Forza Motorsport 6: The Ferrari 488

On the recently launched Meguiar's Car Pack, the all new Ferrari 488 GTB has arrived late in Forza Motorsport 6 but it's better than never being showed up at all for us to try out Ferrari's latest turbocharged masterpiece.



So, what's it all about this new Ferrari? Premiered at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari's brand new sportscar, the 488 GTB, succeeds where the successful 458 Italia left off and in tune with the times, this car is the first turbocharged mid-engined Ferrari since the F40.

Unlike the 458 it replaces, the 488 GTB is armed with Ferrari's brand new 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine, which is smaller in size but more powerful than the 458 because it produces 670PS of power and 760Nm of torque, while mated with a 7-speed F1 gearbox. Ferrari says that the new model can do 0-100kph in less than three seconds and a top speed of over 330kph.

Apart from its performance, the 488 features carbon-ceramic brakes inspired from the LaFerrari, resulting to better stopping distance than the 458. It features a unique aerodynamic design that improves its downforce by over a half. It comes with a central "Aero Pillar", which deflects air under the flat body while the two vents in the hood deliver air from the dual intakes of the front bumper, to lower air pressure.



As I recall, the new V8 engine maybe as turbocharged as the legendary F40 but it doesn't sound like one because with all that miniaturization comes with a hefty price in the show-off stakes in terms of engine noises, perhaps the folks wanted to lower the volume of the engine noise in the making of downsizing engines. Despite its lowered volume in the engine noise, the 488 still retains its charm in terms of dynamics. Because this is lighter than a normal 458 and it incorporates all of Ferrari's motorsport knowledge, the new 488 still retains its handling charm that its predecessor does, although you could use some special training to get things right while mastering Ferrari's new turbocharged sports coupe.

Anyway, while in the subject of Ferrari's brand new berlinetta, I guess it's time now to see how much of a Ferrari this car is as I'm on a day off somewhere in Spain. One part of Spain to be exact; the Circuit de Catalunya, the venue of the Spanish GP.





So, thoughts on this Ferrari? Well, although its turbocharged V8 engine isn't as sound as I hoped for, it does make up with its sharp dynamics that I can enjoy it harder and longer the more I'm getting accustomed to it. It maybe late to arrive in the FM6 car roster but it's good to have one of the latest Ferraris on the list and with the 488, there's more to discover with this turbocharged stallion from Maranello.

Let's Do The News! (April 1, 2016)

- Back to the money laundering issue, Senate President Pro Tempore Recto said that the masterminds behind the $81 million heist might be from China. Recto added that the Philippines was tricked by the perpetrators of the scheme as there might have been an "inside job" on the hacking at Bangladesh Central Bank.

- Manny Pacquaio urged the nation's college students to choose military service training among the courses offered under the mandatory National Training Service Program to prepare them to protect the Philippines in case of aggression. Running for senator in the May 2016 elections, Pacquiao issued a strong appeal to college students to take up Reserve Officers Training Corps program from among the four NTSP courses they have to enroll in. A student requires one NTSP course as a requisite for graduation.

- Another official takes a stab on the propaganda comic from presidential candidate Mar Roxas as Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez called Roxas' comic book depicting as a hero during Typhoon Yolanda "pure fiction". Romualdez cautioned candidates against coming up with such stories that hurt the people in the region.

- The alleged suspect behind the airport bombings at Zamboanga City six years ago has surrendered to officials of the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila yesterday. Addong Salahuddin, the suspect behind the bombings, said threats to his life prompted him to surrender. Salahuddin, along with several unidentified allies, is facing charges for multiple murder, multiple attempted murder, and illegal possession of explosives.

- The Nuclear Security Summit has opened in Washington, bringing together the leaders of over 50 countries. The summit opened Thursday night with a working dinner by US President Barack Obama, who inaugurated the gathering six years ago. Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and South Korean leader Park Geun-hye were among the attendees. The first day of the summit deals about curbing the threat of nuclear terrorism.

- Zaha Hadid, the London-based architect who penned the design for the main stadium of the 202 Tokyo Olympics, died at the age of 65. According to officials, she died of a heart attack on Thursday at a hospital in Miami, where she had been undergoing treatment for bronchitis since earlier this week.

- American electric car company Tesla unveiled the Model 3 compact saloon, a zero emission compact sports saloon capable of 215 miles of range and priced at $35,000. Production will commence at the end of 2017.

2018 Tesla Model 3

- Fancy another Uzuki Shimamura figure in your THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls collection? Be sure to book one with the brand new "Crystal Night Party version" for 11,852 Yen plus tax. If you do, she'll be arriving at your doorsteps this October so empty your checks for her, okay?

Uzuki Shimamura
Crystal Night Party version

- Check out the first trailer of the "brand new" Top Gear airing this May on BBC Two. May include Chris Evans vomitting during a wild ride with Sabine Schmitz in an Audi.

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye, with the fourth person applying for a position as the new yaya at the mansion of the lolas and Divina's, it seems that the whole roster of would-be yayas will be duking each other tomorrow. So, which of the four will become the new yaya in Kalyeserye? Tune in tomorrow and find out!

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: NoKor fires short-range missile

The South Korean Defense Ministry reported that North Korea has fired a short-range SAM toward the Sea of Japan on Friday.

Ministry officials said the missile was fired from near Sondok in the easter province of Hamgyong-namdo at around 1300 hours local time. They said it fell in the Sea of Japan. Yonhap news agency said the missile flew about 100 km. Defense officials are analyzing the situation.

Source: NHK World

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: NoKor successfully designed an ICBM vehicle

According to a US defense magazine, North Korea appears to have succeeded in designing both a re-entry vehicle for the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile and a nucler warhead, although it has yet to build them.

Citing recent satellite imagery, NoKor media, and computer analysis, the country's re-entry vehicles may be able to fly straight without losing their balance, while its nuclear waheads appear small and light enough to fit inside the vehicles.

Meanwhile, South Korea issued a warning after facing problems with satellite signal that it appeared to be coming from North Korea. The warning issued at 1930 hours local time in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggido, and Gangwondo provinces, came as North Korea discharged a large amount of ECM, causing mobile phones to malfunction and affect planes and ships that rely on GPS navigation. No damage has been reported in the military or among civillians.

Right now, South Korean leader Park Geun-hye is in Washington to attend the Nuclear Security Summit and plans to win international concensus on more effectively implementing sanctions on North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Before the summit, Park said she has a strong conviction that the vision for a nuclear-free world must begin with the Korean peninsula and North Korea would "self-destruct" if it continues to go down this path.

Source: Arirang News

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)