WRC 2026: Safari Rally Kenya

The 2026 World Rally Championship is underway with the challenging Safari Rally in Kenya. Teams transition from cold conditions to the warm savanna, equipping their cars with special Safari specifications to navigate the demanding terrain. Many competitors have entered the rally, but only one will emerge victorious.

The opening stages saw Oliver Solberg secure a dominant lead. Still, his weekend ended in heartbreak when he sustained significant damage to his car, allowing Takamoto Katsuta to take the lead he had been striving for.

Screengrab from WRC

Takamoto Katsuta made headlines in Kenya by becoming the first Japanese driver to win a WRC round since Kenjiro Shinozuka's victory at the Ivory Coast Rally in 1992. Katsuta finished the race with a time of 3:16:05.6, finishing 27.4 seconds ahead of Adrien Fourmaux. Sami Pajari rounded out the podium by securing third place.

Despite retiring from second overall on the Saturday stages, Elfyn Evans leads the championship fight with 66 points.

The next event is the Croatia Rally from the 9th to the 12th of April, 2026.

F1 2026 - Heineken Chinese Grand Prix

The 2026 F1 season continues in Shanghai for the Heineken Chinese Grand Prix. With Mercedes demonstrating the capabilities of the new-generation F1 machines following Russell's win in Melbourne, it seems that the new machines' debut in China will showcase even more.

Unfortunately, the championship-winning McLaren team faced a significant setback in China before the race began, as the cars driven by champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri encountered mechanical issues, resulting in a DID NOT START.

There's more news before the race. Due to ongoing clashes in the Middle East, the FIA announced the cancellation of next month's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with no substitutions.

 

Screengrab from F1

Andrea Kimi Antonelli made headlines in Shanghai by becoming the youngest pole-sitter in history and the youngest Formula 1 driver to win a race at the age of 19. Kimi led Mercedes to another 1-2 finish, with George Russell finishing in second place. Lewis Hamilton secured a podium spot for the first time as a Ferrari driver, finishing in third place. Other finishers include Charles Leclerc, Ollie Bearman, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Carlos Sainz, and Franco Colapinto.

The next race is at Suzuka for the Aramco Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, 2026.

F1 Academy 2026 - Shanghai

The fourth season of F1 Academy adopted a fresh look while continuing its mission to develop female racing drivers from around the world. For the 2026 season, familiar faces like Nina Gademan, Alisha Palmowski, Alba Larsen, and others are spending their so-called final time in the series alongside newcomers like Ella Stevens, Kaylee Countryman, Megan Bruce, and others. With Audi joining the pack, retail brand SEPHORA joins the F1 Academy sponsorship bandwagon.

The first round of the season took place in Shanghai, the venue of the 2026 F1 season's Chinese Grand Prix. Shi Wei returns as the wild card entry of this season, showcasing her determination to the home crowd.

Screengrab from F1 Academy

In the first race of the new season, Nina Gademan, wearing Alpine colors, made an impressive debut by defeating the rookie Natalia Granada and Emma Felbermayr, who is supported by Audi. In the second part of the race, Felbermayr secured her first victory as an Audi-backed driver, triumphing over competitors such as Alisha Palmowski and the Mercedes-supported newcomer, Payton Westcott.

With the Shanghai campaign done, the new season of the F1 Academy has just begun.

Following the FIA's announcement to cancel the Jeddah leg of the 2026 season due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the next race will take place in Montreal, Canada, from May 22 to May 24, 2026. Stay tuned for updates.

Guinness Men's Six Nations 2026 FINAL

After four rounds prior to the big finale, France, Ireland, and Scotland are locked in the title fight to determine which team deserves to win the 2026 Guinness Men’s 6 Nations championship title. In the fifth and final week of the 2026 season, only one team has the right to take home the champion's title.

Screengrab from Six Nations

In the final week of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Ireland beats Scotland at the score of 43-21 while Wales broke their winless streak by defeating Italy 31-17. However, in what’s known to be the closest M6N finish in history, France’s final penalty kick blow trumped England 48-46, earning them the right to be crowned the 2026 Men’s 6 Nations champions.

Congratulations to the France Rugby team for winning the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations!

This concludes the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. However, there’s more Six Nations action next month with the Women’s Six Nations kicking off this April 11, 2026.

Himitsu no AiPri: Mankai Buzzlume Live!

First aired on TV Tokyo in April 2024, Himitsu no AiPri follows the lives of two girls, Himari Aozora and Mitsuki Hoshikawa, as they strive to become the best in the AiPriVerse amidst fierce competition from their rivals. As the show approaches its 100th episode and nears its finale this month, one exciting way to commemorate the climax of the Poppin' Dreamin' adventure is with a movie! Yes, the AiPri movie is indeed happening.

Himitsu no AiPri: Mankai Buzzlume Live!

"Himitsu no AiPri: Mankai Buzzlume Live!" sees the movie debut of your favorite AiPri teams, ranging from Poppin' Dreamin' (Himari Aozora and Mitsuki Hoshikawa), Love Juriel (Juria Igarashi and Elle Rokudo), Jumping Rocket (Subaru and Otome Nanaura), VIVI & CHII (Vivi Hachioji and Chii Mamiya), Luminous Flora (Tsumugi Suzukaze and Ring Clover), and Quartet STAR (Sakura Ichijoji, Tamaki Nikaido, Airi Mitsuba, and Rinrin Shinomiya).

In this movie, Ring and Tsumugi have organized a race at the AiPriVerse, where the winner will receive the ultimate prize. It's a new challenge for the Poppin' Dreamin' tandem as they're going all out to win the race amid the heated competition. However, the Dark AiPri idols are out for revenge.

As expected, this movie features an all-original storyline that distinguishes it from the TV show, which is approaching its conclusion later this month. Your favorite AiPri idols make their theatrical debut, and it's an experience like no other, especially with the new songs created specifically for this film. True to AiPri's style, you'll hear your idols speaking during their performances. In short, this movie captures the spirit of AiPri from start to finish. You'll find yourself standing up and cheering for your favorite idols—but not for the Dark AiPri ones.

When the story of Himitsu no AiPri began two years ago, fans were already engaged with the latest installment of the Pretty Series. They celebrated by singing songs, dancing, and even debating which idol had the smelliest armpits. This movie serves as a way to thank the fans who have supported the show from its inception to the present day.

As Himari and Mitsuki's AiPri journey comes to an end, this movie reminds us of the progress they have made. It's time to return to the AiPriVerse with them one last time.

Let's Do The News! (March 13, 2026)

                                

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- ICI Chairman Andres Reyes recommended that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) cease operations after March 31, 2026.

- Amid the ongoing tension and worsening conflict in the Middle East, Roman Catholic Bishop Julito B. Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete is calling for the implementation of fair prices for goods. In a pastoral message on March 12, Cortes sympathized with the problems experienced by the people, especially the poor.

- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is in full swing with intelligence operations to identify and track down the international drug syndicate behind more than ₱5.8 billion worth of shabu seized off the coast of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.

- The suspect who attacked the synagogue in Michigan was killed, and the security guard was hurt, according to police.

- A US refuelling plane crashed in Iraq after an incident involving another aircraft, according to the US military.

- Honda canceled plans for production of the 0 Saloon, the 0 SUV, and the Acura RSX, citing multiple reasons.

- BMW will unveil the i3 sedan this March 18, followed by the 7-Series minor change shortly.

- Jakarta will host the first-ever FIA Rallycross World Cup this December 2026.

- MG's first seven-seater SUV, the MGS9 PHEV, was unveiled.

2027 MG S9 PHEV

- The all-new RAM ProMaster City has been unveiled. This model is based on the current generation of Eurovans, including the Peugeot Traveler and Opel Zafira Life, among others. It is designed to fit in standard parking garages with a height of under 80 inches. The ProMaster City can accommodate two standard pallets, offering a cargo volume of 167 cubic feet. It has a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. The vehicle will be available in 2027 in both Cargo and Passenger variants.

2027 RAM ProMaster City

- The Ferrari Amalfi received the open-top Spider variant.

2027 Ferrari Amalfi Spider

- Jeep unveiled the fifth of the Twelve By Twelve limited edition range, the Wrangler and the Gladiator Rockslide Edition. The next drop's on April 12, 2026.

Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Rockslide

- Seiyuu Masako Ikeda passed away at 87.

-The Big 12 will return to a traditional hardwood court for the rest of its conference tournament at T-Mobile Center, as the innovative LED glass court it previously used caused slipping and grip issues for players.

- Two missing Doctor Who episodes - The Nightmare Begins and The Devil's Planet - are coming to the BBC iPlayer this Easter.

- Jayson Zoleta, age 24, was killed after allegedly being shot by his ex-boyfriend at a store in Lucena City.

TTFN.

Suzuki e-Every

The Suzuki e-Every is being marketed as the company's first-ever electric vehicle (EV) kei car available to the public. However, it's important to note that this isn't truly their first of its kind, as it has similarities to the e-Hijet Cargo from its longtime rival, Daihatsu.

2027 Suzuki e-Every

The Suzuki e-Every is a business-friendly vehicle that starts at 3,146,000 yen and is available in either a 2-seater or 4-seater configuration. It is equipped with Daihatsu's e-SMART ELECTRIC system, which features a power supply unit and lithium-ion battery located in the center of the vehicle, while the e-axle powers the rear wheels. This system delivers 47 kW of power, 126 Nm of torque, and offers a driving range of up to 257 km. Charging time is approximately 6 to 12 hours at home or about 50 minutes at public fast-charging stations.

In terms of drivability, the Suzuki e-Every provides a comfortable riding experience, even when carrying heavy loads. It is notably quiet and stable, offering a flat driving feel that enhances overall comfort and reduces fatigue. Additionally, it comes with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability, which can be beneficial during power outages.

The e-Every also features Smart Assist, which includes 14 advanced active safety features to ensure road safety.

While it may seem unusual for Suzuki to reach out to its long-time competitor, Daihatsu, for the e-Hijet Cargo to be used in the e-Every, this collaboration offers a solution for those who prefer the e-Hijet Cargo but can only access a Suzuki dealership. Could this mark a truce between the two?

Available colors: Leather Blue Crystal Shine (4-seater only), White, and Bright Silver Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation