Monday, December 9, 2024

#Spain - Franco: Spain’s Most Feared Leader | Full Docuseries (3:25:54)

15 November 2024

Dive deep into the enigmatic legacy of Francisco Franco in this compelling documentary series. Regarded as one of the most brutal dictators in European history, Franco's nearly 40-year rule transformed Spain and left indelible scars on the nation. From his rise to power at the end of a bloody civil war to the political purges that claimed half a million lives, The Truth About Franco uncovers the myths and realities of his regime. This Franco documentary challenges widely held clichés about the Generalissimo, revealing new insights based on the latest research. Explore Franco's role as a cunning leader who reshaped Spain's destiny with the support of Italy and Germany, his megalomaniacal behavior as the self-proclaimed Caudillo de España, and his strategies to maintain power in the shifting global landscape after World War II. Follow the story of Franco's iron-fisted rule, his family’s lavish lifestyle in the El Pardo Palace, and the dictator's eventual confrontation with modernization in the mid-20th century. Could Franco's alliance with Prince Juan Carlos secure a future for his dictatorship, or was Spain ready for change? This Franco documentary series is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the darkest chapter of Spanish history and the man whose shadow still looms large over the nation. #franco #documentary #spain #spainhistory #worldwar2

Sunday, December 8, 2024

#F1 - 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Sunday " Strong end for the team as 2024 season comes to a close" Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

Press Information
08 December 2024

F1: Session Report

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Sunday

Strong end for the team as 2024 season comes to a close

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth with team-mate George Russell fifth in Sunday's 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The race marked the 246th and last Grand Prix for the team and Lewis; the most successful driver-team partnership in the sport's history.
Starting from P16, Lewis used an offset Hard-Medium strategy to cut through the field, taking P4 on the last lap.
George meanwhile was on the conventional Medium-Hard strategy and made progress from his starting position of P5.
After the race, co-owner, CEO, and Team Principal Toto Wolff called Lewis's race "the drive of a world champion"
Congratulations go to McLaren, along with our Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains colleagues at Brixworth, as the Papaya squad claimed this year's Constructors' Championship.

Driver	Grid	Result	Fastest Lap
Lewis Hamilton	P16	P4	1:27.278
George Russell	P6	P5	1:28.195

Strategy	Start	Stop 1
No.44	Hard	Medium (L34)
No.63	Medium	Hard (L26)

Lewis Hamilton
That was a tough but really enjoyable race. I had to bide my time at the beginning on the Hard tyre and was struggling to make progress. To come through the field on the Medium compound in the final stages felt great though. To come through the field from P16 and make it back to P4 was awesome. I'm really happy with how my evening went and how the car felt. It was definitely a good way to end our time together!

After the chequered flag, I was focused on just taking it all in, knowing that this was my last time in a Mercedes cockpit and savouring the emotions. I want to hold on to that moment, so I just sat there, contemplating everything we've been through together, all the ups and downs, and the success we've enjoyed. I can't tell you how much I am going to miss this team. I've worked with them every day for the last 12 years and there is so much love there. That won't disappear, no matter that we will be racing each other on track next year.

George Russell
Lewis had an amazing race, so I want to say a big well done to him. He has not only been an incredible team-mate, but someone that I looked up to when I was karting and racing in junior formula. He is not only the greatest driver of all time but is the type of person that every racing driver should aspire to be. I wish him well in his next challenge and look forward to battling him on track.

Today I just didn't have the pace to compete for more than P4. I've not had the speed all weekend and it is a shame to end the season like that. We need to go away and understand why that was. That said, there are many positives we can take away from the season. We have got back to winning races and, on occasion, have been competing right at the front on merit. We know there is more we need to do to compete for championships, but we are all determined to make progress and do so next year. Finally, congratulations to McLaren on winning the Constructors' Championship. They have been a worthy adversary all season and are deserving winners.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO
It has been 12 years that we have spent with Lewis. It is not only the longest driver and team partnership in the sport's history, but it is also the most successful. A relationship of that length and a journey like that creates a bond, trust, and shared values that are rare nowadays. It is a period of time that we will always hold close to our hearts and one that I personally will treasure forever. Despite knowing that whatever happened in our final race today didn't impact our legacy, we all wanted to end on a high. I am so glad we were able to do so. He will always be a part of our family and, if it isn't us winning on track, we hope that it is him.

Without the bollard getting in Lewis's way yesterday in Qualifying, I think he could have fought for victory. He was quick throughout today and made the alternative strategy work well. He drove like a world champion. That is befitting of our time together and a real statement. For George, he had a tougher time of it. He hasn't had the pace in the car this weekend to fight for the podium, but he did well to bring home solid points.

Congratulations to McLaren on their success in the Constructors' Championship. They have done a fantastic job this year. They have built a strong team with good engineering, good leadership, and good drivers. They are fully deserving of this year's title. We are pleased for our colleagues at Brixworth too; this is a success also for Mercedes Motorsport and HPP. Whilst we know that the works team is the absolute key priority, it is great to see a customer team do so well.

Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
After yesterday's challenges, we can hold our heads high in how we responded today. Starting from P6 and P16, we knew we would have a fight on our hands to score solid points and challenge for the podium. George, as has been the case all weekend, lacked that extra pace needed to battle for the top-three. That is unusual as he has been consistently fast this year so we need to go away and understand why that was. Nevertheless, he did a fine job to maximise points for the team and raced cleanly on that final lap with Lewis.

Lewis meanwhile completed a drive worthy of our incredible 12-year journey together. He used the offset Hard-Medium strategy to great effect, calmly and methodically working his way through the field, before deploying the medium compound in the final stint. He worked his way past multiple cars, dropped the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, and produced a great move to take P4 on the final lap. Whilst we would have all loved to have been on the podium one final time, a battling drive against the odds seems an apt sign off for our time together. We wish him all the very best for the future, knowing that he will always be a part of our family.

It has been a long and, at times, tough season. We know there is more work for us to do if we are to challenge for championships once again. Everyone at Brackley and Brixworth is focused on doing just that. Congratulations to McLaren and our colleagues at Brixworth on their Constructors' Championship success. They have been the best team this year and are more than deserving of the title. We look forward to doing battle with them on the track next year.

webmaster John Nichols @itcracing @Linkedin

Race Highlights | 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

#syria #skynews #basharalassad - Israeli airstrikes hit military facilities in Damascus - Sky News

8 December 2024

The Israeli military has bombed the main research centre in the Syrian capital, Damascus, two regional security sources have told Reuters news agency. The centre has long been suspected of being used by Iran to develop long-range guided missiles. Read more here: https://news.sky.com/story/syria-late...

#syria #skynews #basharalassad

#UK #storm #darragh - LIVE | Darragh Storm UK | Storm Darragh Hits Britain's West Coast, Red Weather Warning Issued | N18G

8 December 2024

Storm Darragh brought high winds and severe weather to Britain's west coast on Saturday (Dec. 7). On Blackpool's famous waterfront, wind-carried sand swept along the promenade past Blackpool Tower. The UK Met office said in Wales gusts of 93mph were recorded overnight at Capel Curig and 92mph Aberdaron and warned of continuing strong winds, heavy rain and some hill snow throughout the day as Darragh moves across the Britain. The Energy Networks Association said thousands of homes were still without power as they work to restore services and the British broadcaster BBC reported one van driver killed by a fallen tree during the storm. A rare red weather warning has been issued for land swathes of the UK, and many residents received government SMS warnings urging caution when travelling. #storm #darragh #uk #news18live #news18

#Ukraine - US unveils $988 million aid package for Ukraine including rockets and drones • FRANCE 24 English

8 December 2024

The United States unveiled a $988 million aid package of new arms and equipment to Ukraine for its ongoing fight against Russia's invasion.

Story by Florent Marchais.

#Ukraine #USA #war

#F1 - 2024 MECHANIC END-OF-YEAR AWARDS | Presented by Alex Albon & Franco Colapinto | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Williams Racing

8 December 2024

Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto present the 2024 Mechanic End of Year awards at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Watch and see who comes out on top as our magnificent mechanics vote anonymously between themselves to crown the winners.

#WeAreWilliams #F1 #Formula1

#Syria - rebels capture Damascus, saying President Assad has fled | BBC News

8 December 2024

Syrian rebel forces have entered Damascus amid reports that President Bashar al-Assad has fled the country by plane for an unknown destination after 13 years of civil war. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali says he is ready to support continuity of governance in the country. It comes only 12 days after the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied factions launched a major offensive in the north-west. The rebels first captured the second city of Aleppo and then swept southwards down the highway to the capital as the Syrian military collapsed.

#Syria #BBCNews