Let's Do The News! (March 26, 2015)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- A few days ago, the Germanwings flight 4U9525 crashed somewhere in the French alps, leaving all 150 passengers dead on board and no signs of life according to officials. The flight was en route from Barcelona, Spain, to Dusseldorf, Germany. Officials are currently investigating the crash site, finding out what caused it but for now, the relatives and friends of the passengers and crew from Flight 4U9525 are due to go to the crash site high in the Alps. Lufthansa will operate two special flights to Marseille and and travel will commence by road.

- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched a military operation in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthi Shia rebels.

- A new intelligence satellite was successfully launched by scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency at 1021 hours, Japan Time, from the Tanegashima Space Center. Their new intelligence satellite can detect objects on the ground as small as 40cm from an altitude of several hundred kilometers.

- Japanese police arrested two people who allegedly importing 1,200 kilograms of matsutake mushrooms from North Korea, violating the nation's total import ban against North Korean products in 2006, following its nuclear tests. Some say, they imported the mushrooms five years ago by falsely claiming they were from China.

- What did President Benigno Aquino III said during the Philippine National Police Academy graduation ceremony? READ HERE.

- McLaren named their first car of their Sports Series range as the 570S and it's set for its New York Auto Show premiere next month.

- M-Class no more. Say hello to the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, although this new model is nothing more of a minor change model of the M-Class it replaces. It's set for its NY Auto Show debut.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The 11th DLC Catalog for the PS3-exclusive The iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL game is now available. Expect special appearance from Cinderella Girls' Mio Honda as well as the new song "Good-Byes" and the new "Old Modern Blossom" outfit for your idols!

765SHOP CATALOG Vol. 11

- Jaguar's new XF saloon was unveiled and this second-generation model is set for its NY Auto Show debut.

2016 Jaguar XF

- Have you watched the movie Chappie? Guess what? Chappie gets his own action figure courtesy of Good Smile Company. You can take home this robot-slaying robot hero who acts and feels almost human for an ultra-expensive 29,074 Yen plus tax when he arrives at your nearest hobby and collectible shops this October.

- After reports about Hideo Kojima leaving Konami for good after the worldwide launch of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain this autumn, looks like the Japanese game maker isn't reluctant to give up on the Metal Gear franchise even without Kojima himself as well as Kojima Productions because they began hiring staff for their next Metal Gear.

TTFN!!!

Top Gear's Clarkson fired by the BBC

It's all over. It's the end of the road for our favorite foul-mouthed Top Gear presenter as we know it as the BBC officially announced that Jeremy Clarkson is fired from being one of the hosts of the hit motoring TV show. His contract will not be renewed after "fracas" with one of the show's producers over a meal rage after shooting.

A few weeks ago, Clarkson was suspended after an argument with one of the producers, namely Oisin Tymon, because the hotel they're staying after shooting didn't served hot foods, namely steak and chips (UK for french fries to you and I). Because of the suspension, the remaining Season 22 episodes of Top Gear are on indefinite hiatus and the BBC has yet to confirm whether to air the remaining episodes or not.

Jeremy Clarkson was infamous for his series of provocative actions through the years. He was warned by the BBC last year that one false move will sack him indefinitely. The last time he made a provocation to others was on the Patagonia special when his Porsche used for the special bears a plate number that provoked Falklands War veterans.

With JC out of the picture, there's still yet to confirm from fellow TG hosts Richard Hammond and James May.

The BBC plans to renew the show for 2016 but the decision is up to the network to decide.

Sigh...I guess it feels like the end of an era for us, car enthusiasts, now that Clarkson's wiped out from the airwaves for good. What will Top Gear be look like without him?

Report: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32052736

Subaru discontinues the Exiga MPV

The Subaru Exiga is the brand's only 7-seater in the lineup when it was launched last summer 2008 but sadly, reports told that production of the Exiga 7-seater MPV will be ceased within a few months.

There are little details about the Exiga's discontinuation but looks like the only seven seater Subie will be heading to the great big crusher in the sky along with the other discontinued Japanese cars.

There were rumors about a crossover version of the Exiga, based on the Subaru Crossover 7 Concept as seen on the Tokyo Motor Show two years ago, that will soon be headed to production this year but sadly, with the Exiga's demise, looks like it's getting bleaker on the details.

Report: http://carview.yahoo.co.jp/news/market/20150324-10220770-carview/?t=0

Six Nations 2015 FINAL

The fifth and final round of the RBS Six Nations 2015 is the decider which of the six rugby teams will be declared this year's winner and judging from what they're doing, it's becoming one heck of a do-or-die match to vie for the summit and be named as champions.

In the Italy Vs. Wales match, it was the Welsh that triumph against the Italians at the impressive score of 20-61, in favor of Wales. A 25-point gap between those teams, that's one heck of a record-high in the history of the Six Nations.

Then, it was Scotland vs. Ireland and in the end, a 30-point gap between them and an overwhelming performance by Sean O'Brien made the IRFU triumphed against Scotland at the score of 10-40, in favor of the Irish.

Lastly, England Rugby vs. FFR and at the score of 55-35, England wins.

Highlights:



In the end of this year's Six Nations, the winner goes to the IRFU. Again, the IRFU are named as the 2015 RBS Six Nations champions. That's a 2-win streak since last year!

This concludes the Six Nations 2015.

Bubble Gang - March 20, 2015

On the March 20, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- A politician tries to win the respect from the crowd.

- "Wag kang maingay" gags

- Gamers talking trash in the internet cafe.

- The Half Brothers

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, Lapit Na Para Unang Malaman, Ang Tungkol sa Lalaking Dayuhan, Lahat ay Gustong N'yang...MAPERAHAN!

- The many shades of Diego!

- Scientists discovered a game-changing breakthrough to sports. The invisible ball!

- More lait-lait from Lala Ytera!

- Some patients don't live up to their qualifications. 

All New Hyundai Tucson (TL)

2016 Hyundai Tucson

Well, this is quite a surprise for us. After being introduced to the world at the Geneva Motor Show a couple of weeks ago, the brand-new, third-generation Hyundai Tucson (bearing the TL chassis codename) has now arrived to keep the medium-sized  crossover competition heating up and for this new model, it looks like it wants to show how its done.

First and foremost, let's look at the design and looks like this is like a mashup between different cars for this one because the front looks like it came from a Ford Edge while the side view looks like it came from its big brother, the Santa Fe, and the rear view looks like it came from the Jeep Cherokee. This is like a blend of Asian-American cuisine that your parents might cook up for dinner but even though it looks like it's fresh out the boat, the new Tucson is a real looker.

2016 Hyundai Tucson interior

On the inside, it looks like it came from the first-generation Genesis saloon but it was made all in the name of premium on the new Tucson. As for the comfort zone, this 5-seater still never fails to impress. It works well as a family car because not only you can take your kids at the back and go off to different places, say granny's house or a park or whatever the kids want to go, it's convenient and versatile just like any other SUVs do. You can fold down the rear seats to accommodate luggage spaces and with the max boot space of 1,503 litres, that's fit enough to carry two treasure chests you've dug from the beach and some extras.

Connectivity wise, the new Tucson is equipped with the Bluelink 2.0 telematics system which delivers turn-by-turn navigation updates while on the go. You can even use your phone as a carkey to operate the new Tucson wherever you are.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The normal Tucson retains the e-VGT R2.0 diesel engine connected with either a 6-speed manual or automatic but there's a new version called the Tucson Fever, which is available exclusively in front-wheel drive. The Fever variant comes with the smaller e-VGT U-II 1.7L diesel engine that develops 141PS of power and 34.7kg-m of torque but here's the kicker; this engine is mated with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, a first for a Korean SUV. The new gearbox allows a seamless, quick shifting feel unlike any other and thanks to this gearbox, fuel economy is 15.6km/L. That sounds interesting but feels like someone might be expecting to miss out this clever stuff in case if someone lives in a Euro 2 country or in a big nation where Korean SUVs don't have diesels available for some reason.

Another kicker for the new Tucson is that it was honed at the Nurburgring to deliver performance unlike any other. Yep, this is becoming more of an enthusiast's treat and because it's been Nurburgring-trained, you can expect a more sportier suspension setup built to tackle corners in a dignified and sophisticated manner, just like most European cars do.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The all new Tucson is never far behind with tons of safety features such as the highly clever Auto Emergency Brake, Blind Spot Detection, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Static Binding Light, and Advanced SPAS which allows this one to park hands-free.

Because it uses advanced high strength steel on the bodywork, the new Tucson is now lighter and more rigid than the previous model by about 51%.

The all new Tucson starts at 22,500,000 up to 29,200,000 Korean Won, which sounds to be reasonably priced for a crossover of this magnitude but this Nurburgring-trained Tucson looks like its ready for its next destination whether if its today, tomorrow, or the next day.

Available colors: Pure White, Platinum Silver, Pepper Grey, Ash Blue, Ruby Wine, Sepia Topaz, Phantom Black, Ara Blue, and Sedona Orange.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (March 18, 2015)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Tropical Storm Betty has been weakened and downgraded into an low pressure area as it approaches 1,120 km east of Casiguran, Aurora. Wind speeds are now 45 kph. According to PAGASA, the LPA will be off from radar within 48 hours but when it remains, it will make landfall to Northern and Central Luzon.

- One of the surviving members of the PNP Special Action Force reveals why they had to give the finger of the killed terrorist Marwan directly to USA's Federal Bureau of Investigation because they had the DNA profile of the terrorist's brother.

- Fourteen senators signed a Senate draft report that claims that PH President Benigno Aquino III responsible for the mishandling of the Mamasapano clash last January, according to Senator Grace Poe.

- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu won the parliamentary elections despite TV exit polls suggesting his Likud party had finished in a virtual tie with the left-of-center Zionist Union.

- The Syrian government claims that they've shot down an American drone near the city of Latakia, President Bashar al-Assad's stronghold in north-west Syria. US officials have yet to confirm this but if confirmed, it would be the first time Syrian forces attacked a US aircraft since the start of coalition strikes against ISIS.

- DID YOU KNOW? The Department of Science and Technology said that they will provide free public wi-fi in the Philippines starting this July. What does that mean? Yes. You can browse the internet and post status updates no matter where you are. But here's the kicker, the internet speed is limited to 256 kbps and it will also have a bandwidth cap per person, meaning a user can expect slower speeds if used too much.

- Umi Sonoda from Lovelive! School Idol Project gets her very own Nendoroid from Good Smile Company and she will be available to you for 3,241 Yen plus tax and she arrives this July.

- The BBC mulls airing the remaining Season 22 episodes of Top Gear including the triple hybrid hypercar battle between the P1, 918, and the LaFerrari, according to reports.

TTFN!!!