Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Let's Do The News! (June 11, 2025)

                                

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

- The Office of the Vice President confirms receipt of the writ of summons sent by the PH Senate. Vice President Sara Duterte has ten days to answer the impeachment court.

- Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan remains outside House Secretary General Reginald Velasco's office in Batasan Pambansa.

- The PH Department of Agriculture says that the Philippines is promoting deeper ties with Egypt for agricultural trade.

- The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) plenary of judges rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s motion to disqualify two judges.

- PH President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the dispatch of two large generator sets (gensets) to Siquijor as a temporary solution to the worsening power supply crisis in the area. This follows the President's inspection of the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR) plant, the main power provider in the province.

- NutriAsia products such as Mang Tomas, Jufran, and UFC are now cleared by the US FDA.

-The US Marines are joining National Guard troops to protect ICE agents in Los Angeles amid violent protests. Currently, mass arrests are happening in Los Angeles after the curfew has kicked in, as Texas deploys National Guard troops.

- Hamas killed 50 Palestinian fighters armed by Israel in Gaza. Israeli forces killed over 70 Palestinians in ongoing attacks across Gaza.

- Naples will host the 2027 America's Cup sailing competition.

- Formula E teases its GEN4 car set to debut in Season 13. The GEN4 race cars will feature 600 kW of power, 700 kW of regeneration capability, and a permanent 4WD system. Meanwhile, the 12th season, the last of the GEN3 era, will see the Miami ePrix race in the Miami Autodrome and the Madrid race in Jarama.

- The Caterham Seven 310 Encore was unveiled, and it will be the last to be powered by the Ford Sigma engine.

2025 Caterham Seven 310 Encore
2025 Caterham Seven 310 Encore

- BTS members Jimin and Jungkook are officially discharged from the military, a day after RM & V.

- The online casino app GameZone was officially launched in the Philippines.

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TTFN.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

My FM Log: Spirit of Forza Motorsport - McLaren P1

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Forza Motorsport series. To commemorate this milestone, let’s take a look back at the cover cars from the Forza Motorsport franchise, starting with the very first game released in 2005 and continuing through to the final installment launched in 2023.

McLaren P1

Let's continue with the McLaren P1, the hybrid hypercar that graced the cover of Forza Motorsport 5, one of the games that spearheaded the Xbox One era of 2013.

McLaren P1

The McLaren P1 is a hybrid supercar that embodies the brand's technological expertise and motorsport heritage. Its main goal is to be one of the best driver's cars in the world and a worthy successor to the McLaren F1. The P1 is powered by McLaren's newly developed IPAS petrol-electric powertrain, which features an improved version of the 3.8L V8 twin-turbo engine used in the 12C, along with a single electric motor. This combination produces a remarkable total power output of 903 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque.

Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the P1 is limited to just 375 units, each priced at £866,000. All units have been sold out.

McLaren P1

Let's have a commemorative lap around Spa in the midst of the rainfall. It's just like that Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson drives the McLaren P1 around Spa during rainfall. I've recreated that moment before, and I'm more than happy to do it again, see if I'm better than last time. Let's roll the tape.


Just like old times, they said.

The McLaren P1 transformed our perception of hybrid cars with speed and power, just as Forza Motorsport 5 transformed the franchise in ways previously unimagined. This is evolution, personified.

McLaren P1

A NEW GENERATION OF RACING

Next time, let's take a look at the Ford GT, the hero car of Forza Motorsport 6.

Let's Do The News! (June 10, 2025)

                               

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

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines has officially declared Basilan as an ASG-free province. Although peace is restored to the said area, the AFP assures that they will continue their military operations there to make sure the Abu Sayyaf Group will not return there.

- Senator Risa Hontiveros warned that the impeachment trial against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte may not be completed within the 19 days.

- About 14 volcanic earthquakes were recorded around Mt. Bulusan within the previous 24 hours, according to PHIVOLCS.

- Activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel one day after the Israeli military seized the Gaza-bound ship she was on. Thunberg was one of 12 passengers aboard the Madleen, a vessel carrying aid to Gaza that aimed to protest Israel’s ongoing war and raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organization behind the mission.

- US President Donald Trump sent another 2,000 National Guards and 700 Marines to Los Angeles on the fourth day of anti-ICE protests.

- The first-ever Cadillac Optiq-V was unveiled. Its electric powertrain was boosted to 519 hp in Velocity Max, sprinting from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds.

2026 Cadillac Optiq-V
2026 Cadillac Optiq-V

- The 2026 F1 season calendar was unveiled.

- The live-action Legend of Zelda movie has been delayed to May 2027.

- BTS members RM and V are officially discharged from the military.

- Actor Miko Gallardo claims he's a victim of blackmail, threats, and extortion.

TTFN.

Monday, June 9, 2025

Let's Do The News! (June 9, 2025)

                              

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

- Senate President pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada is leaving it to legal experts to determine whether a resolution dismissing the impeachment case of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte can be overridden or followed, as compared to the Senate acting as an impeachment court. According to Estrada, he is not a lawyer, so he is leaving this matter to his lawyers.

- Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to ensure that all major canals and irrigation systems across the country are properly maintained. This directive is part of the government's goal to boost agricultural productivity, minimize post-harvest losses, and guarantee a sufficient and affordable food supply nationwide.

- A group of anti-ICE protesters clash against National Guard soldiers on the streets of Los Angeles.

- Aston Martin unveiled the track-only Valkyrie LM ahead of its Le Mans debut.

2025 Aston Martin Valkyrie LM
2025 Aston Martin Valkyrie LM

- RAM Trucks announced its return to the NASCAR Truck Series this 2026 season.

- The Hasunosora Girls' High School Idol Club from Link! Like! Love Live! is getting a 3D anime movie soon.

- The recent Xbox Games Showcase revealed upcoming games such as High on Life 2, Persona 4 Rebirth, Call of Duty Black Ops 7, Invincible VS, The Outer Worlds 2, and more. It even announced what to expect for Xbox's 25th anniversary next year, such as Gears of War, Forza, Fable, and Halo.

- iKON member DK will be enlisted in the military on July 28th.

- In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder evened the series against the Indiana Pacers with a victory of 123-107.

TTFN.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Firekeepers Casino 400

Michigan is the next stop for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series for the Firekeepers Casino 400. From start to finish, the action has gotten the fans from across Motor City and beyond pumped up for more.

As the green flag waved, the action in Michigan was on. As Chris Buescher takes Stage 1, Stage 2 saw John Hunter Nemechek and Noah Gragson get into a mess at the backstretch, followed by a big one that caught Alex Bowman and Cole Custer in it. As William Byron takes Stage 2, the final stage saw Todd Gilliland making contact with the wall in Turn 2 

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Firekeepers Casino 400
Screengrab from NASCAR

After a late lunge through William Byron in the climax, Denny Hamlin wins the Firekeepers Casino 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

Next time is a NASCAR Cup Series first! They're going to Mexico's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Viva Mexico 250 this June 15, 2025. ¡Hasta luego, México!

DTM 2025: Zandvoort

Zandvoort will host the next round of the 2025 DTM season, where drivers compete fiercely on the historic grounds of the Dutch Grand Prix.

DTM 2025: Zandvoort
Screengrab from DTM

The first race produced an unexpected podium finish that took everyone by surprise. Ayhancan Guven claimed victory, followed by Nicki Thiim in second place and Maximilian Paul in third. In the final race, Rene Rast showcased his skills and secured the win, overcoming strong competitors such as Marco Wittmann and Thomas Preining.

Lucas Auer leads the current DTM standings with 91 points, while Rene Rast and Ayhancan Guven are within two points of each other with 75 and 73 points, respectively.

The next event will be at Norisring this July 3 to 6, 2025.

WRC 2025: Rally Italia Sardegna

The 2025 World Rally Championship continues with the Rally Italia Sardegna, where drivers are attempting to maintain their composure amid the hot and challenging rally conditions.

WRC 2025: Rally Italia Sardegna
Screengrab from WRC

Sebastien Ogier made headlines at the Rally Italia Sardegna as he successfully defended his title against Ott Tanak by a margin of 7.9 seconds, avenging last year's events. Kalle Rovanpera rounded out the podium.

After Sardinia, the gap between Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier has been trimmed by about 19 points, 133 vs 114, while Kalle Rovanpera is in third place with a point behind Ogier.

The next event is the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece this June 26-29, 2025.