Honda Accord Hybrid (2017MY Minor Change, CR7)

It's been three years ago when Honda made the Accord, the last of the Honda sedans, into a full-fledged hybrid saloon to compete against Toyota's hybrid-only Camry, and this saloon introduced Honda's new 2-motor hybrid system labeled under the Sport Hybrid banner: i-MMD or Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive. It should have been a good midsize saloon that delivers a good blend of performance or efficiency but...don't know how but Honda finally responded with the 2016 minor change of the Honda Accord Hybrid with an upgraded powertrain.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

For the 2017MY minor change, the Accord Hybrid now features a much simmered front view and a mildly revised rear view looks broadly similar to its pre-facelifted model. With the design becoming more mild-mannered compared to the old one, Honda claims that their newest update will be more fuel efficient and technologically advanced than the old one.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid interior

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid interior

Nothing's changed on the interior design but the hardware's gone revamp courtesy of the application of the available Apple Carplay, a first for Honda. Of course, you don't need to explain what's what about the Apple CarPlay feature but if customers opt in for the top spec EX model, you can get sports combination seats, driving position system, engine start button with Honda Smart Key System, and so on.

Now, let's talk about the upgraded powertrain of the 2017 Accord because there is now a brand new H4 electric motor which replaces the old model's MF8 electric motor. Working alongside the 2.0L Atkinson Cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine, it now produces a combined power output of up to 215PS of power output when set to Hybrid Drive Mode as well as fuel consumption of up to 31.6km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards. Believe it or not, the new 2017 Accord Hybrid now features a Sport button on the electronic gear selector. Push that button and not only it will become sharper through handling but it allows you to change simulated gears via paddle shifters. Sounds good but it's not worth the cut to be a decent sports saloon.

Apart from its newly updated drivetrain, the Accord Hybrid now comes with Honda Sensing, meaning this saloon now comes with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot warning.

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2017MY Honda Accord Hybrid is priced at 3,850,000 up to 4,100,000 Japanese Yen, which is still more costly than the Toyota Camry, but with all that improvements implemented on it, the new Accord Hybrid is slowly becoming a nice car to drive on Japanese roads. With the new Sport mode, added power, and some tech, this hybrid sports saloon is just one step further to seize the competition.

Available colors: Deep Aurora Metallic, Luna Silver Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Premium Sparkle Black Pearl, and Premium Deep Rosso Pearl.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Overwatch

Overwatch (XBOX One)

Overwatch (PS4)

This is Blizzard Entertainment's latest creation and noteworthy one of the most anticipated games to play for 2016. Called Overwatch, this first-person multiplayer action game not only marks a departure for Blizzard's PC RPG offerings such as Diablo and Warcraft, but this is a fun-filled shooter game where fanbase is expected for players devoted to Blizzard's action packed games.

Unlike any other FPS games, you can't just jump in it and go for a spin because it's multiplayer-focused and if you're playing it on PS4 and X1, you're going to need some subscriptions to go through Overwatch's multiplayer madness and then some.

Anyway, in the futuristic action-packed world of Overwatch, players can choose as one of the 21 playable characters, each with their own distinct abilities to master in the battlefield. They can go for the offensive, defensive, unleash brute force, or assist teammates, whichever floats your boat.

As you get to know your Overwatch character, you can immerse yourself in different locations and each location has different objectives such as battling against a rival team, protect a valuable target, and so on. How you will master these objectives is up to you and your mates. After the game, you can gain experience and when you level up, you can gain in-game credits and bonuses that will fit your favorite characters in style and finesse, no doubt.

Because Overwatch is a multiplayer-focused first-person shooter game, getting in the action is not going to be a very easy task but once you're in the fun, you can't stop playing against other players while mastering your Overwatch character. It maybe complicating to immerse yourself but you won't be disappointed because sooner or later, Overwatch is going to be the next Splatoon because of how unique this game is at all sides and you'll go "Wow! Where did that came from?!"

Good luck fighting for the future, brave individuals!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Jeju forum begins

The 11th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity is being held today until the 27th of May, at the International Convention Center Jeju under the theme of "Asia's New Order and Cooperative Leadership". For this year, the forum will focus on cooperative leadership needed to meet the common challenge the global community is facing with over 4,000 participants from 60 countries attending for 69 sessions.

Among the speakers for this year's Jeju forum are UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, former Japanese premier Tomiichi Murayama, former Singapore premiere Goh Chok Tong, and CTO and Co-founder of Tesla Motors J.B. Straubel.

The forum is organized by the Jeju Peace Institute and hosted by the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, International Peace Foundation and East Asia Foundation.

As for Ban Ki-moon, he will fly to Japan on Thursday to attend the G7 Summit and return to South Korea on Friday. His final day will be spent in Gyeongju in the southeast, where he will attend a regional UN conference before returning to Washington DC next Monday.

Ban's visit is getting an extra attention, as he is widely expected to run in South Korea's next presidential election in 2017, but Ban remains mum about his plans after his final term as UN chief ends this December.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (May 25, 2016)

- The Commission on Human Rights ruled that Davao City Mayor and President-elect Rodrigo Duterte violated the Magna Carta of Women over his controversial rape joke regarding the gang rape and killing of an Australian missionary. The CHR said that words and actions of Duterte were discriminatory of women that is enjoined by the Magna Carta of Women. Their resolution suggested that the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Interior and Local Government take appropriate measures.

- Former Justice Secretary and Senator-Elect Leila de Lima revealed that it was President Benigno Aquino III who asked her to help out Liberal Party's vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo as the latter faces allegations of election fraud from Senator Bongbong Marcos. De Lima is working as an overall consultant of Robredo's legal team.

- Human rights activists in Indonesia condemned the government to name the late dictator Suharto a national hero and urged them to reject the idea, given the late president's track record of alleged human rights violation and corruption. If done, the current government would endorse the military authoritarianism that Suharto upheld during his administration, which resulted in violence and led to the disappearance and death of many victims.

- The Afghan Taliban militants confirmed that their leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US Drone strike last week but they named Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, one of Mansour's deputies, as his replacement.

- Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden made their cases on Tuesday for why they should be elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The open debates at the UN are the first in its 7-decade history to subject candidates for Security Council seats to questions from member states and non-government organizations.

- Onto the presidential primaries; Republican presumptive presidentiable Donald Trump and Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton win Washington state's primaries.

- China-based tech giant Huawei filed patent infringement lawsuit against South Korea's Samsung in the US and China, in a case that highlights the rise of Asian competitors as technology creators. Huawei said it wants "reasonable compensation" but gave no financial figure for its claim against Samsung.

- Former racing driver and motoring journalist Tiff Needell announced the end of motoring TV show Fifth Gear via Twitter. The motoring TV show hosted by old Top Gear presenters Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson (and many others) once aired on Channel 5 from 2002 and transferred to Discovery Channel UK from 2012 to 2014, and History Channel UK since last year.

- Warner Brothers Japan announced that a live-action movie adaptation of the hit anime and manga series Fullmetal Alchemist is underway. Shooting will take place in Italy next month and wrap up in Japan in mid August. The film will be released early 2017 and it will star Ryosuke Yamada as Edward Elric, Tsubasa Honda as Winry Rockbell, and Dean Fujioka as Col. Roy Mustang.

- Kangin from the K-POP boy group Super Junior is currently under investigation for DUI. The star allegedly crashed through a street lamp somewhere in Gangnam by around 0200 hours local time while driving a rented luxury car. No one was hurt. This is the second time this Super Junior member got DUI since seven years ago.

TTFN!!!

Renault Talisman Estate

Now, let's introduce to Renault's brand new Talisman Estate, a station wagon derivative of Renault's recently launched Talisman saloon, which replaced both the lackluster Laguna and Latitude saloons, and available exclusively for left-hand drive European markets and South Korea. Unlike the saloon, the estate will not be offered in Asia (even South Korea) because it will be offered exclusively in left-hand drive European markets.

2016 Renault Talisman Estate

At first glance, the estate version looks broadly similar to the saloon equivalent. It's got Renault's new signature design first seen in last year's Espace, the questionable interior with the tall touchscreen on the dashboard, and the choice of engines, but because this is the estate version, it offers a much larger boot space fit enough for your next recreational trip. It offers 572dm3 of load space up to the parcel shelf and a maximum load length of 1,116mm with the seats present but with the rear seats folded, it's now up to 2,010mm, suitable enough to become a company car for logistical purposes.

Also on the estate, it comes with integrated ventilation and new Cover Carving Technology, which frees up more space, including more than three centimeters of extra knee room for rear passengers. 

If you opt in to a more luxurious Initiale Paris model, the Talisman Estate offers premium features that is too close to call it first-class such as full-grain Napa leather upholstery, improved soundproofing thanks to laminated side windows, and a seat cushion length that can be adjusted by up to 60mm.

Just like the saloon version, the Talisman Estate comes with the Multi-Sense feature which allows the driver to switch through four different modes (Neutral, Eco, Comfort, and Sport) and a Personal mode where the driver can customize how it affects the lighting, the speedo, the engine sound, the climate control, the seats, the steering, the powertrain, or the suspension. Under the bonnet, customers can still get a 1.6 TCe petrol, a 1.5 dCi diesel, or a 1.6 dCi diesel with different configurations and can be fitted with either a 6-speed manual, 6-speed EDC, or a 7-speed EDC.

For added safety, the Talisman Estate comes with Active Emergency Braking System, Safe Distance Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic High Low Beam, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a feature that allows this car to park by itself.

The estate version of the Renault Talisman starts at 29,100 Euros and it's somewhat more affordable than Peugeot's 508 SW or Volkswagen's Passat Variant. To evaluate this wagon, the Talisman Estate is a much sportier take in the station wagon genre in Europe and with luxurious features and added practicality, this wagon is too succulent for a forbidden fruit for English-speaking Europeans because this estate's all "je ne parle pas l'anglais". Sorry.

Available colors: Gris Cassiopee, Blanc Nacre, Rouge Carmin, Blue Cosmos, Beige Dune, Brun Vison, Noir Etoile, Gris Platine, and Blanc Glacier.

Photo: Renault

Torikoriko PLEASE!!

Uranohoshi Girls High School's idol unit, Aqours, from Love Live! Sunshine!!, the second generation of the Love Live franchise, is divided into three sub-groups in tradition of what the legendary μ's did with Printemps, lily white, and BiBi. First, there's CYaRon! comprising of Chika Takami, You Watanabe, and Ruby Kurosawa. Then, there's Azalea comprising of Kanan Matsuura, Dia Kurosawa, and Hanamaru Kunikida, And finally, Guilty Kiss comprising of Riko Sakurauchi, Yoshiko Tsushima, and Mari Ohara.

Torikoriko PLEASE!!

Following CYaRon's Genki Zenkai DAY! DAY! DAY!, Aqours' AZALEA introduces their first offering called Torikoriko PLEASE!! and judging by their first offering, fans and newcomers of the Love Live franchise will be greeted by two new songs performed by one of Aqours' sub-groups. Come to think of it, if CYaRon's what μ's did to Printemps, then AZALEA is Aqours' equivalent to μ's lily white because by the looks of it, the way Kanan Matsuura, Dia Kurosawa, and Hanamaru Kunikida looks and performs in their first single kinda reminds you of lily white. Anyway, no time for flashbacks, because like as told, AZALEA's first single features two new songs as well as a audio drama part starring Kanan, Dia, and Hanamaru themselves.

Also, now with CYaRon! and AZALEA got their first offerings, don't miss Guilty Kiss' first single coming early next month and with these three, you'll never know which of the three Aqours sub-groups is your new favorite!

TRACK LISTINGS:

01. トリコリコPLEASE!!
02. ときめき分類学
03. トリコリコPLEASE!! (Off Vocal)
04. ときめき分類学 (Off Vocal)
05. 淡島ホテルへようこそ❤

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: More workers flee N.Korea-run restaurant

The South Korean government reported that several workers at a restaurant run by North Korea in China have escaped to another country and are seeking asylum in the South.

The South Korean Unification Ministry revealed this on Tuesday, without disclosing how many workers are they or where the restaurant is located. Reports told the defectors are women in their 20's.

Last month, 13 workers defected to the South from a North Korea-run restaurant in China. The recent defections come after North Korea's ruling party held its first congress in 36 years this month to renew loyalty to the country's leader Kim Jong Un.

Source: NHK World