Let's Do The News! (August 22, 2025)

       

                                        

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

- The BARMM Parliamentary Elections will go ahead this October, according to the COMELEC. The alert status has been raised to Blue Alert.

- The low-pressure area spotted east of Aurora has intensified into a Tropical Depression named Isang, according to PAGASA.

- Parts of Metro Manila are flooded, gutter-deep, because of rainfall.

- The Philippine and Australian military are conducting land warfare drills as part of this year's ALON Exercise.

- The New York appeals court throws out the $500m fine against US President Donald Trump in a fraud case.

- The United Kingdom's third-largest steelworks fell into government control, putting 1,500 jobs at risk.

- Erik Menendez denied parole after three decades in prison for killing his wealthy parents in Los Angeles.

- The pro-Israeli NGO UN Watch wrote a letter to the World Bank for the expulsion of Massimilano Cali, the senior economist who happens to be the husband of UN official Francesca Albanese, who was sanctioned by the US for inciting sanctions against US companies with ties to Israel, for his anti-Semitic outbursts.

- World's oldest person, Ethel Caterham, turns 116.

- The fourth-generation Nissan Roox was unveiled, as well as the new-generation Mitsubishi eK Space and Delica Mini. Both models will go on sale later this year.

2026 Mitsubishi eK Space

2026 Mitsubishi Delica Mini

- Landmark Award honoree and track promoter Humpy Wheeler passed away at the age of 86.

- The Kick Sauber F1 Team is ditching the Stake sponsorship in the Dutch Grand Prix to comply with Dutch laws banning gambling advertisement in sports.

- Meet the winners of the 2025 K-World Dream Awards.

- The father of Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown was arrested after stabbing.

TTFN.

Nissan X-TRAIL T33 - 2026 Minor Change

Launched three years ago, the fourth-generation Nissan X-TRAIL became the new standard for Nissan because of its e-POWER VC-TURBO combination, the muscular looks, the refined interior, and Nissan Intelligent Mobility. It's high time for the Nissan X-Trail T33 to receive its long-overdue minor change to keep it fresh in times of challenging situations. Ready for some introductions?

2026 Nissan X-Trail

Starting at 3,843,400 yen, plus additional costs, the Nissan X-TRAIL T33 Minor Change is redefining the midsize crossover SUV segment. It features a bold exterior refresh and significant technology upgrades that enhance convenience and connectivity for every journey, as highlighted by Nissan.

2026 Nissan X-Trail Rock Creek

2026 Nissan X-Trail NISMO

2026 Nissan X-Trail AUTECH

Beginning with the revised exterior design, the X-TRAIL T33 Minor Change features a revised front and rear fascias, a new version of Nissan's V-motion grille, and new inner taillights. While the flashy AUTECH version features a significantly larger grille than its pre-facelifted counterpart, this minor change introduces two new additions to the lineup: the off-road-oriented Rock Creek and the sports-oriented X-Trail Nismo.

The X-TRAIL Rock Creek variant replaces the previous XTREMER-X variant from the pre-facelift model. It boasts a unique gloss-black front grille with silver accents, a redesigned front fascia featuring Lava Red accents, gloss-black side mirrors, and black roof rails. Additionally, it is available in an exclusive Canyon Beige/Super Black two-tone exterior color.

On the other hand, the first-ever X-TRAIL NISMO showcases a distinctive NISMO-tuned exterior design and dynamics while maintaining its e-4ORCE powertrain. This model offers two exclusive exterior color combinations: NISMO Stealth Grey/Super Black two-tone and Cardinal Red/Super Black two-tone.

2026 Nissan X-Trail Rock Creek interior

The interior remains largely unchanged, except for the addition of USB-C ports and the introduction of Google-built-in NissanConnect, which is a first for Nissan vehicles. Additionally, first-time buyers can enjoy free in-car Wi-Fi until January 15, 2026, regardless of whether they subscribe to the NissanConnect service.

Most variants, including the NISMO variant, offer standard five-seater capability. The variants eligible for the seven-seater configuration are the X e-4ORCE, AUTECH e-4ORCE, and the Rock Creek edition. Regardless of the variant you choose, you can enjoy a maximum boot space of 1,424 liters when the passenger seats are folded down. With five seats in use, the boot space is approximately 585 liters, while with seven seats in use, it reduces to about 177 liters.

2026 Nissan X-Trail NISMO

As expected, the e-POWER VC-TURBO combination remains in this update. The electric motor takes the lead, while the 1.5L VC-Turbo engine functions as a generator to support the electric motor and charge the lithium-ion batteries. The front-wheel-drive (FF) variants with a single electric motor produce 204 PS and offer a fuel economy of 19.4 km/L. In contrast, the e-4ORCE variants equipped with two electric motors deliver 213 PS of power and have a fuel economy of 18.1 km/L. All are mated with the CVT gearbox.

The Nissan X-TRAIL is equipped with the standard 360 Safety Assist, which includes features such as Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, and Rear Automatic Braking. The top-of-the-line variants also come with ProPILOT, which combines Intelligent Cruise Control with Steering Assist for a more confident driving experience on the highway. This system utilizes a forward-facing camera, forward-facing radar, and other sensors to help keep the vehicle centered within its lane. In stop-and-go traffic, ProPILOT can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and hold it in place until traffic begins to move again.

With the Nissan X-TRAIL T33 receiving its long-overdue minor change with the addition of the off-road-oriented Rock Creek edition and the sports-oriented NISMO edition, there are many ways to live with this update. Like it or not, this update means business for the X-TRAIL.

Photo: Nissan Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (August 21, 2025)

      

                                        

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

- The LTO summoned owners of 19 impounded motorcycles involved in illegal street racing along the Bulacan bypass road. Those involved in unlawful street racing were minors.

- A low-pressure area is spotted 435km east of Baler, Aurora, according to PAGASA.

- Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte says she's ready for drug testing anytime.

- The Philippine Army ordered strict security for the upcoming BARMM Parliamentary Elections this October 13th.

- Former priest Chris Brain guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against women from his evangelical group.

- Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth was charged with possession of indecent images.

- The Trump administration is lashing out against the Chinese steel and lithium industry for forced-labour scrutiny.

- The 2026 NASCAR schedule was unveiled, with the All-Star Race set to take place at Dover and the return of Chicagoland Speedway. North Wilkesboro will have its first points race for the 2026 season.

- Prices for PS5 consoles in the US have increased due to the current tariff situation. The PS5 Digital Edition now starts at $500, while the PS5 with the disc drive begins at $550. The top-tier model, the PS5 Pro, has a starting price of $750.

- LE SSERAFIM member Sakura will not attend the K-World Dream Awards due to health concerns.

- Lee Chae Min has left GOLDMEDALIST.

- 49ers player Demarcus Robinson was suspended for three games as part of his DUI fallout.

- Nongshim USA launched a limited edition Shin Noodles featuring HUNTR/X girls from the Netflix cartoon movie K-POP Demon Hunters.

- The Duffer Bros. and Upside Down Pictures officially signed a four-year deal with Paramount for movies, television, and streaming projects.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 20, 2025)

     

                                        

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

- A Magnitude 5.1 quake hits Calaca, Batangas.

- The United States has sent the Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) an extradition request for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face his multiple cases there. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez confirmed that the US government has sent documents related to Quiboloy’s extradition to the DOJ.

- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orders blacklisting and filing of charges against SYMS Construction Trading, the contractor for the ₱55 million ghost flood control project in Bulacan.

- The Malacañang called Vice President Sara Duterte's leadership at the Philippine Department of Education a "complete failure".

- A UK council wins court bid to temporarily block asylum seekers from being housed at a hotel in Essex.

- In a letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, US First Lady Melania Trump asks him to consider the children in the push to end the war in Ukraine.

- The Suzuki Every gained a special J Limited model.

2026 Suzuki Every J Limited

- The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept was unveiled, marking the brand's return to the Gran Turismo series.

Vauxhall Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo

- The Shelby Super Snake R was unveiled, and it's based on the Mustang Dark Horse.

- The iRacing Arcade game is coming this year on PC via Steam and on consoles in 2026.

- The Sekiro anime series is coming in 2026. It will be based on the Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice video game.

- The live-action Fallout TV series is returning to Prime Video on December 17, 2025, for Season 2.

- The Netflix reality series, Better Late than Single, got renewed for Season 2. Auditions for the next season are underway.

- Netflix's original K-drama, Genie, Make A Wish, streams this October 3. The drama stars Kim Woo Bin and Suzy.

- ADOR named Lee Do Kyung as the company's new CEO.

- Philippine boy group SB19 won the 2025 Billboard Fan Army Face Off, beating Selena Gomez.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 19, 2025)

    

                                        

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

- The LTFRB remains mum on the decision for the one-peso fare hike for jeepneys.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos called on medical workers to serve the Philippines first before working abroad.

- The Philippine National Police is keeping an eye on the New People's Army recruiting around schools, according to reports.

- To avoid confusion, the PH Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has ordered the temporary removal of the Online Duty and Tax Calculator.

- 6 volcanic quakes were recorded around the Kanlaon Volcano within the last 24 hours, according to PHIVOLCS.

- Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky returned to the White House for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, just days after Trump met with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. A few months earlier, Zelensky's previous meeting with Trump had resulted in a verbal confrontation.

- O'Reilly Auto Parts replaced Xfinity as the new title sponsor for NASCAR's second-tier series.

- IndyCar driver Marcus Armstrong signs contract extension with Meyer Shank Racing.

- The Enhanced Version of Shenmue III video game is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

- The popular video game Zenless Zone Zero hosted a pop-up event at Gamescom this week in partnership with Aston Martin. Players have the opportunity to obtain collaboration merchandise and a specially designed 1:18 scale model of the Aston Martin Vantage.

- Yoon Ji Yoon has officially left izna.

- Your first look at the Netflix original Korean movie, Good News, coming this October 17.

- UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar stepped out of retirement to join BKFC.

- Actor Terence Stamp passed away at the age of 87.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 18, 2025)

   

                                        

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

- Nadia Montenegro steps down as political affairs officer from the office of Senator Robinhood Padilla.

- The Philippine Coast Guard tells China that "common sense" rules out a smaller Philippine ship causing the vessel crash with the Chinese vessel last week. "It's absurd for China to claim the Philippines is provoking collisions when common sense — and the sheer size disparity — makes that impossible," the PCG said.

- Senator Tito Sotto mulls the implementation of the mandatory 14th-month pay.

- Tropical Depression Huaning has slightly intensified while moving slowly in the northeast of the Philippines, according to PAGASA.

- Pope Leo XIV marked his 100th day since his pontificate on May 8th, 2025.

- The Ford Supervan 4.2 lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6m48.393s.

- The NASCAR Xfinity Series will be renamed the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, starting in the 2026 season.

- Last weekend's Comic Market 106 attracted over 250K attendees across two days.

- The Philippines' hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup will be the key topic of tomorrow's PSA Forum.

- P-Pop girl group BINI filed a legal complaint over an altered Filipino food review.

TTFN.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Cook Out 400

There are only two races left in the regular season before the playoffs. The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series continues in Richmond, Virginia, for the Cook Out 400. Who will secure a spot in the playoffs? Let's find out.

As the green flag waved, the action in Virginia was on. As Tyler Reddick won Stage 1, Stage 2 saw Reddick get turned at the exit of Turn 4, followed by a massive pileup that got Chase Elliott and Justin Haley into it. As Stage 2 went to Bubba Wallace, the final stage saw a loose tire from the #23, prompting the #19 pit crew to lend a helping hand to the affected car.

Screengrab from NASCAR

After a hell of a riot in Richmond, Austin Dillon wins the Cook Out 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series! William Byron is the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion.

Who will be the last to be in the playoffs? Find out as the last race of the regular season will be in Daytona for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this August 23rd.