Let's Do The News! (September 8, 2025)

           

                                        

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

- A total lunar eclipse was witnessed in most of Asia, Russia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.

- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba steps down following his party's defeat at the general elections.

- PHIVOLCS has recorded about two volcanic earthquakes around the Kanlaon Volcano and four earthquakes around Mt. Bulusan within the last 24 hours.

- The last-ever Extreme E race, The Final Lap in Saudi Arabia, will be this October 4 to 5, 2025, before the transition to the all-hydrogen Extreme H.

- The Porsche 911 Turbo S 992.2 was unveiled. The turbocharged engine is now upgraded to produce 701bhp of power.

2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S

- The electric variant of the Mercedes-Benz GLC was unveiled.

2026 Mercedes-Benz Electric GLC

- Skoda previews its newest EV compact crossover called the Epiq in its concept form before production.

- Volkswagen showcases its ID.Cross Concept in the IAA Mobility 2025, previewing its entry-level EV crossover.

- The Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar until 2035 via a renewed agreement. Also, Pierre Gasly has signed a four-year extension with Alpine.

- The Super Sentai TV show, No.1 Sentai Gozyuger, casts Yuki Sasamori as Assam, a shadowy character who exploits Ryugi Bakugami's expulsion from the previous episode to seize his position as the new Gozyu Tyranno. The series enters its third phase.

- The Love Live series' AiScReam special unit announced a new song to be used as the theme song for the Love Live Official Trading Card Game. It was announced at the recent Topping Live concert.

- Carlos Alcaraz defeated Hannik Sinner to win the US Open for the second time and his sixth Grand Slam.

TTFN.

FIA WEC S13 - Lone Star Le Mans

Ah, Texas, the Lone Star State, is recognized as a Republican stronghold that played a significant role in propelling Donald Trump back to the presidency, creating controversy on the global stage. While Trump may have altered the USA's position in the world, the organizers of the 2025 World Endurance Championship seemed to overlook this context and proceeded with the Lone Star Le Mans endurance race, held at the Circuit of the Americas, a revered venue for the F1 US Grand Prix. 

Screengrab from WEC

Although marred by the rainy weather that triggered the red flag, causing a lengthy delay mid-race, that didn't stop until the winners were named.

After a delay-punched endurance race in the Lone Star State, the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 of Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell is the winner of the Lone Star Le Mans endurance race. As for the LMGT3 class, the winner goes to the #95 United Autosports 720S GT3 EVO after the #54 Vista AFCorse 296 GT3 demoted to P3 after contact with the #77 Mustang GT3. It's the first WEC win for the McLaren 720S GT3 EVO machine.

The next race is the 6 Hours of Fuji on September 28, 2025. Japan is on full alert with this race.

Honda Prelude BF1

After 24 years, the Honda Prelude has returned as a hybrid sports car that emphasizes comfort over performance, aiming to be a coupe worthy of your time.

2026 Honda Prelude

The all-new Honda Prelude starts at 6,719,800 Japanese Yen, plus additional costs. This model is a three-door version of the Civic e:HEV FL4 and aims to revive the front-wheel-drive coupe genre, which has been largely forgotten in recent years. Currently, it is the only front-wheel-drive coupe available for purchase.

2026 Honda Prelude

The sixth-generation Prelude first appeared in concept form at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show (formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show). Nearly every detail from its concept version has been retained, including the high-tech Honda lettering that was first seen on the now-defunct Honda e, as well as the nostalgic Prelude badge taken from the fourth-generation model produced between 1991 and 1996. One notable aspect of this new Prelude is its hammerhead front design, which has been influenced by designs from Toyota or Ferrari.

2026 Honda Prelude interior

The interior of the sixth-generation Prelude closely resembles that of modern Hondas. While it is technically a 2+2 seater, the rear seats are impractical for passengers, as it's nearly impossible to fit comfortably in the back. As a result, the only practical uses for these rear seats are to store your belongings, transport a dog, or secure a baby seat if you have an infant. For a real kicker, the rear seats that are deemed impossible for human comfort can be folded down to accommodate two travel cases or two golf bags.

2026 Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude BF1 uses a similar 2.0L SPORTS e:HEV hybrid powertrain from today's Civic. With the dual motor setup joining forces with the 2.0L Atkinson cycle direct injection engine, it produces a combined 203PS of power and 315Nm of torque. That's more than what you get from a Civic Hybrid.

Yes, it's mated only to a CVT gearbox, boo, but Honda provided the Prelude's CVT gearbox with the S+ Shift system that activates its 8-speed Manual Mode operated via paddle shifters. When enjoyed with either GT or Sport Mode, the Prelude acts like a performative male that likes to show off. Not performance, performative like a performative man.

To add some performative character to the Prelude, it features dynamics inspired by the FL5 Civic Type R. The vehicle includes dual-axis strut front suspension, specially designed adaptive dampers, and blue Brembo four-piston aluminum front calipers. Need to say more, performative speedo boys?

The Honda Prelude BF1 comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of ADAS such as Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation incorporating Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Blind Spot Information System, Auto High-Beam Headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist System.

While the sixth-generation Honda Prelude may not be a worthy successor to its predecessors or the cult classic CR-Z, it aims to be a performative hybrid sports car that emphasizes an engaging driving experience, catering to drivers who appreciate a relaxed yet spirited approach on the road.

Available Colors: Moonlit White Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and Flame Red.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Enjoy Illinois 300

The battle for the Final 12 continues as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs take place at World Wide Technology Raceway for the Enjoy Illinois 300. With Chase Briscoe having secured his spot, who will be next?

As the green flag waved, the fight for the Final 12 continues. The first stage saw Kyle Busch spin off Turn 2, followed by Josh Berry's crash that sent him packing. As Chase Briscoe wins Stage 1, Stage 2 saw drama for the Dillon Brothers as Austin sent Ty spinning, followed by Ryan Blaney spinning. As Bubba Wallace snagged Stage 2, the final stage saw Shane Van Gisbergen spinning, followed by Ty Dillon into the wall.

Screengrab from NASCAR

After all the drama at the WWT Raceway, Denny Hamlin wins the Enjoy Illinois 300 of the NASCAR Cup Series! His spot at the Final 12's is sealed.

Who will be eliminated? The fight for the Final 12 concludes as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series is heading to Bristol for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race this September 13, 2025.

F1 2025: Pirelli Gran Premio D'Italia

Monza is the next stop for F1's 75th anniversary celebrations with the Pirelli Gran Premio D'Italia. It may be one of Ferrari's home turf, but it's not today for them with Lewis Hamilton slapped with a five-place grid penalty for his incident in Zandvoort.

Screengrab from Formula 1

Max Verstappen demonstrated at Monza that he should not be underestimated. In his recent attempt for Pole Position, which marked his 45th for Red Bull, he recorded an average speed of 264.682 kph, achieving the fastest lap in F1 history. His victory against McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri is a clear indication that fans should not overlook Max Verstappen.

Other finishers include Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon, Gabriel Bortoleto, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar.

Post-Monza, Oscar Piastri leads with 324 points, with Lando Norris in 2nd with 293 points, and Max Verstappen in third with 230 points.

The next race is the Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix this September 21, 2025.

2025 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP Round 6

The Ber months have arrived, and the 2025 Superrace season is back to normal daytime race weekend activities with its sixth round at the Inje Speedium. From the GTA/B classes, the Prius PHV class, the Alpine Class, the M Class, and the top-level Toyota Gazoo Racing 6000 Class, Inje has never felt so alive at the start of the Ber months.

Screengrab from Superrace

At the TGR6000 class, Kumho SLM driver Noh Dong Gi wins the sixth round of this season, with Seohan GP drivers Kim Jung Gun and Jung Eui Chul taking the last two spots on the podium. 

With the sixth round of this season in Inje wrapped up, the driver of the #88 F-body M2, Kim Hyun Soo, was crowned as this season's M Class Driver Champion, while the driver of the #110 O-NE RACING Mercedes-AMG GT4, Kim Hwa-rang, was named GT4 Driver Champion.

There are three races left this season. The 2025 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP is heading back to the Korea International Circuit for Round 7 this September 21, 2025.

Let's Do The News! (September 5, 2025)

                 

                                        

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

- A low-pressure area is spotted 175km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, according to PHIVOLCS.

- The Philippine National Police assures that they won't doublethink about arresting violent protesters. This comes following the incidents at the Discaya compound at Pasig City and the DPWH building in Manila yesterday.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos will sign three agreements during his state visit to Cambodia next week.

- The NASA Webb Space Telescope captured newborn stars forming in clouds of dust and gas in a star-forming region called Pismis 24.

- Famed designer Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91.

- Colton Herta was named as a test driver for the Cadillac F1 team.

- GMS Race Cars acquires SRX assets.

- Ford renamed its performance division back to FORD RACING.

- The BMW iX3 was unveiled. It's the first of BMW's Neue Klasse era with a driving range of up to 805km.

2026 BMW iX3

- The Mercedes-AMG GT2 Edition W16 was unveiled.

- The new Street Fighter movie will hit cinemas this October 2026.

- Daniel Levy steps down as Tottenham's executive chairman after 24 years.

TTFN.