Let's Do The News! (June 16, 2025)

                                   

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

- School Year 2025-2026 has officially begun in most schools in the Philippines.

- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III has relieved eight chiefs of police in Metro Manila after they failed to implement the 5-minute response time in their jurisdictions. Among the chiefs of police who were relieved of their posts are those assigned to the cities of Navotas, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, Parañaque, and Makati.

- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) assures that they are prepared for the mass repatriation of OFWs following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. The Migrant Workers Offices in the Middle East are on heightened alert.

- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is "over the skies of Tehran" and has killed an Iranian intelligence chief. In response, Iran carries out its first daytime strikes against Israel.

- Carlo Acutis will be declared a saint this September 2025.

- Volkswagen's Golf GTi Edition 50 lapped the Nurburgring in 7:46.16, quicker than the Golf R.

- McLaren previewed its 2027 WEC Hypercar competitor.

- The Peugeot e-208 GTi was unveiled.

- A new Corvette is coming June 17, 2025, with the X emblem on it.

- Seiyuu Yui Ogura canceled her concert appearance after her head concussion.

- Pocket Comics mulls exiting France as Webtoon platforms struggle in Europe, according to reports.

- Live-action Omniscient Reader movie will hit theaters this July 23rd.

- J.J. Spaun won his first US Open title.

- Katrina Anne Johnson wins Binibining Pilipinas International 2025.

TTFN.

NTT IndyCar Series 2025 - Bommarito Automotive Group 500

3 big races happened in North America on Father’s Day. The Canadian Grand Prix is up north in Montreal. The NASCAR Cup Series in Mexico City. In St. Louis, it’s the nighttime oval race of the IndyCar season, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. With the former two done, it's time to understand what just happened at IndyCar's oval night race in St. Louis.

After an explosive entrance, the oval night race in St. Louis was filled with unfortunate events, including countless crashes, a fire in the pit lane, and one very big disaster that involved Louis Foster and Josef Newgarden.

Screengrab from IndyCar

Amidst the disastrous moments in St. Louis, Kyle Kirkwood wins the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 ahead of Pato O'Ward. Meanwhile, Christian Rasmussen made headlines with his first career podium finish by placing 3rd.

After St. Louis, Alex Palou remains in the lead with 335 points while Pato O'Ward is in 2nd with 262, two points ahead of Kyle Kirkwood.

The next race is at Road America for the Xpel Grand Prix this June 22, 2025.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Viva Mexico 250

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the sacred ground of F1's Mexico Grand Prix, became NASCAR's newest battleground for the Viva Mexico 250. This is the first time the NASCAR Cup Series has raced in Mexico, and it was a major undertaking due to ongoing border tensions between the U.S. and Mexico. That it took place at all is an unprecedented feat and a testament to the popularity of the sport in both countries.

As the green flag waved, the first NASCAR Cup Series on Mexican soil was underway. The first stage saw drivers struggling to get through the wet conditions in their newest foreign battleground. As Ryan Preece gets Stage 1, Stage 2 saw Denny Hamlin's temporary replacement driver, Ryan Truex, spin around the track. With Shane Van Gisbergen taking Stage 2, the finale is drama to the end.

Screengrab from NASCAR

After a long and arduous battle, a foreign driver has made history. Shane Van Gisbergen, the foreign driver, has struck back. In NASCAR’s first Cup Series Mexico race, Van Gisbergen won the Viva Mexico 250, scoring a monumental victory!

The next race is at Pocono for The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.COM this June 22, 2025.

F1 2025: Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the next stop for the F1 75th-anniversary celebrations with the Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada. This race not only marked Aston Martin and Alpine's 100th race start but also Haas' 200th race start. With George Russell and Max Verstappen locked in the front row, this race is a showdown between them.

The opening lap saw Alex Albon being pushed wide and losing out, dropping him to P12. On lap 48, he was forced to retire from the race. Then, near the end, the two McLaren drivers got into a dramatic crash. Oscar Piastri collided with Lando Norris, pushing him out of the race.

Screengrab from F1

Thanks to the disaster between the two McLaren drivers, George Russell nabbed Mercedes’ first win of the season, while Max Verstappen finished in 2nd place. Kimi Antonelli stood out by finishing in 3rd place, scoring his first-ever podium finish. Not bad for an 18-year-old F1 driver.

The next race is the MSC Cruises Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg this June 29, 2025.

F1 Academy 2025 - Montreal

The 2025 F1 Academy season continues in Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where this race weekend becomes a three-race match to compensate for what happened in Miami last May. For this season's Canada campaign, they were joined by not one but two wild-card entries, such as Joanne Ciconte representing Wella and Mathilda Paatz representing Gatorade.

Screengrab from F1 Academy

The Canada leg of the 2025 F1 Academy season had many exciting moments. In the first race, Doriane Pin won, while Emma Felbermayr placed third but was later disqualified due to a technical violation. The second race saw Emma Felbermayr win, earning revenge. The third race resulted in multiple accidents, culminating with a yellow flag after the last crash. The winner in the end was Chloe Chambers. One driver stood out during the entire Montreal race weekend, however, and that was Ella Lloyd of McLaren. She finished in second place in all three races.

After Canada, Doriane Pin is leading with 109 points, while Chloe Chambers is in 2nd with 89 points, and Maya Weug is in 3rd with 72 points.

The 2025 F1 Academy season will continue in Zandvoort this August 29 to 31. The girls have their well-deserved summer break before they begin another weekend of racing.

FIA WEC S13 - 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 2025 edition of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, and the Hypercar grid is now fully booked.

Long before the race, fans who visited the venue were treated to some exciting surprises. Peugeot unveiled the all-new e-208 GTi, an electric hot hatch, and Genesis Magma Racing previewed its upcoming debut in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Additionally, Ford and McLaren are set to join the WEC Hypercar grid in 2027, with McLaren previewing its competitor for that year. 

There has also been significant news regarding hypercar homologation, which has been extended until 2032. For the 2028 season, LMP2 machines will be entirely new, offering a choice between Ligier and Oreca chassis, both powered by Gibson turbo engines. This reveals a promising glimpse into the future of endurance racing.

Screengrab from Le Mans

The #83 AF Corse 499P, driven by Robert Kubica, Ye Yifei, and Philip Hanson, defeated the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 and the #51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P to nail the machine's first win. The #43 Inter Europol Competition won the LMP2 class while the #92 Manthey 1st Phorm 911 GT3R won the LMGT3 class.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is over, but the 2025 edition of the FIA World Endurance Championship will continue with the Rolex 6 Hours of Sao Paulo this July 13, 2025.

How To Train Your Dragon (2025 film)

In celebration of a decade of How To Train Your Dragon franchise, a live-action movie adaption of the iconic classic has arrived. The heartwarming story of Hiccup and Toothless has been given a bold new perspective for today's generation.

How To Train Your Dragon (2025 film)

Written and directed by three-time Academy Award nominee Dean De Blois, who wrote and directed the animated trilogy, the live-action movie adaptation brings a bold new perspective to the story that started it all.

Fans should be familiar about this story just like its animated counterpart. It's about Hiccup, the son of a ruthless Viking chief, whose clumsiness jeopardizes all of Berk. One day, Hiccup made a fateful encounter with a mysterious Night Fury Dragon who has trouble flying. He named the Night Fury Dragon Toothless. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless will forever change the course of Berk.

First impressions weren't really as what we hoped for because it feels barbaric. It has some Game of Thrones vibe into it or that one TV show about Vikings. Despite all that, this movie stays true to its roots, especially Toothless. Toothless looks and feels just like its cartoon counterpart and so is his iconic growls. It still delivers that heartwarming and enjoyable moments you would expect from the world of Dragons.

Although barbaric in nature, this is one of the must-watch films of the summer season. An epic and emotional rollecoaster ride from start to finish. What a way to celebrate a decade of the How To Train Your Dragon franchise.