Voyager 1 Is Again Shutting Down Some More Measuring Instruments -- To Prolong The Mission's Life -- Now At A Half-Century...

We have long covered these twin "grand-daddies" -- of interstellar flights [Voyager 1 and 2]. We know it takes 23 hours for commands to reach the craft, at the speed of light, now. That's pretty far out -- out, there. And we hope it can all continue, to be certain. But we are aware that the craft was designed to last only five years, and it is now approaching ten times that age.

Here is the latest, from NASA | JPL:

. . .On April 17, engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California sent commands to shut down an instrument aboard Voyager 1 called the Low-energy Charged Particles experiment, or LECP. The nuclear-powered spacecraft is running low on power, and turning off the LECP is considered the best way to keep humanity’s first interstellar explorer going. . . .

The LECP has been operating almost without interruption since Voyager 1 launched in 1977 — almost 49 years. It measures low-energy charged particles, including ions, electrons, and cosmic rays originating from our solar system and galaxy. The instrument has provided critical data about the structure of the interstellar medium, detecting pressure fronts and regions of varying particle density in the space beyond our heliosphere. The twin Voyagers are the only spacecraft that are far enough from Earth to provide this information. . . .

During a routine, planned roll maneuver on Feb. 27, Voyager 1’s power levels fell unexpectedly. Mission engineers knew any additional drop in power could trigger the spacecraft’s undervoltage fault protection system, which would shut down components on its own to safeguard the probe, requiring recovery by the flight team — a lengthy process that carries its own risks.

The Voyager team needed to act first.

“While shutting down a science instrument is not anybody’s preference, it is the best option available,” said Kareem Badaruddin, Voyager mission manager at JPL. “Voyager 1 still has two remaining operating science instruments — one that listens to plasma waves and one that measures magnetic fields. They are still working great, sending back data from a region of space no other human-made craft has ever explored. The team remains focused on keeping both Voyagers going for as long as possible. . . .”

Now you know -- onward, smiling into the sunshine. So many things for which to be grateful, indeed.

नमस्ते

This Was “No Chocolate-Covered Mozart” — It Was... Excellent!

In the video posted below, by the Lyric -- to describe what the audience's experience would be like -- the creator (and Illinois Poet Laureate) avery r. young said the musical work he would present would be "no chocolate-covered Mozart".

The man was true to his word.

The musical score drives the both inspiring and harrowingly pathological story of the Great Migration forward, out of the deep South and up to Chicago, by following one newly land-owning Black family -- threatened by the Klan -- in the early parts of the 20^th Century. The narrative then returns late in the second act -- to the deep South, for a spreading of the ashes of the patriarch -- over a half century later.

While there for a spiritual home-going, a supernatural apparition delivers the long delayed, and richly deserved, Karma -- to the by now elderly Klanners.

To be sure, this was a marvelous first outing, by a primarily written-word artist, to stage a very modern opera -- crossing seamlessly from gospel to blues, and on, to funk.

My only edit to the score, would be that the piece could have been interlaced with a very tender musical interlude -- between either of the primary couples -- that drive the narrative.

There could have been a slow, loving movement in the form of a song, or dance -- for either of the couples (or both of them), to vary the pace, just a little bit. But the story is certainly primarily about struggle. And that struggle -- we do see.

Here below is the author, talking about what he intended with the work -- and now we await its next run, in some future theater venue, either in the city of big shoulders or in any other major city of the US:



Even in this, its present form -- it is more than ready for New York, LA, Atlanta, Houston, Nashville or San Francisco. But being a romantic at heart -- I would sure love to see at least one quiet love ballad inserted -- as the present running time would certainly allow it to come in at under two and a quarter hours even with such an added number.

But that's just me -- certainly there was great and deep love, between these couples -- and I do get that the story is about the struggle -- and in those times, there might have very been little energy left for love, after working two jobs (18 hours in a day) -- at the high end hotels of Chicago, followed by a night shift at a plastic factory. Then home for no more than five hours of exhausted sleep -- and back, at the hotel lobby, by 7:30 am. So it went -- over and over, for four long decades, at least.

नमस्ते

Todd Blanche Thinks He Can "Order" A USDC Judge -- Judge Paula Xinis, In MD -- To Rule By April 17, Or He Will "Deem" That She Denied -- And Appeal?!!?

We have long known that these jokers' arrogance. . . is perhaps only eclipsed by their INCOMPETENCE.

Last night, Todd Blanche's DoJ / DHS team of lawyers filed what purports to be a "notice of appeal" -- to the Fourth Circuit. The "appeal" recites that Mr. Blanche "deems" his motion to dissolve Judge Xinis' injunction (against sending Mr. Abrego Garcia anywhere) denied.

The problem with this. . . is that. . . Judge Xinis HAS NOT RULED.

She has explained how quickly she's been working -- after Team Blanche dragged their own feet for four months. But the idea that he thinks he can dictate the timing, to a federal judge. . . is jaw-slacking. He will lose -- and be bounced out of the Fourth Circuit -- as that court has no "final order" to base its limited jurisdiction upon.

These are truly. . . crazy times. And crazy clowns, in Tangerine 2.0's thrall. They need to be brought to heel. Costa Rica will accept Mr. Abrego -- but these jokers say only Liberia will do -- because (of course!) they seek to punish him -- for asserting his rights. This is no national security matter, at all. No one is in any exigent danger here.

This is a Maryland family man, kidnapped -- and now freed on bail -- with papers that permit him to be present on US soil, to this day. And his family is here -- as his wife is a US citizen -- which makes his kids. . . right! Citizens. Out.

नमस्ते

As With Ebola And Mpox, Survivors Of Lassa Fever Report Long Term Complications -- Including Profound Hearing Loss: CIDRAP

Not surprising, given that the various viral vectors are not wildly different (and, many people in West Africa may have experienced several childhood diseases -- that already weakened their hearing, like strep). It makes intuitive sense that the viral after-effects can be systemic, and long tail.

Here's that story, from CIDRAP, and the University of Minnesota:

. . .Survivors of Lassa fever may experience a range of post-infection complications, including hearing loss, according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Infection.

For the analysis, researchers at Imperial College London analyzed data from six studies on post-acute sequelae (lingering health effects in the weeks and months after initial infection) among 559 people who had recovered from Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to parts of West Africa.

They found that Lassa fever survivors reported an array of post-infection complications, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, ocular, and psychiatric symptoms. The most common post-infection complaint was hearing loss, with a pooled prevalence of 18%. . . .

In 42 survivors across four of the studies, the severity of hearing loss varied widely, with most experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss and a minority experiencing complete deafness. . . .

Onward, into a chilly Saturday. Smile -- Google Meet-up -- with the travel arranger, for the month of September in France, in a few.

नमस्ते

ESA's Barsoomian Rover Mission Called Rosalind Franklin To Get 2028 Launch Vehicle Support, Hardware And Surface Ops Tech & Support From NASA...

We have long followed this rover proposal -- from drawing board, to now. . . the build. [This is what Mars missions ought to look like -- that is, automated -- with no need for boots on the Martian surface, with humans inside them.]

It will likely get spacecraft tech support and touchdown support from NASA -- even though the payload is. . . an ESA project build.

Here's the latest on this very worthwhile robotic effort, to Mars:

. . .NASA has given approval for the agency’s Rosalind Franklin Support and Augmentation (ROSA) project to begin implementation, underscoring the agency’s continued partnership with ESA’s (European Space Agency) Rosalind Franklin mission. The mission is led by ESA and that agency is responsible for providing the spacecraft, including the carrier module, the landing platform, as well as the rover and surface operations.

Scheduled to launch in 2028, Rosalind Franklin will be the first Mars rover to search for signs of past or present life under the Red Planet’s surface. The ROSA project will provide designated hardware and services to ESA in support of the Rosalind Franklin mission, including the launch service, braking engines for the rover’s lander platform, and radioisotope heater units for the rover’s internal systems.

The project also includes specialized electronics and a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer for the Mars organic molecule analyzer science instrument, which will search for the building blocks of life in samples collected at the rover’s landing site, Mars’ Oxia Planum. . . .

Now you know. Onward to tomorrow -- through a warmly drenching rain, tonight -- but much colder by tomorrow night, at the Lyric.

नमस्ते

A Perhaps Small Matter -- But KGaA Will Be Required To Update The 2017 Financial Data In The Lanham Act Case, Already Produced -- Even As Mediation Is Unfolding.

This -- in broad strokes -- will define the largest component of potential damages, in this clearly multi-billion dollar suit about word-mark and trademark infringement, under the Lanham Act. Current financial metrics (specific to franchises, and geographies) from the German Merck are the raw inputs, that allow a calculation of the extent of the damages, US Merck may well have suffered. It hardly makes sense to even discuss "mediation" -- if one cannot get a current handle on the size of the agreed / mediated payments. So it goes. [We did mention this specifically, before.]

In any event, here's that latest three pager of well-grounded argument by US Merck's able counsel, and bit:

. . .KGaA’s motive to rewrite Rule 26(e) is transparent: it wants to avoid more damages. But shifting blame to Merck for not requesting this update sooner is no excuse. As explained (Br. 3), Merck’s 2017 document request already asked for this data. Merck need not repeat that ask -- Rule 26(e) already obligated KGaA to update its response. The Court’s recent decision to keep disgorgement in the case (ECF No. 302 at 11-12) is all the more reason to address this now. And even if Merck had moved earlier, KGaA would still need to bring its financial data current for trial. . . .

Thomas & Betts forecloses KGaA’s arguments. Updated financials did not “reopen” discovery (Br. 8), nor was all discovery revisited as a result. KGaA now distinguishes Thomas & Betts as limited to past infringement with ongoing harm. Opp. 7–8. But it was the continued use of trade secrets there that required updated financials, not just a one-time misappropriation. Thomas & Betts, 2010 WL 2400151, at *3–4. In any event, disgorgement does not parse between KGaA’s profits for past and continued infringement. Both inflict ongoing harm. Br. 6. KGaA cannot avoid the straightforward application of Rule 26(e) to its financial records.

The text of Rule 26(e), this Court’s precedent, and the common practice of updating financial information before trial all compel supplementation. . . .

Now you know. Onward, grinning -- heading toward tomorrow night's world premiere.

नमस्ते

Now 15 Cases Nationwide -- Of More Potent Mpox Strain -- Newest One Seen This Week, In San Francisco...

We do continue to say (based on real science) that the overall risk to US residents, generally, is small -- but among the communities that share intimacy, male to male -- the risk of infection and transmission is. . . moderately high. SF is the latest on the US list, to see such Clade 1b cases.

Please -- listen to sensible public health/life science. Here's the local paper of record, "The Chron", on all these developments:

. . .San Francisco public health officials on Wednesday confirmed the city’s first case of clade Ib mpox, a strain of the virus that officials say may cause more severe illness than the type behind the outbreak in 2022.

The case was identified in an unvaccinated San Francisco adult who was hospitalized and is now improving, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The person reported close contact with someone who had traveled internationally, the agency said.

Health officials stressed that the risk to the general public remains low. But they urged people at higher risk of exposure to get fully vaccinated with the two-dose mpox vaccine. . . .

“SFDPH is closely monitoring mpox. While clade Ib mpox cases remain rare in the United States, clade II mpox cases continue to occur in San Francisco and throughout California,” Dr. Susan Philip, the city’s health officer, said in a statement.

“This development reminds us just how important it is to be fully vaccinated against mpox if you are at risk. With summer travel and events quickly approaching, now is a great time to seek the mpox vaccine. . . .”

As we've repeatedly said, the higher risk community here is largely a tightly overlapping Venn Diagram, with the male communities that have sex with other men. That would be true here in SF, as well.

So, go get. . . both doses -- fully vaccinated, right away -- there are free clinics all over the Bay Area. Stay safe.

[Onward, to a world premiere of new musical work, called Safronia commissioned by the Lyric Opera here, tomorrow night -- should be a vibrant, and complex -- series of themes, based on the US history of "The Great Migration", to Chicago -- by people of color, from the South over the last century and a quarter.] We will report/review, on Sunday. . . smile.

नमस्ते

If I were Trying To Write A Tarantino [Pulp] Fiction/Farce -- I Could Not TOP This Real Life Pete Hegseth Installment...

Again, in the larger scheme here -- the scheme of the crimes against humanity these guys are committing, this is. . . ultimately, small stuff.

But it speaks volumes -- that the sitting US Sec'y. of Defense (or US "Dept. of War", as he claims!), labels this a "war for Jesus, a Godly war" -- and then purports to quote from the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, as he offers a "warrior's prayer". But Ezekiel says no such thing. Nothing even remotely close appears in either Testament. [Trust me -- I've checked.] Only a tiny bit of one sentence of the purple text at right appears anywhere in Ezekiel.

In fact, it seems clear that Hegseth is UNAWARE that Tarantino intentionally "fictionalized" Ezekiel, to make it all the more harrowing, as a career criminal and hit man's. . . monologue -- as he murders his hapless victims -- in cold blood.

The point Tarantino was making was that Sam L. (in the movie) is a very. . . bad man. Sam does want to "be better" -- and so he is. . . trying to leave his violent ways behind. He knows he should. He knows that is what his mother would want, for him.

Old Pete utterly misses all of this -- and jumps headfirst, into the irony -- of quoting movie lines, about the evil of men -- as "God's prayer", for his supposed US soldiers.

DAMNATION. If you've by chance not seen it, here is the story about yesterday's prayers, at a breakfast -- by old Pete.

This is. madness, incarnate. Out.



नमस्ते

The 2018-Era Chicago Federal Class Action Will See A Pretty Momentous Hearing, On April 20, 2026 -- ICE Agents, Brought To Heel -- By The Rule Of Law.

We will listen in. And we may live blog it -- USDC Judge Cummings will be (as ever) fair -- but likely very forceful.

See below -- but this (along with shared discovery, in other cases) spells a death-knell, for the abuse of law, by the MAGA Trumpians.

. . .MINUTE entry before the Honorable Jeffrey I. Cummings:

This matter is scheduled for an in-person hearing regarding plaintiffs' motion to enforce consent decree, [330], on 4/20/26 at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 1219.

The Court further orders the parties to be prepared to address the question of the number of individuals (if any) who were arrested without a warrant or with a field-issued warrant between 9/1/25 and 4/13/26 for whom arrest-related records have not yet been produced by defendants.

The Court grants counsel leave to appear remotely as long as each side has one or more attorneys physically present in court. The Court will also allow the media to join remotely.

The call-in number for the hearing is (855) 244-8681 and the access code is 2311 121 8062. Members of the public and media will be able to call in to listen to the hearing. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings.

Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. . . .

Now you know -- with a warm, steamy wet spring day ahead here. Smile. . . .

नमस्ते

Incrementally-Encouraging Prospects, For Chances Of Life (Like Ours) -- Elsewhere In The Universe, From Latest Chandra X-Ray Data...

The chances that there might be more planets -- and systems -- like ours (watery and thickly covered in an oxygen bearing atmosphere -- and warm, but not too hot) just increased a bit. NASA's Chandra Observatory has sent back data, indicating that young stars, about the size of our Sun "cool, and calm down" -- on the X-ray spectrum -- more rapidly than earlier thought.

These young stars become more benign, after about 250 million years, not into the billions of years as previously surmised. Thus, this now-widened time-window, for when calm, rocky planets like ours, in the Goldilocks Zone, might develop and retain warm oxygen rich atmospheres, and host water oceans. . . and thus see life arise. . . means many more systems might presently host. . . life. The chances are pretty darn good there is some life out there, somewhere -- but this slightly increases those already favorable odds. Here's that, from NASA | Goddard:

. . .Scientists have found that young stellar cousins of our Sun are calming down and dimming more quickly in their X-ray output than previously thought, according to a new study using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. A paper describing the results published Monday in The Astrophysical Journal.

Unlike in the new movie “Project Hail Mary,” this quieting of young stars is a benefit for the prospects for life on orbiting planets around these stars — not a threat.

Astronomers used Chandra and other telescopes to monitor how powerful radiation from young stars — often in the form of dangerous X-rays — can pummel planets surrounding them. They did not know, however, how long this high-energy barrage continued.

This latest study looked at eight clusters of stars between the ages of 45 million and 750 million years old. The researchers found that Sun-like stars in these clusters unleashed only about a quarter to a third of the X-rays they expected. . . .

The researchers found that stars with about the same mass as the Sun quieted down relatively rapidly — after a few hundred million years — while ones with less mass kept up their high levels of X-ray emission for longer. Combined with a decrease in the energy of the X-rays and the disappearance of energetic particles, the Sun-sized stars are apparently better suited to host planets with robust atmospheres and possibly blossoming life than previously thought. . . .

Of course, it may still be that "intelligent" life only lasts on these worlds for a few millenia, before destroying themselves with nukes, or destroying their host planets' environments -- to render them. . . barren, again.

That in turn may mean that we may never find our window is open at the same time, and within a distance that we might detect their presence. But the odds are high, that somewhere -- at some time out there. . . things like us have existed, or do now exist -- or will soon. . . exist.

Will we prove smart enough to avoid destroying ourselves long enough to meet them? Presently, I have my doubts. But onward, resolutely, just the same.

नमस्ते

Pope Leo XIV Will Continue To Speak -- And Speak Candidly -- On Matters Of Morality. Just As He Has, In Earlier Saying "No Human Is... Illegal."

Yesterday, JD Vance warned the pontiff -- not to opine on "matters of US politics" -- saying that Leo should stick to questions of. . . morality. For his part, no punching bag, for wanna be bullies, he -- the Pope has responded directly, by saying this war of choice is not primarily a political question, at all -- but it does evince a profound lack of. . . morality.

JD Vance should have seen that forceful, and clearly correct, retort forming even before the Veep offered his idiotic remarks, thus trying vainly to defend Tangerine 2.0 -- now in a quagmire entirely of his own making (after pretending to be the second coming of Jesus well after midnight on Sunday, into Monday -- then preposterously claiming he was dressed as a "doctor" in the meme he personally posted). Riiiiight.

Here's the latest out of Detroit News, in any event:

. . .Pope Leo warned of the risk of democracies sliding into "majoritarian tyranny" on Tuesday, in a letter issued by the Vatican two days after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the pontiff on social media.

The first U.S. pope, writing to participants of a Vatican meeting about the use of power in democratic societies, said democracies remained healthy only when they were rooted in moral values.

"Lacking this foundation, (democracy) risks becoming either a majoritarian tyranny or a mask for the dominance of economic and technological elites," said Leo in the letter.. . .

Pope Leo XIV [said on] Monday that he planned to keep criticizing the war, despite Trump's comments.

In Tuesday's letter, the pope said the Catholic Church taught that power could not be seen as an end in itself "but as a means ordered toward the common good". . . .

Spot on. Well said, Pope Leo XIV. . . onward, resolutely. And Vance, if not Trump -- well knows that Leo speaks to -- and for --r / perhaps 75 million US Catholics.



नमस्ते

Starting April 20, US Importers Will Be Able To File -- For REFUNDS -- On Tariffs They Were Lawlessly Forced To Pay, By Trump... A Good Start.

Sure. It is a good start -- as the SCOTUS has now clearly ruled Trump's tariffs were unlawful. That was obvious from the day he "Sharpied" them in -- without an act of Congress.

But the idea that the agencies will simply punt on the more deeply involved cases. . . leaving it for future administrations (likely Democratic office holders) to once again "clean up" Trump's dirty diapers. . . is immensely frustrating. Still -- here's the start, at it -- from Bloomberg:

. . .Importers seeking tariff refunds will be able to begin filing their requests on April 20, US Customs and Border Protection said Friday. . . . Phase 1 is limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation. . . [Ed. Note: That is, only the most recent payments (and undisputed ones) will be accepted for processing.]

In the first phase, the CBP’s Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries tool, called CAPE, will process paperwork for certain straightforward and recent import entries — leaving more complex refund scenarios for later. . . .

It strikes me (again!) that the only just answer here is. . . one way, or another, for Donald Trump to spend some time inside a jail cell, post 2028.

This was reckless, intentional pattern lawlessness.

The defining hallmark -- of his entire 50-plus years in public life.

Think of the tens of thousands of businesses injured by the tariffs -- and think of the 240 million or so US consumers who've paid more than a year of higher prices -- due to his blatant violations of law. And that's all before the 34 felonies. Damn.

नमस्ते

The 2026 Lassa Fever Outbreak In Nigeria Continues To Rumble Onward -- Accelerating, Now.

As we mentioned in early March, the Nigerian Lassa fever (viral) outbreak has been accelerating in 2026, through Q1.

That trend is continuing here, in Q2 -- with over 660 ill, and 167 deaths recorded, already. Do go read all of the excellent Outbreak News Today story -- but here's a bit of it:

. . .[T]he Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 663 confirmed Lassa fever cases with a quarter of them resulting in death (167). The 167 deaths is a 35 percent increase in deaths as compared to the same period in 2025. . . .

In total for 2026, 22 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 Local Government Areas. Eighty-five (85%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue). . . .

Lassa Fever is an acute viral illness and a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). The causative agent is a single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus in the family arenaviridae, the Lassa virus. This zoonotic disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality, transmitted by the multi-mammate rat (Mastomys natalensis), one of the most common rats in equatorial Africa. . . .

Now you know. And anyone who thinks Trump's dismantling of USAID mostly saved America a bunch of money. . . will soon see that many of these viral outbreaks reach our shores as well, with international air travel now the rule, not the exception.

How much will that cost America, in additional acute health care dollars, disabilities and. . . young people's lives? Only time will tell. Damnation. Out -- the man has gone completely senile.

नमस्ते

TRIVIA: At ~3 AM This Morning, Trump Himself Posted The Below. But I've Now "Fixed It" -- For Him.

The man has positively lost all his marbles. [He posted it about an hour or two after his rant vilifying Pope Leo the Fourteenth. Damn.]

So. . . even though someone in the West Wing ultimately thought better of it, and deleted it for him by mid-morning DC time, the internet -- as ever -- kept copies -- copious. . . copies.

At right, I've simply made it more accurate. More "truthy".

He would raise this guy from the dead, if he could -- you know he would.

He'd just love to get his pedo gang back in the saddle!

O N W A R D.

And, out.

[This is his orginal, unedited -- for a completely-unhinged record.]

नमस्ते

The ICE/DHS Team Is Yet Again Wildly Out Of Compliance, With Prior, Crystal Clear Federal Court Orders -- In Chicago: 18-cv-3757

The able USDC Judge Cummings has ruled against ICE/DHS (again) in Chicago this morning. [I have not attached the full PDF of Judge Cummings' order, as it contains sensitive specific ID info on the people still being hounded, and persecuted, lawlessly by ICE/DHS in Chicago. The snippets (redacted) below will have to suffice.]

This is how lawlessness is brought to justice -- one order at a time. Slow -- but very effective at grinding miscreants to dust:

. . .On April 6, 2026, plaintiffs filed a motion to enforce consent decree and request for expedited briefing, (Dckt. #344), seeking to have class members A.R.A. (A-yyy) and M.V.M. (A-xxx), released from detention without bond and without conditions based upon the parties’ agreement that they were arrested in violation of the Consent Decree. In their response, defendants state that R.A. has been released from detention without bond and without conditions and they do not dispute that their arrest of V.M. violated the Decree. (Dckt. #346 at 1). . . .

Defendants further assert that they have filed a motion to reconsider before the immigration court to have that court find that V.M. should be denied release for the additional reason that his release would pose a danger to the community. In their reply, plaintiffs assert that these reasons are insufficient to bar the release of V.M. under the Decree, (Dckt. #347), and the Court agrees.

As plaintiffs pointed out in their reply, this Court has already held that it has the authority to determine who is subject to mandatory detention under the Immigration and Nationality Act within the meaning of Section VI.E.3.e. of the Decree and it rejected the proposition that class members like V.M. are subject to mandatory detention under Section 1225(b)(2)(A). (Dckt. #260 at 11-12, 20). Moreover, the Seventh Circuit declined to stay these rulings based on its finding that plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits as to these issues. Castanon Nava v. U.S. Dep’t of Homeland Sec., 161 F.4th 1048, 1061–62 (7th Cir. 2025). . . .

The record does not reflect that V.M. has been convicted of any criminal offense. Instead, defendants point to evidence showing that he has multiple arrests for traffic-related offenses between 2012 and 2017 for which no disposition is listed in the National Crime Information database. . . .

Furthermore, defendants’ motion to reconsider before the immigration court lacks merit on its face. As defendants acknowledge, a motion to reconsider must “specify[] the errors of fact or law in the prior Board decision” and that “[t]he very nature of a motion to reconsider is that the original decision was defective in some regard.” (Dckt. #346-2 at 3 (cleaned up)). In their motion, defendants do not assert that the immigration judge’s order contains any errors of fact or law or that it is defective in any sense. Instead, defendants beseech the immigration judge to “reconsider” in order to provide an additional ground in support of a decision that defendants sought and agree with. This is not the purpose of a motion to reconsider.

For these reasons, plaintiffs’ motion to enforce, (Dckt. #344), is granted. Defendants are ordered to promptly release V.M. from ICE detention without bond and without conditions, and to file a certification of compliance with this Order on or before 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2026. . . .

Onward -- shaking my head, silently. . . who are these. . . monsters?

नमस्ते

A Potential Unknown Virus In The Wild, In East Africa? Maybe -- But More Testing Needed In Burundi, Mpanda District, First...

To be sure, there is a high probability that this is no truly new virus. But ebola, marburg, mpox, lassa and several other likely suspects have been ruled out by RNA tests.

And 35 have been afflicted in the Mpanda District -- primarily among a group of close family contacts -- without travel histories. Five of the people have already died of what looked like hemorrhagic causes (before the more sensitive tests were being done). Here's the latest -- from the AvianFlu blog -- sourcing data out of the WHO, in Burundi:

. . .Pathfinder posted two reports on a `mystery' illness affecting several households in Burundi, in east Africa. Since late March, at least 5 deaths, and roughly 3 dozen illnesses have been reported, `. . . primarily among members of the same household and close contacts. . . .'

So far, tests have ruled out many of the `usual suspects'; Ebola virus disease, Marburg virus, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Further testing is underway.

[And] while this could be something new, there are still a number of diagnoses that must be ruled out including infectious diseases like Severe Malaria, Leptospirosis, Enteric Fever, etc., environmental contaminants (heavy metals or pesticides), or food or alcohol poisoning. . . .

As ever, the old and wise rule is -- if one hears hoofbeats in Central Park, New York -- think first not of zebras or gazelles, but of. . . horses. Smile -- go, and be excellent to one another -- a warm Spring week ahead here..

नमस्ते

So... Where (All Else) To Go? Must Be In Nice, France For Sept. 14, 2026... But Will Be Free In Europe From Sept. 1 to 30...

It turns out. . . that the world championship, for my youngest son's event is on Sept. 14. He needs from Sept. 1 to race day to acclimate, from the eight hours of time difference between Oregon, and the South of France.

It will also give him plenty of practice reps on the bike-able mountains, and in the water, locally. As well as the street runs. So, the entirely happy problem I face (having already seen most of Europe, with my then-kids about two decades ago). . . is where to go -- and/or where to return to.

We have a bank of hotel rooms for the few days right at race-time, next to the start/finish lines, on the water. . . and we are sourcing at least two -- and maybe three -- separate five bedroom houses. . . for the first- and last- parts of the month of September.

I will return to Matisse's chapel (the one he built for the nuns, in Vence -- after they nursed him back to health) -- and will consider the Greek Isles and Santorini -- even if it means more plane rides. Other than that, the month is wide open. Paris is always a favorite -- but where. . . else? My most traveled (eldest) daughter loves Croatia at that time of year (but again that is a probable plane- rather than train- ride, away). And I do love. . . the trains.

At above right was this Sunday afternoon's library haul -- from our excellent Northwestern-affiliated library. . . to start the ruminations. We do also know we will need polio vaccines, and additional EU travel visas, as a result of new local policies (largely aimed to combat Trumpian idiocy). Feel free to privately email any suggestions -- or use the comment boxes. After three days, the postings there will be private -- and only seen be me, before an approval routine releases them.

Onward, grinning. Ever grinning / or, perhaps. . . grimacing [as I really need this exercise, as an escape from all that the dotard is putting all of us through]. Out.

नमस्ते

Back To The M&A Rumor Mill: Many Will Recall That Merck Owned These Women's Health Businesses -- After The Bust Up Of Schering Plough... Now To Be Sold, Again?

The saga of what is now Organon. . . travels through Schering-Plough, and then on to US Merck -- and even through various rumors about Sanofi, more recently. As presently constituted, it is a women's health set of franchises -- primarily the implantable version of birth control.

Now come rumors that the massive Indian generics maker, Sun Pharma is quietly circling it. But at this point, these are strictly only. . . rumors.

We do know that as a public '34 Act reporting company (spun out of Merck), Organon will soon have to disclose (at the SEC) -- if it reaches an agreement on price and structure. This is at a size -- a rumored $12 billion, more or less -- that is plainly material. Here's the rumor piece, from Yahoo Biz:

. . .Organon surged by 38.8 percent week-on-week, as investors gobbled up shares following reports that it is set to be acquired by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries for $12 billion.

According to a report by India-based The Economic Times, Sun Pharmaceutical submitted an offer to fully acquire Organon & Co., in an all-cash transaction. The two firms have yet to confirm or deny the reports. . . .

The Dutch HQ-ed version of this biz was always very well run, but faced lots of deeply pocketed competitors. . . and eventually ended up getting sold and resold, by a series of private equity and Wall Street bankers. So it goes.

Onward, to a warm and broken-clouds Sunday, here. Smile.

नमस्ते

The Fourteenth Leo Speaks Forcefully -- And Morally -- To Donald Trump, Again At St. Peter's Basilica, This Day. He's On Fire!

We find ourselves nodding, vigorously, as we read now his fourth address, in two weeks -- aimed directly at Tangerine and Hegseth, who've both framed the war against Iran as being a divine right -- and a Godly action. It is no. such. thing.

And the Chicago-native American Pope, in Italy -- the leader of over 1.42 billion religious souls, worldwide, and over 75 million, in the US alone. . . is no longer mincing his words, thus:

. . .In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the "delusion of omnipotence" that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica. . . [as the] United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan. . . .

History's first U.S.-born pope didn't mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo's tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms. . . .

"Enough of the idolatry of self and money!" Leo said. "Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!". . . .

In the basilica pews was the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The U.S. was represented in the diplomatic corps by its deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy said. . . .

Praying for peace, Leo said, was a way to "break the demonic cycle of evil" to build instead the Kingdom of God where there are no swords, drones or "unjust profit. . . ."

Now you know: Leo XIV is right.

We are neither omnipotent, nor clearly in the right, any longer.

We need to end this -- accept Iran's offer of. . . peace. Now.

नमस्ते

So The US "Education" Sec'y... Uses FAKE / AI Colorized Images, To Promote The Idea That Teaching "History" Matters?!? Sheesh!

Look, there is so much else desperately wrong, with this mal-administration's federal government at the moment -- I considered just skipping this one. But it needs to be forcefully called out.

A former professional wrestling executive, Linda McMahon, overnight posted on [UN-]Truth Social -- purportedly lauding Ida B. Wells, and her role in truth-telling, to power. She writes that "teaching history. . . matters."

I agree. It was probably an "unwise" choice, then -- to let AI invent a colorized school-kid fake portrait of Ida, rather than paying a small royalty to get the real historical black and white image of the real historical woman. And she is in charge of our kids' education?!

And. . . In. A. Supposed. History. Lesson. No. Less?!

This was a dynamic, proud (and later in life, a powerful) Black woman.

Damn these. . . miscreants. Damn them.

No truth-tellers among them.

Not a one.

Out.

नमस्ते