Let's Do The News! (March 23, 2016)

- Following the deadly bombings in Brussels, Belgium, the Islamic State militants threatens to attack other countries taking part in the anti-IS coalition. The terrorist organization issued an updated communique taking credit for the Brussels attacks and was published in Arabic and French. The militants also released photos showing its fighters in Syria giving out candy to children to celebrate the Brussels attacks, according to intel.

- Although there is no Filipino casualty in the Brussels attacks, the Philippine Embassy advised Filipinos in Belgium to avoid crowded areas and to be extra careful after attacks in the Belgian capital. Philippine Ambassador Victoria Bataclan told Filipinos to avoid crowded areas that could be targets of terror attacks after 34 people reportedly killed in the explosions.

- The Commission of Elections yesterday asked the high court to reconsider the decision and affirm Senator Grace Poe's disqualification for material misrepresentation in her residency and citizenship eligibilities. The COMELEC also asked the justices to again deliberate on the case and conduct another round of voting, arguing that there was no majority vote finding Poe as a natural-born Filipino qualified to be president.

- The Anti Money Laundering Council head on Tuesday expressed its support to the absolute lifting of the bank secrecy law prior to the 81 million dollar bank heist. Although hopeful for the absolute lifitng of bank secrecy law, AMLC Executive Director Julia Bacay Abad admitted that the will face an uphill battle to accomplish this.

- Allies of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are welcome to help the ruling Liberal Party and its coalition partners. The Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid candidates led by presidential aspirant Mar Roxas held sorties on Tuesday in Pampanga province - a known balliwick of Arroyo - to lure voters before the Holy Week break.

- North Korea threatened a "misearable end" for South Korean president Park Geun-hye and her American allies in its series of provocations. Pyongyang declard it would wage a battle against the South Korean president with its artillery units standing ready to turn her office into a "sea of flames and ashes". This provocation comes as the US and SoKor stage their annual Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercies, which is the largest this year in the wake of a recent North Korean nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. Seoul urged the North to stop "base and vulgar" threats and warned of a "relentless retaliation" against any further provocations.

- Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter revealed that South Korea and the United States have agreed to deploy the anti-ballistic missile interceptor called the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) to the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Carter said the system would protect South Korea and the US troop presence here against North Korea's missile threats. Carter added that Washington has started to boost its capabilities in light of North Korea possibly having the capacity to range the US with an ICBM.

- The recent Arizona primaries scored a huge win for Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton over who could best deal with Islamic extremism amid the recent Belgian attacks. In the Republican side, Trump now has 739 delegates, Cruz has 425 and Kasich has 143. In the Democratic side, meanwhile, Clinton now has 1,203 elegates to Sanders’ 860, based on primaries and caucuses. It takes 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.

- Turkish authorities reportedly detained at least 13 people, including those with alleged links to the Islamic State militants. Three people, including a Syrian and Iraqi, alleged to have planned attacks on targets including a German consulate general and a school. Ten people, meanwhile, tried to illegally enter Turkey from Syria. One is said to have been in possession of an explosive device for a suicide attack.

- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend next week's Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, and is expected too meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines. Xi will make a 5-day trip to the Czech Republic and the United States from the 28th of March and he will attend the summit at the end of March. The summit is expected to discuss measures aimed at preventing nuclear materials to fall under terrorists' hands as well as North Korea's nuclear development and China's military activities in the South China Sea.

- Manny Pacquiao kicked off his second week of training in preparation for his final fight against Tim Bradley next month.

- The first-ever retractable fastback version of the fourth-generation Mazda Roadster has unveiled prior to its New York Auto Show debut this week.



- The all-new fifth-generation Subaru Impreza, in saloon form, is officially unveiled prior to its New York Auto Show debut this week.



- Three hit Biohazard/Resident Evil games are coming to PS4 and XBOX One in celebration of the franchise's 20th anniversary! The first is Biohazard 6, coming on the 29th of March, featuring all the DLC contents, Japanese audio, improved frame rate, and ResidentEvil.net exclusive outfits. In Summer 2016, Biohazard 5 will be out and in the Autumn of 2016, Biohazard 4 will be out.



- Evolution Studios, the developer of the popular PS4 racing game DriveClub, has been closed by parent compay Sony. This news comes nearly a year following the studio's recent layoffs affecting over fifty employees, resulting in the studio being restructured and focusing on the game as a service. DriveClub was originally intended as a PS4 launch title but was delayed to 2014 with disastrous launch day results. However, numerous upadtes have been implemented to become one of the most popular PS4 racing games to day. The recent DLC, Finish Line, was launched today featuring Koenigsegg's brand new hybrid hypercar, the Regera, and the legendary Jaguar XJ220.



- The hit BBC TV series Doctor Who has smashed the Guinness World Records title for the "Largest gathering of Doctor Who characters at Comic Con event in Mexico". A total of 492 Doctor Who cosplayers participated in the milestone.



TTFN!!!

Islamic State claims responsibility on the Brussels attacks

According to the latest reports regarding the recent attacks at an airport and a metro station in the Belgian capital Brussels, the Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for these attacks.

Right now, 34 people are reportedly killed in the blasts while over two hundred people are hurt. Prosecutors released a CCTV footage of three men suspected behind the airport bombing. In the raid, police found a nail bomb, an Islamic State flag, and chemicals.

Authorities are believed that the bomb maker behind last year's Paris attacks could be the key suspect in the recent attack. Najim Laachraoui is listed as one of Europe's most wanted criminals upon his return to Syria. It is believed that the attacked was carried following the arrest of Paris attack suspect Salah Abdeslam last weekend.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/12201611/Brussels-bombings-terrorist-attack-on-Belgium-airport-and-Metro-live.html

Brussels terror attacks hit an airport and station

There was a recent explosion occured at Brussels' Zaventem airport snd Maelbeek metro station. As of right now, the casuality is now reported to 23.

No one knows who claimed the attack on two sites in the Belgian capital but prosecutors say, it is believed to be a suicide attack.

In response, the Belgian government has placed into full alert with Brussels in full lockdown and establishments shut.

Report: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/brussels-attacks-what-we-know-so-far

A list of Resident Evil movies

As we continue on the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Biohazard/Resident Evil franchise, it's time to focus on the movies.

When the first Resident Evil film launched in 2002, it spanned into five films currently and despite its loose ends with a few references from the games, these films showcases just how badass action starlet Milla Jovovich performed as Alice, a woman who used to worked at Umbrella's secret facility and ended up being a BOW of her own trying bring down Umbrella to its knees even if it cost her life. If the Hollywood movie adaptations never met up to the fans' expectations, there are two CGI anime films that worked the charm very well.

With work on the final Hollywood adaptation of the Resident Evil film as well as a 2017 CGI anime movie is underway, time to list down the films loosely or heavily inspired from the games.

Resident Evil (2002) - The first film was loosely inspired from the first Biohazard/Resident Evil game. In here, a group of soldiers infiltrated a mysterious mansion, only to find out that it hides a secret facility only a woman named Alice knows what.

Resident Evil Apocalypse (2004) - Drawing inspiration from RE2 and RE3, this second film sees Alice escaped from the laboratory and fights her way to escape the zombie-infested town we know as Raccoon City. Elements from the game are featured in this film such as the BOW Nemesis, Jill Valentine, and the UBCS units, including RE3's Carlos Oliveira.

Resident Evil Extinction (2007) - In Extinction, years has passed since the Raccoon City incident, the T-Virus outbreak decimated all of mankind and the organization behind the terror that is Umbrella, set up underground facilities conducting research on bioweapons. Alice, who survived another laboratory capture from the last film, ventures in the Nevada wastelands to find survivors. RE characters such as the infamous Albert Wesker and Claire Redfield made appearances in this film.

Biohazard Degeneration (2008) - As a proper, no holds barred, anime movie inspired from the world of the Biohazard/Resident Evil games, Degeneration sees former cop turned US agent Leon S. Kennedy as he takes on a terrorist attack at the Harvardville Airport.

Resident Evil Afterlife (2010) - In the fourth film, Alice lost her superhuman abilities during her encounter with Albert Wesker in Tokyo. Months later, Alice is venturing the Pacific to reunite with Claire and the others as she searches for a place known as Arcadia. After a sudden reunion with Claire, who ended up under a pawn of Umbrella's hands, the two met up with the other survivors at a prison in Los Angeles. In this film, not only the Majinis from RE5 showed up in the film but also the movie appearance of Chris Redfield.

Biohazard Damnation (2012) - There are two films made to coincide with the launch of Biohazard 6/Resident Evil 6. This anime movie is one of them and in Damnation, followup to Degeneration, sees Leon S. Kennedy taking on the Eastern Slav Republic while ignoring orders to retreat. Leon's not alone though as an old friend of his, the female spy Ada Wong, is also on the case regarding this Eastern Slav rebellion.

Resident Evil Retribution (2012) - In this fifth installment, Alice is under the prying eyes of Jill Valentine at a secret underground facility hidden in the frozen Siberian waters. Upon making her escape, Alice receives a message from her old enemy, Albert Wesker, about escaping the facility full of simulated locations including Tokyo, New York, and Moscow. A team of soldiers, led by Leon S. Kennedy, will arrive at the rendezvous point and it's up to Alice to use by any means necessary to escape the facility before Jill gets to her way.

These are the list of films inspired from the Biohazard/Resident Evil games. While we are looking forward for the next films coming soon, feel free to enjoy these Resident Evil films anytime if you're in the mood to dive into the franchise's 20 year history before you die.

Photo: Sony Pictures

GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva - 2016 minor change

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

The Captiva crossover has been in South Korean roads for five years and the folks from GM Korea managed to give it a much needed facelift to keep this once world-proven crossover afloat in times of challenges the South Korean division of General Motors faced following Chevrolet's withdrawal from the European market.

First and not the most amusing one, the exterior has been revised with a new front view reflecting the new global look for Chevrolet and I know some of you never liked the new Chevrolet look in the front because some might complain that this new look might just spoil its once great look but while if you're not making an issue about the front, check out the rear side because the taillights have been given an updated look and aside from that, the 2016MY Captiva features refreshed wheel designs to keep its dynamic look alive and well despite the odds.

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva interior

2016 GM Korea Chevrolet Captiva

The interior is heavily revised with some new tech including the upgraded MyLink with phone projection technology featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, and Siri Eyes Free which lets your voice do the operation. Its seven-seater capacity remains the same as well as seven ways to fold the seats to accomodate more luggage spaces especially the ones you bought at a nearby thrift store.

The only engine available for the facelifted Captiva is a Euro 6-compliant 2.0L ECOTEC diesel engine producing 170PS of power and 40.8kg-m of torque, mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox sourced from Japan-based transmission manufacturer Aisin. This gearbox delivers improved acceleration, response, quietness, and better fuel economy. When switched to Sport Mode, it delivers direct throttle response to get things afloat. It even comes with a different kind of power steering called R-EPS, which provides a much direct handling for the new Captiva.

The new Chevrolet Captiva even comes with loads of safety features such as a rear-view camera, Blind Spot Alert, Rear cross traffic alert, electronic stability control, active rollover protection, Hill Start Assist, six airbags, and many more to keep this crossover safer than none.

The 2016MY Captiva starts at 28,090,000 Korean Won.

Photo: GM Korea Company

Let's Do The News! (March 22, 2016)

- The Chinese government is flexing its military muscle in the South China Sea, driving away Filipino fishermen from Panatag Shoal and preventing the Indonesian coast guard from detaining a Chinese vessel caught poaching in Indonesian waters. Earlier, 10 Filipino fishermen reported being harassed from the Panatag Shoal by Chinese coast guard at the weekend. Also, the incident occured on the 19th of March prompted the Indonesian government to take it to the international tribunal of the law of the sea.

- During US President Barack Obama's historical Cuban visit, he prodded with Cuban leader Raul Castro over human rights and the longstanding US economic embargo during an unprecedented news conference that stunned Cubans unaccustomed to their leaders being aggressively question. During his meeting at the Palace of the Revolution, Obama repeatedly pushed Castro to take steps to address Cuba's human rights record.

- For this year's Balikatan exercises, mobile rocket and missile platforms will be deployed for the first time in a live-fire drill to be held at the Crow Valley gunnery range in Tarlac, amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Aside from the usual air and armored assets, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System will be used in the live-fire phase of the exercise, according to the spokesman for this year's joint military drill.

- Japan's new security laws will take effect on the 29th of March. The legislation allows the nation to exercise the right to collective self-defense as well as expansion of Self Defense Forces globally. The new laws were enacted by the Diet last year.

- The South Korean government confirmed the country's first case of the Zika virus. The Health and Welfare Ministry said that a 43-year-old male was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus earlier in the day. The man reportedly stayed in Brazil in over three weeks on business before returning to South Korea on the 11th of March. He suffered a fever after his return and he'd been bitten by a mosquito in Brazil.

- The South Korean National Defense Ministry believes that North Korea used a new type of launch system when it fired five projectiles yesterday. The Korean Central News Agency reported that the country had tested a new type of high-caliber multiple rocket launching system in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un. The rpeort said the launch was the rocket's final test before operational deployment and that targets in South Korea lie within its range.

- The Federal Bureau of Investigation says an outside source may be able to hack the iPhone used by the suspect in last year's San Bernardino shootout. It says if viable, it would no longer need Apple's help to crack the phone. A California court has agreed to the FBI's request to delay the hearing on the matter scheduled for Tuesday.

- Ford, Shelby American, and Hertz will present the 2016 Mustang Shelby GT-H at the New York Auto Show, honoring the 50th anniversary of the original Rent-A-Racer. True to its roots, 140 units will be made for rental use.

2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H

- Lucas Till will be playing as the new MacGyver in an upcoming reboot fo the classic 80's TV action show. Alongside Till are former CSI actor George Eads and new comer Joshua Boone.

- During last weekend's live event, singer TM Revolution announced that MAGES' fictional male idol group B-PROJECT will star in their very first video game adaptation. The singer will serve as the project's producer while composer/writer Chiyomaru Shikura is the original creator in chage of project planning. B-PROJECT, so far, features four fictional idol groups; Kitakore, Thrive, MooNs, and Killer King.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: SoKor, US envoys hold talks on North Korea

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States will hold talks on North Korea this afternoon in Seoul, following their first round of high-level talks on the sanction on the North with Daniel Fried, the US State Department's coordinator for sanctions policy.

Washington's special representative for North Korea policy Sung Kim and South Korea's top nuclear envoy Kim Hong-kyun are expected to discuss joint responses to Pyongyang's evolving nuclear threats.

Meanwhile, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong-Un superviced the recent test firing of missiles yesterday, relaying that the NoKor leader voiced satisfaction over the precision exercised by the latest high-caliber projectiles. The media outlet added that Kim sang the praises of North Korean scientists, military factory workers, and engineers for creating a weapons system that enhanced the abilities to attack South Korea.

The report didn't mention the date of the training but appears to be referring to the North's short-range missile launched between 1500 to 1600 hours on Monday.

In the meantime, South Korea and the US navies began their five-day joint naval drills today to boost their preparedness against potential military provocations by North Korea.

Source: Arirang News