Let's Do The News! (January 26, 2024)

                                                               

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

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos is set to leave for Vietnam next week.

- The Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally starts this Sunday. DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos urged barangay officials in Metro Manila to take part in the campaign.

- PCSO General Manager Mel Robles says he's prepared to resign if asked by the PBBM administration in the face of lottery controversies.

- Seven coasts in Visayas and Mindanao have tested positive for red tide, according to the BFAR.

- CNN Philippines is reportedly ending its broadcast after nine years. The employees of CNN Philippines are worried because of the rumors that it will be closed due to "financial problems".

- Japan's Princess Aiko will work as a contractual employee for the Japanese Red Cross Society beginning April 1st, 2024.

- Alabama carried out the US's first nitrogen gas execution of convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith after legal bids to halt the execution. 

- NHS consultants in England reject proposed pay deal as the BMA union says the government's offer "does not go far enough".

- Valdo Calocane was sentenced for killing Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates in attacks in Nottingham, UK. Calocane was detained in a high-security hospital.

- A Russian woman, Darya Trepova, was jailed for 27 years for the killing of a pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky last April. Tatarsky was killed by a bomb in a statuette Trepova gave him, as he was about to give a talk in St. Petersburg. Dozens were hurt in a blast. Trepova denied the charges, saying she thought the statuette contained a listening device.

- The Biden administration appointed CIA director William Burns to broker the Israeli hostage deal. Burns to take part in high-level talks in coming days on efforts to free Israeli hostages seized by Hamas.

- Apple is letting rival app stores on iPhones in the European Union.

- The second-generation Porsche Macan was unveiled. It is now EV-only with the range-topping Turbo variant producing up to 639PS of power output and 1130NM of torque. It does 0-100kph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 260kph.

2025 Porsche Macan

- A live-action TV series and movie version of Oshi no Ko is coming to Prime Video this winter 2024. The series stars Nagisa Saito, Asuka Saito, Kaito Sakurai, Nanoka Hara, Mizuki Kayashima, and ano.

- GOT7 member BamBam cancels the US leg of his AREA 52 world tour due to injury.

- LeBron James became the first NBA player to be named to the 20 All-Star teams when he was picked for the Western Conference as part of the league's unveiling of the 10 starters for next month's All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

TTFN.

My Top 10 ICE-powered JDM Executive Midsize FF Sedans

The third-generation Mazda 6 will go down in history as the last JDM D-Segment front-wheel-drive saloon to be powered by internal combustion and with production ending this April, this race is now sadly extinct due to the never-ending rise of crossovers and SUVs.

The third-generation Mazda 6 is the last JDM FF
executive midsize saloon to be powered by internal combustion

As this species is set to be extinct in the springtime, it's time for me to jot down my top 10 JDM executive midsize front-wheel-drive sedans powered by internal combustion.

10) Sixth-generation Toyota Camry - At the end of 1996, the Camry Gracia was launched in sedan and estate variants. The Gracia is the luxury alternative to the Camry and it served as the replacement for both the Camry Prominent and the US-built Scepter. With the fifth-generation Camry's production ending in the summer of 1998, the Camry Gracia took its place and it was known as the sixth-generation Camry when it was facelifted in 1999. This is the last Camry to have a V6 engine offered in the Japanese market. A year later, Daihatsu sold the Toyota Camry as the Altis.

9) Suzuki Kizashi - Originally meant to be a US-exclusive model, the Suzuki Kizashi went on sale in Japan in the fall of 2009. With styling inspired by the three concepts, the Kizashi is powered by a 2.4L petrol engine producing 188PS while mated to a CVT with Manual Mode. The Kizashi is the last Suzuki sedan offered in Japan and production ended in 2015.

8) Seventh-generation Honda Accord - Launched in 2002, the seventh-generation Honda Accord features a sleeker design compared to its predecessor as well as improved dynamics. It was the first to feature Honda's Internavi Premium Club service, providing drivers the fastest route to their target destination. Powering the seventh-generation Accord is a choice of a 2.0L and 2.4L mated to a 5-speed AT. The Euro-R variant is powered by a 220PS 2.0L engine mated only with a 6-speed MT. This generation marked the last time to feature the Euro-R grade. The seventh-generation Accord was exported in Europe, in the US as the Acura TSX, and in Oceania as the Honda Accord Euro.

7) Nissan Cefiro A32 - Launched in 1994, the Nissan Cefiro A32 eschews its predecessor's FR layout in favor of a stable FF layout with comfortable driving in mind. Powering the Cefiro A32 is a choice of three VQ V6 petrol engines from 2.0L, 2.5L, to 3.5L. All are mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 4-speed AT.

6) Eighth-generation Mitsubishi Galant - Launched in late summer 1996, the eighth and final generation Mitsubishi Galant is no doubt one of the best-looking executive midsize saloons at that time with the sporty 4WD VR-4 variant the most aggressive-looking. It even spawned an Aspire twin two years later. The eighth-generation Galant is the first production car to be powered by a Gasoline Direct Injection engine for improved performance and fuel economy. It won the 1996 Japan Car of the Year award.

5) Sixth-generation Honda Accord - Launched in September 1997, the sixth-generation Honda Accord incorporates the Honda DNA through this D-segment executive midsize saloon, hence the car's slogan. Joining alongside the sixth-generation Accord is its Torneo twin and both of them are powered by a choice of 1.8L and 2.0L VTEC engines. In 2000, both the sixth-generation Accord and the Torneo received a minor change and gained the sporty Euro R variant powered by a 2.2L VTEC engine mated exclusively with a 5-speed MT.

4) Honda Inspire CP3 - Debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the CP3 Honda Inspire is powered by a J35A 3.5L i-VTEC PGM+FI V6 engine that produces a power output of 280PS and 342NM of torque. This engine comes with Variable Cylinder Management that shuts half of its cylinders. Coupled with the 5-speed AT, it has a fuel economy of 9.9km/L based on Japan’s 10-15 Mode standards. 9.6km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Production ended in 2012, making it the last pure V6-powered Honda saloon ever made.

3) MAZDA6 (GJ) - Launched in 2012, the third-generation Mazda6, formerly known as the Atenza, is the first Mazda saloon to be powered by the SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT, a first for a JDM Mazda in the SKYACTIV era. In addition, the Mazda6 is powered by a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo System. The Mazda6 was facelifted twice with the recent one in 2019 when Mazda decided to drop the Atenza naming in favor of the Mazda6 naming.

2) Nissan Teana J32 - Launched in 2008, the second-generation Nissan Teana is powered by a choice of a 2.5L and a 3.5L V6 engine mated to an XTRONIC CVT. Carrying over from the first-generation model, the Teana J32 comes with a signature front ottoman seat on the passenger side.

1) Nissan Teana J31 - Launched in 2003 as the replacement for the Cefiro, the Teana is Nissan's luxury premium midsize sedan that slots between the Skyline and the Cedric/Gloria sedans. While the styling is rather contemporary for a luxury sedan, the Teana's turning point is its luxurious interior which is about as cozy as the sofas and chairs you bought from the IKEA store. The Teana J31 is sold in South Korea as the Renault Samsung SM5 and SM7, and in other countries as the Renault Safrane.

It's a sad day in the world of motoring as there will be no more internal combustion-powered front-wheel-drive JDM executive midsize saloons on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you want an executive midsize FF JDM saloon, you'll be going to make do with the hybrid ones. Actually, there are only two; the Lexus ES and the upcoming Honda Accord e:HEV.

Domo arigato, ICE JDM FF executive midsize sedans. They have served their purposes and now they're officially extinct because of SUVs. Although they're gone, they'll be never forgotten. 

My FH5 Log: Community Day Classic (PART 3)

The Pagani Huayra and the W113 Mercedes 280SL are the highlights of the Forza Horizon 5 Community Choice's Dry Season playlist. Get your Pagoda air fresheners ready because these expired goods are going to be fresh.

First up is the Pagani Huayra, which I snagged after hitting the 20-point mark on the Dry Season Playlist.

The Pagani Huayra is the Zonda replacement named after Huayra-Tata, the god of wind from the Aymara legends. It made a world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Salon in March. It is powered by a 6.0L Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-turbo engine, producing over 700BHP and over 1,000Nm of torque. It can go 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, and flat-out, the Huayra blows away at 227 MPH (365kph). It is mated with a transverse sequential seven-speed gearbox with an AMT robotized system. The Huayra weighs 1,350kg, and it has a 44:56 weight distribution.

Lastly, the vintage Mercedes-Benz 280SL, which I snagged after hitting the 40-point mark on the Dry Season Playlist.

The W113-spec Mercedes-Benz SL, built from 1963 to 1971 with 48,912 units made, was one of the most iconic Mercedes vehicles in history. It was nicknamed Pagoda due to its slightly concave hardtop shaped like a pagoda.

Most models are equipped with a water-cooled inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port injection with the range-topping 280SL producing 170PS of power and 240Nm of torque. Gearboxes are offered with either a 4-speed manual, automatic, or a 5-speed manual. The front suspension has double wishbones, coil springs, and stabilizing bars while the rear has a swing axle, radius arms, compensating springs, and coil springs. Aside from that, parts of its body are made of aluminum to save weight.

It was the first sports car with a safety body that had a rigid passenger cell and designated crumple zones with impact-absorbing front and rear sections built into the structure.

In the spirit of community service, it's time to take these two expired goods on a quick drive with the Huayra taking on a handmade circuit made by a certain player while the 280SL takes on a Gauntlet-style rally course situated at Copper Canyon. Let's roll the tapes.

Mission accomplished for these two. Well done.

Next time, let's sample the Fiat Dino and the Spania GTA Spano in the final playlist of the Community Choice series update.

Let's Do The News! (January 25, 2024)

                                                              

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

- Senator Jinggoy Estrada says that the controversial People's Initiative campaign is an assault on checks and balances.

- The PH Department of Education, under the helm of PH Vice President Sara Duterte, announced that the directive to remove the administrative tasks from public school teachers has been finalized and is ready for release.

- PhilHealth announced an extension of privileges for system optimization and changes effective on February 1st. The announcement through PhilHealth Advisory No. 2023-0039 outlined changes that will come into effect on Feb. 1, impacting the processing of claims and related procedures.

- Pastor Apollo Quiboloy said he will not submit himself to the Senate inquiry into his sexual abuse allegations made by former KJC members against him.

- Moscow accuses Kyiv of shooting down a Russian aircraft carrying sixty-five Ukrainian prisoners-of-war on their way to be exchanged.

- The SCOTUS declined to halt the state of Alabama from carrying out the country's first nitrogen gas execution on convicted murdered Kenneth Smith, who survived a failed lethal injection in 2022. The justices denied Smith's request to stay his execution. They declined to hear his legal challenge contending that a second execution attempt by Alabama would violate the US Constitution's 8th Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

- US Democrats asked the Commerce to extend the gun export pause and increase oversight, according to a written letter.

- Sri Lanka passed legislation imposing hefty jail sentences on social media users for posts the authorities deem false or threatening national security.

- Opel/Vauxhall announced the revival of the Frontera as its upcoming electric crossover SUV.

- Ferrari appointed Giovanni Soldini as its team principal for its sailing project. Ferrari announced it will use its motorsport know-how to the world of sailing for the first time.

- Daihatsu will start operating its Japanese car plant in February. There's no prospect of restarting operations other than the Toyota Probox and Mazda Familia Van models.

- The Kyoto court handed down a guilty verdict on Shinji Aoba, the suspect in the Kyoto Animation arson case that killed 36 people and hurt 32 others on July 18, 2019. The suspect was sentenced to the death penalty.

- The Love Live! School Idol Festival 2 Miracle Live app game will end its service on March 31st. The global version will be out this February but will run until the 31st of May.

- Tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova publicly showed their opposition amid growing speculation that the 2024 WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two veterans emphasized Saudi's record of human rights violations, specifically women and LGBTQIA.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (January 24 2024)

                                                             

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

- The DILG says they never had information regarding the arrival of ICC inspectors to investigate the alleged human rights violations from the Duterte administration. According to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, they didn't cooperate on this probe but will follow the president's orders. 

- Senator Raffy Tulfo said he will investigate if all winners of the PCSO lotto draws are legitimate as part of the continuation of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means hearing on January 25.

- Donald Trump is expected to win the New Hampshire primary with half of votes counted, according to reports.

- The Turkish parliament finally ratified Sweden's bid to join NATO.

- A man has been arrested on suspicion of 76 murders after telling a public inquiry he started last August's deadly fire in a Johannesburg building. The 29-year-old confessed while giving evidence at the inquiry.

- The F1 2026 season's Spanish Grand Prix will take place on the streets of Madrid for the first time.

- The fourth-generation Chevrolet Equinox was unveiled. All variants are powered by a 1.5L turbo engine.

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

- The Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 range was unveiled with revised looks and the return of physical buttons. The GTE and GTI variants received increased power output with the GTE's 1.5L turbocharged eHybrid powertrain now producing 268hp and the GTI's 2.0L TSi engine now producing 261hp of power.

2025 Volkswagen Golf GTi

- Porsche will unveil the second-generation Macan on January 25th.

- Singer Akira Kushida was hospitalized for acute pancreatitis. His January 28 concert with other artists has been postponed.

- Olympian Kayla Harrison will make her UFC debut against Holly Holm this April 13th in Las Vegas.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (January 23, 2024)

                                                            

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

- PH President Bongbong Marcos comments on last weekend's visit to the Coldplay concert, saying it's "unmissable". PBBM made headlines when he used a helicopter to get to the Coldplay concert, drawing flak from netizens, but the PSG clarified that the President's helicopter use was for security purposes.

- The Department of Migrant Workers has shut down the Manila office of a Dubai-based agency for alleged illegal recruitment activities.

- PHIVOLCS has recorded an increased seismic activity around Mt. Bulusan.

- Dozens were killed as fierce fighting spread through southern Gaza. Israeli forces were accused of storming one hospital and another is reportedly under siege. The US National Security Spokesman says hospitals, where thousands of displaced have been sheltered, should not be war zones, while also reiterating American support for Israel's right to defend itself. 

- British officials are investigating Iran generals' antisemitic talks to students. Videos of antisemitic speeches by Iranian generals, given to British students, are being investigated by the Charity Commission.

- The US and the UK carried out more strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

- Buick teases the next-generation Enclave crossover.

- Mazda is reportedly discontinuing the Mazda 6 with production ending in mid-April.

- BMW teases the i5 Touring.

- The Pui Pui Molcar franchise is getting a 3D CGI movie version coming this year.

- The Condé Nast union members have launched a 24-hour walkout amid layoff talks. Over 400 workers at Vanity Fair, Vogue, Condé Nast Entertainment, Bon Appétit, and other brands are walking out on Tuesday to protest bargaining practices the union alleges are unlawful.

TTFN.

My GT7 Log: Head Honchos

Whenever I see the SLR McLaren and the SLS AMG, they remind me of those head honchos from certain racing video games. Before you take on the final boss, you'll gonna have to take the Number 2 first, some say.

Head honchos. Before taking on the final boss, you must get past its head honcho. These two Mercedes supercars played head honchos, and here in GT7, I got the chance to get to know...the semi-final bosses, if you catch my drift.

Let's begin with the SLR McLaren, a supercar you wish you would definitely want to invest yourself in the bull market. Get it? Bull.

Created from the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the SLR McLaren comes with a 5.4L supercharged V8 engine specially developed for the SLR, generates 626 PS (460 kW; 617 hp) of power and 780 N·m (580 lb·ft) of torque, mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz said that this car has a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of around 209mph. Production ended in early 2010, and it was succeeded by the SLS AMG.

Lastly, the Mercedes-AMG SLS, the supercar that made AMG a force to be reckoned with. The car that separates the men from the boys.

The SLS is an AMG original masterpiece that serves as the spiritual successor of the legendary 300SL because of the gullwing doors it possesses. While the gullwing doors hark back from the said classic, the SLS AMG is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine that produces 571 PS (420 kW; 563 hp) of power and 650 N·m (480 lb·ft) of torque. It was the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine in the world when it was unveiled and when mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission, it does 0-100kph in less than four seconds and has a top speed of 317kph.

Having been satisfied with these head honchos, I went to Watkins Glen to find out which Number 2 is...well, Number 2. It's either Bull or Garrett, you know what I mean.

Have you guys done with your number 2? Because these head honchos are primed and ready to rattle the Big Apple, just like the good old days. Let's roll the tape.

Here are the results...

SLR McLaren - 2m08.366s

SLS - 2m07.507s

Looks like Garrett beats Bull by a margin. The SLS AMG trumped the SLR McLaren even in the Big Apple.

Before heading to the finals, you must get through these head honchos. Yeah yeah, I know how it ends, but hey, the SLR McLaren and the SLS AMG proved their point, with the latter the best right-hander for its commander.

So, up for The Finals? Oh wait...it's too early to say that but oh well...