This Marks 28 Close Passes -- Around Sol -- For Speedy Parker. Well Beyond Designed Life, Already. Cool!

We have closely followed this mission for nearly a decade now, when the probe was being assembled. This is hugely gratifying, that it has performed flawlessly -- and for so long. This is what the best and brightest can do.

Here's the latest, from NASA | JPL this morning:

. . .During this 28^th solar encounter, which started June 3 and ends Saturday, June 13, Parker’s four scientific instrument packages gathered data from inside the Sun’s atmosphere, or corona. Parker will begin returning detailed spacecraft telemetry on June 14, with science data transmission set to run from Wednesday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 30.

Parker’s observations of the solar wind and solar events, such as coronal mass ejections and the aftermaths of flares, are critical to advancing humanity’s understanding of the Sun and the phenomena that drive high-energy space weather events that pose risks to astronauts, satellites, air travel, and even power grids on Earth. Understanding the fundamental physics of space weather enables more reliable prediction of astronaut safety during future deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars.

Parker also equaled its record-setting speed of 430,000 mph — a mark that, like Parker’s distance to the Sun, was set during a close approach on Dec. 24, 2024, and matched during five flybys since, most recently on March 11. Parker will continue matching these speed and distance records during future flybys. . . .

Onward -- and skyward, indeed. Let's see what Spielberg sees -- beyond the close encounters, now -- to sustained terrestrial contact/co-habitation. Smile. . . .

नमस्ते

Merck Continues Its Animal Health Empire-Building, Here In The US -- Thus, Decreasing Price Competition... So It Goes.

Many longer term readers will recall all the back and forth, and deal-doing / swapping that took place about 15 years ago -- to resolve antitrust concerns, when Merck acquired Schering-Plough, and thus its Animal Health businesses (which SGP itself had earlier acquired by buying EU / Organon). Those days are long gone -- but the bottom portion of the graphic recalls that era.

This present era involves Rahway buying up the portion it does not already own -- of the privately-held poultry health company called Targan (which makes the WingScan assembly, depicted above right -- for diagnosing and then innoculating chicken, at scale). There is still some concern that between Pfizer and Merck, there are only really two in the US on this field. But antitrust enforcement is no priority of the current administration. So it makes sense to get this deal done, now. Here's that, from local NJ outlets:

. . .Rahway-based Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire TARGAN, a privately held innovator in developing and commercializing biodevice solutions to improve performance outcomes for the poultry industry, for an undisclosed purchase price.

Merck Animal Health has invested in TARGAN since 2017 and has been one of the company’s largest shareholders.

The proposed acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026, subject to approvals from applicable regulatory authorities and other customary closing conditions.

“The acquisition of TARGAN’s best-in-class biodevice technology for use in commercial hatcheries complements and accelerates our growing biopharmaceutical presence in poultry and increases our ability to deliver significant customer value globally,” said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. . . .

Now you know -- onward, to a matinee of "Disclosure Day". . . the new Spielberg offering. . . smile.

नमस्ते

[NASDAQ @ $160 = ~$2 Trillion!] Me? I Believe "A Fool And His Money... Soon Go Separate Ways." That Said, I Could Be Wrong About The SpaceX IPO -- But I Doubt I Am.

Updated @ 11:50 am EDT: the stock made its second trade at $150 -- well over the $135 issuance pricing. It is now trading around $160/share, on the NASDAQ -- giving the company an over $2 trillion market cap, for the moment. Hilarious. End update.

We previously "looked under the hood" -- to see that this set of companies (previously privately held under Musk's cone of silence -- as to GAAP financials) are very much about sizzle -- and very little actual. . . steak, today.

Some financial pundits are loudly decrying the relative dearth of the original issuance shares in the IPO set aside -- the "allocation", reserved for retail / mom and pop investors. [Personally, I am glad. Most will own it anyway, at least in small portions -- in a blended form -- through mutual funds / institutions that will buy in tonight, and start trading tomorrow.] Some are also upset about the "take it or leave it" (unprecedented) approach to pricing the offering. I concur -- that is. . . stupid (for the retail investors).

While Musk clearly re-invented the auto industry, over a decade ago, making electric vehicles both practical, and sought after, that may be his only truly revolutionary legacy. All the rest, to my eye -- looks mostly like. . . snake oil. And it comes in a very misogynistic / racism-laced package. So -- for me, that's a hard pass, as I said.

In any event, here's the latest, from a tech/financial expert panel, at the NYT, tonight:

. . .MIKE ISAAC: A lot of folks are (rightly) wowed by the astronomical valuations Musk’s bankers are proposing, which reach into the trillions. I’m more fascinated with the products he claims SpaceX will build to get them there.

They feel plucked straight out of a Philip K. Dick novel: Asteroid mining. Unlimited energy to power data centers. And those data centers, mind you, will not be situated on the ground, but rather in low-earth orbit. And last but not least, fashioning himself the first hotelier in charge of your vacations on the moon. [Ed. Note: All here know I am a huge booster of real space science -- this from Musk is anything but that.]

All of that is built into forward-looking revenue projections for this company. This feels irrationally exuberant even for Musk, who is practically defined by rattling off things that feel ridiculous to even consider. . . .

[T]he reason you’re seeing Musk and his bankers tout these high trillion-dollars figures for what is called the total addressable market, or TAM. Retail investors need to believe that the stock will grow if they are considering buying it, and Musk needs to convince them that we’re in early innings. But the company’s filings show it is losing money and spending a lot.

RYAN: If you believe in Musk’s vision, then you may think that the $1.77 trillion valuation is a great deal because eventually SpaceX will control orbital A.I. data centers, factories on the moon and a human colony on Mars. But Musk has a history of making promises and falling short. . . .

RYAN: Much of what Musk says he or his companies will do simply does not come to fruition. Our colleagues recently tracked some of his promises over the years and how they’ve panned out. On the other hand, some achievements — Tesla’s mainstreaming of electric vehicles, or SpaceX’s development of semi-reusable rockets — have developed or shifted industries. . . .

So, he's had some successes, true -- but in many ways, this feels like he is laying his least sensible private bets off, on a gullible set of external investors. We shall see. But it should pop tyomorrow -- with the main question being whether the exuberance will still be evident. . . in a week's -- or a month's --- or a year's. . . time. Hmmm.

नमस्ते

In Evanston's Reparations Challenge, Bifurcated Discovery Scheduling Set: USDC Judge Kness...

The City of Evanston will get immediate discovery -- to prove the Fitton shills blew the statute of limitations.

That will end this nonsense -- and likely allow the City to recover its attorneys' fees, from them. Here's that text entry:

. . .MINUTE entry before the Honorable John F. Kness:

The Court adopts the parties' proposed briefing schedule on Defendant's motion to bifurcate discovery [45]: Plaintiffs' response shall be filed on or before 7/10/2026. Defendant's reply, if any, shall be filed on or before 7/24/2026.

An in-person motion hearing is set for 8/6/2026 at 10:00 A.M. . . .

Now you know -- and the Knicks' OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson engineered the most extreme come-back in NBA Finals history last night -- causing Spike Lee to almost. . . stroke out. Hilarious.

One more win, to the first championship for the Big Apple since 1973, and Clyde the Glide. Wow.

नमस्ते

[U: Now Down 12%] Better At Bottom Line -- But Long-Term Lower Top Line Growth: Oracle Q4 2026 Results Call... Will Need Added $20 Billion To Finance AI Biz...

The good news is that the other business lines are generating healthy free cash flow -- but the amount of cap ex needed, to build out the AI centers. . . is daunting -- to say the least.

And it comes at a moment of higher than 4% inflation, and very uncertain economic conditions, given the insanity playing out daily, in Iran -- and in Israel. Thus, the stock is off almost 9% after hours. Here's the latest, from CNBC:

. . .Oracle reported better-than-expected earnings and revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter on Wednesday while also raising its profit forecast for the year. The stock dropped 6% in extended trading as the company plans to raise more money to finance its AI buildout.

Here’s how the company did in comparison with LSEG consensus:

Earnings per share: $2.11 adjusted vs. $1.96 expected

Revenue: $19.18 billion vs. $19.10 billion expected

Revenue increased 21% year over year in the quarter. . . .

Oracle said it foresees raising $40 billion through debt and equity financing, including a $20 billion share sale it announced earlier. That’s after raising $43 billion in debt and $5 billion in equity in fiscal 2026, a move that concerned investors due to uncertainty about whether demand for artificial intelligence can justify that much new capital. . . .

We shall -- as ever. . . have to wait and see. Yikes -- still a good historical quarter -- but stocks trade on the future prospects. And the daunting cap ex needed is spooking Wall & Broad.

To be certain, this is no longer a stodgy, slow go hardware/server company. Wow -- and that's both the good-, AND bad-. . . news.

नमस्ते

Lawless Rio Grande Border "Razor Wire" Barrier: Mediation, In Del Rio Texas -- Now On, For June 15, 2026

USDC Chief Judge Alia Moses has ordered the parties to mediation, as you will recall. Here's the update, in blue below -- as to the scheduling.

This is a text only entry:

. . .ORDER RESETTING MEDIATION

In order to facilitate further mediation pursuant to Chief United States District Judge Alia Moses’ Order [ECF No. 142], the Court ORDERS the parties to appear before it, in person, on June 15, 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.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall file an advisory with the Court by June 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. if they wish the hearing to be reset. They then must file an additional advisory by June 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. with three proposed dates that fall between June 29, 2026, and July 10, 2026.

SIGNED this 9th day of June 2026. . . .

So it is on a short fuse -- and (Condor predicts, again) this will ultimately result in the payment -- by Texas taxpayers -- (and perhaps of boxcar damages!) to those injured and/or killed, by the lawlessness of MAGA Gov. Abbott -- in installing the razor wire. Damn.

नमस्ते

Tangerine 2.0's Lawless Effort -- To Abandon US Diplomats In Africa (Due To Ebola) Has Now Gotten A Kenyan Killed; Dozens Injured. Damnation.

To start, US foreign service staff have a union contract that requires, of right, that they be brought home to the US for treatment -- specifically if the disease is Ebola. And the courts in Kenya have enjoined Trump's attempt at "a leper colony" -- inside Kenya. Dammit.

[More than that, since at least 2008, we've had state of art (safely-quarantined) facilities, here in Atlanta and Omaha, Nebraska to treat them. But Trump is an entirely irrational fear-monger, as to such diseases. He's a silly germaphobe -- even though close contact is needed, to spread Ebola.]

And now -- lawfully citing these precedents, local Kenyans protesting the attempted illicit US move. . . are being shot dead. This is to be laid completely at Trump's "kankled" feet:

. . .Kenyan police shot dead a protester as hundreds of people staged new demonstrations on Tuesday against a quarantine centre in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola, eyewitnesses and a protest leader told Reuters.

Patrick Wahome, who has helped organise protests in the central town of Nanyuki against the facility, and multiple eyewitnesses at the scene said the man died from a gunshot wound to the head. . . .

Two Reuters reporters, who did not witness the shooting themselves, saw the body lying motionless with a large wound to the head in the back of a police van.

A police spokesperson said he did not have information about the incident.

“Hooded police officers. . . . fired live bullets and arbitrarily arrested 19 protesters,” the non-profit Kenya Human Rights Commission said in a statement posted on its X account late on Tuesday. . . .

Damnation -- what an awful band of sociopaths this man -- and his minions -- are. Vote them out at the mid-terms. Do it.

नमस्ते

The Scourge Of Mpox Rumbles Ever Onward, Around The Globe: With This Stop In Hong Kong's Mong Kok...

There is a whiff of irrational discriminatory conduct here -- aimed at owners of establishments that see a predominantly gay clientèle. Let us hope that the local authorities are not misusing the outbreak -- to drive prejudices.

This spa ought to be soon re-opened in a free society. After a thorough cleaning, of course, but it cannot be the spa owner's fault that one or two people who were ill decided to meet other men there. How would s/he know? In any event, the focus now should be on vaccinating all contacts of the five presently ill. Here's the latest from the South China Post [subs. req.]:

. . .Hong Kong health authorities have identified at least five Mpox cases linked to a “premier” gay-friendly sauna and fitness club in Mong Kok, with the venue temporarily closed amid ongoing epidemiological investigations.

The Centre for Health Protection said the five cases, including two previously reported by mainland Chinese authorities, all engaged in “high-risk activities with strangers”, without elaborating further, at the Hu-Tong club on Shanghai Street.

The venue has been closed since May 26 as officials trace potential contacts. The latest case was a 58 year old man who developed a lower body rash (after visiting the spa). . . .

We will forge a path. . . toward progress -- so as ever: onward, resolutely. Smile.

नमस्ते

As We Earlier Strongly Suspected -- NASA Has Officially Declared Maven "End of Mission" -- Around Mars, As Of Last Week.

The review board will release a root cause analysis later in 2026, but there is unlikely to be a definitive answer as to what precisely caused the high spin rate and loss of signal.

In the mean time, we can bid this speed merchant only clear skies and free. . . space, somewhere out past Barsoom:

. . .The first mission devoted to observing the Martian atmosphere and its evolution, NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), has ended after more than 11 years in orbit at Mars and a decade beyond its primary, one-year mission. The spacecraft was heard last on Dec. 6, when it experienced an unexpected loss of signal after it passed behind the Red Planet. . . .

The agency convened an anomaly review board in February to evaluate recovery efforts and assess the spacecraft’s probable current state. The review board has determined that the MAVEN spacecraft is not recoverable, and it is no longer capable of performing its science and data relay mission, which is consistent with the mission team’s findings.

Telemetry from MAVEN prior to the spacecraft’s passage behind Mars in December showed all subsystems working normally. After the spacecraft emerged, NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) did not observe a signal. A brief fragment of telemetry data from analysis of radio signals recorded by the DSN’s open-loop receivers indicated the spacecraft was in safe mode and rotating at an unusually high rate when it emerged from behind Mars, indicating a disruption in MAVEN’s orbit trajectory. The review board concluded that due to this rotation, the batteries on the spacecraft had drained, causing the communications system to lose power and rendering MAVEN in an unrecoverable state. . . .

Onward -- she sailed fast and far, and almost always. . . flawlessly -- and that is, in the end, all we might have expected of her. Smile.

नमस्ते

Oracle's GAAP Q4 Will Be Filed, Tomorrow Night. What Will We See?

Truly, the Sales/Billings quarterly totals tend to be pretty volatile -- it is the smoothed out annual trends that matter most. Oracle will post a huge beat in one quarter, then come in way short the next. So it is hard to say what will come from tomorrow evening -- with any certainty.

Several analysts have said that today's decline in Oracle is driven by fears of a weak SpaceX IPO turnout -- or a weak OpenAI one. I'm unconvinced. I think it is the "noise" expected, in Oracle's own quarterly figures. We shall see -- here is one rag's report:

. . .Enterprise software giant Oracle will be announcing earnings results this Wednesday after market hours. Here’s what to expect.

Oracle beat analysts’ revenue expectations last quarter, reporting revenues of $17.19 billion, up 21.7% year on year. It was a very strong quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA and billings estimates. . . .

This quarter, the market is expecting Oracle’s revenue to grow 20.1% year on year, improving from the 11.3% increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. . . .

Wall Street analysts are expecting the company to report $1.96 in adjusted earnings per share, up from $1.70 the year before. . . .

Recent options pricing suggests trading expect Oracle's (ORCL) stock could swing up to 11% in either direction by the end of the week. A move of that magnitude from Monday's close could see the tech firm's stock rise to around $236, or slip back below $188. . . .

Check back tomorrow evening -- for more. . . color. Smile.

नमस्ते

Update -- On The Russian Gangway Oxygen Leak At The International Space Station: Stable For Now...

While we were off-grid, it turned out that, last Friday, the Russian team was considering removing panels in the affected gangway. After much back and forth, the decision was to apply additional patching material inside the gangway, and see how that holds up -- before removing a panel (which might expose a much larger crack / O₂ leak -- and risk).

Here's the latest -- from NASA's press release -- from that Friday afternoon:

. . .The week of June 1, during Progress 95 spacecraft cargo operations, Roscosmos noted an increase of the previous leak rate to two pounds per day and identified new suspected leak areas in the PrK. Following this observation, Roscosmos made the decision to begin work toward a more extensive inspection and structural repair effort Friday morning. This revised approach involved cutting a bracket to better access an area identified as a possible leak source for further inspection, using a method that could have resulted in elevated risk to the structure in the area. In response, NASA directed the four SpaceX Crew-12 members and NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who flew to station aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, to take a heightened safety posture, known as a safe haven, inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft during the procedure.

Later Friday morning, Roscosmos paused and did not perform the structural repair work in favor of conducting additional measurements and data assessments, which included inspection of suspected areas of interest and review of areas where sealant was previously applied. NASA strongly supported that decision, and as a result, following that decision, Crew-12 and Williams ended their safe haven activities and returned to normal operations aboard the orbiting laboratory. . . .

NASA will continue to work with our Russian counterparts, along with the rest of the international partners that support the space station, to assess and ensure a resolution to this matter. . . .

[And at left is a short gif-movie -- of the prior Russian coolant-leak -- in the Soyuz MS-22 Module / Capsule, at the ISS -- about three and a half years ago.]

Onward, resolutely -- into a steaming, sunny June day in the steel and glass canyons. Smile.

नमस्ते

The 2018 Era Chicago Class Action -- Against Trump's Cruel And Lawless ICE Tactics, In Tangerine 1.0, And 2.0 -- May Settle Soon...

Below (in blue) is the text entry; almost all filings in this matter are restricted access, as they provide specific indentifying information, about people who rightly have protection against ICE (or private MAGA militia) harassment.

But we are encouraged, that the government now recognizes it is just costing millions in added damages, for every month that these brown-shirted, and violent abominations continue -- via "enforcement" by feckless DHS and ICE agents -- and almost always against completely peaceful, and thus lawful US residents:

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

The Court grants the parties' joint motion for additional time to file a more complete joint status report regarding their effort to find a compromise regarding the end date of the Consent Decree, [434], and the parties' joint status report shall be filed by 6/10/26. . . .

Now you know.

नमस्ते

Here's A Reasonably Serviceable Comparison / Analysis -- Of Merck's Vs. Pfizer's Three Year Ahead Prospects [If Held In a Tax-Deferred Account].

If, as a retiree, you have a tax-deferred account in which to hold stocks, you are likely often looking for at least some fat dividend stocks. But most of all, you look for reliable pay-outs -- from long term, sustainable cash flow.

It is clear that this "article/analysis" was likely mostly generated by an AI agent. It is not. . . wrong (if you simply want to invest today, and reap high -- but double taxed, dividends in cash every year -- outside your tax deferred account).

But most people would rather solve for taxes, and look at either stock (or both) being held in a 401(k) or an IRA -- and take the dividends as reinvestments in the stock (no immediate cash). That is so, at least until well-after they retire, and then perhaps switch over to cash dividend payouts, for boosted quarterly retirement cash (no need to sell the underlying stock). You will pay taxes on the withdrawn amounts though.

[About 15 to 20 years ago, for five years, we used to an annual comparison of PFE v. MRK. So, consider this as a lazy / potential "slop" update, to those. Heh.]

But the central point we make here today, is sound. PFE yields a higher dividend RATE -- because its NYSE price has not appreciated as much as Merck's on a percentage basis, over the past five years. Both are excellent for your 401(k), or IRA -- as those dividends get reinvested in the stock currently tax deferred. But yes, a 6+% annual dividend payout is sweet (since PFE's stock price is lower, relatively speaking, you can buy in, and get more -- more easily, at present).

Even so, though I would argue that Merck's might be hiked -- as we reach the 2030s, and its next gen immuno-oncology offerings come to the fore. If you are like me, you can wait. And I will, in my tax deferred accounts.

But that is just me. Here's the "bot-written piece" -- and a legacy graphic -- sorta' updated:

. . .Pfizer is now a 6.58% yielder, distributing $9.8 billion in 2025 dividends at $1.72 per share. That payout sits on a $3.22 adjusted EPS base, so coverage looks comfortable even with COVID revenue fading. Non-COVID growth told the real story: Abrysvo jumped 136%, Eliquis added 10%, and oncology biosimilars surged 77%.

Merck pays a smaller yield of 2.74% on a $3.28 annual dividend, but the underlying business is growing faster. KEYTRUDA delivered $8.03 billion in Q1 2026, up 12%, while WINREVAIR rocketed 88% to $525 million. Animal Health added a steady 13%. The recent quarterly dividend bump from $0.81 to $0.85 signals confidence. . . .

But if you just want to harvest cash (and pay the double taxation!) Merck drops more coin in your pocket, quarter by quarter, compared to Pfizer. [Seriously, who writes these pieces?]

Onward, boarding -- with a layover in the Rockies -- then on, home over Lake Michigan.

नमस्ते

After A Weekend Of Olympic Tri- Cheering, We Are Back At It -- From An Airport -- DRC's Ebola Situation Has Grown Much Worse, In Just A Week.

While I was off-grid last week, most Western journalists reduced the count of Ebola cases -- and deaths, in Africa. They did so, because WHO is now only counting cases confirmed by Western-style diagnostic testing.

But several hundreds were buried, without any intervention -- before the outbreak was declared -- and so no testing will ever occur, on those -- as "Great Death has made them his, forevermore¹". These long-departed are almost certainly Ebola victims. [Thus our graphic this morning, cobbled together by phone, from the airport -- attempts to true the results up.]

Even so, the official count of cases is now 515.

Before I left, the very reasonably suspected cases stood at over 1,100 -- mostly in the gold mining (and strife torn) districts in remote eastern Ituri province -- Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today it is certainly much higher.

And so -- to be clear -- for our part, our graphics will include the suspected cases -- so we now show over 1,615. Because that is the most likely truth -- and deaths are at over 310, based on similar logic.

This is likely to end as the second worst outbreak in recorded history for ebola -- with only the 2012 to 2014 one recording more cases and deaths. [Thanks, Elon and Donald!] Here is Reuters, reporting on the latest, overnight:

. . .Democratic Republic of ‌Congo said on Sunday that the number of ⁠confirmed Ebola cases had increased to 515 after 27 new samples ‌tested ⁠positive in the previous 24 hours.

The confirmed ⁠cases include 91 deaths, ⁠government data showed. . . .

Obviously, DRC officials are now likely willing to under-report, so as not to kill their inter-country economies. [Afterall, nothing more may be done -- for what Charles Hamilton Sorley called "the mouthless dead".] But the truth is -- and will be -- far worse. Trust that.

Back in the Chi-, by tonight. . . and -- a few thumbnails of the weekend's shenanigans.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

_{1. "When You See Millions of the Mouthless Dead" Charles Hamilton Sorley (1915)}

नमस्ते

In The Specious Reparations Challenge, Evanston Will Prove The Fitton-Shills Blew The Statute Of Limitations.

This will all be rather droll.

The Fitton shills filed their purported federal suit over a year too late, it seems -- in addition to having apparently never lived or owned property or paid taxes in Evanston -- during the relevant time period.

We will keep you apprised; trust that. One of many of my prior backgrounders is here.

Onward -- now mid-air, to Eugene (finally!) -- after various weather delays in the central mountains. Early water start in the morning, in tie dyed tees! Woot!

नमस्ते

Here, Tangerine 2.0 Tries To Pretend That Admin. Law Judges May Rule Over Art. III Federal Court Judges. Nope.

I won't quote any of it, but yesterday, DHS and ICE lawyers filed some nonsense -- to stave off the inevitable, in USDC Judge Xinis' courtroom in Maryland.

This 28 pager claims that an administrative law judge friendly to Tangerine 2.0, who rewrote a 2019 final order of NON-removability, into a 2026 order of purported "immediate" removal -- only after Abrego had won his freedom -- controls, over both USDC Judge Crenshaw in Nashville and Judge Xinis' contrary orders. [And by implication, the prior US Supreme Court order of last summer.]

That is. . . simply silly.

But the government takes 28 pages to argue about how many lawyers might stand on the head of a pin -- trying to avoid producing the documents that prove Todd Blanche himself was acting with improper (racist) motives, in trying to keep Abrego Garcia locked up, and/or deported to Sudan, or Liberia -- after kidnapping him to an El Salvador torture prison.

This unhinged idiocy will fail. Trust that. Abrego will be able to prove his case of boxcar damages -- from these documents. Trust that, as well.

Onward -- to more mountain fun with my 92 year old mom

नमस्ते

Some More Pink Slips At Merck -- Already Expected...

So the $3 billion restructuring cuts continue -- as previously disclosed -- at various Merck EAst Coast facilities.

Here's the latest, from Fierce yesterday:

. . .More biopharma layoffs are hitting New Jersey, this time from Merck & Co., in the latest phase of headcount reductions attributed to its $3 billion cost-cutting plan announced last July.

The latest layoffs are touching the company’s global headquarters in Rahway. In total, some 88 staffers who report to Merck's home base will face job cuts in September, according to a recent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice filed with the state of New Jersey.

“Today, Merck initiated the next phase of personnel impacts related to its multiyear optimization, as announced in July 2025,” a company spokesperson told Fierce Pharma in an emailed statement. . . .

Now you know. More mountain fun ahead today -- under flawless skies. Woot!

नमस्ते

Tangent: High Altitude Crash — For Bitcoin…

Two and a half years ago -- in Spring '24, he pointed out that the parabolic upswings in Bitcoin spot prices. . . were over.

He was clearly right — after it reached $126,000 in October 2025 — he plainly said, "look out below".

Very few of the bigger Bitcoin bulls listened to him.

After tonight, I think they will.

Bitcoin is trading below $65,600 tonight — and down to $59,900 on the late evening of June 5 — threatening the February 2024 “Ice Age” lows.

Onward. . . from 10,200 feet -- in elevation, tonight.

The June skies -- up in this thin air: majestic. Simply majestic.

नमस्ते

There Have Already Been 22 Mpox Cases In Western Australia So Far In 2026; With Seven In The Last Week...

The rumblings continue -- widely, across the globe -- now into a third elapsed year. If you are in the high risk communities, do get both vaccine doses ASAP.

Here's more on that, from the erstwhile Robert Herriman, a microbiologist, and editor in chief of the Outbreak News Today website on Substack:

. . .There have been 22 Mpox cases reported in Western Australia so far in 2026, compared with 27 cases for the whole year 2025 and 23 cases in 2024.

Nineteen cases were acquired-locally, and three were acquired-overseas. Two of the cases notified this year were cisgender women, a first in WA. Another two notifications were in heterosexual men.

Dr Paul Armstrong, Director Communicable Disease Control said the Department was working closely with affected individuals and contacts to help prevent further spread of the virus.

“Mpox is a viral infection that typically causes mild illness, including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions,” Dr Armstrong said. . . .

Now you know -- and with that, I'm mostly off-grid -- until this coming Friday night, minimum. Smile.

नमस्ते

Final Mirror Inspection Complete -- For Nancy Grace Roman 'Scope's Coming Fall '26 Launch: Per Goddard / NASA.

At bottom, we've posted a YouTube video explainer of this last inspection event -- before she becomes "humanity's eyes" into the vast inky deep of the wide cosmos.

And at right is one of our dozens of legacy graphics -- for this fine, long-planned mission space telescope. Here's the latest on the final confirm, that her "eyes" are. . . 20/20 [or better, in fact]:

. . .The primary mirror for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has passed its final inspection. On May 20 and 21, engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., confirmed that no specks fell onto the mirrors during testing and that there are no defects in the coating or alignment. With this milestone complete, the primary mirror is ready for its next view: space. . . .

“The Roman engineering team laid eyes on the telescope for the final time before it, in turn, becomes the eyes of humanity, revealing the wonders of the cosmos,” said J. Scott Smith, the Roman telescope manager at NASA Goddard. “It is a profoundly humbling moment to witness the culmination of hard work from so many dedicated individuals, teams, and partner organizations, including L3Harris.”

On May 20, engineers turned the Roman observatory onto its side and deployed the “hood” that will be stowed for launch to protect the mirror. Then the team conducted a meticulous visual inspection to ensure no specks fell onto the mirrors during testing and confirm there are no changes in the mirror path and alignment. . . .

Onward, to a baby ice skating "recital", this afternoon. . . smile.

नमस्ते