The North Korean women's soccer team are heading to Japan to participate in the final round of the Asian qualifying matches for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The recent sanctions posed by Japan against North Korea include a ban on North Koreans entering the country but the government decided to give them an exemption so it could take part in the Olympic qualifiers that begin in Monday. The team travelled from Pyongyang to Beijing on Tuesday and the Japanese Embassy in Beijing issued them entry visas.
North Korea is one of the six teams participating in the round robin competition, where only two teams will qualify for the Olympics. The other teams are Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, and Vietnam. The match between Japan and North Korea is set on the 9th of March, 2016.
February 22, 2016 - Pope Francis celebrated the Jubilee for the Roman Curia, the Governorate, and the Institutions attached to the Holy See, part of the ongoing Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
The Jubilee occurred on the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, which has the rank of "Solemnity" in the Vatican Basilica, at the Paul VI Hall, where employees of the Vatican and its related institutions, with their families, gathered for a meditation led by Father Marko Rupnik, SJ.
- The Philippines is keen in raising the issue of rising tensions in the South China Seaat the unofficial meeting of ASEAN ministers in Laos this week, following reports that Beijing deployed SAMs in Woody Island, a part of the Paracel Island chain in the disputed sea. Any member of the ASEAN may raise any issue in the ministerial retreat schedules on February 25 to 27.
- The University of the Eastissued a statement regarding the expulsion of high school students involved in the viral video regarding the defamation of the Philippine flag. According to the UE president and Chief Academic Officer Ester Albano Garcia, the board of trustees on February 18 unanimously voted to expel the high school students in the video but didn't identify and disclose how many were kicked out. UE released a statement deploring the disrespectful deed of its student shown in a viral video uploaded on the 9th of February, drewing criticisms from netizens as a student in one of the clasrooms in its high school department mopped the floor using the Philippine flag.
- The Iglesia Ni Cristo religious sect continues to grow despite setbacks and the recent church dedication in Southern California is just one of them following members and detractors staging a protest even from the sky to show support from the embattled religious sect as well as the visit of INC's top minister Eduardo V. Manalo.
- Following Nike, Wonderful Pistachios revoked its sponsorship with Manny Pacquiaofollowing his controversial comments against LGBT.
- The death toll from a powerful cyclone that hit Fijilast weekend is now up to 21. Cyclone Winstone is one of the most powerful cyclone recorded in Fiji and caused havoc across the main island of Viti Levu. The Fijian government declared a month-long state of emergency.
- Applecalled for an independent panel to discuss whether they should help FBI investigators hack into a locked smartphone belonging to a slain terrorism suspect. The Cupertino-based tech giant refused a request by the FBI to unlock the iPhone belonged to one of the San Bernardino attackers that killed 14 people last year. They posted on its website a message calling on the government to set up an independent panel of experts, calling it the best option.
- The Bentley Mulsannehas been updated for the 2017 model year and for the first time, an Extended Wheelbase model is added.
2017 Bentley Mulsanne
- Phat Company's figure of THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls' Minami Nitta, in her Love Laika costume, is now open for pre-orders! You can now book one for just 9,000 Yen plus tax and she'll be arrive to you this August. Be sure to pair one with the upcoming Anastasia Love Laika figure and you'll have yourself the complete duo!
Minami Nitta LOVE LAIKA Ver.
- Mr. Osomatsufans, rejoice! The Matsuno sextuplets are getting the trading figure treatment courtesy of Orange Rouge. They'll be available in stores this July, each costing 556 Yen plus tax. There are six brothers to collect; Osomatsu-san, Karamatsu-san, Choromatsu-san, Ichimatsu-san, Jyushimatsu-san, and Todomatsu-san! Think you can complete the F6?
One of the strangest cars that appeared in the Forza Motorsport 6's Alpinestars Car Pack is none other than the world's least lovable car on the road, the Pontiac Aztek, the crossover, despite its infamous styling, became a cult classic since it became Heisenberg's personal transport in the Breaking Bad TV series. So, what's it all about?
Launched as a 2001 model year, the Aztek is Pontiac's first-ever crossover utility vehicle that shares its underpinnings with the Buick Rendezvous, although the platform these crossovers used is a shortened version used in General Motors' minivans. Rather than using sliding doors, the Aztek's design features a conventional rear swing-open kammback and a bi-parting rear tailgate. It was penned by Tom Peters and reports state that the Aztek was supposed to be a sign of General Motors' rebirth, only to find out that it became a commercial flop until the Aztek's discontinuation and it became the car of choice for Breaking Bad's Walt "Heisenberg" White.
The Aztek is powered by a 3.4L LA1 V6 engine which produces 185HP of power and 210lb-ft of torque, while mated with a 4-speed 4T65-E automatic gearbox. It is available in either front-wheel or four-wheel drive with independent rear suspension.
The Aztek was produced in Mexico from 2001 to 2005 and it was replaced by the Chevrolet Equinox-based Pontiac Torrent. When it was launched, it became the official pace car for the 2001 Daytona 500. Although intended to be sold for the younger demographic, some criticized the Aztek as one of the cars that could save General Motors as well as one of the worst-designed cars in history.
The Pontiac Aztek appeared in the "America's Worst Cars" episode of Top Gear USA as Rutledge Wood's car of choice as the presenters try to make it look cool and sell it to the highest bidder.
I have no idea why the game's producers decided to put this crossover here and any purpose about how this car does in FM6 remains a mystery for now. We already had the weirdest cars in-game such as Fast Five's Gurkha and the Cadillac XTS Limousine, and with the addition of the Pontiac Aztek, it's really difficult to find a purpose to drive this car in-game unless you have endless imagination to do so. Apart from its styling, I find driving the Aztek to be somewhat terrible. Of course, it may have a V6 engine, which is fairly nice, but it's less powerful, meaning it doesn't have the oomph to go further. Because it's mated only with a 4-speed automatic gearbox, you won't find much excitement either.
Handling-wise, the Aztek feels heavy and I find this car doesn't find much purpose on track at all. It's just plain terrible and a quick demonstration comes into driving this car round Long Beach, California. Hey, at least this is a city track so it would work...
While most underpowered cars can get around this track around the two-minute mark, the Aztek did poorly with a lap time of a disappointing 2:13.083 and I thought this Aztek finds its purpose in a city center like this.
It's a shame that we had one of the most terrible cars like the Pontiac Aztek in Forza Motorsport 6 but with a little know-it-all, a little appreciation goes a long way. Who knows, this car might have some potential underneath its bizarre bodywork or having the ghost of Heisenberg do its work for you.
Now, the moment of truth is time because it's now time to do...THE CUTE WALL!
Yes, we're back and looks like I'm feeling something special for this. You're right and since we're nearing to celebrate Pokemon's 20th anniversary and I can't believe 20 is considered to be the lucky number for 2016 because of....well, think about it; this, Biohazard, Sakura Wars, do you know any stuff celebrating its 20th year this 2016?
(audience murmuring)
Well, whatever, but hey! You once made a list about the cutest Pokemon, although there are some of the cutest Pokemon didn't listed in this Cute Wall. Let's have a look... Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Chansey, Eevee, Togepi, and Scraggy. The ones I listed on the list of the cutest Pokemon but haven't listed here. Best to leave the verdict to you. Verdict? But you listed it. Why don't you do it? Oh, all right. I'll put Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Chansey, and Eevee on the CUTE spot. Scraggy...um...better put it on NOT CUTE.
(audience laughing)
As for Togepi, you'll be sitting with Pikachu today because you get the top spot! NAKAKAGIGIL!
(audience laughing)
Speaking of which, I once watched the XY&Z anime series and care to guess what that is?
Squishy
Wait, I know! Isn't that what they called the Zygarde Core?
Exactly. And would you like to know the core Bonnie called when they first met?
Squishy?
You're exactly right! It is Squishy. I don't know why she called it Squishy but that's a good name, I'll give you that. So, what do you think about Squishy?
Well, to be honest. I'm starting to adore that Squishy. Believe it or not, it looks cute when its asleep.
(audience laughing)
Cute when Squishy's asleep? Better be advised that if your new friend turned into the many forms of...well, the three forms of Zygarde, it will be scary as,...ahem.
Oh yes....
So, verdict?
Well, since I'm starting to like that Squishy, I made a sweet spot so Pikachu can enjoy it. Welcome to the NAKAKAGIGIL club, Squishy!
(audience laughing, and applause)
Any other Pokemon to be considered...cute?
Hmmm....how about this? Tepig? I think Tepig is already proven to be cute when the Black and White years began. Put him in CUTE. All right. How about Snivy? CUTE as well.
(audience laughing) Hmmm...What about Chikorita? Chikorita's a cute Pokemon and I already know where to put it. CUTE. Okay, CUTE it is for Chikorita. (audience laughing) Do you know any starters we didn't put here? Well, I have a Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Sadly, only one of these first starters is considered cute and that's Charmander so I'll put Charmander in the CUTE spot while Bulbasaur and Squirtle will be placed at NOT CUTE because I don't find them to be cute.
(audience laughing)
I also don't find Cyndaquil to be cute so NOT CUTE for this one. However, I do find that Totodile, one of the Johto starters, to be somewhat cute so I'll just put it in the CUTE spot for keeps. What about the Hoenn starters?! Treecko's not cute. No wait! Treecko's SERIOUSLY NOT CUTE. But Torchic and Mudkip are so they deserved a spot in the CUTE zone.
(audience laughing)
Well, we already put Piplup in the Cute Wall a long time ago. What about the others? Turtwig and Chimchar?
Sorry to say, I don't find either of these two cute so it's a NOT CUTE for both Turtwig and Chimchar.
(audience laughing)
Oh wait. It's a CUTE for Chimchar. I must apologize.
(audience laughing)
Oh, here we go with that beauty pageant mistake dialogue again. Hmmm...Everyone, what's your say about Meowth? Who?
(audience laughing)
Meowth. Everyone's favorite talking feline villain who is the third member of Team Rocket. Although I find Meowth to be the bad guy, it also one of my favorite bad guys in the history of animation because it's always a cat and mouse chase between Ash and Pikachu and Team Rocket so if it's okay if I...
(chainsaw whirring)
(audience laughing, then applause)
Do not...
(Applause continues)
Do not put villains in the Cute Wall. Now, look what just happened. What did I do? Run. Run or you'll be a lot shorter.
(audience laughing)
According to a US official, they've received a North Korean proposal for peace talks to formally end the Korean War before Pyongyang's recent nuclear test on January 6th, but the two sides failed to start the negotiations and the North went with its test. The official said that after considering the North's proposal, the Obama administration asked the North to include denuclearization as part of the talks but NoKor rejected the call.
The North Korea repeatedly asked the USA to end its hostile policy and conclude a peace treaty with the North while the United States maintained that they will not start any dialogues until the North takes serious steps to curtail its nuclear programs
- This week marks the 30th anniversary of the 1986People Power Revolutionand the celebration is as important as other national holidays in the Philippines to remember the most critical events and the people who helped the nation achieve freedom.
- All of the five presidentiables appeared in the first series of debates organized by COMELEC in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday. The five candidates; Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe, and Mar Roxas, expounded on their platforms of government if elected president on May 9.
- The Saudi Arabian embassy in Manila warned the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Saudi government received from concerned authorities that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are allegedly initiating and supervising a plan to hijack or bomb a Saudi Arabian airplane, knowing that the threat of terrorist attack on Saudi Arabian airliners is real, eminent, and allegedly in the final stage of implementation.
- Five years have passed since the Christchurch quakein New Zealand that killed 185 people. People have gathered for memorial services at 1251 hours local time, the exact time the quake struck. Reconstruction efforts have made little progress in most areas except for the central part of the city.
- Meanwhile, At the Republican state of South Carolina, Donald Trump wows the crowd at the South Carolina Republican Primary while in the Democrat state of Nevada, Hillary Clinton trounced Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at the Nevada caucuses.
- An estate version of the Renault Megane IVhas been unveiled in time before next month's Geneva Motor Show.
2017 Renault Megane Estate
- The first ever Maserati LevanteSUV is officially unveiled ahead of its Geneva Motor Show premiere.
2017 Maserati Levante
- The newest Aikatsuseries, titled Aikatsu Stars!, is set to air this April 7 on TV Tokyo with a movie inspired from the new series hits theaters on the 23rd of August.
Aikatsu Stars!
- Disney unveiled a teaser trailer for the upcoming fantasy movie, Pete's Dragon, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, and Oakes Fegley. It will hit theaters this August 2016. CLICK HERE.
