Let's Do The News! (January 3, 2026)

                          

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

- The United States has carried out deadly military strikes near Caracas, damaging Venezuelan military facilities.

- Authorities say that the Swiss bar fire that killed 40 started by sparklers on champagne bottles moved too close to the ceiling.

- The IHRA has acquired the Rockingham Speedway.

- Former F1 driver Logan Sargeant will be racing with the Era Motorsport LMP2 for this month's Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race.

- The production-spec Red Bull RB17 was unveiled at last.

Red Bull RB17

- The newest NANOHA TV anime series, titled Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha EXCEEDS Gun Blaze Vengeance, will air this July.

- Lee Dong Hwi drops out of the play after being hurt during rehearsal.

- The driver of boxer Anthony Joshua was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after the car crash in Nigeria, according to reports.

- The Miss Universe Organization issued a statement declaring that the recent claims are "false and misleading." This response follows remarks from former politician and businessman Chavit Singson, who stated that Anne Jakrajutatip and Raul Rocha no longer have control over the MUO.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (January 2, 2026)

                         

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

- The Land Transportation Office officially prohibits e-trikes and e-bikes from entering Metro Manila main roads. The LTO made the announcement on New Year's Day, almost a month after postponing the implementation to December 2025.

- The death toll from the Swiss bar fire hits 40 as officials say families face "unbearable wait" for victims to be identified.

- The RAM 1500 SRT TRX was unveiled. Reclaiming the title of the world's most powerful petrol-powered street-legal offroader, the supercharged 6.2L V8 engine produces 777HP of power, sprinting from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds.

2027 RAM 1500 SRT TRX

- The Kaguya-sama: Love is War "Finale" movie was announced.

- An animated spin-off from the recently ended Stranger Things TV series is in the works. The upcoming spin-off cartoon takes place during the events of the series' second season.

- Jo Yoon Woo announces marriage and retirement at the same time.

- Chelsea part ways with head coach Enzo Maresca.

TTFN.

Driving Music Vol. 132

It's the start of the New Year, and while most of you are spending the final days of your winter vacation, it's time now for another batch of Driving Music to listen to.

1) Play Sick by Yorushika - From the Daihatsu Move Canbus commercial

2) Don't Fence Me In by David Byrne - From a certain Mitsubishi Motors Australia commercial

3) Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce - From a certain Mitsubishi Motors Australia commercial

4) Go (Woodtick Mix) by Moby - From the Daewoo Nubira Spagon commercial

5) Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B-Flat, BWV 1051: III. Allegro - From the Efini MPV commercial

6) September '99 (Phats & Small Remix) by Earth, Wind, and Fire - From the GM Daewoo Matiz commercial

7) Blue Tango by The Columbia Ballroom Orchestra - from the Isuzu Gemini commercial

8) A Song For You by Leon Russell - from the Mitsubishi Legnum commercial

9) Pirates of the Caribbean theme music - from the Ssangyong Kyron 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! (January 1, 2026)

                        

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

- Over 14,000 NCR police will be deployed during this year's Traslacion, taking place on January 9, 2026.

- Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III considers the new year an opportunity to correct the mistakes made in 2025. Sotto noted that in the past six months, the Senate and the entire country in general have faced a variety of national issues, from the impeachment issue to anomalous flood control projects.

- An explosion at a bar in a Swiss ski resort kills several people and injures more, according to police.

- Almost 60 female Japanese lawmakers, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, have submitted a petition calling for more toilets in the parliament building to match their improved representation.

- Daihatsu launched a Move Canvas Hatsune Miku Edition.

- Seiyuu Tomori Kusunoki announces her marriage. Kusunoki made headlines in 2023 when she announced that she would step down from the role of Setsuna Yuki of Nijigasaki High School Idol Club and would be replaced by Coco Hayashi.

- The operating company name of MNL48 was renamed to P.O.S Inc. The group renaming is scheduled to be made this month.

- MTV's music channels were officially shut down after 44 years. The main MTV channel remains, but its programming is now mostly reality TV, not music videos.

TTFN.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: WINNER’s Song Mino Indicted Without Detention For Alleged Violations Of Military Service Act

 

WINNER member Song Mino has been indicted without detention on charges related to allegations that he failed to properly fulfill his duties while serving as a public service worker.

On December 31, prosecutors announced that the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office had indicted Song Mino and a supervisory official, identified as A, on December 30 for violations of the Military Service Act.

Song Mino is accused of repeatedly neglecting his duties while serving as a public service worker at a facility in Mapo District from March 2023 to December of last year, including failing to report to work without authorization.

The official responsible for overseeing his service has also been indicted on charges of aiding and abetting the misconduct by failing to properly manage or intervene despite being aware of Song Mino’s repeated absences.

During the investigation, prosecutors secured evidence through mobile phone forensic analysis and reviews of GPS data, conducting additional inquiries beyond the initial police referral. As a result, authorities determined that Song Mino had committed further unauthorized absences not included in the original charges.

Police launched the investigation in December of last year at the request of the Military Manpower Administration and referred the case to prosecutors in May. It has been reported that Song Mino largely acknowledged the allegations of unauthorized absences during the police investigation.

A prosecution official stated, “We will do our utmost to maintain the indictment so that appropriate punishment is imposed in accordance with the charges, and we will continue to respond strictly to violations of military service obligations.”

Source: soompi 

Let's Do The News! (December 31, 2025)

                       

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

- Senator Imee Marcos called the 2026 national budget ratified by Congress a "grind budget" because projects that could still be considered pork barrels still slipped through. This came after the senator announced that she was opposed to the national fund that was created, which is why she did not sign the bicameral conference committee report and the ratification of the national budget.

- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed adjusting the schedule for the start of the discussion of the 2027 national budget. Gatchalian admitted that due to some implemented changes in the budget process, they missed the time to approve and ratify the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

- Eurostar passengers advised to postpone travel plans after power supply problems.

- Queen Camilla praises John Hurt and his daughter, telling the BBC their bravery after murders prompted her to share the assault story.

- More Silent Hill games will come out following the success of the 2024 Silent Hill 2 game and the recent Silent Hill f game.

- Japanese streaming service ABEMA launches a project for indie animators.

- Actor Ahn Sung Ki is reported to be in critical condition.

- Actress Kim Jin Kyung announces her pregnancy.

TTFN.

Aston Martin Vanquish III Volante

The open-top version of the third-generation Aston Martin Vanquish, the Vanquish Volante, has been introduced, maintaining the same powerful performance as the coupe version and ready to challenge the Ferrari 12cilindri Spider.

2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

2026 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante interior

Priced nearly half-a-million-pound just like its hardtop equivalent, the all-new Vanquish Volante is everything you know about the all-new Vanquish, now with the foldable roof that can be opened or closed at the push of a button.

Like its hardtop equivalent, the Volante is powered by an all-new 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo engine, which produces a historical 835PS of power and 1000Nm of torque. Because of its foldable roof mechanism, the weight has only gone up by 95kg, slightly increasing its 0-62mph time to 3.4 seconds, but retaining its 214mph. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider 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 Volante on the track, but no need while on the road because it drives extremely beautifully. Dynamic as expected, but like the 12Cilindri Spider, it's too addictive to be ignored to be fully satisfied.

Even with its convertible option, the Vanquish remains the king of V12-powered Super GTs. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider's luck just ran out, spectacularly.

Photo: Aston Martin