands of photographs taken from space, she has taken the time to share many unforgettable moments with us — inspiring millions along the way on social media.
"Many thanks to all of you following along on social media, and to all the incredible teams behind εpsilon! It’s been an amazing adventure so far, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your support. Looking forward to sharing the second half of the journey with you all!", says Sophie. . . .
And. . . a lil' closer to home, on a Zoom last night -- we learned that our youngest son had endured another bike crash -- he's fine -- except for some limited mobility in his left shoulder, which means he'll skip swim workouts for a few weeks. We are thrilled the cut under his chin is the only thing that will leave a more permanent scar. . . but at mid-day, in sunny weather, a pickup truck (without the right of way) didn't see him, and turned left dead in front of him -- as he was pedaling straight ahead at ~22 miles an hour. It T-Boned him, but he mostly flew onto/into the truck bed, and had a pretty soft landing, relatively speaking. The carbon-fiber race bike did its intended job, and provided a crumple zone for him -- it can be replaced. [This is a common hazard, even in the very-biker friendly environs around Eugene, Oregon -- especially at the smaller county road intersections.]
But at 30, he is now less-inclined to ride at absolute max speed on the very mountainous, shaply curved bike course outside Nice, France -- this September for the Half Iron world championships.
He says he still intends to enter and finish the race -- but may pull his "go fast, or go home" horns in -- just a bit. [His prior two crashes were more serious, most recently having to have surgical steel plates and screws put into his right elbow three years ago, and two years before that, having to have his left shoulder repaired with cadaver tendons, from an extremely severely separated shoulder.] So, crashes are a part of life, for him -- but he is now of an age that he does not want to be debilitated, should he ever suffer a serious crash again.
And we are grateful that he is coming to that conclusion, all on his own. We will still do the full month in France in September with extended family in tow -- but it will more a vacation, and a lil' less an intensely competitive nerve wracker. [Paris, and now Florence and Sienna, Italy in Tuscany are all likely to be one week stays, in addition to the week (or so) in Nice, proper.] All in all, all good. Onward -- and back to Sophie, now:
. . .“I want you to know that this race against hate was intended to be more than a physical event,” said Sherialyn Byrdsong at the start of the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate on Sunday. “The finish line is about more than completing a course. This race was intended to remind all of us of the journey we are called to take together. Every step you take today represents a commitment to build communities where people are treated with the dignity, worth and the value that God bestows upon them.”
Byrdsong is the widow of Ricky Byrdsong, the former head coach of the Northwestern men’s basketball team, who was killed by a white supremacist during a Chicago-area shooting spree in July 1999.
She founded the Race Against Hate in 2000. . . .
More than 2,800 athletes -- from ages 2 to 89 -- as well as an equal number of well-wishers took part in the 27th annual event along the lakefront. The event raises money for YWCA Evanston/North Shore. . . .
And so, we run. Happy Fathers' Day, to one and all of good will. . . smile.
And while over $900 million in aid and relief supplies has been pledged globally, only about $110 million of the pledged amounts has actually been delivered into the stricken areas of DRC and Uganda, as of this morning. Much moe will be neeeded, no doubt.
Here is the latest disconcerting news, from Reuters:
. . .A senior World Health Organization official said on Friday that 75 medics in the Democratic Republic of Congo had been infected with Ebola and 17 of them had died since the current outbreak started there.
Ebola was thought to be circulating months before the outbreak was first declared by Congolese officials on May 15, meaning many medics were exposed to the disease before they even knew it was present. Even now, health officials say supplies of the basic gear to protect themselves like gloves and masks are running short. . . .
Please remember that today is also a day for celebrations, nationwide. Yep, this is the day formerly enslaved people in Texas first learned that -- at least as far as Washington, DC was concerned -- they were now. . . free. [In practice, it would be many many years yet, before they could come and go as they liked.] And that knowledge was only shared in Texas, a full three years after the signing of the proclamation. Damn.
That is exactly where the able USDC Judge Dolly Gee is headed -- again. During Tangerine 1.0 she appointed an independent monitor -- and things improved, so by the middle of Mr. Biden's term. . . that monitor appointment automatically sunsetted (in no small part to avoid wasting federal taxpayer funds on no longer needed oversight).
But the Tangerine 2.0 status reports offered by ICE and border agents are rife with errors, ommissions and it would seem. . . even intentional non-compliance with the settlement terms Tangerine 1.0 himself agreed to. So back to exacting third party oversight we will shortly go (as set out in Judge Gee's opinion tonight, in Flores):
. . .While Defendants consistently maintain that CBP is in substantial compliance with the
FSA and CBP Settlement, Plaintiffs point to an alarming number of minors subject to prolonged detention in CBP facilities and backsliding conditions of confinement. Based on census data provided in the CBP JC’s supplemental reports, the average TIC for minors in CBP custody for over 72 hours has increased since August 2025.
For example, in August 2025, the average TIC was 112.93 hours, whereas in March 2026, the average TIC was 130.46 hours. [Doc. ## 1692-1 at 2, 1767-1 at 2.] While in January 2026 there were 58 minors held in CBP custody for over 72 hours, by March 2026, that number jumped to 155 minors. [See Doc. ## 1735-3, 1767-3.] These numbers are unacceptable.
Moreover, the Court has not been satisfied, so far, by Defendants’ explanations as to why they have been detaining class members for extended periods of time. Defendants assert that in “the majority of cases” where minors are held for over 72 hours, the reasons for delay have to do with awaiting transportation, travel documents, or for other agencies, such as ICE, to take custody. [See Doc. # 1767-1 at 2.] Defendants also justify delays in situations where an individual or family makes an asylum claim of fear and awaits appropriate screening. Id. These generalized circumstances are not unique, nor do they appear to reasonably justify prolonged detention in CBP facilities. . . .
The issues identified in the Court’s August 15, 2025 MTE Order (e.g., cold temperatures, inadequate sleeping conditions, lack of soap), have continued to materialize in Plaintiffs’ responses to the CBP Juvenile Coordinator’s supplemental reports. . . . [In addition,] Plaintiffs continue to raise issues pertaining to inadequate medical care, family separation, lack of access to the outdoors, and exposed toilets. . . . Since the parties are unable to come to a consensus about basics facts on the ground, it appears even more important to have an Independent Monitor/Special Master to objectively monitor these issues. . . .
The world-views of Trumpists and MAGA generally. . . are dying. The non-reputable non-deal "memo" from Trump on Iran tonight proves it. And even more so, the boisterous, joyful and uplifting opening ceremonies for the Obama Center, in the Southside's Bronzeville 'hood today -- with Bush 43 and Laura clapping and singing right along. . . are that proof, too. Onward.
I am watching the live stream. It is elegant, joyful -- and full of what America can be, if freed from the current malign darkness, in DC.
This is the America I adore.
Unafraid to admit when it is wrong -- and yet vibrantly alive, with the power of ALL its youth -- ready to carry forward, and bend the arc of US history. . . toward. . . progress.
Meanwhile, the decrepit MAGA hard righters bloviate about their now-dying world-views, on Murdoch controlled Australian tee-vee, because no one (else) cares what bitter, mediocre old whyte men like them think, any longer -- here in the new days -- of these UNITED States of America.
This is pretty self-explanatory -- and pretty. . . wonderful. [We will provide a window to it below -- live, tomorrow.]
If you remember seeing genuine American leaders interact, do tune in tomorrow at 11 a.m. local. [The musical guest-list already beats the stupid "250 cage match" by 10,000 miles.] The entire library and democracy center opens to the general public on Friday, Juneteenth. Here's the latest -- the streets are locked down for six blocks in every direction, already. Security will be. . . tight.
The Grand Opening Ceremony marks the official dedication of the Obama Presidential Center. The livestreamed event brings together global leaders, artists, changemakers, and citizens for an inspiring celebration of the values that shaped the Obama presidency and continues to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to create change.
Tune in right here at 11 a.m. CT on June 18 for a front-row seat to history no matter where you are. . . .
And, at a eulogy/service, after nine were gunned down, inside Mother Emanuel at a prayer meeting -- in cold racial blood -- over ten years ago. . .
There have (again) been bomb threats -- but we will not be dissuaded. Not ever. Never.
The preposterous claim (just filed this afternoon) by the lawyers for the Fitton shills is that it will promote judicial efficiency -- to decide whether the Boutros-led USAs may intervene, BEFORE any ruling on whether the overall private suit was filed "out of time".
That is exactly the opposite of what the applicable federal procedural law would hold.
The first question here, is whether ANYONE (governmental-, or private- party) may sue for supposed wrongs AFTER the statute of limitations has run. And certainly, the US government is deemed to be aware of as much at the Fitton shills were, when they were. And unless Fitton's ppl can prove that the statute doesn't apply to them, the doors to the courthouse are not just closed to them. . . they are deemed (under federal law) to have never opened.End of story.
[Still lurking. . . is the second prong of the dismissal tests, from Evanston -- that none of them suffered any injury, and have no standing -- since they never lived in Evanston, and have not owned property here during the relevant time frame. So they cannot complain. That too (as we've long shown) is a winner for Evanston, but Evanston has proposed doing the Statute of Limitations first, and then deposing these five shills, about their residences over the past 45 or so years.]
The only good news I can find about this '26 outbreak is that. . . one six month old, and his mother have recovered from the Bundibugyo / Ebola virus as of this week. That, and that Phase I clinical trial testing may begin on various mRNA Bundibugyo vaccine candidates -- in about two weeks.
. . .NAIROBI/DAKAR, June 16 (Reuters) -- Lead vaccine candidates developed by Oxford University and Moderna against Ebola Bundibugyo, the deadly virus that has swept through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, could enter Phase 1 trials as early as July 1, with field trials possible within several months, the head of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Richard Hatchett, said on Tuesday. . . .
Excellent, indeed. Speed onward, you biological science-mavens -- we need your help desperately now in DRC and Uganda.
The first mediation date went off, just as planned (and as ordered by the able USDC Chief Judge Alia Moses), and a second date is now scheduled -- as unsurprisingly, not all issues were solved in one day.
Just the same, this is good news for the families of the dead, and the maimed -- at MAGA Gov. Abbott's lawless "Berlin Concertina Wire / Wall" style barriers, on the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass. The parties will keep mediating, toward compensation for the victims -- from State of Texas taxpayer funds. Here's the latest (a more detailed description of the status of the mediation efforts is restricted to "eyes only" -- lawyers, in dusty West Texas):
. . .In order to facilitate further mediation pursuant to Chief United States District Judge Alia Moses’ Order [ECF No. 142], the undersigned ORDERS the parties to appear before it, in person, on July 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. The mediation will occur in Courtroom No. 4 of the United States Courthouse, 111 E. Broadway Street, Del Rio, Texas. If the parties need the hearing to be reset, they must file an advisory with the Court by July 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Further, if the parties wish to file these advisories outside of the Court’s electronic filing system, they must mail the advisories to 111 E. Broadway St. Ste. 100, Del Rio, Texas 78840 C/O Carmen Levrie, and indicate that the filing is made ex parte, under seal, and that it contains documents which are not to be filed electronically. . . .
. . .IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED that the above entitled and numbered case is set for DOCKET CALL/ STATUS CONFERENCE in Courtroom 1, on the 2nd floor, U.S. Courthouse, 111 E. Broadway, Del Rio, TX, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 10:15 AM. All parties and counsel must appear at this hearing.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 16th day of June, 2026. . . .
Onward, resolutely -- to a gray chilly wet Wednesday in the City of Big Shoulders.
And to amplify the thoughts in my last post, of last night -- if the Tangerine [Mal-] Administration truly wishes to stop a voter-approved local law on reparations, it must do so by bringing its own suit.
The law is clear -- it cannot just pop up like a daisy, and try to beat a statute of limitations problem, by intervening -- to step into the shoes of the Fitton-recruited shills in 24-cv-4269 (USDC ND IL).
And certainly, the same statute of limitations has run, on any purported US government claim -- as well. The program has been running since 2021, based on local pot tax revenue, and approved by the city council, and now impliedly by all voters in Evanston.
It is beyond dispute that from at least 1909 through 1969, Evanston had codified red-lining ordinances -- which actually prevented my father in law and mother in law from buying a high end house, in a whyte ward, in 1968. So, as a doctor and lawyer, they picketed and won a seat on the city council, and then passed a fair housing ordinance -- and bought the next big house, in that ward, by 1971. The proof (of invidious race discrimination against people of color) is everywhere, in the newspapers from 1909 through at least 1971, in Evanston. [But that evidence will not be needed in open court in Judge Kness' courtroom in Chicago, as the whole thing will be bounced -- on failure to make a timely claim, by these Fitton shills, and/or the Andrew Boutros led US Attorneys' office here.]
So, the whyte Karen woman / Palatine Village Trustee (not even from here, and so, carpet-bagging) -- acting as counsel to these crisis actors / five whyte complainers will still lose. . . in the end. And Evanston will recover its legal fees from the Fitton shills, and/or the AUSAs. The suit was filed in bad faith. As was the supposed intervenors' motion.
This Trumpian guy, Andrew Boutros, in Chicago -- was/is also deeply involved in trying to violate people's (mostly without papers) rights in Chicago. But seeing as how that is all winding down now since, as US Attorney for the Northern District here, he has lost every motion he filed (and may be subjected to santions in USDC Judge April Perry's courtroom, shortly) -- he now turns his attention. . . to trying to prevent Evanston from snuffing out the idiotic Fitton shills' challenge to our reparations program. [That in turn is presently being heard before a conservative USDC Judge -- Kness. . . a former Chicago cop, from the early 2000s.]
Boutros wastes tons of US taxpayer money -- to file what is simply a political manifesto that bears no resemblance to existing federal law. And cites a long discredited former Bush/Cheney appointee lawyer (and deceased 2020 election denier -- one Boyden Gray) as his touchstone "authority" -- for seeking to intervene in a private suit. Damn. Here are those papers: an idiotic "memo" of supposed law, and a purported "complaint" at law. Both are specious. Get this:
. . .While the City was considering whether to establish the Program, former White
House Counsel C. Boyden Gray [Ed. Note -- he most recently led a Trump-PAC-funded 2020 effort to overturn the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, before he died of a heart attack at age 80 in 2023] submitted a detailed legal analysis [actually just a whiny screed letter, from a private citizen, at that point] to Evanston explaining that the Program would provide benefits based on race and would be unconstitutional under Supreme Court precedent. Among other things, the letter pointed out that the Program was not supported by “the kind of specific evidence necessary to justify the imposition of a. . . racially discriminatory policy.” The letter also noted that the City “had failed to give more than perfunctory consideration to race neutral considerations such as upzoning, loosening restrictive zoning practices” or providing “income-based housing assistance to achieve greater financial equality regardless of the race of the applicant.”
The City nevertheless adopted the Program without making changes to address the legal objections identified in the analysis. . . .
The Trumpers are just butt-sore that we out-maneuvered them. Even so, Boutros thinks we must take the word of this Boyden fellow, over the United States Supreme Court?
Forgive me if. . . I am. . . unmoved. [Evanston will have until July 20, 2026, in any event -- to file substantive papers to oppose this attempted intervenor, if USDC Judge Kness doesn't toss it before then, on his own.]
Updated 06.17.26 @ 10 AM: And that AUSA's goofy cite to C. Boyden Gray's private letter of 2021 is a very dubious attempt to avoid the statute of limitations. Undoubtedly, Boutros will argue that a private citizen's screed/letter in 2021 put Evanston "on notice" that the US government would sue it, here in 2026. Preposterous.
There are more bio-bucks being put into R&D circulation, this morning -- this time, out of Rahway.
Without any additional ado, here is that AI platform deal detail, such as the same may be known -- from the erstwhile folks at Fierce, then:
. . .AI drug design specialist Protillion Biosciences has inked a $510 million biobucks collaboration and license agreement with Merck & Co. that brings together Protillion’s platform and Merck’s drug discovery expertise.
Protillion will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, with the potential to earn research, development and commercial milestones tied to the successful development of multiple therapies, according to a June 16 release.
The deal is centered around Protillion’s Prot-MaP technology, a data generation platform designed to deliver training sets for protein design AI and enable quantitative analysis of protein libraries. The platform aims to avoid the pitfalls of model overfitting and “enables the identification of optimized biologics with sophisticated therapeutic profiles. . . .
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