THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North fired new type of rocket

The South Korean Defense Ministry reported that they projectile North Korea fired last week was a new kind of rocket. The projectile launched from near Wonsan on North Korean's eastern coast and came about 200 km away, in the country's northern province of Ryanggang.

Officials belive the North's engineers directed the rocket inland to showcase its ground-based target strike capabilities. The ministry raised its alert level, in an event of threats ahead of the nuclear security summit that kicks off in Washington this Thursday. The ministry unveiled a 5-year defense plan with a budget of over 195 billion dollars and it takes effect next year.

Source: NHK WORLD

Let's Do The News! (March 30, 2016)

- A certain Catholic charity group drew criticism over comic book propaganda of presidential candidate Mar Roxas portraying him as a hero during super typhoon Yolanda. Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary Edu Gariguez called Roxas' comic hypocritical and the campaign material a shameful and unacceptable propaganda.

- A US Department of State official told that the global community should urge China to abide by the ruling of the international tribunal on its arbitration case against the Philippines. According to the Department of State Deputy assistant Secretary Colin Willett, the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague will push for a more constructive diplomatic process that will reduce tensions in the South China Sea.

- All three Republican candidates backed out to pledge to support the eventual nominee during CNN town hall earlier. John Kasich said all of them shouldn't even have answered the question. Frontrunner Donald Trump, meanwhile, don't care when asked by reported Anderson Cooper if her continued to pledge to support whoever the Republican nominess. For Ted Cruz, he's not in the habit of supporting someone who "attacks his family" and nominating Trump would be a disaster.

- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will leave for Washington on Wednesday for the Nuclear Security Summit. The top leaders from over fifty countries will atend the summit, which opens on Thursday. The leaders include him, US president Barack Obama, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and South Korean president Park Geun-hye. The leaders will discuss ways to prevent terrorist attacks using nuclear weapons and other topics. They will also take up the Islamic State militant group following the Brussels attacks. Abe is expected to confirm with other leaders their close cooperation against the Korean Peninsula, which continues their never-ending threats such as nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.

- Speaking of which, a senuor US official warned that North Korea is nearing on deploying a miniaturized nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the US mainland. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave the warning at the Washington think tank on Tuesday. The North Korean issue will be the top priority for the trilateral summit in Washington on Thursday as the leaders of Japan, US, and South Korea will meet on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit.

- The people of Burma are honoring the historic step in the nation's path towards democracy as their new leader Htin Kyaw has sworn in on Wednesday. Htin Kyaw is the first Burmese leader without a military background in over five decades. In his inauguration speech, he pledged to protect freedom, fairness, and national independence.

- Onto the Brussels attacks, the Dutch investigative authorities say they received intel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the suspects of last week's attacks six days before the bombings occured. The Dutch authorities said that they had been warned by the FBI about the alleged perpetrators of the attacks, Ibrahim El Bakraoui and his younger brother Khalid. They sai they were informed of Ibrahim's criminal record and Khalid's suspected involvement in terrorism.

- For those who watched the final episode of the hit anime comedy Osomatsu-san, did you know there are secret messages scattered throughout the ridiculously funny finale for the Matsuno sextuplets entering a do-or-die game of baseball through greater heights? CHECK HERE.

- Actress Princess Punzalan finally made her comeback to ABS-CBN after parted ways with the TV network over a decade ago.

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye; the lolas are finally out of the red after selling off their land from Zambales. Which means, they're back at being rich lolas again until someone appeared in front of the lolas who is a potential yaya to the mansion of the lolas and Divina Smash. The latest yaya audition goes by the name of Yayaglo, and much to the disturbance of Lola Nidora, she's a descendant of Yaya Mot, the battered yaya since post-war times. So, what's in store for her? Tune in next time and find out!

TTFN!!!

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS STARLIGHT MASTER 01 Snow Wings

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS
STARLIGHT MASTER 01 Snow Wings

Fans of the hit mobile app game THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage are pleased to hear that the extended version of the in-game song Snow Wings is now available and this is the first of the brand new STARLIGHT MASTER range inspired from the Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage game, where players can collect and idolize their favorite idols and go on a high score hijinks with their favorite Cinderella Girls songs, which is fairly similar to its rival app, the Love Live! School Idol Festival. There's some scouting, idolizing, practicing, full comboing, and whatever you expect on an idol rhythm game of this caliber.

This single features not only the full version of the titular song but also some more in-game songs such as はにかみdays and AnemoneStar as well.

THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage is available to download on Google Play and the App Store. Includes in-app purchases.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1) Snow Wings (M@STER VERSION)

2) はにかみdays

3) AnemoneStar

4) Snow Wings (M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ

5) はにかみdays オリジナル・カラオケ

6) AnemoneStar オリジナル・カラオケ

7) Snow Wings (GAME VERSION)

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS ANIMATION PROJECT ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

THE IDOLM@STER
CINDERELLA GIRLS
ANIMATION PROJECT OST

Last year, the anime adaptation of THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS ventures the life and times of 346 PRODUCTION's CINDERELLA PROJECT as they venture through numerous obstacles in life to get their names be known to the hearts of fans. Of course, fans already watched the anime series in two halves; one by January 2015 and the second by July 2015, and fans thought that they loved the Cinderella Girls as much as the original 765 Production idols from the original IDOLM@STER series.

With the anime truly now consigned to the IM@S history books, the long-awaited original soundtrack inspired from last year's show has arrived, packed with background musics as heard on the TV show as well as TV edits of CINDERELLA PROJECT's finest.

All of the BGMs were made courtesy of MONACA and it's been packed in a unique vertically-shaped booklet packed with comments in the making of the music of CINDERELLA GIRLS as well as three music CDs (and a bonus Blu-Ray audio disc) to enjoy listening through the background musics as heard in the TV series.

TRACK LISTINGS:

Disc 1 

01 Theme of Cinderella Girls (M01A)

02 Anemone (M02)

03 Flower Language (M34A)

04 Why Don't You Be a Cinderella? (M33A)

05 Trial and Error (M17A)

06 Sly & The Girls Jewelries (M41)

07 April Tango (M05)

08 The Second Line of MIO (M10A)

09 Waltz for Dreamers (M06)

10 Just Curious. (M19)

11 Never Was a Cloudy Twilight (M40)

12 Puzzling Pizzicato (M07)

13 The Dancing Glass Slippers (M25)

14 The Cat Ears' Opinions (M30A)

15 Ambiguous Dialogue (M31A)

16 Dress! Dress! Dress! (M21)

17 The Days of Effort (M27)

18 All Right in the End (M39)

19 THE TWO SELFIE MONSTERS (M35)

20 Eight Days OFF A Week (M14A)

21 Teatime (in the Magic Hour) (M38)

22 RANKO's Grimoire (M13A)

23 Tut-Tut Blues (M32A)

24 Mondo Monday (M23)

25 Sunday Montuno (M24)

26 The Girls Etiquette (M22)

27 Count It Basis! (M11)

28 The Reversible Heart (M08)

29 Motif "Awake" (M09)

30 Honesty (M20)

31 Bedtime Nocturne (M37A)

32 Your Smile (M28)

33 Tears of Joy (M29)

Disc 2 

01 Fortunately, Ordinary (M36)

02 Carriage for Cutie (M03)

03 A Demon in Shibuya (M15A)

04 Passione (M04)

05 Wishful Thinking (M66)

06 Playing Spies (M67)

07 TOTOKIRA Kindergarten (M68)

08 Serendipity (M63)

09 If So (or Not So) (M65)

10 Elder Sisters' Pain (M64)

11 Thanks For Our Work (M42)

12 See You (M43)

13 Regal No.346 (M60A)

14 Erosional Authority (M60B)

15 Thistle Castle (M60C)

16 The Dotted Anxiety (M16)

17 Impatience (M26)

18 The Beautiful Creeps (M44)

19 Emergency (M45)

20 Heartbeats (M46)

21 Someone Behind the Door (M12)

22 Nothing's Gonna Be Alright (M48)

23 1159 Tinnitus (M18)

24 A Ripple of Courage (M61)

25 A Lost Princess (M49)

26 Starting Over (M62)

27 Primula Julian (M01C)

28 SHINSEN Girls (#26)

Disc 3 

01 お願い!シンデレラ(BGM Version) (C01)

02 メッセージ(BGM Version) (C02)

03 ススメ☆オトメ～jewel parade～(BGM Version) (C03)

04 We're the friends! (BGM Version) (C04)

05 Nation Blue(BGM Version) (C05)

06 Orange Sapphire(BGM Version) (C06)

07 アタシポンコツアンドロイド(BGM Version) (C07)

08 Star!!(Piano Instrumental Version) (C08)

09 夕映えプレゼント(BGM Version) (C09)

10 できたてEvo! Revo! Generation! (BGM Version) (C10)

11 オルゴールの小箱(BGM Version) (C11)

12 輝く世界の魔法(BGM Version) (C15)

13 Never Say Never(BGM Version) (C16)

14 S(mile)ING!(BGM Version) (C17)

15 ミツボシ☆☆★(BGM Version) (C18)

16 Shine!! (BGM Version) (C19)

17 夢色ハーモニー(BGM Version) (C20)

18 GOIN'!!! (BGM Version) (C21)

19 つぼみ(BGM Version) (C23)

20 Star!!(オルゴールVersion)

21 お願い!シンデレラ(オルゴールVersion)

22 アタシポンコツアンドロイド(TV Size)

23 Orange Sapphire(TV Size)

24 Nation Blue(TV Size)

25 GOIN'!!!

26 S(mile)ING!(TV Version)

27 流れ星キセキ(TV Version)

28 STORY

29 STORY オリジナル・カラオケ

Kia Niro

As if the crossover dilemma didn't had enough problems for the rest of us, the Koreans that brought us the Sportage and the Sorento gave us a little compact crossover that some say it would be the South Korean equivalent to the Honda Vezel. Enter Niro.

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro, so oddly named, they named after someone from Tinseltown and apart from its odd name, this compact crossover is slotted below the Sportage and if things get any worse for us, the Niro is a hybrid that uses the same tech as the Hyundai IONIQ. Before explaining more about the Niro's hybrid stuff, let's talk about the design.

On keen observation, the Niro looks if its been a mashup between the Soul and the Jeep Cherokee from behind but despite its odd looks, the Niro isn't half bad full stop when you take it outside on the city center or the highway or whatever you come across because from every angle, the Niro blends its peculiarness with futuristic charm.

2017 Kia Niro interior

Step into the Niro's interior and it feels very futuristic indeed thanks to its high-tech intstrumental panel, well-organized center panel, and blue-and-black accents to make it well-tailored for a compact crossover. Although this is a five-seater crossover, the Niro can accomodate up to 1,425 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded, opening up for more possibilities in terms of your next day off or two and. With the rear seats present, the Niro can accomodate just the shopping stuff from the establishments but with the rear seats folded, it's garage-sale capable.

The Niro comes with other conveniences in store to make life easier for the tech-savvy owner such as wireless charger, heated steering wheel, climate control, KRELL premium surround sound system,

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro may look like your average crossover but because it has some Hyundai IONIQ know-how, expect some misery in store and time to meet the cause of the Niro's misery. It's a Kappa 1.6L GDi engine connected to a 32kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery while mated with a 6-speed double clutch gearbox. With this hybrid powertrain, it provides a total output of 141PS of power and 265Nm of torque. Fuel economy is around 19.5km/L, which is nowhere near as good as the hybrid-powered Honda Vezel.

But unlike the Vezel, the Niro behaves like a city car thanks to its clever suspension system and disc brakes, meaning that despite being a Korean-made, it behaves almost like a European compact and it feels okay to be accommodated with. It sure is a fine daily driver's car but some are concerned that the Niro may suffer the same bellyup as what happened to the Honda Vezel with the hybrid powertrain on it. Gets worse, it might suffer some throttle loss but it's too early to tell until you drive one.

2017 Kia Niro

Because the Niro is dubbed as the "Smart SUV", it features some smart tech that lives to its name Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning System, and Blind Spot Detection. For safety puposes, the Niro comes with a rigid body and seven airbags.

Should you buy one? The Niro is priced at 23,240,000 Korean Won and it's bizzarely more expensive than the Sportage but despite the pricing, if you are feeling worrysome that the Sportage's diesel powertrain take the rap by the authorities because of diesel scandals, best to consider this hybrid for such reason. The Niro sure is a nice alternative to those diesel powered Kia SUVs but like the Honda Vezel, you really don't hold much hope.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Metal Stream, Ridge Espresso, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: NoKor officials compete to show loyalty

The latest threats from North Korea indicate its officials competing to show loyalty to Kim Jong Un. The South Korean Unification Ministry said that the Korean Peninsula has intensified its threats more than it did after the country's third nuclear test three years ago.

The spokesperson indicated the reaason that there is a rivalry among officials to show their devotion to the North Korean leader.

Last week, North Korea reportedly conducted their largest-ever long-range artillery drills. It said the target was South Korea's presidential office and government organizations.

Source: NHK World

Let's Do The News! (March 29, 2016)

- Returning to the money laundering issue,  a Chinese businessman told senators investigating this issue that it was dismissed RCBC branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito who opened the false bank accounts and made sure money that went through them was taken out of the bank. In the statement read before the Blue Ribbon committe, the businessman referred one of the foreigners to Deguito due to the tendency to open the RCBC account and was a junket agent the businessman known for a long time.

- About 100 Chinese boats seen enroaching in Malaysian waters near the Luconia Shoals in the South China Sea, according to a Malaysian minister. The minister in charge of national security, Shahidan Kassim, said the government has dispatched the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the navy to the area to assess the situation and as quoted from reports, legal enforcement action would be take if the Chinese vessels have entered Malaysian exclusive economic zone. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said that Chinese boats have a right to be in the waters.

- 10 Indonesian nationals were held captive when their ship was hijacked in Philippine waters. According to the Indonesian foreign ministry, the owner of the hijacked tug boat and coal barge has received two phone calls, one of them is from the infamous Abu Sayyaf Group demanding a ransom. No one knows when the incident occured but said the ship owner was first contacted on Saturday. The ministry's statement referred to the hostage takers as pirates.

- Japan's new security laws come into effect half a year after being enacted last September. The legislation allows Japan to use force by exercising its right to collective self-defense and able to defend other countries with which it has close ties, if threatened. The Self Defense Forces can now carry out new duties.

- The Federal Bureau of Investigation finally unlocked the iPhone belonged to the suspect from last year's San Bernardino shootout without the help of Apple. This report means the end of the court battle between the US government and the tech giant. The FBI said that it wasked the federal court to withdraw an order requiring Apple to write new software to disable passcode protection and allow access to the phone.

- Belgian authorities released a man they had detained in connection with last week's Brussels terror attacks. The man was arrested in a raid on Thursday, two days after the attack at the airport and subway on the Belgian capital. The authorities believed the man was a match for a suspect who appears in security footage alongside two suicide bombers who died in the attack. Investigations said they had freed the man, saying that they had lack of evidence to justify holding him.

- Former Top Gear presenter, now presenter to the upcoming Amazon original show, James May, comments about the new show's Cenotaph stunt is a "little bit ill-judged". Weeks ago, during the shooting for the new Top Gear, Matt LeBlanc is alongside Ken Block drifting his Hoonicorn in the streets of London and the stunt near the war memorial brought fury to the public. May also confirms that their new show he'll be hosting alongside Clarkson and Hammond will ditch the studio format in favor for a more on-road experience, similar to what the American Top Gear done.

- For the love of plain white rice, there's two Hanayo Koizumi figures as seen from the Love Live School Idol Project! First up, the figma of Kayo-chin that will served as the penultimate in the Love Live figma range. It's now open for orders starting at 5,370 Yen plus tax and it will arrive this September. If that didn't satisfy you, there's a FREEing figure of her, now available to order for 9,074 Yen plus tax and deliveries will commence this September.

figma Hanayo Koizumi

FREEing Hanayo Koizumi

- If you're on THE IDOLM@STER side, the eighth addition to Phat's THE IDOLM@STER anime DVD/Blu-Ray cover series, the lovely Azusa Miura has arrived. Like the others, it has been replicated to match the anime's DVD/Blu-Ray cover look. It's now available to order starting at 8,400 Yen plus tax and deliveries will commence this September. Book one right now to have her!

Azusa Miura

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye, the search for a new yaya in the mansion of the lolas and Divina are now on and it was one heck of a long process until an aspiriant tries to met up to its expectations but they couldn't care. Later, they received a letter and it's an invitation to this Saturday's Eat Bulaga Dabarkads Awards! Will they attend? Tune in next time and find out!

TTFN!!!