Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (August 3, 2013)

And now, the week in review of what's what at the Korean peninsula...

July 29, 2013

- North Korea did not give an answer on Monday to what the South calls its final proposal for talks regarding the normalization of the Kaesong Complex.

July 30, 2013

- South Korea and the US started up the 4th Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue in Seoul.

July 31, 2013

- South Korea awaits North Korea's response for the last offer for talks on reopening the Kaesong Complex for a second straight day.

- US Forces Korea chief nominee says OPCON transfer needed in 2015

- South Korean civic groups start sending humanitarian

aid to North Korea.

- More weapons found aboard seized North Korean ship in Panama.

August 1, 2013

- Rival parties still wrangling over who will be on the witness list for the special parliamentary probe looking into whether the nation's spy agency meddled in last year's presidential election.

- State prosecutors summoned former tax office chief Jeon Goon-pyo for allegedly taking bribes in an attempt to fight against corruption in South Korea.

- Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso retracted earlier remarks that suggested Japan should learn from Nazi Germany's constitutional remarks.

August 2, 2013

- North Korea remain silent for a fifth day on Friday concerning South Korea's proposal for "final talks" aimed at reopening the Kaesong complex.

- The second round of negotiations with Japan and China for a three-way free trade agreement ended Friday after what South Korea called "constructive discussions"

- Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for former chief of the national tax agency, Jeon Goon-Pyo, on charges of accepting bribes from food and entertainment conglomerate CJ Group in 2006, just after he was named commisioner of the National Tax Service.

Renault to stop making Renaultsport Twingo

2012 Renault Twingo Gordini RS

There's been a sad news in the world of hot hatches because Renault has confirmed that they won't be building a new Twingo RS by the moment the next generation Twingo, which was influenced by the TwinRun concept, comes soon. Some say, this could be the last of the naturally-aspirated Renaultsport models ever made because pretty soon, all Renaultsport models are turbocharged.

If Renault plans to revive it, it would be turbocharged but it's unlikely to fit it with Renault's EDC gearbox because of costs and it's complicated to fit it in a small car.

Story: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/renault-twingo-renaultsport-axed-2013-08-01

Scion tC/Toyota Zelas minor change

2014 Scion tC

Scion, Toyota's youth oriented brand was launched in 2003 with two models, the xA which is the first Toyota iST and the xB which is a Toyota bB. Yes, they're both made in Japan but Scion is nothing more of a North American exclusive brand targeted for the younger audience, especially speedo boys. The tC though, although it may be more of a Celica underneath it, this 3-door sports coupe is a wide appeal to the speedo boys in America. It's been three years now since the second-generation Scion tC broke loose with mixed reactions and for this minor change, what can I say?

2014 Scion tC

This minor change is a bit too unorthodox to me. While some say, it draws inspiration from its FR-S big brother, there's one hint of cost-cutting around here because based on the new front face, I can sharply assumed that the new front lamps were borrowed from the facelifted Toyota Mark X (Reiz). Suspicious or is this just a big coincidence? Although I can't say that this new face can be a bit of a fluke, the speedo boy favorite tries to keep itself "red hot" like pizza supper. Wait a minute. Red hot like pizza supper? Aw man, why did I just said that? That's morally wrong to describe that the 2014 tC is red hot as pizza supper. Seriously, pizza supper? I did this sometimes, having pizza for dinner but still this is more topical than having a gorilla in a cake.

Scion says that the 2014 tC loves to pick on a fight against the Hyundai Veloster, the soon-to-be-replaced Kia Forte Koup, and the commoner favorite, the Ford Focus. So, how does it compare? For starters, the tC carries a 2.5 L 2AR-FE straight-4 which develops a moderate 179HP of power, that's more than what you expect than the Veloster, the Koup, and the Focus. And with the starting price of just 20,965 US Dollars, that's more reasonable to buy than the Veloster, Koup, and Focus.

2014 Scion tC interior

2014 Scion tC interior

So, it's a fair choice for the speedo boys who prefer a car that suits their style and consider it a SWAG but how it's like to be a driver's car? To find out, I had to imagine myself eating too much hotdog but be warned. This isn't the hotdog contest for the faint-hearted. The first hotdog would be a pleasant one for me because I'm still on the starved basis. If I'm still hungry after eating one hotdog, I'd eat another one and one minute later, another one! And another! More and more until my stomach says "I'm stuffed", meaning that's enough. Yep, that's exactly how it feels like when you're driving the new tC because by the way you're driving it feels like you're trying to beat Joey Chestnut's record for most hotdogs eaten but sadly, it feels a bit more like...Muscle Man.

Even with the reworked suspension system, it feels a bit more "stuffed" than "starved" and oh! One more thing you may notice... There's this optional 6-speed automatic transmission with rev matching downshifts which allows quicker downshifts on the road. That all seems fine but because real men are always going for the manual, who cares? The 6-speed manual's a standard so this is how fun they'll going to shift these little suckers like a man. Changing gear is all about freedom and with the three pedals and the 6-speed manuals, it feels like that you are in complete control over the car for fun and speedo boys like it too.

So, conclusion time. While the new model may feel a bit more Muscle Man and hotdogs but it's still one of the most enjoyable front-wheel drive sportscars that money can buy. You can forget about the Veloster or the Koup or the Focus. It's this one you can keep and trick if you have the funds to scare the neighborhood. So, would you want one of these or not? That's a simple question only you can answer.

Available colors: Black, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Cement, Classic Silver Metallic, and Super White.

Photo: Toyota Motor Sales USA

Let's Do The News! (August 1, 2013)

James: Let's do the news folks and oh! I can't believe it's August already! Summer's almost over for us and after that, it's fall and then later on it's Christmas!

Richard: Yeah and in about four months time, we're almost going to say goodbye to Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith for Christmas!

(audience laughing)

Richard: Oh! That reminds me, did you see Season Three of Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV:: show? Anyone?!

(audience murmuring)

Richard: Well I do. It's the one where convicts on the plane are geeks until geeks are taking over the plane and the team are doing everything to stop them. I saw that and what's surprising is...

Jeremy: Wait, lemme guess...Miss Karen Gillan's here, am I not?

Richard: Yes. Miss Karen Gillan, who was recently had bald hair since San Diego Comic Con last month, was in the show. Surprising, isn't it? Man, I'm so gonna watch this season of that show because of K-Gillie...

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Richard, are you saying some cute things about Miss Karen Gillan? Stop talking like a baby. Man, this is getting worse than I thought.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, we're still on the subject of surveillance because while in Washington, in order to offset the damage done from the Snowden espionage scandal, the Obama administration declassified some info about a court order authorising the collection of millions of US phone records. Also, it says here that "It is illegal in the United States for intelligence agencies to monitor US citizens without a court order". Heh?

Richard: What do you mean "heh?"

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Well, since the whole US Government is busy tracking down the whole 60 million Americans, especially foreigners, and labeling the whole US population as "terrorists" even though ordinary people never done anything wrong, I was wondering that such thing really made an inspiration for the upcoming Watch_Dogs video game.

James: Honestly, yeah. That does inspired into making the upcoming Watch_Dogs game and if you're going to be as good as the main character Aiden Pearce, perhaps you're going to dig deeper. Thanks UBI Soft, you really took the idea into making that game. Looking forward to this new game, which I believe, is an open-world game that took some Grand Theft Auto elements on it with a bit more feel.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, when I was busy checking my Facebook for a few hours, what I've been noticing that more and more people are busy posting some lame, non-sense stuff that doesn't look like a status update at all. They're long and always with the quotation marks from start to finish but what's the point of that?

(audience laughing)

Richard: Oh wait. Guess you're starting a rant about Facebook, eh?

Jeremy: No. Not just Facebook, it's those people who busy putting non-sense stuff like for this example. Ahem...  (mockingly) "REMEMBER: In every NO from someone, is a YES to someone better." What does it mean? That's not a status update...that's blabber nonsense!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Here's another and that makes me yawn. Ahem..."Don't compare yourself to others,compare yourself to the person yesterday...". Would you please stop posting nonsense on Facebook?!!

(audience laughing)

James: Hey! I got another one. And it says here...""I love you" means that I accept you for the person that you are, and that I do not wish to change you into someone else. It means that I will love you and stand by you even through the worst of times. It means loving you when you’re in a bad mood or too tired to do things I want to do. It means that I care enough to fight for what we have and that I love you enough not to let " What the (bleep) was that?!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: I dunno but it's all gibberish. Note to Facebook users, stop posting too much gibberish stuff. It makes everyone confused.

(audience laughing)

Richard: Guys, there's a new special edition Lamborghini Gallardo and I can't believe that Lambo's still making special Gallardos for this year despite the fact that there's a replacement on the works. Anyway, here's the special Gallardo I'm talking about...

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse

(ooohhh)

Richard: It's called the LP570-4 Squadra Corse, it draws inspiration from its Super Trofeo racer, those Italian flag-like decal on the sides as seen on the Veneno, comes with the V10 engine, 570PS of power, and it reaches the supercar holy grail of over 200 miles per hour. I think it looks fantastic to look at.

Jeremy: Yeah. That's definitely more fantastic to look at and I have to say, that's even more insane than the other special Gallardo called the Super Trofeo Stradale, if I'm honest. Oh, that's about as red hot as...pizza supper.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: What? What did I said?

Richard: You said "Red Hot like Pizza Supper" and that's Adventure Time stuff! (laughing)

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh, come on!!!

(laughter continues...then stop)

Jeremy: Anyway, meanwhile in Pakistan, I just heard that there was a strange game show targeted for the couples in which the prize is...

Richard: Wait! Wait! Is it about...well I don't know Pakistani money but I just wanna say...a million pounds?

James: A new car?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: No. The prize was...an abandoned baby!

(huh?)

Jeremy: This is not a joke! This is real! There was a game show in Pakistan for the couples in which whoever wins, gets an abandoned baby as the prize! Creepy, isn't it? Well, here in Pakistan, there are no laws about adopting a baby by any means necessary. That's also creepy. Having a game show where an abandoned baby as a prize is too odd. Someone's had a poo brain about this.

(audience laughing)

DUE TO SENSIBLE CONTENT, SOME PARTS OF IT ARE CENSORED

James: ...like that!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, there's going to be tons of conventions going on this month. Let's see... In San Antonio, Texas, this August 16 to 18, at the HBG Convention Center and San Antonio Grand Hyatt hotel, there's the San Japan Sinister 6. It's one of the most notable anime conventions in San Antonio, Texas and for this year, some cosplays, some masquerades, some games, chess, some Poke-Battle Live, there's a lot of it if I'm honest.

James: There's also Dragon Con coming this month. Aug 30–Sept 2, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, and Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. There's going to be a parade, autographs, burlesque, oh! There's some Mythbusters going on in Dragon Con. Lovely...

Richard: Then there's the Otakon and this year marks the 20th anniversary of Otakon. It starts from August 9 to 11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. So much to do here.

James: Also, this August 17 to 18 at the SQCC, Penang, Malaysia, Culture Japan invites everyone at the Culture Japan Con, hosted by prolific otaku Danny Choo. There's a lot of guests coming on this event, especially voice actress Yuu Asakawa, band Vividblaze, and more.

Richard: You know what? This is getting pretty good.

Jeremy: Yeah and that is the end of the news.

2014 Hyundai Avante facelift teased

2014 Hyundai Avante facelift teased

Straight from the official Hyundai Motor Facebook page, they're teasing a facelifted model of the Hyundai Avante (known worldwide as the Elantra). Based on the teaser, meh. Just the lamps, the new design of the rims, and the rear lamps. The slogan says here "OVER THE CLASS" and the naming "THE NEW AVANTE" really sums up for the upcoming 2014 minor model change.

Stay tuned.

From its Facebook account:

[H-CAR]

더 뉴아반떼 사전계약 실시!

“아반떼를 넘어선 아반떼가 온다!”

디젤 엔진을 추가해

지구력이 한 층 업그레이드 된 아반떼!

새로워진 아반떼를

만나고 싶으시다면 ‘좋아요’를 눌러주세요!

COMING SOON!

Peugeot 208 XY

If you're a female and you had a name starts with either a Candace or a Bea or a Wendy, I might be thinking that the car I'm about talk is wrong about calling this one a car targeted for the females but Peugeot says it isn't. So, what is it about?

2014 Peugeot 208 XY

2014 Peugeot 208 XY

This is the XY, the Peugeot 208 XY and by the looks of it, think of the Peugeot 208 XY as the gender-swapped version of the hot Peugeot 208 GTi. Kinda like the gender-swapped episode of my favorite cartoon where there was a young girl and a talking cat out for adventures. I didn't like that episode though.

Anyway, the XY model doesn't seem to be quite obvious to look at but because this is more of a gender-swapped version of the 208 GTi, even though they're both available exclusively in three door variants, I don't think that there are many boys to like this car much like the gender-swapped episode of my favorite cartoon. Guess those who saw that episode kinda liked it but how likeable is the 208 XY?

2014 Peugeot 208 XY interior

It's like the normal 3-door version of the 208 but the XY gives the 208 a sense of poshness like for instance, this specially-designed grille, the XY badge at the back and the sides, the exclusive Purple Night color, the beige-colored dashboard on the interior and a choice of four seat colors especially the ones with Alcantara. Although not a fan of Alcantara because by the moment I touch those, it feels like a bathroom carpet every time I rubbed my hand on it gently. That's seems to be posh to me and then the touchscreen as seen on the normal 208 retains, making it a well-suited suitor with the computer geek in mind.

The added poshness on the 208 XY seems to be rather interesting but how about being a driver's car? Well, for starters it has the similar handling capabilities as the hot 208 GTi so by the time it faces a corner, it really sips it up like a Chinese soup where you'll add just one egg. Yummy.

And then there's the engine choices and for the XY model, it's available in either a 1.6L e-HDi in two configurations, and a tamed and underpowered version of the same 1.6L THP engine that powered the 208 GTi. When I said underpowered version, yep, that 1.6L THP engine develops 154bhp of power. It may not quite be an alternative to the hot 208 GTi but as a driver's car, it's worth noticing and enticing.

2014 Peugeot 208 XY

Love it or hate it, the 208 XY from Peugeot is worth an attractive city cruiser made for the fashionistas and for me, because I didn't like the gender-swapped episode of...well you know what show it is, I didn't like it. I like the way this car stays classy but not a lot because consider this, gender-swapped stuff is blatant and rubbish. Much better, don't just swap genders or feature some gender-swapped stuff for your own viewing pleasure, keep it that way. I would rather go for the 208 GTi than this because it's worth character-building than the XY and overall, it's more fun.

Available colors: Blanc Banquise, Spirit Grey, Noir Perla Nera, Dark Blue, and Purple Night.

PRICE LIST:
1,6L e-HDi FAP 92ch BVM5 - 21,900 Euros
1,6L e-HDi FAP 115ch BVM6 - 23,100 Euros
1,6L THP 155ch BVM6 - 22,050 Euros

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

New Jaguar XJR

The Maserati Quattroporte, the Aston Martin Rapide S, and the facelifted Porsche Panamera aren't the only ones classified as a four-door supercar despite having powerful engines planted on their four-door saloons for businessmen who aren't businessmen at all. In fact, there's another 4-door supercar in the making and this time...what could this be?

2014 Jaguar XJR

At first glance, it looks like a Jaguar XJ, the car Jeremy Clarkson drove in the race against The Creator, The Lord God Almighty, and he won just before the sun rises. Except now, the XJ is getting more aggressive than ever and this time...they dropped a supercharged V8 engine that powered the XKR-S under the bonnet. They named it...XJR.

Yes, the XJR is back and for this new model, I was referring that it can be a potential threat to high-performance flagship saloons especially the upcoming S63 AMG but this is just one of the things that make you go hmmm. Think of the new XJR as the...how can I say this? Oh yeah! Some Brainiac reference! Either the Celebrity Electric Shock or Celebrity Day Job Electrocution but still both of them best sums it up when it comes to the flagship saloon now turned a potential 4-door supercar. Think Tina Turner and her Bunsen Burner meets Diana Ross and her chain reaction. When you put them both and will they fizz or bang? Glow or blow? Fizzle or flash? Either way, this can be a serious threat to its rivals...or is it?

2014 Jaguar XJR interior

Rally up the Brainiacs because there's something more for the gentleman's country club now turned a Brainiac lab for the insane experiments. The V8 engine that powered the XKR-S Coupe delivers 550PS of power and 680Nm of torque. 680Nm of torque...that's 10Nm less than the Ferrari F12 but it's fairly close. With such torque, I wonder, it's more than enough to put a stick of dynamite at the turkey's bum or at the center of the kebab. Yummy.

Then there's the noise that doesn't sound like a supercar but it sounds like an old-fashioned American muscle car. That muscle car-esque vocals really feels like you're a Brainiac piloting a NASCAR in the streets of London and then making a mess at the Wales Millenium Centre, which is near the fictional Torchwood Three HQ which was blown up from the Children of Earth arc. Love it though but I'm afraid there are some demerits out there.

First of all, in the normal XJ, it feels like a gentleman's club. Very classy, very subtle, and very sophisticated. The sooner you had a chauffeur, the sooner you became a lazy man at the back of the car. For the XJR, how can I describe it? Oh wait! I know! Brainiac's Celebrity Electric Shock. It's like you invite a well-loved, well-payed A-list celebrity and then you start to electrocute him or her from remote control soft to TASER GUN INTENSE. The XJR really is TASER GUN INTENSE because when it gets through, your client succumbs, yelling their messages of surrender. I can imagine what it feels like when Vanessa Feltz survived through Level 5 of the electric shock...about the same as a cattle prod.

The 0-60mph time is 4.4 seconds and flat-out it would do about 174mph, that's better than those high-powered German saloons because of their limited set to 155mph. That's seem to be a total advantage for the XJR but there's another disadvantage for the new model...the pricing. It starts at 92,370 British Pounds Sterling, which seems to be less expensive than the XJ SUPERSPORT LWB model even though it packs more power than that but that's more than the rest of the normal premium saloons. Also, it's available exclusively in SWB so that's a big wuss but who cares?

This car doesn't bother with all the demerits because that new XJR is just so stunning to drive at. It's quite civilized on normal roads, more fun in open roads, more head turning than a woman's cleavage from either the buns or the breasts, and best of all, you can enjoy this car all day long until your ribs got relocated to the back. One thing you don't want for the XJR, as a chauffeur's car, is to get a celebrity to the back because by the time you're going bonkers with it...well I said it many times...your client will end up feeling like being electrocuted.

This new model...is HOT STUFF.

Available Colors: Polaris White, Ebony, Rhodium Silver Metallic, Lunar Grey Metallic, Stratus Grey Metallic, Ultimate Black Metallic, Cashmere Metallic, Satellite Grey Metallic, Carnelian Red Metallic, British Racing Green Metallic, Black Amethyst Metallic, and Italian Racing Red Metallic.

Photo: Jaguar Land Rover