Wednesday, December 4, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Opposition parties submit motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol

 

South Korea's six opposition parties on Wednesday submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over the martial law declaration the previous day.

The six parties - the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, and minor oppositions Rebuilding Korea Party, Reform Party, Jinbo Party, Basic Income Party and Social Democratic Party - plan to put the motion to the plenary session on Thursday, and to put it to the vote on Friday or Saturday.

The main opposition had hinted at such a move hours after opposition parties hinted at proceeding with an immediate impeachment of President Yoon shortly after he agreed to the parliament's request to lift martial law.

A group of over 40 lawmakers from opposition parties declared that the Assembly should impeach Yoon, calling him "the mastermind of a treasonous act of state mismanagement."

Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said, "The president committed an act tantamount to treason by mobilizing the military. It is clear that he cannot remain in office even for a moment longer. Therefore, we must urgently pass an impeachment motion."

Hwang urged each party to propose the impeachment motion on Wednesday. Such a motion must be voted on within 24 to 72 hours after its proposal.

"The National Assembly should focus on approving the impeachment as quickly as possible to immediately suspend the president's duties," he said.

Earlier, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung criticized the martial law declaration as unconstitutional and illegal. Speaking to reporters shortly after a National Assembly resolution demanding the lifting of martial law was voted, he said, "President Yoon’s proclamation of martial law utterly failed to meet the substantive requirements stipulated by the Constitution and the Martial Law Act."

"President Yoon has betrayed the people. His illegal declaration of martial law is null and void. From this moment, Yoon Suk Yeol is no longer the president of the Republic of Korea."


Source: The Korea Herald 

Let's Do The News! (December 4, 2024)

                       

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

- The PH Bureau of Immigration said there is no indication that former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque left the country.

- The MalacaƱang Palace has maintained that it will never support the impeachment complaints filed in the House against Vice President Sara Duterte.

- Ships of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), were again bombed with water by the Chinse Coast Guard this morning in Bajo de Masinloc.

- COMELEC will deploy over 100 technical and repair hubs for the 2025 elections.

- BBC will pull its MasterChef Christmas specials after allegations against presenter Gregg Wallace.

- Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies resigns, saying that the "substantial minority" of the party does not support him.

- VISA Asia Pacific acknowledges sales restrictions as payment services sometimes decline purchases to "protect the brand".

- The F1 Academy 2024 season finale will add one extra race following the cancellation of Race 2 of its Qatar leg.

- Iron Dames enters partnership with Porsche Motorsport.

- Perodua showcased its eMO-II Concept, previewing the company's first EV with up to 410km driving range.

G-Dragon’s new song “HOME SWEET HOME” has been deemed ineligible for KBS broadcast.

TTFN.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Let's Do The News! (December 3, 2024)

                      

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

- In accordance with the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, it is the obligation of the House to act on the impeachment complaint filed against PH Vice President Sara Duterte. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco announced this after accepting the impeachment complaint against VP Sara filed by 16 individuals representing various civil society organizations, religious leaders, sectoral representatives, and families of victims of the tokhang.

- The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability confirmed that it received a document or certification from the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA that says the name Mary Grace Piattos is not in their records.

- A steam-driven or phreatic eruption occurred at the Taal Volcano towards the southwest at 0558 hours Manila Time - according to the NDRRMC.

- Queen Camilla will miss some parts of the Qatar visit this week due to a lingering viral chest infection.

- French PM Michel Barnier risks no-confidence vote after forcing through budget.

- Esteban Ocon left Alpine after the Qatar race and Jack Doohan will take over his seat in the F1 2024 finale in Abu Dhabi.

- Jaguar showcased its Type 00 Concept, the first to don the controversial new logo, and previews its 2026 4-door electric GT.

Jaguar Type 00 Concept

- The Kiro Race Co's Formula E team announces Dan Tictuma and David Beckmann as drivers days before the start of Season 11.

- The Kagurabachi manga series is getting an anime series at Cygames Pictures, according to reports.

- Actor Park Min Jae dies at the age of 32.

- Gregg Wallace apologizes for "any offence that I caused" after "middle-class women of a certain age" comment.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Emira's Horizon Macabre

From cars like the Elan, the Elise, and the Exige, Lotus championed itself by creating sports cars that value dynamics over performance in the name of lightness.




In the age of the new normal, Lotus presented the greatest sports car ever made.


From Forza Horizon 5's Horizon Racing Car Pack comes the Lotus Emira, the last-ever pure ICE-powered Lotus sports car.


So, what's it all about the Emira?


The Lotus Emira is the last-ever pure ICE-powered Lotus sports car that replaces the trio of sports cars such as the Elise, the Exige, and the Evora. With styling inspired by the all-electric Evija, the Emira runs on Lotus' new Sports Car Architecture and comes with two chassis and suspension settings ranging from a comfort-oriented Tour setting and the preferable Sport setting from the optional Lotus Drivers Pack.

The First Edition, seen here, is powered by the same Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 supercharged engine from the Exige but produces 400hp of power and 430Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed MT or AT with the latter capable of hitting 180mph of top speed. Aside from the V6 variant, the entry-level Emira Turbo variant is powered by the 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder sourced from the Mercedes-AMG A45, packing up to 360hp of power.



As I stick with the Emira First Edition specifications, let's find out if the Emira is as good as one of its predecessors, the Exige, around the Emerald Circuit venue. There's the E to that, mind you. Anyway, let's roll the tape.


And now, the results...

Exige - 1m04.164s

Emira - 1m02.830s

Nearly one-and-a-half seconds apart between the Exige and the Emira. I guess Lotus was right about creating the culmination of its sports car lineage.


As the final Lotus sports car to operate solely on internal combustion, the Emira marks a significant moment, especially in today's era of electric vehicles. However, it represents the peak of Lotus' rich sports car heritage, which includes iconic models like the Elan, Elise, and Exige.

Well, I guess that's everything about the Lotus Emira but...the macabre's just begun as I prepared something special for the Emira's hard work in the festival. But first...





What do you think? The Emira's looking sharp in Ren Hazuki's attire...for sentimental reasons.


With Ren Hazuki as her special guest, today's Emira's Horizon Macabre proudly presents...an EventLab presentation by Papi Gamer7597. Hang on, is this what the roads of Mt. Aso look like? It doesn't look like the one from the Kaido Battle games but never mind. Let the macabre begin!


Ain't the Mt. Aso I'm familiar with but the Emira barely performed decently. Well done.


I am incredibly honored to drive the Lotus Emira in Forza Horizon 5. This car represents the pinnacle of Lotus' sports car lineage, and I truly respect its dynamics and performance, which are characteristic of a Lotus.

Thank you, Lotus.

Monday, December 2, 2024

Let's Do The News! (December 2, 2024)

                     

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

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines have confirmed the presence of a Russian submarine in the West Philippine Sea. President Bongbong Marcos expressed concern about Russia's intrusion in the West Philippine Sea, calling it "very worrisome". The UFA 490 submarine was escorted out of the sea by the BRP Jose Rizal warship.

- Senator Bong Go made an emergency landing at Pillilia, Rizal. The Senator was supposed to head to Mabitac, Laguna for his activity today. Still, the weather suddenly worsened causing him to make an emergency landing in a part of Rizal.

- PH Vice President Sara Duterte rejected the statement that her ambition to become president is the reason for the chaos in the government.

- Belgium enacted a new law that will give protection and benefits to sex workers.

- US President Joe Biden announced he will pardon his son Hunter, who was convicted on gun charges and pleaded guilty to tax evasion. Donald Trump criticizes Biden's recent move.

- Lotus teases the Emira Limited set for its December 12th unveiling.

- KTM entered self-administration as the motorbike maker owes 3 billion euros in a troubling financial crisis. Layoffs, halted production, and unsold bikes overshadowed KTM's 2025 MotoGP plans.

- Voice actress Morgan Lofting passed away. 

- Mnet’s “Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE” TV show has canceled its upcoming concert.

TTFN.

F1 2024: Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix

The 2024 Formula 1 season has two races left, and the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix is the penultimate leg of the season. Max Verstappen may be crowned this year's champion, but McLaren and Ferrari are neck and neck for the constructor's championship title. This race could be theirs.

As the race began, the second lap saw Franco Colapinto, Esteban Ocon, and Nico Hulkenberg collide in the first corner with the first two out of the race while the Haas driver rushed to the pits with a punctured tire. Also, Lance Stroll and Alex Albon got spun. 

As Verstappen leads, Lap 14 saw Lewis Hamilton slapped with a 5-second penalty for a false start. Come Lap 34, both Hamilton and Carlos Sainz suffered tire punctures.

Lap 41 saw Sergio Perez out of the running following a spin and suffered mechanical failures while Hulkenberg was beached in the gravel. Lando Norris got penalized for failing to slow under yellow flags.

F1 2024: Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix
Screengrab from Formula 1

After a dramatic Qatari night race, champion-elect Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand Prix while Charles Leclerc finished 2nd and Oscar Piastri finished 3rd.

The 2024 Formula 1 season concludes with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this December 7th, 2024. With 21 points between them, which team will win the constructor's championship title? Ferrari or McLaren? What will Lewis Hamilton's final day as a Mercedes driver going to be? Don't miss it!

Sunday, December 1, 2024

F1 Academy 2024 - Qatar

The penultimate venue of the 2024 F1 Academy season is Lusail, Qatar. This is where it will be decided whether Abbi Pulling has earned the right to be crowned world champion. The Qatar race also welcomes its wildcard guest driver, Alisha Palmowski.

Sadly, the weekend in Qatar got cut short because Race 2 got canceled due to barrier repairs.

F1 Academy 2024 - Qatar
Screengrab from F1 Academy

Doriane Pin of Mercedes-AMG is this race's winner while Abbi Pulling of Alpine earned her right to be crowned world champion after finishing 2nd place. Ferrari's Maya Weug completes the podium with a third-place finish.

Abbi Pulling is elected world champion but the F1 Academy 2024 season has only one venue left; Yas Marina. It all ends this December 6-8, 2024. Don't miss it.