Driving Music Vol. 123

 

It's officially Chinese New Year weekend, and Driving Music is back to give you drivers the latest batch of Driving Music to listen to while taking a trip to the nearest Chinatown to witness some Lunar New Year celebrations. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

1) Wild Child by Al Rudd - from the Volkswagen Golf commercial

2) Crazy for Love (feat. Lucy) by Mondays - from the ENEOS commercial

3) Little Things Mean a Lot by Bettye Swann - from the Volvo EX30 commercial

4) Ms Jackson by Outkast - from the Peugeot e-208 commercial

5) Praise You by Grace Cummings - from the Toyota Europe C-HR commercial

6) Movement by Hozier - from the Kia Europe electric line-up commercial

7) It's My Life by No Doubt - from the Dacia Sandero commercial

8) The Power by SNAP! - from the Caltex PH Power Diesel commercial

Driving Music from Leopaul's Blog is the segment that solves every car enthusiast's questions about the title of the song of car commercials...with the risk of MATCHED THIRD PARTY CONTENT on their status. It's your jam. Drive to the Music You Love.

My FH5 Log: Detective Kona N

Nobody move! Someone arrived in Forza Horizon 5's 30th series update, the Lunar New Year, to crack the case.

No, you're not expecting some kid in a blue coat, red bowtie, glasses, and tranquilizer watch. What you're looking at is the first and only high-performance crossover from the Hyundai N garage, the Kona N. Does the name ring the bell? Man, I love a good pun.

Deduction time, kids.

The Hyundai Kona N is the first and only high-performance crossover SUV from the N range. Based on the facelifted first-generation Kona, it features unique N aesthetics inside and out while being powered by the same 2.0L 280PS Turbo GDi engine and the 8-speed wet-type N DCT gearbox as the Veloster N. It does 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds with a Launch Control set and a top speed of 240kph. Apart from that, it comes with numerous high-performance functions such as the N Power Shift, N Grin Shift, and the most clever of the three, the N Track Sense Shift which optimizes adaptive shift for racetrack driving.

The addition of the Pirelli P-Zero tires, R-MDPS, ECS, TCS, N Corner Carving Differential, and N Power Sense Axle really made a difference to this front-wheel-drive hot crossover in terms of handling.

Digging deeper through the Kona N's case, my thorough deduction and mystery-solving pointed out the way this crossover performs, and because being front-wheel-drive only, it feels easy to drive only on the tarmac. Still, no regrets. This is the new normal, you know.

Having obtained from the Lunar New Year Wet Season playlist, it's time to give Detective Kona a speedrun to the festival before everyone else does. Glasses off, seatbelts on. Detective Kona's on the case!

Swift justice is served...sort of.

And so, the mystery of the Hyundai Kona N is solved. The first and only hot crossover from the Hyundai N range has proven to be either a head-turner or a head-scratcher. Either way, the detective's work is never done for now but in the meantime, let's enjoy more with our new favorite mystery solver as he's busy solving Lunar New Year's surprises in store.

CASE CLOSED.

Let's Do The News! (February 8, 2024)

 

                                                                        

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

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos approved the release of PHP 265 million to assist Mindanao provinces affected by the recent floodings and landslides caused by massive rains.

- A House panel issued a subpoena to Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy due to his non-attendance in a hearing regarding Sonshine Media Network International's legislative franchise.

- The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied reports that China's involved in cyber security attacks, saying they do not support such acts.

- European climate scientists have provided some of the strongest evidence yet that key targets for reducing global warming aren't being met. The world has, for the first time, seen average temperatures of over 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels for a 12-month period.

- Pakistanis are voting in polls amid violence and unrest. Suspension of internet and mobile networks was ordered throughout Pakistan after voting started. Voters will cast their ballots for two legislators to represent their constituency – one federally and the other provincially. 5,121 candidates are contesting for the federal legislature and 12,695 for the provinces.

- Iraq's military said that the US drone strike that killed three members of the Iran-backed militia in Baghdad has threatened security and stability in the region.

- Radioactive water has leaked from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan.

- Renault teases the upcoming Symbioz crossover coming soon.

- The Hong Kong government demanded answers from Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi after he played in a friendly in Hapan just three days after missing a similar exhibition match in its country.

- NBA players began wearing sponsored patches on their jerseys as well as referees for the first time. NBA officials will begin donning shirts with Emirates Airlines patches directly under the NBA logo on the left chest at the All-Star Game on Feb. 18, the league announced.

- In Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, Magnolia steals the game after defeating San Miguel at the score of 88-80. San Miguel leads 2-1.

- Disney announced Moana 2, the sequel to the 2016 hit animated movie coming this November 2024. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson are set to reprise their roles as Moana and Maui.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (February 7, 2024)

                                                                        

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

- At least 45 people were rescued from a landslide that buried scores of workers of a mining firm and residents in a village in Maco town, Davao de Oro.  41 remained unaccounted for.

- King Charles III made his first public appearance alongside his wife Queen Camilla following his cancer diagnosis.

- The US appeals court ruled that Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity and can be prosecuted on election fraud charges.

- The door panel that blew away from a Boeing aircraft mid-flight appeared to be missing four key bolts, according to an initial investigation.

- Paul Mackenzie, the leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult, the Good News International Church, was charged with the murder of 191 children. Mackenzie is accused of ordering his followers to starve themselves to death in the Shakahola forest.

- Social media start-up Bluesky opens sign-ups to the public. Bluesky was founded by former Twitter (now X) CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019 and became an independent company in 2021.

- McLaren joins the DTM 2024 season with its 720S GT3 Evo machines.

- The Porsche Taycan range received a minor change for the 2025 model year with the Turbo S variant sprinting 0-100kph in 2.4 seconds.

2025 Porsche Taycan

- The BMW 5-Series G60 and i5 range received a Touring variant.

2025 BMW i5 Touring

- The MINI Cooper F56 received a big minor change for the 2025 model year.

2025 Mini Cooper (F56)

- NIJISANJI EN Terminates Contract of VTuber Selen Tatsuki. Selen Tatsuki debuted in 2021 as part of the second wave's Obsydia group with Rosemi Lovelock, and Petra Gurin.

- Sales of the Nintendo Switch reached 139.36 million worldwide.

- Red Velvet member Irene re-signs with SM Entertainment.

- ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans to launch a sports streaming platform in the fall that will include offerings from at least 15 networks and all four major professional sports leagues.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (February 6, 2024)

                                                                       

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

- Majority Floor Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe challenged all 24 senators to publicly state their stand regarding amendments to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions.

- Senator Sonny Angara believes the Philippine Government would save billions if the Charter Change vote coincides with the 2025 midterm elections.

- All nine dams in Luzon have experienced a decrease in their water levels as the country continues to experience the effects of El Niño and the easterlies, according to PAGASA.

- The Philippine National Police will deploy over 1,400 policemen for this Saturday's Chinese New Year celebrations.

- Seismic activity at the Mayon Volcano is showing signs of slowing down, according to PHIVOLCS.

- King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. The type of cancer the British monarch is being treated for has not yet been revealed. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished the monarch a full and speedy recovery.

- The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Saudi Arabia for talks on a truce in Gaza.

- A certain independent body says the social media giant Meta should label fake posts rather than take them down.

- Mini officially discontinued the Clubman after two generations and 1.1 million units made.

- A limited-edition Audi RS6 Avant GT was unveiled, featuring IMSA-inspired livery and improved dynamics. Only 660 units will be made.

Audi RS6 Avant GT

- For the 2024 season, the top five classified drivers in the F1 Academy 2024 Drivers' Standings will gain FIA Super License points. The champion will receive 10 Super License points. A Wild Card entry system will be implemented at select races.

- The second-generation Lincoln Aviator received a minor change for the 2025 model year.

2025 Lincoln Aviator

- The Kamen Rider franchise is getting a Ride Kamens app game coming soon.

- Veteran actor Won Namgoong passed away at the age of 90. 

- Son Suk Ku establishes his own one-man production company.

- The MetLife Stadium is named as the final stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

- The PBA has fined Magnolia player Calvin Abueva 100,000 PhP for making a mocking gesture at San Miguel Beer coach Jorge Gallent during Game 2 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

- Comedian Atak Araña acquitted in the 2017 sexual-harassment case.

- Actress Bea Alonzo confirms break-up with Dominic Roque.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (February 5, 2024)

                                                                      

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

- Retired PH Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. warned that amending the “restrictive” economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution may cause further problems for Filipinos in the future.

- Several dozen people rallied in London to draw attention to women still being held hostage by Hamas and to the issue of sexual violence. According to Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, between 17 and 20 women and girls are still being held by the Islamist group after its October 7 attack on Israel.

- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had visited troops at the southern frontline village Robotyne, which Kyiv retook from Russian forces last summer but is again under heavy attack.

- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak embarked on a two-day visit to Northern Ireland, the day after Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill made history by becoming its first nationalist leader.

- Paris voters backed a proposal from the capital's socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo to triple parking charges on hefty SUV-style cars, according to official results from city hall.

- Canada extends the ban on foreign ownership of housing by two years.

- At least 99 people were killed in Chile wildfires. A state of emergency has been declared as forest fires rage in the Valparaiso region.

- Singer Taylor Swift announced her upcoming album "The Tortured Poets Department" at the Grammys. Her new album will be out this April 19th.

- The winners of the 2024 Grammys were announced.

- Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid will undergo knee surgery, missing the chance of his second NBA MVP award.

- In Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals, San Miguel Beer leads 2-0 after beating Magnolia at the score of 109-85.

TTFN.

Guinness Six Nations 2024 ROUND 1

The 2024 season of the Guinness Men's Six Nations championship has officially begun and the opening salvo is a close call as six teams are preparing to draw first blood on the road to the Grand Slam.

Screengrab from Six Nations

Focusing on the match between Wales and Scotland, the first half saw dominance for the Scots with bold moves by Finn Russell sending the team to 20-0 until the second half saw Van der Merwe claw Wales back to the game. Despite their comeback attempt, it wasn't enough as Scotland barely defeated Wales 27-26.

Meanwhile, Ireland massively defeated France 38-17 and England beat Italy 27-24.

With Scotland, Ireland, and England drawing first blood, will they keep up on the road to the Grand Slam or will the other half catch up? 

The next match is this Saturday, February 10, with Scotland v France, England v Wales, and a day later, Ireland v Italy.