Let's Do The News! (October 31, 2024)

                                

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

- 20 international and domestic flights were canceled today due to Super Typhoon Leon.

- PH Vice-President Sara Duterte's trust and performance ratings according to OCTA were dropped.

- The PNP is tightening security nationwide and providing assistance to drivers for tomorrow's Undas.

- 95 people were killed in Spanish flash floods as King Felipe VI warns of areas cut off by damage. Spain is enduring its worst flooding disaster in decades, with scores of people dead and dozens more missing.

- A first case of the Clade 1b mpox variant is reported in the United Kingdom but health authorities say the risk to the population remains low for now.

- The Vatican unveiled its mascot character Luce in time for next year's Jubilee celebrations.

- Hyundai showcased its Initium Concept, previewing a new Fuel Cell crossover set to replace the Nexo.

Hyundai Initium Concept

- Stray Kids postpones its Kaohsiung concert due to Super Typhoon Leon (Kong-Rey).

- The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series after defeating the New York Yankees in Game 5 at the score of 7-6.

- England cricket captain Ben Stokes says a gang burglarized his home while his family were there and stole "irreplaceable" items.

TTFN.

Ferrari 12cilindri v Aston Martin Vanquish III

Ferrari's newest masterpiece, the 12Cilindri, is a fitting tribute to the company's 12-cylinder masterpieces spanning from the Testarossa, the 575M, the 599, the F12, and the 812. Let's get to know more about Ferrari's final pure 12-cylinder ICE half-a-million-euro masterpiece.

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider

The 12Cilindri comes in coupe and open-top Spider configurations and honors Ferrari’s hard work on iconic 12-cylinder masterpieces. As a car, this model embodies the heart and soul of the brand. The 12Cilindri is the last pure V12 ICE masterpiece.

2025 Ferrari 12Cilindri interior

The Ferrari 12Cilindri was designed with inspiration from past models. The 12Cilindri's fastback styling harks back to the Monza model. The front view is a tribute to the 365 GTB4. The rear design was inspired by the triangular shape of the Testarossa. The interior, meanwhile, dons Ferrari's dual-cockpit layout from the Roma and the Purosangue to make it more driver-focused. Complemented with the handcrafted materials in the making of sports seats and trim, the 12Cilindri shows its true colors as contemporary art on four wheels.

Powering the 12Cilindri is the 6.5L V12 engine with Direct Injection lifted from the 812 Competizione. It produces 830PS of power and 678Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed F1 DCT and weighing nearly one-and-a-half tons, it does 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out at 340kph. That's supercar quick in Super GT standards.

Being a road-focused GT car, going through the open roads is the main specialty, but for the 12Cilindri, that's not the case because while being an excellent road car, it incorporates Ferrari's F1 know-how to make it vaguely usable on the track. It takes a Charles Leclerc-level driver to get a good grip on its dynamic character, and with notable track-honed gizmos such as the brake-by-wire, ABS Evo, and the new SSC 8.0, among many other useful gadgets in store, the 12Cilindri is too addictive to be ignored or fully satisfied.

From the road to the track, the Ferrari 12Cilindri is the ultimate V12 Super GT ever made, thanks to its addictive features too impossible to miss, especially for those who ended up with the keys to the old 812 Competizione. However, by the time the 12Cilindri made its inception, this was no longer the ultimate V12 Super GT in the world because of this...

2025 Aston Martin Vanquish

2025 Aston Martin Vanquish interior

Yes, Aston Martin managed to resurrect the Vanquish as the ultimate V12 Super GT in the world. The nearly half-a-million-pound Super GT is the must-have for the 2024 Autumn Season.

For the Vanquish's third outing, what the folks from Aston Martin did is make a mashup between the DB12 and the rear view of the non-existent Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake from 2017, don the familiar DB12 interior, make it macho, and Bob's your uncle. This is the Vanquish's third coming the world anticipated, and by the looks and feels of it, the Turn 10 Studios people should better think twice before turning a cold shoulder on it.

Powered by an all-new 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo engine, it produces a historical 835PS of power and 1000Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it has a 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 214mph. The Ferrari 12Cilindri should be slightly worried about taking this one on.

With its bonded aluminum structure, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, a heavily advanced ABS, and Corner Braking 2.0, among other sport-tuned dynamics outlandish for Super GT standards, it takes a Fernando Alonso-level driver to master the Vanquish on the track but no need while on the road because it drives extremely beautiful. Dynamic as expected, but like the 12Cilindri, it's too addictive to be ignored to be fully satisfied.

The 12Cilindri and the Vanquish are two of the top V12 Super GTs on the market. It's hard to choose between the two, but the Vanquish is probably the clear winner. The Vanquish features a bonded aluminum structure, front double wishbones, rear multilink suspension, and Corner Braking 2.0. All of these amazing features make for one fantastic car.

Photo: Ferrari/Aston Martin

Let's Do The News! (October 30, 2024)

                               

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

- Leon intensified into a Super Typhoon as it passed through the northeast corner of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

- Senate President Chiz Escudero says that the crime rate since the Duterte administration is higher than now.

According to the GSIS, the Philippines will host the 41st ASEAN Social Security Association Meetings from November 25 to 27, 2024.

- Axel Rudakubana, the teenager accused of killing three young girls in Southport, UK has been charged with producing ricin and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual.

- Almost a hundred were killed or missing in Gaza after the recent Israeli airstrike.

- IKEA compensates victims forced to make its products.

- The first-ever Cadillac Lyriq-V was unveiled.

2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V

- The first-ever Kia Tasman pickup truck was unveiled. Set to go on sale this first half of 2025, it will be powered by a 2.5L petrol engine mated to an 8-speed AT.

2026 Kia Tasman

- Porsche unveiled the 992.2 911 Carrera T range with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

- Hyundai will unveil the IONIQ 9 electric SUV this November.

- Bertone announced the revival of the Runabout concept as a production car in 2026.

- Court denies Min Hee Jin's request to be reinstated as ADOR CEO.

- Game 4 of the World Series saw the New York Yankees beat the LA Dodgers 11-4. LA leads 3-1.

- David Charlton, the founder and CEO of David's Salon passed away, as announced by the official David's Salon Facebook page.

TTFN.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: S. Korea marks 2nd anniversary of Itaewon tragedy

 

President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his condolences as South Korea on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush that claimed 159 lives in October 2022.

"Today marks the second anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy," Yoon said at a Cabinet meeting he presided over at his office. "I feel sorry for those who tragically lost their lives and I express my condolences for the bereaved families who live in sorrow."

Yoon said that making people feel safe in everyday life is the most earnest way of expressing condolences to people who died in the crowd crush in the back alleys of the nightlife district of Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul amid Halloween festivities.

Yoon ordered the Cabinet to monitor and complement safety measures in public places such as crowd management. The Ministry of Interior and Safety previously announced plans to dispatch public safety personnel to prevent crowd congestion and to put a medical emergency response system in place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1 in 12 locations across the country, including Seoul's Itaewon, Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Myeong-dong in Jung-gu and Seongsu-dong of Seongdong-gu.

The presidential office did not disclose either Yoon's or his aides' attendance at an event outside of his office, as of press time. Last year Yoon observed the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster during a memorial service at a church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly held a memorial service with bereaved family members on Tuesday. Some 60 lawmakers from both the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, as well as National Assembly Speaker Rep. Woo Won-shik, paid their respects while donning purple scarfs.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he had the City Hall lit up in purple in memory of the 159 victims of the crowd crush. He also thanked the city's residents for cooperating with authorities' crowd control measures, adding that no major incident occurred despite estimates that over 100,000 people had gathered in Seoul nightlife areas in Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam and Seongsu.

Source: The Korea Herald 

Let's Do The News! (October 29, 2024)

                              

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

- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Energy Regulatory Commission to study the imposition of a moratorium on charging and disconnection of electricity in the areas affected by Typhoon Kristine.

- The PBBM administration named Hilario Bringas Paredes as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has notified the public in the provinces of Batanes and Cagayan regarding the threat of storm surge caused by Typhoon Leon.

- The COMELEC has begun testing devices to be used in next year's national elections.

- The Israeli parliament has voted to pass legislation banning the UNRWA from operating in the country and the Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem within three months, sparking concerns about Gaza aid.

- Tommy Robinson was jailed after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee.

- Elon Musk says that production of the all-new Tesla Roadster was put on hold and canceled plans for an entry-level EV.

- Bangkok's Jay Fai streetside restaurant will close next year.

- The first-ever Abarth 600e was unveiled with up to 280PS of power through all four wheels, an Abarth-first, sprinting from a 0-100kph time in less than six seconds, and a 200kph top speed.

2025 Abarth 600e

- Cover Corp., the parent company of the hololive productions VTuber management company, received a recommendation from the JFTC after it violated the Subcontract Act by having subcontractors make 243 revisions of VTuber videos without compensation.

- SEVENTEEN member Seungkwan breaks his silence over the recent situation involving HYBE.

- The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of the title after winning Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees 4-2.

- Manchester United fired Erik ten Hag as manager and named Rudd van Nisterlrooy as interim head coach.

TTFN.

Driving Music Vol. 127

The Driving Music segment is returning today because it's officially Undas week and everybody's gearing up to travel to the nearest cemetery to pay respects to the departed relatives and friends. With heavy traffic mostly expected, it's time to jot down the latest batch of Driving Music to listen to while getting stuck in an Undas-related traffic jam.

1) The One and Only by Chesney Hawkes - from the Honda Integra 2 commercial

2) I Feel Love by Donna Summer - from the Alfa Romeo Junior commercial

3) Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles - from the Kia Europe EV3 commercial

4) Do It Like That by TOMORROW x TOGETHER - from the Fiat 600e commercial

5) Renegade by Splize - from the BYD Europe Seal commercial

6) In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins - from the Renault Master commercial

7) Such a Good Day by Lewis Ofman - from the Dacia Spring commercial

8) P:Machinery by Propaganda - from the Renault Symbioz commercial

9) For the Art by Sulene - from the Toyota Harrier commercial

10) Barbara Ann by The Beach Boys - from the Daewoo Lanos Juliet Sports commercial

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

Let's Do The News! (October 28, 2024)

                             

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

- The PH Senate Blue Ribbon Committee held a hearing regarding the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

- The Republic of Singapore Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force, and the Philippine Air Force cooperate for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in areas heavily affected by Typhoon Kristine.

- Georgia Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rejects voter fraud allegations in Saturday's election as the president blames Russian involvement.

- Former Bolivian leader Evo Morales says he was shot.

- Labour Party MP Mike Amesbury got suspended after a CCTV appeared to show him punching a man on a street.

- Japan's long-ruling LDP loses majority in a stunning snap general election defeat. 60% of "slush fund" candidates lose in Japan Lower House poll. Voters have issued "severe judgment", says Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

- NewJeans member Minji confirmed to guest on the KBS reality show The Return of Superman.

- Meet the winners of the 2024 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.

- In Game 1 of the PBA Governors' Cup finals, TNT drew first blood after beating Ginebra at the score of 104-88.

- Mikee Quintos has been named as the presenter of GTV 27's new cooking show Lutong Bahay.

- Miss Grand Myanmar Thae Su Nyein returned her second runner-up crown to the Miss Grand International. This is because of her belief that she was cheated at the National Costume and Country Power of the Year awards.

TTFN.