Russia's Only Aircraft Carrier is Doomed

Problem ship...

Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov, an expensive status symbol.

Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the aging Admiral Kuznetsov, is in big trouble, Zachery Keck reports on nationalinterest.org.

This week, a Russian-language report in Interfax disclosed that Russia has cut in half funding for repairing and modernization its aircraft carrier. “Instead of [the] previously planned approximately 50 billion rubles [$867 million] for the work, it is planned to allocate about half of the previously announced amount,” Interfax reported, citing a source “familiar” with the situation, Keck wrote.

The same source said that the budgetary problems has forced Russia to abandon plans to modernize the carrier, and instead Moscow will only proceed with the previously planned repairs. These will primarily focus on fixing the vessel's propulsion system, the report added. This is the absolute minimum Russia can do to avoid completely scrapping the ship: the propulsion system has been so unreliable that the carrier must be accompanied at all times by a large, ocean-going tug ship in case it breaks down (again), Keck added.

For more: http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-only-aircraft-carrier-doomed-22718

For another report on the problem-plagued ship: http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a23584/admiral-kuznetsov-sad-smoky-voyage/

Photo: nationalinterest.org.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
How Russians Agents Crushed it on Social Media.

Ten Ways Successful People Stay Calm

Dealing with stress...

Enjoy the fun you find along the way.

The ability to manage your emotions and remain calm under pressure has a direct link to your performance, Travis Bradberry reports on success.com.

 At TalentSmart, we have conducted research with more than a million people and found that 90 percent of top performers are skilled at managing their emotions in times of stress in order to remain calm and in control, he wrote.

For ten tips to deal with stress: http://www.success.com/blog/10-ways-successful-people-stay-calm

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Russia's Only Aircraft Carrier is Doomed.

Smile: Trick or Treat is Almost Here

Fun...

Keeping a wary eye out for Halloween creatures.

In the meantime, how about some fun videos:

-- GEICO: Triangle Solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjC2WEF6f0

-- GEICO: He-Man vs. Skeletor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKLQnJqreaI

-- GEICO: A Referee's Explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrT0qYdTiLY

-- GEICO: Tiki's Barber Shop:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6uW4nHTyj4

-- GE: Molly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sucKTktHYA8

-- Audible: Laughter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcrd1xwAaNU

-- Subaru: Welcome to the Pack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St3dTT9ybBk

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Ten Ways Successful People Stay Calm.

Musical Moments: Remembering Fats Domino

Let the good times roll...

Fats and friends having fun.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

This week we lost an American icon -- a pianist and singer-songwriter who helped usher in rhythm and blues and whose records sold more than a million copies.

Here's one where he joined in the fun with friends to let the good times roll:  https://www.facebook.com/JerryLeeLewis/videos/1186013748131998/

And, of course, his famous Blueberry Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgDHtM600nw&list=RDEgDHtM600nw&t=49

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Smile: Trick or Treat is Almost Here.

Darien Ends Slower Real Estate Week

Weekly update...

I got a trick: A rock.

Darien ended a slower residential real estate week today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Five new listings of property for sale;

-- 11 price changes;

-- Two accepted offers;

-- Two properties going under contract, and

-- Six closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report:

Musical Moments: Remembering Fats Domino.

Leaving a Home to Heirs While You Live

Estate planning...

Some of the considerations in leaving a home.

As baby boomers age and head into retirement, estate planning has become a thriving business, Kaya Laterman reports on nytimes.com.

And how best to deal with our homes — often our most valuable asset — is among the most fraught questions that need addressing, she wrote.

Sell and downsize to leave a larger pot of cash for heirs to divide? Deed the house or apartment to your adult children now to avoid squabbling after you’re gone? If so, where do you live in the meantime?

And then there are inheritance taxes, probate delays and costs and more.

Creating a trust, however, can lower those costs and be paid by you upfront. And named beneficiaries of a trust do not have to go through probate, Laterman added.

For more:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/realestate/estate-planning-home.html

Photo: nytimes.com.

Next time on The Allen Report: 
The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

How Russia Used YouTube for its RT Propaganda Outlet

Kremlin-linked meddling...

YouTube: In the spotlight for the growth of a Russian propaganda outlet.

When the state-backed Russian news channel RT became the first news organization to surpass one billion views on YouTube in 2013, it marked the achievement with a retrospective of its most popular videos and a special guest — one of the Google-owned site’s senior executives, Daisuke Wakabayashi and Nicholas Confessore report on nytimes.com.

Robert Kyncl, a YouTube vice president who has since become its chief business officer, joined an RT anchor in a studio, where he praised RT for bonding with viewers by providing “authentic” content instead of “agendas or propaganda,” the Times reporters wrote.

But now, as investigators in Washington examine the scope and reach of Russian interference in United States politics, the once-cozy relationship between RT and YouTube is drawing closer scrutiny, according to the Times.

YouTube — the world’s most-visited video site, owned by one of the most powerful and influential corporations in America — played a crucial role in helping build and expand RT, an organization that the American intelligence community has described as the Kremlin’s “principal international propaganda outlet” and a key player in Russia’s information warfare operations around the world, the Times added.

For more about the latest social media platform under scrutiny for Kremlin-linked meddling: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/technology/youtube-russia-rt.html

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Leaving a House to Heirs While You LIve.

Celestial Beauty, Thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope

A remarkable collection...

An image of a star forming, taken by the Hubble Telescope.

NASA has released a video of photos of some beautiful celestial objects brought to us by the Hubble space telescope.

For a wonderful sampling: https://twitter.com/NASA/status/921089971880153088/video/1 (If audio doesn't play, stop and restart video.)

NASA's Hubble Telescope in orbit around earth.

Photos: Pinterest.

The Allen Report:

How Russia Used YouTube in its Fake News Efforts.

Should You Really Buy That House?

Red flags to watch for when buying...

Tom Hanks, the new homeowner in the movie The Money Pit.

Falling in love with a house is easy when it seems to have everything you want. But what if there is more to the house than your eye can see? 

A cracked pipe underground, a litigious neighbor, a long list of code violations — these are the kinds of red flags that buyers should look out for to make sure that seemingly ideal house doesn’t turn out to be a money pit or some other type of real estate nightmare, Jen Miller reports on nytimes.com.

For red flags to watch out for when buying a house: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/realestate/should-you-really-buy-that-home.html

For the trailer to The Money Pit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLLQquBdU8M

Tom Hanks trying to fix his money pit.

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
Celestial Beauty, Thanks to Hubble Space Telescope.

Smile: A Whole New Week's Ahead

Fun...

Nap time.

For fun videos to start the new week: 

-- Purina: Superfoods: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wd5w/purina-beneful-grain-free-superfoods

-- GEICO: Triangle Solo:  https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wSOE/geico-triangle-solo

-- UnitedHealthcare: Taming the Inner Hulk: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wKuI/unitedhealthcare-taming-the-inner-hulk

-- Nike: Want it All: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wydh/nike-want-it-all-feat-lebron-james-kevin-durant-paul-george

-- GEICO: Carolina Golfing: http://geicocarinsurance.wikia.com/wiki/Carolina_Golfing?file=Carolina_Golfing

-- Toyota: Batteries for Yellowstone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa4mMHVchzE

-- Boeing: No Small Dream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caon9BRk_gQ

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Should You Really Buy That House?

Musical Moments: Clapton, Autumn Leaves

An old favorite...

Autumn gold

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is an favorite, Eric Clapton's famous Autumn Leaves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U11LtakMbSE

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: A Whole New Week's Ahead.

Darien Posts Real Estate Activity Increases

Weekly update...

Harvest moon season.

Darien posted increases in residential real estate activity in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Seven new listings of property for sale;

-- 19 price changes;

-- Seven accepted offers;

-- No properties going under contract, and

-- Three closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report:

Musical Moments: Clapton, Autumn Leaves.

Senators Demand Disclosure in Wake of Russian Meddling

Deceptive Internet ads...

Facebook: In the spotlight over ads from Russian-linked agents.

Senators John McCain, Amy Kolbuchar and John Warner will move on Thursday to force Facebook, Google and other internet companies to disclose who is purchasing online political advertising, after revelations that Russian-linked operatives bought deceptive ads in the run-up to the 2016 election with no disclosure required, Ken Vogel and Cecilia King report on nytimes.com.

But the tech industry, which has worked to thwart previous efforts to mandate such disclosure, is mobilizing an army of lobbyists and lawyers — including a senior adviser to Hillary Clinton’s campaign — to help shape proposed regulations, the Times reporters wrote.

For more on the new move to rein in Russian-linked on-line meddling: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/19/us/politics/facebook-google-russia-meddling-disclosure.html

Photos: Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report

The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

What Facebook Did to American Democracy

What few saw coming...

Facebook's impact on American politics is still being unraveled.

In the media world, as in so many other realms, there is a sharp discontinuity in the timeline: before the 2016 election, and after, Alex Madrigal reports on theatlantic.com.

Things we thought we understood—narratives, data, software, news events—have had to be reinterpreted in light of Donald Trump’s surprising win as well as the continuing questions about the role that misinformation and disinformation played in his election, he wrote.

“Not even President-Pope-Viceroy Zuckerberg himself seemed prepared for the role Facebook has played in global politics this past year,” Read wrote, Madrigal adds.

And we haven’t even gotten to the Russians, he wrote.

For more on an excellent report: https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/542502/

Photo: theatlantic.com.

Next time on The Allen Report:
Senators Demand Disclosure in Wake of Russian Meddling.

It's the 70th Anniversary of the First Supersonic Flight

Breaking the sound barrier...

The Bell X-1, the first plane to fly faster than sound in 1947.

Supersonic flight—it conjures up ideas of speed, luxury, the future, Jack Stuart reports on wired.com.

But the very first flight to break the sound barrier occurred 70 years ago this month. Since then, we've seen the development and demise of the Concorde, and today's flyers are stuck traveling at boring subsonic cruise speeds of around 600 miles per hour. A trip from LA to New York takes an agonizing five and a half hours, Stuart wrote.

But don’t despair. There are companies and agencies working to bring back the supersonic age, he added.

For a video and report on the 70th anniversary the first supersonic flight: https://www.wired.com/story/its-the-70th-anniversary-of-the-first-supersonic-flight/amp

For an excellent NASA video on breaking the sound barrier and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aUjf9y556M&feature=youtu.be

The Bell X-1 rocket plane being attached to a modified B-29 in preparation for its first supersonic flight.

Other memorable flight records:

The famous X-15, which flew 4,520 mph at an altitude of 102,100 ft. in 1967, records that still stand.

Lockheed's SR-71 Blackbird was an Air Force reconnaissance plane. It set a record on its last flight in 1990 that still stands: LA to Washington, D.C. in 64 minutes and 20 seconds. Its average speed on the flight was 2,145 mph. At one point on the trip, it was clocked at 2,242 mph.

The SR-71 on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
What Facebook Did to American Democracy.

Q's and Some A's on the Massive Equifax Breach

Confidential information at risk...

A credit giant in the spotlight.

Three weeks after Equifax acknowledged that hackers had breached the company’s system, the company’s interim chief executive, Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., apologized for its messy response, Ron Lieber reports on nytimes.com.

The breach meant that potentially millions of Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses and other information had been stolen, leaving many of us to wonder how vulnerable we might be to identity theft, Lieber wrote.

“Answers to key consumer questions were too often delayed, incomplete or both,” Mr. Barros wrote in an op-ed column in The Wall Street Journal in late September, Lieber added.

He had his verb tenses wrong. The answers are still delayed and incomplete, Lieber wrote.

For a Q and some A's about the continuing Equifax problem potentially affecting you and millions of Americans: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/your-money/equifax-data-breach-credit.html

Photo: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
It's the 70th Anniversary of the First Supersonic Flight.

The Unlucky Flight 666: A Short Hop to HEL

A Friday the 13th special...

A Finnair Airbus going to HEL?

The world's "unluckiest" flight made its final flight to HEL last Friday, the 13th.

For a report and video on the short hop to HEL: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/worlds-unluckiest-flight-666-makes-final-flight-to-hel-on-friday-the-13th/ar-AAtoCJB

The hell you want to avoid.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

Qs and Some A's on the Massive Equifax Breach.

Smile: Up and at 'em for Your new Week

Fun...

Dance, baby, dance.  And did they ever.

For fun videos:

-- Progressive: Magic Apron: https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wLYk/progressive-magic-apron

-- Coca Cola: Clean water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29govBe3Hxw

-- Cigna: TV Doctors of America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2do-3n_9AW4

-- United Healthcare: Chuck Norris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ3vNftrQHk

--zzzQuil: Best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlsREI-cHtk

-- Honda Fit: Fun Surprises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKR5rksTc_o

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:

The Unlucky Flight 666: A Short Hop to HEL.

Musical Moments: Shearing, Autumn in New York

Memorable...

Early autumn in the park.

Musical Moments features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

Today's selection is George Shearing's memorable Autumn in New York: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5_FQfdrStE

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report: 

Smile: Up and At 'em for Your New Week.

Inventory Changes Top Darien Real Estate Results

Weekly update...

Inventory changes topped Darien residential real estate results in the week ending today.

Results, according to the Darien MLS, were:

-- Eight new listings of property for sale;

-- Eight price changes;

-- Five accepted offers;

-- One property going under contract, and

-- Two closings.

For more:

Next time on The Allen Report:

Musical Moments: Shearing, Autumn in New York.

Memories of the Amazing Boeing 747

A retirement draws near...

A 747 pilot waves farewell on takeoff.

How much do I, a Boeing 747 pilot, love the airplane that I fly? It’s tough, and maybe a little embarrassing, to answer. But as the iconic jet’s eventual retirement draws closer, I am surely not the only 747 fan who’s taking some very long flights down memory lane, Mark Vanhoenackner reports on nytimes.com.

Recent news reports have suggested that the last 747s in passenger service with U.S. airlines will be retired this year. It’s worth noting that other 747s — including refurbished, newer and cargo versions — will fly for years to come, Vanhoenackner wrote.

For more about one of my favorite planes: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/travel/747-airplane-jet-pilot.html

My thanks to my old friend Michael Lazare for letting me know about this excellent article.

A high-flying 747.

Photos Giphy, Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
The Latest Darien Real Estate Update.

How Russia Used American Rage in 2016

Cultural hacking...

Facebook: Back in the spotlight over Russian hacking in 2016.

YouTube videos of police beatings on American streets. A widely circulated internet hoax about Muslim men in Michigan collecting welfare for multiple wives. A local news story about two veterans brutally mugged on a freezing winter night.

All of these were recorded, posted or written by Americans. Yet all ended up becoming grist for a network of Facebook pages linked to a shadowy Russian company that has carried out propaganda campaigns for the Kremlin, and which is now believed to be at the center of a far-reaching Russian program to influence the 2016 presidential election, Nick Confessore and Daisuke Wakabayashi report on nytimes.com.

A New York Times examination of hundreds of those posts shows that one of the most powerful weapons that Russian agents used to reshape American politics was the anger, passion and misinformation that real Americans were broadcasting across social media platforms, they wrote.

For more of what has been labelled "cultural hacking:" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/09/technology/russia-election-facebook-ads-rage.html

Pogo, one of our wisest cartoon characters.

Photos: Pinterest.

Next time on The Allen Report:
Memories of the Amazing 747.