Sunday, February 18, 2024

WRC 2024: Rally Sweden

The 2024 World Rally Championship continues with the Rally Sweden where drivers brave through the snow-capped battlefields as they continue their battle for the top.


Screengrab from WRC

From the shakedown to the final stage, Hyundai's Esapekka Lappi showcased his dominant win in Sweden at the rate of 2:33:04.9, 29.6 seconds faster than second-placer Elfyn Evans. Ford driver Adrien Fourmaux completes the podium with a third-place finish.

The next event is the WRC Safari Rally Kenya this March 28-31.

Let's Do The News! (February 18, 2024)

          

                                                                        

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

- The death toll from the landslide in Davao de Oro has risen to 98 as rescue efforts continue after a landslide struck a mining village in Davao de Oro, leaving over 5,300 people displaced.

- 27 miners were missing after a landslide in Compostela Valley.

- British PM Rishi Sunak said that King Charles III's cancer was diagnosed early. The British PM has revealed that the King's recent surgery for skin cancer was successful.

- TOEI announced the cast of the 2024 Super Sentai installment Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger, airing on TV Asahi this March 3rd. The 2024 Super Sentai installment casts Haruhi Iuchi as Taiya Hando/Boon Red, Yuuki Hayama as Ishiro Meita/Boon Blue, Miu Suzuki as Mira Shifuto/Boon Pink, Ryu Saito as Joe Akuse/Boon Black, and Satoru Souma as Genba Bureki/Boon Orange. Rika Matsumoto will voice the robot character Boondrio Boonderas while Junichi Suwabe, Nana Mizuki, and Sumire Morohoshi will voice villains Dekotorarde, Itarsha, and Yaiyai Yarcar.

- The winners of the 51st Annie Awards were announced with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse winning best feature and seven other awards.

- Ilia Topuria defeated Alexander Volkanovski by knockout at the UFC 298 featherweight main event title fight.

- Alex Pereira will battle Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 light heavyweight title fight this April 13 in Las Vegas.

- NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league will reassess the G League Ignite in the wake of the NIL coming into the NCAA.

TTFN.

Mitsubishi Triton (LC2T)

The Mitsubishi Triton returns home in its third-generation model, and it's shaped up to become the best Triton ever made.

2024 Mitsubishi Triton
2024 Mitsubishi Triton

Starting at 4,980,800 Yen plus additional costs, which makes it nearly a million more expensive than its main rival, the Toyota Hilux, the all-new, third-generation Mitsubishi Triton, fully imported from Thailand, is the comeback Mitsubishi Motors desperately wanted since the discontinuation of its coolest vehicles ever made, the Pajero and the Lancer Evolution.

2024 Mitsubishi Triton
2024 Mitsubishi Triton

Beginning with the styling, the all-new Triton draws inspiration from the XRT Concept, incorporating its Beast Mode design tough enough to tackle Hokkaido's worst if you're into that. From the rough roads of Hokkaido to the bustling streets of downtown Tokyo, rest assured that this muscular styling is as salty as the salty spitoon, not a super weenie.

2024 Mitsubishi Triton
2024 Mitsubishi Triton interior

Inside, the all-new Triton is one of the most spacious in its class because it is one of the largest in its class. 

Most importantly, most of the interior's contact points are heavily emphasized on grip comfort and sturdiness, making it more dramatic to flicker about. The dashboard is packed with a fully automatic air conditioner with left and right independent temperature control and an available touch screen sat-nav lifted from the Outlander PHEV, more comfortable front seats, and other improvements to make the new Triton's interior more utilitarian and luxurious than the first one.

Asked about the seat material, the entry-level GLS uses fabric while the range-topper GSR uses leather with orange stitching.

The cargo bed is now wider and longer compared to the old model, and it has a 2×4 lumbar attachment, 4-piece cargo bed hooks, a wide rear bumper cover, and a bed liner for the GSR model, making it suitable for business and leisure at a steady rate.

2024 Mitsubishi Triton
2024 Mitsubishi Triton

Built on a newly developed ladder frame with significantly increased rigidity compared to the conventional model, as well as front double wishbones, improved rear leaf springs, extensive use of high-tensile steel, and Super Select 4WD-II and Easy Select 4WD systems, the all-new Triton is fully prepared to tackle through the world's most punishing roads, all in the name of playing dirty with its improved off-road capabilities.

Powering the all-new Triton is a brand new 4N16 2.4L clean diesel engine that produces 204PS of power and 470Nm of torque, making it more powerful than the Toyota Hilux. Mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, the fuel economy is 11.3kmpl based on WLTC Mode standards, slightly less economical than the Hilux, just so you know.

The third-generation Triton features numerous safety features, including Forward Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Warning with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Stability Control, traction control, Hill Descent Control, and Hill Start Assist.

After 12 years of being gone, the Triton is finally back home with a vengeance, and this comeback is what Mitsubishi Motors truly needed. With its bravado looks, gripping interior, new diesel engine, improved off-road capabilities, and a host of safety features, there's no doubt that this will be the best Triton ever made by a long shot.

If you want a Japanese pickup truck, it's either the Toyota Hilux or the Mitsubishi Triton. That's it.

PRICE LIST:
GLS - 4,980,800 Yen
GSR - 5,401,000 Yen

AVAILABLE COLORS:
White Diamond, Graphite Grey Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Blade Silver Metallic (GLS only), Red Solid (GLS only), and Yamabuki Orange Metallic (GSR only).

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Madame Web

Another web has spun into the Marvel universe; this time, it's neither Spider-Man nor Venom. It's about an ordinary woman with an extraordinary power no one saw it coming.

Madame Web

Madame Web, an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller from the world of Marvel, stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic who got caught in a terrifying accident, causing her to gain the power to foresee terrible futures and avert them by all means. As Cassandra is caught in a shocking web of revelations, she'll need more than just her to avert her destiny.

Although a paradigm shift from typical Marvel superhero shenanigans, this movie feels like a combination of Stephen King and That's So Raven. You had a main character who can see the future, only darker, and it's a race against time to prevent the inevitable, especially when a killer reminiscent of Venom from Spider-Man 3, shifts this movie into a deadly cat-and-mouse chase.

Full of twists and turns, this movie is impossible to guess and doublethink, and it will leave you entangled in Marvel fashion. 

Don't come watching this movie unprepared because of the unanswered questions this movie possesses. It will spiral you down. If you are fully prepared or overprepared, then Madame Web is a no-brainer for you. Just enjoy it until the last drop.

Let's Do The News! (February 17, 2024)

         

                                                                        

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

- The death toll from the landslide in southern parts of the Philippines has risen to 54 as rescue efforts continue for at least 63 missing people after heavy rains caused a landslide in a remote village.

- The Philippine government is eyeing new strategies to combat online child sexual abuse and exploitation: This comes amidst growing concerns about the issue in the Philippines.

- The PH Senate is tackling economic Charter Change next week: The proposed amendments aim to boost the economy and attract foreign investments.

- The judge ruled that Donald Trump must pay over 350 million dollars in damages in the New York civil fraud case.

- Two juveniles were charged with crimes connected to the mass shooting during the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade as the city tries to recover in the aftermath of the violence.

- US President Joe Biden blames Vladimir Putin for the death of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Navalny dies during his prison service, according to Russian media.

- Ukrainian forces began withdrawing from the key eastern town of Aviidvka to avoid getting encircled by Russian forces.

- F1 Academy announced its milestone partnership with global beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury. As a result of this new partnership, returning driver Lola Lovinfosse of Rodin Motorsport will be representing Charlotte Tilbury.

- Disney announced Zombies 4, the fourth installment of the Disney Zombies franchise coming soon to Disney Channel and Disney+.

- Actress Lovi Poe will star in an indie Hollywood movie Bad Man alongside Seann William Scott, Rob Riggle, and Chance Perdomo.

TTFN.

Friday, February 16, 2024

The Grand Tour presents Sand Job

The Grand Tour returns for its biggest and longest adventure yet. Because being the biggest and longest adventure yet, it will take about the length of a Marvel superhero flick to fully watch it.

The Grand Tour presents Sand Job

The latest Grand Tour adventure is titled Sand Job, and in this ultimate adventure, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are sent to the remote African country of Mauritania (yes, it's a real place) to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally while driving used Grand Tourers modified for offroad use.

Clarkson drives a Jaguar F-Type Roadster, Hammond drives an Aston Martin DB9 Volante, and May drives a Maserati GranCabrio.

Started out with the encounter with the longest coal train with the cars attached between it and the guard car, the trio traversed through war-torn Mauritania by surviving the harsh elements of the Sahara desert. 

From a bat-filled cave that led them to a minefield, an Aston went autonomous (sort of), an exploding fuel tanker, a visit to the British embassy, a drag race at a traffic-filled runway, to a shocking ending, it really is the biggest and longest Grand Tour adventure yet. It's worth watching it over and over again if you find it relaxing and funny at the same time.

Although unconfirmed, the Sand Job proved that The Grand Tour really came out with a bang. A big explosive bang.

Let's Do The News! (February 16, 2024)

        

                                                                        

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

San Miguel Corporation won the bid for the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The PH Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said that the SMC-SAP won the NAIA Public-Private Partnership project after it offered 82% of revenue if it was granted a license to operate the airport under a privatization deal.

- Senate President Migz Zubiri has signed a subpoena against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

- The PBBM administration has approved plans for the digging in the Agusan River to prevent severe flooding.

- Greece legalized same-sex marriage, making it the first Orthodox Christian country to do so.

- Donald Trump's trial in the New York hush money case will begin this March 25th, the first criminal trial of a US president.

- Dozens of suspects were detained in the Gaza hospital raid. The director of the Nasser hospital said conditions were very dangerous and appealed to the UN and Red Cross for help.

Senegal's constitutional court annuls a presidential decree and vote in parliament delaying the election until December.

- The i☆Ris animated movie will hit theaters this May 17th.

- The winners of the 2024 DICE Awards were announced.

- K-pop boy group TXT will make their comeback this Spring.

- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he will step down from his position in 2029.

TTFN.