Syria Uprising - Week in Review (September 14, 2013)

Welcome to another special segment I made called "Syria Uprising - Week in Review" where every week, I had to tackle what's going on in the latest developments of the Syrian crisis. I won't stop covering up those until this resolves so anyway...here is the week of review of what's what in the Syrian crisis. More reports to be added on this blog as the Syria Uprising unfolds...

September 9, 2013

- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Syria to hand over their chemical weapons as a possible means to avert military strikes considered by the US and its allies.

- Syrian president Bashar al-Assad warns "everything possible" if Syria was attacked by air strikes. It was stated in an interview broadcast on US television as US lawmakers consider measures authorizing the strike against his regime.

- US Secretary of State, John Kerry, stressed any military action against Syria would be limited, saying that the US is not going to war.

- Iran is making a diplomatic push to prevent a potential US strike against Syria in connection with the alleged use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

September 10, 2013

- The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait is making preparations for OFW's there as Kuwait might get into the Syria uprising.

- “When we see what’s happening in Syria, we thank God everyday for our good luck, for the chance to be in France,” says Lina K.

- US President Barack Obama urged Americans to support a military strike against Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons but he will also pursue a diplomatic response. He made the statements in a televised speech from the White House.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin urged his US counterpart, Obama, to drop its plan to attack Syria before asking Syrian president Assad to hand over the chemical weapons.

- Syrian PM Wael al-Halki has reportedly accepted Russia's proposal to put Syrian chemical weapons under international control.

September 11, 2013

- UN Security Council members disagree over Syria's action to hand over chemical weapons to the Russians. In response to the Russian proposal, US tentatively hold off the military strikes against Syria.

- Russian president Putin will meet Iran's new leader, Hassan Rouhani, for the first time this week with an offer to supply Iran with missile systems and build a second nuclear reactor.

- Rebel factions said that they would withdraw from Maaloula, just days after seizing control.

- Jihadist video condemning intervention in Syria exposed as fake.

September 12, 2013

- Syrian president Bashar al-Assad says that he will accept Russia's proposal to join the anti-chemical weapon treaty.

- US-Russian talks open on Syria's chemical arsenal.

- Top nuclear envoys said that Iran wants constructive nuclear talks

September 13, 2013

- Louay Al-Mokdad, Free Syrian Army spokesman, thinks Moscow’s suggestion is "just a new trick" to buy Assad more time.

- The US and Russia agreed to meet at the United Nations in late September in a bid to bring the warring parties in Syria together for an international conference. They began 2nd day of talks on the Syria uprising and the chemical weapons issue.

- United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for committing crimes against humanity as top diplomats from Russia and the US prolonged meetings in Geneva over the Syria uprising.

Cars GT6 Should Put (Volume 9)

Everyone knows that more and more car gamers everywhere are willing to prefer the upcoming Gran Turismo 6, coming this winter exclusively on the Playstation3 console, than the upcoming Forza Motorsport 5, coming this autumn exclusively on the new XBOX One console. However, despite the 1200-car lineup, there are some cars GT6 should put...

Cars like...

1) Toyota Crown Majesta '13

WHY: There's a brand new Majesta recently released this month. The new model is now a hybrid-only model with the 3.5L V6 hybrid powerplant inherited from the Lexus GS450h while it has the CVT gearbox with 8-speed inherited from the Lexus LS600h. When in AT, it doesn't need to change gears but in MT, shifts from 1 to 8. It maybe a drastic change from the previous models but I wonder if this new flagship deserves a spot in GT6? I sure hope so because the Gran Turismo franchise has some of the hybrids available...

2) Honda Fit RS '13

WHY: There is already a brand new Honda Fit released earlier this month and the Fit we're interested in was the RS model with the 6-speed manual gearbox. Please feature the latest generation Honda Fit on GT6 because us, Honda fans, want to know what is like to be driven virtually.

3) Land Rover Range Rover Sport '13

WHY: Annoyingly, how come there's only one Land Rover model in the Gran Turismo franchise? Come on, we're not interested in the Range Stormer concept featured. We all need Range Rovers! Those Range Rovers, when you place them in dirt or snow, love their offroad abilities even in luxury proportions and the Range Rover we want to see on GT6 is none other than the all new Range Rover Sport. The new model really deserved the name because not only it's good offroad but it's a track weapon for its size.

4) Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale '11

WHY: The MC Stradale is the hardcore version of the Maserati GranTurismo which features an uprated V8 engine, enhanced suspension, lightweight bodywork, and the looks that was inspired from the MC GT3 racer. This road-legal racer deserves a spot to be featured on GT6 because having the standard GranTurismo isn't enough.

5) Hyundai Veloster Turbo '12

WHY: Gran Turismo should better need some more Korean cars on the game because having the Tiburon and the Spirra is not worth it. Maybe this Veloster Turbo would do. It may have a GDI turbo engine that develops over 200 horses but can the Veloster Turbo land on GT6 to please Korean car enthusiasts? I sure hope so because I want more Korean cars to be featured on GT6. Please, do it for the Koreans!

The results please? So, if Polyphony's still on the rethinking process whether these cars I've mentioned will be featured on Gran Turismo 6, whether in game or as a DLC, you can't say that I didn't had a bit to do with that.

Take that to Kaz Yamauchi!

"For smoother more glowing skin"

On the September 13, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Bubble Gags on the collapsed building!

- Mr. Assimo in the appliance store.

- Daan Patungo sa Puso - Another one of Bubble Gang's Telebabaw drama spoofs.

- Bubble Gang does Dove by spoofing this commercial as LOVE! For smoother more glowing skin.

- The Adventures of Ruffa Mae Kwento in...holdapper!

- A hostage drama involving five gays at stake!

- There's more drama in the Sec. De Anim involvement as Bubble Gang continues the spoof on the Napoles controversy.

- Mr. Assimo in the internet cafe

- Ikaw at ang Ina knows about...YouTube videos.

- Virginity Test is concerned and condemned by most females.

- IyoTube in Blurred Lines

Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (September 14, 2013)

And now, the week in review of what's what at the Korean peninsula...

September 9, 2013

- Military authorities from South Korea and the USA completed their joint deterrence strategy against North Korea's nuclear threats.

- The US is developing a new weapons system that could potentially reach targets in less than an hour. It can also be used to deter against North Korea or China.

- SoKor President Park Geun-hye and Vietnamese president Troung Tan Sang, decided to hold two additional FTA rounds of negotiations this year, with the first one set to take place on October, which will be the 3rd round of their trade talks.

September 10, 2013

- The two Koreas hold 2nd round of talks of reopening the Kaesong industrial complex.

- South Korea Park Geun-hye visits Vietnam's largest economic city of Ho Chi Minh.

September 11, 2013

- South Korean firms will be allowed to restart operations at Kaesong Complex after a trial run on Monday next week.

- The unification ministry pointed out that even in areas where there was no agreement, considerable progress was made to reduce the gap.

September 12, 2013

- A day after SoKor president Park Geun-hye returned home from Vietnam, the office has announced that the president would like to meet with the leaders of both parties to address concerns the parties may have.

- North and South Korea may be back on the path of improving relations but denuclearization may still be a very long way ahead.

September 13, 2013

- Korea's main opposition Democratic Part decided to accept President Park Geun-hye's proposal for talks between herself and the leaders of the rival parties next Monday.

- Korea's Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook said that he will resign over claims that he had an illegitimate son.

Let's Do The News! (September 13, 2013)

James: And now the news and there's a new version of Megahouse's Brilliant Stage iDOLM@STER Chihaya Kisaragi figure coming up...

Richard: Really? A new version? Is it more like an updated version of the figure you had?

James: That's right. Here it is...freshened up and ready for her Christmas debut...

Brilliant Stage iDOLM@STER Chihaya Kisaragi
A-Edition

(ooohh)

James: Dubbed the "A-Edition" because it was modeled after from the iM@S anime series two years ago, now the main difference is the blue color as seen on the anime series, the addition of a microphone on her right hand, her facial expression looks a bit different, and that's about it. What amazed me that it was priced the same as last year's figure. 8,190 Japanese Yen or around 52 Pounds. It maybe different than what I had but hey, if it works for 52 pounds, it's a bargain. E he he he...

Jeremy: Yeah and I'm not 100% sure about this when I pair this up with the upcoming A-Edition Haruka Amami figure but (clears throat)...

(audience laughing)

Richard: What?!

Jeremy: I don't know but what the fuss is all about when you pair them both, isn't like...well I don't know but this is utter nonsense to me...Why would you like to ship those two?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, did you guys catch "Ellen" earlier?

(audience murmuring)

Jeremy: Okay, I just heard that some Filipino kid, who was a Youtube sensation, in the name of Aldrich Lloyd Talonding did appeared on that show along with his cousin James Walter Bucong. If you guys remember those, there were the ones who performed Luther Vandross' Dance with my Father and became a massive hit with over three million views on YouTube. I had to say, these boys were brilliant performers and get this; Ellen DeGeneres gave these two a guitar, a keyboard, and 10 grand!

(oooh)

Richard: Ten grand?!

Jeremy: Yes. Ten grand and with that sort of cash, the boys are using it for a very good cause to help the family and glad to say that one day, these two will become successful so for those two Filipino boys who got featured in Ellen, just keep going what you're doing.

Richard: Yeah. Nice job!

(cheers and applause)

Jeremy: Anyway, big news for Symphogear fans! Now, when the folks at Good Smile Company released Nendoroid versions of Hibiki Tachibana and Tsubasa Kazanari, people start asking...wait a minute...where's Chris? Anyway, problem solved because here she is in full Nendo glory.

Richard: Oh my!

Nendoroid Chris Yukine

Jeremy: Waited for this one, right? Well, anyway, set for January debut at 6000 Yen, she's armed in her Ichaival, comes with the BILLION MAIDEN gatling cannon, the MEGA DETH PARTY miniature missile launcher, the MEGA DEATH QUARTET large missile launcher and even the laser cannons seen during her swansong! That sounds amusing for a certain fan who really wish this could happen but hey, the Nendoroid version of Chris Yukine is just the tip of the iceberg because...

James: Wait, let me guess...figma?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: I was gonna said that but a figma version is in the works. But I had to say that the Nendoroid figures of three Symphogear main heroines; Hibiki, Tsubasa, and Chris, they're all complete and pulped for perfection. I just can't wait to had one of those.

Richard: And then what? Re-enact their cool battle stances?

(audience laughing)

Richard: Oh! General Motors announced a full-model change on the full-sized SUVs. On the Chevy side, there's the short Tahoe and the long-wheelbased Suburban. GMC equivalents are Yukon and the Yukon XL as well. Here they are...

2015 Chevrolet Suburban

2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

2015 GMC Yukon Denali

2015 GMC Yukon XL

(ooohh)

Jeremy: Wow, they sure are bulky for an American SUVs. They sure are bigger than a Range Rover but that's how THE AMERICAN WAY does. Their SUV's are like too much Big Macs, supersized drinks, McFlurry's and whatever you can stuff at from McDonald's!

(audience laughing)

James: Yeah and what's going on with those new behemoths?

Richard: They have big V8 engines, a standard 5.3-liter unit delivering 355-horses and 383 lb-ft (519Nm) of peak torque, and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420-horsepower and 450 lb-ft (610Nm) that's offered exclusively on the GMC Yukon Denali. Man, you can't believe how big they were now...

Jeremy: Yeah, Hammond. Since you're a bit addicted to all things American, I bet it's worth a fitting in your house but unfortunately, these SUVs are too big for our roads because if you had one of those, people will think you're a 10-ton man being carried by those!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: That's too much for an SUVs like those! I would rather had a Range Rover instead because its more sophisticated than those!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh hey! Has anyone visited Solaire? It's a casino and a resort but good thing I haven't been there for a while. Anyway, bad news. The owner of Solaire Manila Resorts and Casino has recently terminated its agreement with Global Gaming Philippines LLC because...well, as reports said, they didn't spent any material time in attending to the management of Solaire and failed to perform the obligations and deliverables under the management. Well, that sounds creepy...

Richard: Yeah. Sounds creepy now that the Solaire is no longer part of GGAM now and what's the future for Solaire?

Jeremy: I don't know. Since I haven't been there, I have no answers.

(audience laughing)

James: Well, looks like  the members of the existing management team will have to make do with Solaire effectively without GGAM and its representative so good luck for that.

(audience laughing)

Richard: Yeah, good luck managing Solaire without GGAM! He he he...

Jeremy: So...that's the end of the news...

Second-generation Peugeot 308

The Peugeot 308 was once hailed by Top Gear as one of the worst cars in the history of the world aside from the FSO Polonez, the Mahindra jeep, the Ferrari Mondial, the F50, the Lancia Ypsilon, the Alfa GTV6, the Saab with the Sensonic gearbox, and the Lexus SC430. Well, the old Lexus SC430 beats them all when Top Gear called it THE WORST CAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, but anyway, the 308 really is one of the sheer signs that Peugeot really made the worst cars for the worst drivers, except for the 208 GTi because it's a perfect car. So, what should Peugeot do with the 308? Throw away for good and replace with this...

2014 Peugeot 308

What I meant was when Peugeot asked to throw away the 308, they decided to create its replacement out of a brand new platform and utilize most of the cutting-edge technology they've invested and the result was this. The Peugeot 308, wait, what?! 308?! Well this is a brand new model but why they retained the 308 name?! Don't they think they should call it the 309 when most of the Peugeots advanced their last digit numbers in their full model changes? Well, never mind about that but the main reason was to avoid further confusions, Peugeot utilized their new naming scheme where the final digits are fixed: 8 for the mainstream range, and 1 for the models aimed at emerging countries.

That sounds convincing because this new naming scheme is bound to be one of the worst since when Acura decided that all models end with the X, Jaguar to had cars start with the X, Lincoln for the MK, Kia for the K, Citroen for the, well you get that idea but anyway, despite the same name, the brand new Peugeot 308 is starting to get even more promising than the old model but how promising is the second-generation 308?

It's Chapter 2 of the 308 saga so Peugeot celebrates it with a brand-spanking new look which appears to be so classy, it's like Karen Gillan mistaken for Bella Thorne and what's so unorthodox about the new model is the design language implied from the 508 and the 208 hatchback, the little bro of the new 308. I'm starting to like the new model's design more than the current Renault Clio or the Citroen DS4 or the Alfa Romeo Giulietta or a Ford Focus but don't get to excited because that's just the beginning.

2014 Peugeot 308 interior

The brand new interior of the brand new 308 is starting to get even more redeeming than the last one because in the last 308, it is as French as...French fries that lost its crispiness and messier than what it was. Let's just say it's a bit too oily for the old model but for the new model, it's now more aimed at today's yuppies rather than regular people, even your Ser Chief would like to drive one in his regular overalls on his leisure trip to the park or a country club or a restaurant. The best part about the new interior is the 9.7-inch touch-screen interface which is more addicting than the 208's and more importantly, the software's looking good. It now controls the climate control aside from the audio, the sat-nav, the communications, the telematics and whatever the driver needs. Yes, it's another one of the sheer signs that the new model's getting a bit sophisticated but there are some issues because the rear visibility's a bit small and the rear seats are as low as office supplies thrown underwater.

2014 Peugeot 308

The new 308 runs on a brand new platform, much like when VW used the MQB platform to their new Golf, but in here, the new EMP2 platform brings a massive 140kg drop in weight thanks to its compact dimensions and since it's lighter than the old one, the drivability of being a driver's car is worth redeemable because not only it's becoming as generous as Father Christmas, it's comfortable as well. In terms of engine choices, you can have either a 1.2L, a 1.2L turbo, a 1.6L turbo, a 1.6L diesel, or a 2.0L diesel engine but take note that the 1.6L turbo engine churns out 155PS of power while the 1.6L diesel has an impressive CO2 of 95-100g/km. That's just the tip of the iceberg because coming soon, Peugeot will inject this with a brand new BlueHDi engine with a record-breaking CO2 emissions of 82g/km, and also a hot version with 270PS of power. As for the pricing, it now costs under 17,800 Euros, making it one of the most reasonably priced hatchbacks in its class.

So for the verdict, the brand new 308 really is worth the redeemable one thanks to its range of engines, the lightweight bodywork, the ride, the comfort, and everything else that makes the new 308 stand out the crowd while there are so many issues regarding the new model as well as the naming that why it sticks to 308 rather than 309.

The new Peugeot 308, Concentree sur vos Sensations.

Available Colors: Blanc Banquise, Gris Huricane, Gris Moka, Noir Perla Nera, Gris Artense, Rouge Rubi, Gris Aluminium, Rich Oak, Dark Blue, and Blanc nacree.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Top Gear USA S04E02

TGUSA S04E02

It's the second episode of the fourth season of Top Gear (THE HIT US SHOW) on History and this is the one where the boys trying to make their own convertibles out of their tough used cars and find out if their DIY open-top roughers tough enough to survive Alaska. Rut opts for the 1999 Jeep Cherokee Classic while Adam goes for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma and Tanner goes for the 1999 Chevrolet Express van. Their mission? Survive Alaska and road test them in a series of challenges from Anchorage to Homer.

The first challenge involves straight-line performance in an Alaskan drag strip and the boys have to close the roofs while in driving in the straight line. With Tanner and Rut's home made convertibles getting a belly-up of themselves, Adam wins the first round.

The second challenge involves off-road capability and find out which one sustains less damage. Once again, Adam takes a win in that challenge.

While on a stopover, it seems that Tanner's van got infested by a bear. Then later, while stopping at the store and Adam heads out to buy some stuff, Tanner and Rut making a wreck out of Adam's Tacoma.

After much carnage, the boys are on their third challenge to find out how waterproof these homemade cars are. However, Tanner tried to escape his Express van against the water-dropping helicopter and out to Homer.

With Tanner cheated and Rut managed to win the third challenge, it's a do-or-die race to Homer, minus Adam because his Tacoma's got broken... While Tanner takes on the normal roads heading Homer, Rut summons an unusual ally to get through Homer fast and having him and his Cherokee taking a boat ride to Homer! In the end, Tanner crossed Homer first! Annoyingly, Adam hitched a ride with a helicopter carrying his Toyota truck to the finish line and then...the helicopter dropped his truck to the endgame!

Overall, after so much ruckus in Alaska, it's confirmed that the Toyota Tacoma is the best truck to survive through Alaska, even if it means by falling through the endgame for the win.