There won't be a trade for Butina and a family member of an American family and a retired American soldier.

There are far bigger fish to fry. 

If this was a deliberate kidnapping by Russia, there will be more trouble for Russia. This is not acceptable.

Diplomats and citizens all over the world will become prey to Russia. This is just the beginning and Russia has made a huge mistake.

The West is still The West and no one will put up with Russian kidnappings. Europe is still reeling from the Novochok which is illegal. This is even more illegal. There is no case for his arrest. He is a member of an American family and a retired Marine. He was there as a tourist for legitimate reasons. A visiting American retired Marine is kidnapped? I don't think so.

Paul Whelan is retired and has no immediate knowledge of American military activities. There is no reason Russia can make these accusations. It won't be tolerated. Paul Whelan is a prisoner in Russia to leverage the USA with Butina. This is a crime by Russia and it won't be tolerated. Paul Whelan has rights to counsel and a right to international contact with diplomats. With the USA Embassy under siege by Russia, Sweden should take an interest in making demands for his release.

1 January 2019

Paul Whelan (click here) poses by the Kremlin during a 2006 trip to Russia.

The brother of a US citizen (click here) arrested on Friday for spying in Russia has told BBC News he is innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding.

The family of ex-Marine Paul Whelan, 48, learnt of his arrest on Monday from news reports after wondering why they had not heard from him for days.

His twin brother David Whelan says he knew Russia well and cannot believe he would have broken any laws.

Russia's FSB state security agency says he was "caught spying" in Moscow.

The Michigan man was charged with the crime of espionage, for which he could be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison.

The US state department has requested consular access after being notified by the Russian authorities of the detention....

As of now, Americans are no longer safe in Russia. For all we know Paul Whelan may have been baited to come to Russia for the wedding. Russia is experiencing demonstrations and all is not happy in Russia.

Russia Federation (click here)

Travel Advisory December 18. 2018
Russia, Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Russia is experiencing problems with their youth and the Russian government is retaliating against teenagers.

It has been at least six months since Putin announced the reductions in pensions to benefit the motherland. This was from a man who is a billionaire by very underhanded international mechanisms, including his involvement as reported in the Panama Papers.

The Russian people are not happy. Add to this an exclusive hospital and medical treatment for the elite of Russia. It is a mess.

I don't know what the latest lies are by Putin to remove American guards from the Russian embassy, but, as internal unrest grows in Russia, BY THE HAND OF PUTIN, the real reason is that Russia has more control of American activities with their own guards at a time when unrest is increasing.

28 December 2018

A new Russian law envisages jail terms of up to two weeks (click here) and hefty fines for people who get children to join unauthorised demonstrations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law against mobilising child protesters. Organisers can be fined up to 50,000 roubles (£569; $720).

Russia's Interior Ministry says 475 teenagers were arrested at unauthorised rallies this year.

Opposition activist Alexei Navalny's rallies have resonated with the young.

Mr Navalny, who has attracted thousands to his protests, has been detained repeatedly for unauthorised rallies.

In recent months there has been a wave of protests against plans to raise the retirement age. From next year that age will be pushed back in phases; by 2036 it will have risen to 65 for men and 60 for women....

Russia has been growing unrest for some time now. It is taking hold so deeply that the Kremlin is negating elections and placing their own power player in place in elections that are controlled and false. It is too early to say Putin doesn't have control of the military. Ukraine is the myth the Russia military is holding on to as changes that are needed to secure the sovereignty of a revitalized Soviet Union. The pressures on Russia are multifaceted, but, the people are not happy.

10 December 2018
By Dmitry V. Shlapentokh

Ten years ago, (click here) Vladivostok was the scene of street marches and demonstrations. The area known as the Russian Far East had experienced a long economic slump after the collapse of the old Soviet Union and anger had built. The demonstrations were eventually and brutally put down after riot police were brought in from Moscow, some 6000km away. But that unusual defiance of Moscow in the region can still be detected a decade later.

In recent elections, residents of the Russian Far East rejected Moscow’s candidate for governor. The suspicion of distant authorities in Moscow is paired with quite a positive attitude toward immediate foreign neighbours, such as the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. There have even been outbursts of calls to “Give Vladivostok to Japan”....

Considering how unhappy Russians are with Russia, it is complete foolishness on Putin's part to play these political games with people like Butina. The storyline with Trump among the Russian people is populist. The Russian people like Trump because they believe they have a friend in Trump. Putin should really think that through. Let's see, an American president with populist influence among the Russian people. Hm?

Within the warning of the US State Department about Russia is it stated, "...arbitrary enforcement of local laws....". To me, that means, the central government does not have control of local authorities. Considering the size alone of Russia, that means local authority has little to no information from Moscow or has directions from Moscow that is not working for them. The size of Russia is always a problem for the country.

When the explosion took place in Russia that killed at least four Russians and people lost power to heat their homes in the apartments, Putin did travel to the city to make an impression on local authorities to be sure all was being done to rescue people from the freezing temperatures. There was a baby, I think, rescued in what was coined a miracle. New Years is a very big deal in Russia and this gas explosion was especially egregious to the people. Hence. Putin. It was an opportunity to be seen as caring about Russians in extreme danger. Just my take on these episodes.

If the local authorities are carrying that level of control over their communities, the arrest could have been a knee-jerk reaction to an Americans, but, given he was a retired Marine it takes the characteristics of a more curious victim of Russian political pranks.

If this a local issue, there is more hope it can be resolved far earlier than if this was a Putin prank.

January 1, 2019
By Johanna Li

Some parents celebrated the New Year with the birth of their babies.

New year, newborns! (click here) Many happy parents rang in the New Year by welcoming their babies into the world.

In Boston, Adeline Bridie Brennan was born right at the stroke of midnight at the Boston Medical Center.

The sweet 2019 baby was born at a healthy weight of 7 pounds, and she and her mom Alana Brennan are continuing to rest comfortably at the hospital.Meanwhile, at New York’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center, a tiny baby boy was born just seven seconds after the ball dropped.

His parents, Eli and Adina Derdik of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, are opting not to name their boy until after a bris next week and instead will call him “007” in the meantime, according to WABC.

Nearby at the Staten Island University Hospital, baby boy Dion Karpuzi was born 30 seconds after midnight.

His mom Nexhmije “Mia” Balanca called her new son a “handsome prince” and “God’s gift from heaven,” she said in a statement.

Anaaynsh Bulakh of Indianapolis, Indiana, was born soon after, at just 38 seconds after midnight. The newborn girl was photographed with her mom and dad, Ankita Kashikar and Mandar Bulakh, and the photo was shared by their hospital, Franciscan Health....

Will 2019 actually be a happy new year for Americans?

In two days, the US House will convene and pass all sorts of wonderful legislation, including, the Violence Against Women Act, DACA, Pre-existing Medical Conditions and a return of the government to full functioning. If the US Senate passes any of it; with McConnell still in leadership it will be nothing but obstruction; Trump will veto it.

Donald Trump does not care about the American people in the way they want a president to lead to provide a better quality of life to them. It is my estimation what he will do is write his State of the Union Speech and tell the country he is not reopening a full one-third of the government. 

That is called LEGISLATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. It is unconstitutional. See, Trump has the idea he has control of reopening the government even if the stupid wall is built. That is not correct. The only reason the government is shut down is that without the omnibus budget gap funding it is necessary to trim down the expenses of the USA government. However, that shortfall will end and Trump will be required to open all the government again.

In his state of the union address, Trump will seek to build political momentum to rid the USA of one-third of the government. He will state "small government" has been the dream of the Republicans for some time now. He promised he would defund the government by a full quarter/twenty-five percent each year for the next four years he was elected to office. So far that hasn't happened.

Up to now, the legislature has supplied a budget that pays for a federal government. The Congress to date believes such an idea of defunding the federal government is wrong, but, will it stay that way? It is my estimation everything Trump says in his State of the Union will be embarrassed by McConnell and for the next two years the Republicans will play with political rhetoric rather than have the government function the way it should. Once again, the Republicans will not face the message the American people sent to Washington, DC. Once again it will be obstruction politics by McConnell. He knows nothing else and is determined to show the American people need to reverse their desire for a functional government and settle for the government the Republicans hand them.

The Republicans will seek to destroy the hope leveled with the votes of 2018. They will depart from responsible and reasonable governance and attempt to punish the American people for their votes. That practice by McConnell and Trump is called obstruction and with it comes a domino effect that will ultimately destroy the USA Constitution, both in spirit and word.

Kavanaugh investigation: Dr. Christine Blasey Ford FULL testimony to Senate (click here for transcript of US Senate proceedings regarding the nomination of Brett Kanaaugh - thank you)

How could they? Brett Kavanaugh's abuse of power due to prestige is the very essence of sexual assault. he should not be on the Supreme Court voting for decisions that effect women. I dare say this is worse than the objection in the UK regarding a woman's privacy to wear skirts.

First came the circus of finding a judge to review the Kavanaugh Ethics Complaints (click here for Brookings report - thank you) of which there were 15 besides those made to the US Senate.

October 11, 2018
By Michael Roberts

...Specifically, (click here) U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts (no relation) has assigned ethics complaints against Kavanaugh tied to his Senate Judiciary Committee testimony to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The person Roberts put in charge of the inquiry is Denver-based 10th Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Tymkovich, who'd been on President Donald Trump's short list of candidates for the Supreme Court position eventually filled by Kavanaugh. (See the letter from Roberts to Tymkovich below.)...

Below is Dr. Ford's testimony. The proceedings begin at approximately 28:00 time mark depending on how one defines the beginning of the hearing.

The president that chose such a man to the nomination and the US Senators and that allowed the nomination to go to the US Senate floor and those that voted him as a Supreme Court Justice should never serve in public office again. They dishonor and victimize women. Those aren't just words, those are FACTS. 

Women now are open to judicial decisions that are not taken seriously. It wasn't bad enough to have rape kits ignored, now women are just simply ignored. Sexual exploitation by American men is expected and allowed.

Halsey Performs "A Story Like Mine" At NYC Women's March (click here for statistics that reflect the reported attacks - thank you)

There are very few women that do not relate to his poem by Halsey. Very few if any. Does there need to be outrage by women regarding sexual assault, you betcha.

'Shame': Tory MP who blocked upskirting bill objects to women's conference (click here for BBC report - thank you)

Much to the surprise of women victims of a privacy issue called "upskirting" the initial proposal was objected to in Parliament.

Upskirting is an invasion of privacy. Some argue it is nothing more than seeing what can be seen on the beach. That is a gross underestimation of the perverted practice. Women do not wear their underclothes in public. It was shocking to realize a woman's privacy was so degraded within the political realm of the UK.

The practice has transcended age and victims as young as ten years old have been reported.

The "Age of Women" is more than welcome in the year 2019.

Upskirting is the practice of surreptitiously photographing underneath a female's dress or skirt. Upskirting often occurs by voyeurs who carry small video cameras or cell phones with photo capability in escalators in public places, outdoor parks, and shopping malls. Because upskirting occurs in public places, there is a legal debate over whether the victim is entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy. Some states and localities have passed laws making it illegal to film or photograph under someone's clothing in a public place. Some state laws, which vary by state, have prohibited video voyeurism, which is defined to include upskirting.

Susan Bro is mother of the year.

Being American, especially for women, is a complicated task, but, Susan Bro brought the grace of such a responsibility to the public eye.

December 6, 2018

...Fields accused Bro (click here) of publicly slandering him and called her a “communist” and “anti-white supremacist.”

“She lost her daughter,” his mother reminded him.

"It doesn’t (expletive) matter,” Fields said.

His mother advised him to “stop talking” but her son insisted that Bro is “the enemy.”

“She is a communist, mother. … She is the enemy,” he said.

In other taped phone calls, he told his mother that he was “mobbed by a violent group of terrorists.”...

I am looking forward to a new year and a new world centered on climate.

At the stroke of midnight, all of humanity will have 11 years to end climate danger.

Canada has made a commitment to end coal power by 2029. The largest coal plants in the world belong to China, South Korea, Tiawan and Poland. These countries must immediately make plans to end their dependence on coal and convert to alternative energies.

The USA, under the current administration in the White House, has lost its moral compass. That doesn't mean the rest of the world has and clarly sees the danger that greenhouse gas emissions.

We can do this.

I will continue to finish the review of the Kyoto Protocol over the next few weeks with Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

Peace to all.

It is time to get rid of the Electoral College.

It is so coveted by Republicans it even causes corruption with the 10-year census. The funding has been cut, the field staff positions nearly eliminated and this is what our US House of Representatives and the Electoral College is based on. Enough is enough, get rid of the Electoral College and assign a permanent citizen non-profit organization to carry out the census decade after decade.

Changing to a citizens based non-profit to conduct the census may require an amendment to the US Constitution. So, while we are cleaning up the corruption get rid of the Electoral College as well. It is time to get started. We are losing the very legitimacy of our government and the Republicans don't care.

December 23, 2018
By Dartunorro Clark

Uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's plans (click here) to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census is just one of a number of critical issues plaguing the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. government's primary watchdog warned, and time is running out to fix them before that all-important headcount.

“The ticking clock has become the enemy of the Census Bureau. There’s no reset, no do-ever, no timeout,” Robert Goldenkoff, a director of strategic issues at the Government Accountability Office, said. “Failure is not an option, the Census Bureau has to get it right. If there is a mistake, it’s a 10-year mistake.”

In a series of reports over the past year, the GAO has sounded the alarm about budget woes, potential cyber-security weaknesses, hiring shortfalls, testing cutbacks, a bankrupt printing company, and the ongoing legal battle over whether a citizenship question can be included on the form — all problems that could impede the accuracy of the agency's critical work....

...Goldenkoff told NBC News in an interview that the overall picture of the 2020 census appears alarming because of “shortcomings” in vital areas that complicate the bureau’s ability to collect accurate data....

This is a criminal act by the Executive Branch and an assault against the USA Constitution.

To begin controlling immigrants that pose no threat to the USA and it's people have never been detained as a matter of Democratic policy. The numbers migrating to the USA have steadily decreased under President Obama. It is grossly inaccurate to blame the Democrats for an exclusive Trump policy.

The problem illustrated by the two children who died is the fact when people are detained the responsibility for their wellness falls to the US Government. Detention facilities can breed disease as well. When people are held in small areas together something like the flu can spread easily.

The Catch and Release Policy that was always the Democratic policy allows for help from non-profits that work with this population along the USA southern border.

Trump is obviously afraid of his own shadow.

December 29, 2018

President Donald Trump (click here) on Saturday tried to deny that his administration bears any blame for the deaths of children detained trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, even as his Homeland Security secretary was traveling in Arizona to meet with medical staff.

Trump tweeted Saturday that any deaths are "strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally."

It marked his first public comments following the Christmas Eve death of 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo, the second Guatemalan child to die in government custody in three weeks.

Trump is claiming the "children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol."...

Otto Warmbler should have been provided a chance to save his life.

Americans are tortured and killed while other governments do not care about American laws or lives. A 15 year old's life was snuffed out because a foreign national was allowed to drive a car.

28 December 2018
By Kayla Brantley

Fallon Smart was killed crossing Hawthorne near 43rd Avenue.

An Oregon senator (click here) demanded to know on Friday what President Trump's administration is planning to do about the United States' relationship with Saudi Arabia after it emerged the country may have helped one of their citizens flee a week before his trial.

Ron Wyden said in a letter, first obtained by The Oregonian, to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, Friday that the new theory from authorities Abdulrahman Semeer Noorah, 21, used an illicit passport to jet home on a private jet provided by the Saudi consulate should be reason to push forward with action.

Noorah is believed to have taken off in June 2017, 10 months after mowing down and killing Fallon Smart, 15, in Portland, and more than a year before the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia denied knowing anything about the murder of a dissident journalist - to the disbelief of many....

Wall Street enters the Flint frey to protect Snyder from prosecution.

Michigan Association of Health Plans and Associate of State and Territorial Health Officials need to have their non-profit status pulled for committing fraud to adversely effect the health and well being of Michiganders. 

The standards set for clear and healthy water were set a long time ago. There was gross neglect by the Snyder administration that caused deaths and injuries. Enough of the corruption of the Snyder administration in Michigan.

December 26, 2018

By Ron Fonger

Flint -- Two nonprofit organizations (click here) say the criminal prosecution of the state’s top health official will lead to additional loss of life in the state.

In legal briefs filed this week in support of Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service, the Michigan Association of Health Plans and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials ask Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farah to dismiss charges related to the Flint water crisis, including involuntary manslaughter.

“The threat of criminal prosecution will likely paralyze professional decision-making by Michigan healthcare officials,” the brief from MAHP says. “That paralysis will result in, for example, delays in the provision of potentially life-saving or life-extending drugs.”......

December 26, 2018
By Paul Egan

Flint — Two Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) (click here) officials pleaded no contest to misdemeanors Wednesday and agreed to testify against other defendants in the criminal cases arising from the Flint drinking water crisis.

Michael Prysby, 55, of Bath and Stephen Busch, 42, of DeWitt are the fifth and sixth defendants — out of 15 charged through the state Attorney General's Office — to enter pleas to criminal charges with connection to Flint.

All the pleas to date have been no contest pleas to misdemeanors with agreements to cooperate. No contest pleas are treated similarly to guilty pleas for sentencing purposes.

Todd Flood, the Flint prosecutor hired by the Attorney General's Office, said he was accepting the pleas because of "substantial assistance being given to move the ball down the field in the Flint water investigation."

Sentencing dates for Prysby and Busch are Jan. 23....

December 27, 2018

Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer (click here) is pledging to make sure Flint residents have access to clean drinking water.

Whitmer’s transition team says she will work with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.

It’s all to make sure Flint residents have access to clean and safe drinking water in the future.

Nestle has already agreed to provide free bottled water until April.

"In 2015 and '14 I was one of the people working hard, carrying all that water into the churches and to the pods so people can have clean water," said Terence Grundy, Flint resident.

He said getting bottled water has been a little tricky since all of the government-run water distribution sites closed.

Grundy said he was excited after hearing a media report that Whitmer had promised to resume state-funded bottled water distribution....

December 27, 2018
By Mallory Pearson

Flint - Bill Welch (click here) has been delivering mail since the age of 17 and is now retiring nearly 50 years later.

"It was just a job back then. I never thought it would last this long," Welch said.

He is saying goodbye after nearly 50 years with the U.S. Postal Service.

"They don't want me to go. They want to bribe me to stay," Welch said.

He has been delivering the mail on the same route to the same people for 26 years. He calls them just as much family to him as the people he works with every day.

"Just missing everybody here and everybody on the route," Welch said. "It will be hard."

He has been telling people on his routes that he'll see them some time, somewhere.

Welch's retirement won't be hard just for him to adjust....

OMG. Americans like live television.

December 27, 2018

Prime-time viewership (click here) numbers compiled by Nielsen for Dec. 17-23. Listings include the week’s ranking and viewership.

1. NFL Sunday Night Football: Kansas City at Seattle, NBC, 19.6 million.

2. NFL Regular Season: New Orleans at Charlotte, ESPN, 13.3 million.

3. “Sunday Night NFL Pre-kick,” NBC, 12.6 million.

4. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 12 million. - How did CBS manage this? 7PM, huh? 

                                                   Well done.

5. “Fox NFL Sunday Post-Game,” Fox, 10.3 million.

6. “The Voice (Tuesday),” NBC, 9.9 million....

I told you so. The blame begins at FOX News for the inhumane treatment of the immigrants.

What is the appropriate dosing age for young children? (click here)

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for persons 6 months of age and older. Some children will need 2 doses of influenza vaccine in the same season.  The following children will require 2 doses of influenza vaccine, administered at least 4 weeks apart, for the 2016–17 season:

• Children aged 6 months through 8 years who have never been vaccinated against influenza or for whom vaccination history is unknown
• Children aged 6 months through 8 years who have not received at least 2 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine (trivalent or quadrivalent) before July 1, 2016

The following children will require 1 dose of influenza vaccine for 2016–17:

• Children 6 months through 8 years who have received at least 2 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine (trivalent or quadrivalent) before July 1, 2016
• Children 9 years of age and older

  What is the correct dose (volume) of vaccine?

  The amount of inactivated (injectable) vaccine that should be administered intramuscularly is based on the age of the patient and the vaccine product you are using.
• For children 6–35 months of age, the correct dose is:
  • 0.25 mL for Fluzone Quadrivalent
  • 0.5 mL for FluLaval Quadrivalent
• For persons 3 years of age and older, the correct dose is 0.5 mL for all inactivated influenza vaccine products

Immigrants are at risk for any disease Americans are vaccinated for, including the flu. Immigrants children and the elderly are especially susceptible to disease and require vaccinations.

2018-19 Summary of Recommendations (click here)

• Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.
• A licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4) should be used. Consult package information for age indications.
• Emphasis should be placed on vaccination of high-risk groups and their contacts/caregivers. When vaccine supply is limited, vaccination efforts should focus on delivering vaccination to (no hierarchy implied by order listed):
• Children aged 6–59 months;

FOX News never worries about the environment. This is a sad reality, but, FOX is one of the most egregious offenders of environmental degradation in their reporting. Carlson is obviously using the environment as an excuse to hate migrants. It fits his purpose.

FOX News and right wing radio media like to call it infotainment, but, who are they entertaining?

I would like to know the age of those ships.

August 22, 2017
By Jordan Valinsky

The United States Navy is a powerhouse. (click here) The fleet consists of roughly 430 ships in active service or reserve. The vessels run the gamut from the massive Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, which stretches more than 1,000 feet, to the Los Angeles-class submarine that slithers 900 feet below the ocean surface.

This map from @Naval_Graphics on Twitter shows all the commissioned and noncommissioned ships of every size as of April 2015. The ships are organized by size, from the humongous aircraft carriers at the top to the smaller ships at the bottom...

December 24, 2018
By Megan Eckstein

The Navy awarded General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works (click here) a second destroyer for Fiscal Year 2019, in the first contract option that accelerates DDG buys from the Navy’s previous two-a-year rate.

In September the Navy awarded the first 10 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the five-year multiyear procurement contract that spans FY 2018 to 2022. Six ships went to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. – two in 2018, and one a year in 2019 through 2022. Bath Iron Works got zero ships for 2018 and one a year in 2019 through 2022.

This option award that gives another ship to BIW in 2019 not only boosts the Maine yard’s workload but also is the first move to three DDGs a year. The Navy in previous budget submissions had outlined a two-a-year procurement rate for the near future, but the House and Senate armed services committees authorized the Navy to enter into multiyear contracts for up to 15 ships in five years. The contracts with Ingalls Shipbuilding and Bath Iron Works were signed at the end of September and awarded the first 10 right away, with options for five more ships.

Though the House and Senate armed services committees authorized the Navy to buy three destroyers in FY 2018, the appropriators only gave money for two. However, both the authorizers and appropriators agreed to three in FY 2019, which allowed the Navy to award this option to BIW....

Why exactly is the USA still in Iraq?

December 27, 2018

Houston -- Halliburton Company (click here) has announced it has signed two contracts with Eni Iraq BV (Eni) to provide integrated drilling services at Eni’s Zubair oil field in Southern Iraq. Under the contracts, Halliburton will mobilize four to six rigs to drill development wells over the next two years.

“We are pleased to be awarded this work and the opportunity to collaborate with Eni to engineer solutions for the development of Zubair,” said Mahmoud El-Kady, V.P. of the Iraq Area for Halliburton. “We have provided a wide array of drilling services to Eni since 2011 and signing these contracts are a testimony to our continuous commitment to safety and superior service quality.”

December 27, 2018
By Lisa Matthews

Renaissance Technologies LLC (click here) trimmed its stake in Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) by 82.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 490,905 shares of the oilfield services company’s stock after selling 2,229,790 shares during the quarter.  Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.06% of Halliburton worth $19,896,000 at the end of the most recent quarter....

December 27, 2018
By Michael Baxter

Halliburton Company (HAL) Consensus Price Target (click here)

The mean recommendation of HAL on Reuter’s scale dropped from 1.8 to 1.77 within 30 days. This figure implies that the majority of analysts rate it as a buy. The price target for Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) is now around $46.48 a share, implying the stock has what it takes to grow by 75.86%. The recent trading session also indicated the stock needs to add 115.66% more meet analysts’ high consensus price target.

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) Intraday Trading

The current trading volume of the company was 14.76 million shares during the last session. That compares with the recent average volume of 11.64 million shares. By the end of the regular trading session, the price volatility over a 1-week span was 5.7 while month stood 4.01%. The stock price of HAL dropped to $25.14 during the day and at a certain time in 12 months it traded as low as $25.14. It has made a 5.13% recovery since its 52-week low point and has returned -45.92% year-to-date.

December 27, 2018
By Loren Robinson

...Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL))’s (click here) earnings per share has been growing at a -33 percent rate over the past 5 year when average revenue increase was noted as -6.3 percent. The return on equity ratio or ROE stands at 1.9 percent while most common profitability ratio return on investment (ROI) was 5.2 percent. The company’s institutional ownership is monitored at 81.7 percent. The company’s net profit margin has achieved the current level of 0.7 percent and possesses 13.1 percent gross margin.

December 27, 2018

...A number of equities analysts (click here) recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Halliburton in a research report on Monday, September 10th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. Guggenheim set a $50.00 target price on shares of Halliburton and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 24th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Halliburton in a research report on Wednesday, October 17th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Stephens assumed coverage on shares of Halliburton in a research report on Friday, October 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. Finally, Societe Generale set a $42.00 target price on shares of Halliburton and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Halliburton presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $50.16....

Both the growing and sale of marijuana and the tech companies are both American home grown businesses. Please don't miss that point.

December 27, 2018
By Ethel Jiang

Millennial investors (click here) were fascinated with weed and tech stocks in 2018, according to data gathered by Markets Insider from the no-free trading app Robinhood.

For the 4 million Robinhood traders, a large portion of which are millennials (22 to 37 years old), marijuana companies become their darlings this year. Three pot stocks, Cronos (+141,688, up 609%), Canopy Growth (+128,699, up 374%), and Aurora Cannabis(+88,889, up 1,057%) saw the biggest increases of ownership on the app. Markets Insider tracked data from March 22 through December 20.

Younger traders' enthusiasm for the cannabis companies came as the industry grew at a fast and furious pace. In the second half of the year, a number of beverage and tobacco companies, such as Constellation Brand and Altria, announced investments in cannabis producers, causing a "green rush" into the industry. Also fueling interest in the space were Canada and Michigan legalizing recreational use of the drug....

Michigan did not legalize recreational marijuana. Michigan decriminalized the possession of the drug for those that have a medical marijuana card. Those using medical marijuana can now grow the plants in their own homes, but, they are prohibited from selling it.

The Michigan law simply decriminalizes medical marijuana. It does not go as far as Canada's law that has decriminalized all aspect of the marijuana business and usage.

There are dispensaries in Michigan. (click here)

Roseanne Barr was at one time considering becoming a citizen of Israel. There is no parliament in Israel. It is called the Knesset. Thank you.

December 26, 2018
By Ben Kesslen and AP

American comedian (click here) and actress Roseanne Barr participates in a StandWithUs event in California on February 27, 2016.

Former television (click here) star Roseanne Barr says she will travel to Israel in January to learn more about Jewish history and address the country's parliament.

Barr's longtime friend, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, first announced her plans this week on social media. Boteach's pro-Israel organization, the World Values Network, said it is sponsoring the trip.

Barr was invited to speak to the Israeli Knesset on Jan. 30 by Deputy Speaker Yehiel Bar, according to the statement, just before the country's next elections in April....

The Israeli military launches it's own political party.

The Israeli right wing now has its own warmongering faction. Israel is contained and I am sure it is very frustrating for the Israeli military. Russia is in Syria, Egypt is seeking a two-country solution to the unrest between Israel and Palestine and the IDF simply hates every bit of it. I suppose the Isreali people need to hear the extremism from the military itself to bring peace to their country.

I find The West's embrace of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel destabilizing to any sincere peace agreement. Jerusalem is an international city for religious pilgrims of many faiths. It is too inflammatory to have the city assigned the capital of Israel or Palestine.

How can pilgrims to Jerusalem if the city is chronically the focus of unrest and war? The idea is ridiculous.

Palestinians and Israel at odds over Al-Quds (Jerusalem) (click here for peace talks timeline)

Russia entered Syria in a real way to end any ideological expansionist ambitions of the Israeli right wing. Unfortunately, Russia is not carrying a peace agenda for the region. Iran is engaged in it's own expansionist agenda, including Yemen. Iran used the fight against Daesh to redefine it's ambitions for the Shia Crescent.

I sincerely believe Yemen is the proxy war between the Shia and Sunnis. I do not expect any peace for Yemen soon. The tensions in the Middle East has to be resolved before Yemen will begin to see a peace initiative. The ideology is cemented in two countries, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Saudi Arabia embodies the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques within the authority of the King. To his credit, King Salman is reviewing his government since the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi. He is making changes. Hopefully, he will make changes to encourage peace and not further war between the two branches of the Muslim faith.

The ideology of Jihad has to end in the Middle East. Civilization demands dialogue and not deaths to end disagreements between nations of people. The world should be demanding peace in Yemen as it is taking on the characters of Syria with more than ample human rights abuses.

December 27, 2018
By Alexander Fulbright

Former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz (click here) registers his new political party, officially marking his entry to politics ahead of early Knesset elections in April 2019.

The Hebrew name for the party is Hosen Leyisrael and will be called Israel Resilience Party in English.

A number of recent polls have put a Gantz-led party in second place behind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, albeit well behind in projected seat total. The surveys have also predicted that the opposition Zionist Union or Yesh Atid parties could prevent a challenge to Likud if Gantz were to join one of them.

Gantz, who served as chief of staff from 2011 to 2015, has largely maintained radio silence on his political views.

December 27, 2018