#Syria - Inside Captagon drug factory which funded Assad’s brutal regime: Channel 4 News

13 December 2024

It's been called the poor man's cocaine. Captagon: the drug that funded Bashar al-Assad's brutal rule in Syria. It's an amphetamine which - in high doses - induces feelings of euphoria and invulnerability. Popular with soldiers, they say it offers 'chemical courage' and reportedly suppresses pain. And it's made the Assad family billions - more than 10 billion dollars a year, by recent estimates. Money it used to shore up a crumbling dynasty. Correspondent: Lindsey Hilsum Filmed and edited by Soren Munk Produced by Rob Hodge

#Ukraine #europe - European allies mull sending peacekeepers to Ukraine • FRANCE 24 English

13 December 2024

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday chose not to join a potential initiative discussed among some European countries to send peacekeepers to Ukraine. With Donald Trump's January inauguration looming, Ukraine's European allies look to map out its long-term support for Kyiv, anticipating that Russia will opt to extend its war into one of attrition.

#Europe #Ukraine #peace

#F1 - Will McLaren take another step in 2025? The Inside Line

12 December 2024

McLaren has done it. After a 26-year drought, the papaya squad has lifted the constructors’ championship at the final round in Abu Dhabi. The historic team touched down in the UAE-capital 21 points ahead of its legendary title rival Ferrari, but nerves were high throughout Lando Norris’ run to the all-important win.

Watch the video, and tell us what you think in the comments…

#F1 #Formula1

webmaster        John Nichols       @itcracing       @Linkedin

#TaylorSwift #swifties #music - The Complete Taylor Swift Story (2024) FULL BIOGRAPHY DOCUMENTARY w/ SUBS

18 Aoril 2024

In 2003, at age 13, Taylor went to Nashville to try and sign with some major labels but was rejected. She tried her luck again the following year and received an artist development deal with RCA Records before becoming the youngest artist (age 15) signed by the Sony publishing house, but left shortly afterwards due to concerns that "development deals may shelve artists”. However, Taylor Swift had now become unstoppable, her career has lasted longer than that of the Beatles, and even broke the band's once-deemed "unbeatable" records. Critics lauded her ability to remain culturally relevant and successful 18 years into her music career, writing that the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen were past their prime at that stage. Her career may have had it’s highs and lows, but there really is no stopping Taylor Swift. #fulldocumentary #documentary #fullmovie #music #popmusic #taylorswift #swifties #swift #traviskelce #traviskelcetaylorswift

#germany #china #scam - How a Chinese company made hundreds of millions with fraudulent climate projects | DW News

11 December 2024

German authorities approved dozens of climate projects in China that allowed firms to receive carbon credits. A DW and ZDF investigation found that these projects are likely fake and part of a large carbon credit scam. DW Investigations head Mathias Bölinger spoke to us about the investigation's findings. For the full length report into the massive scam you can head to    • How a small Chinese company tricked t...   00:00 Massive carbon credit fraud uncovered in China 04:01 Mathias Bölinger explains more on the investigation #china #germany #climatechange

#news - Top U.S. & World Headlines — December 12, 2024: Democracy Now

12 December 2024

Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET. Subscribe to our Daily Email Digest: https://democracynow.org/subscribe

#Syria #UN - 'Unprecedented' in history of UN: An institution 'dedicated to determining fate of missing Syrians': FRANCE 24 ENGLISH

12 December 2024

The fall of Assad sparked a frantic search by families of the tens of thousands of people held in his security services' jails and detention centres. As they advanced towards Damascus, the rebels released thousands of detainees, but many more remain missing. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective on war-torn Syria's long road ahead, as they seek to rebuild and locate the 100,000 missing,

FRANCE 24's Olivia Salazar-Winspear welcomes Ahmed Helmy, Co-Founder of Ta'afi Initiative.

#Syria #HTS #UN

#India #energy - Rosneft, Reliance agree on biggest ever India-Russia energy deal | REUTERS

12 December 2024

Russia's state oil firm Rosneft will supply nearly 500,000 barrels of crude per day to Indian refiner Reliance in the biggest ever energy deal between the two countries. #News #reliance #oil #sanctions #russia #Reuters #Newsfeed