Let's Do The News! (July 20, 2016)

- US Secretary of State John Kerry is set to meet with newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte in his visit to Manila this month. Kerry, who last visited the Philippines three years ago, is set to discuss the full range of their cooperation with the Duterte administration, according to the US Department of State. During Kerry's visit from the 26th to the 27th, he is also expected to meet with Foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay, following the historic tribunal on the South China Sea against China.

- Around 320 PNP SAF troops were deployed at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday to take over security here. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the SAF troops will take over security posts in the prison for a few months while 200 NBP employees undergo retraining.

- In Day 2 of the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump was named as the Presidential Candidate for the Republican party as well as his running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence was named Vice Presidential Candidate. Speakers at the convention, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, have been calling to unite against presumptive Democratic presidentiable Hillary Clinton.

- In other notes, the speech by Trump's wife, Melania, at the first day of the RNC, were broadly similar to the speech used by first lady Michelle Obama years ago. US media say these passages are strikingly similar to the speech that Michele Obama delivered at the 2008 Democratic Party convention. The Trump campaign denies the allegation of plagiarism.

- German authorities and investigating possible links between the recent ax-wielding attacker on a train in Germany and the Islamic State militants. The attacker was identified as a 17-year-old male Afghan refugee. He attacked inside the train near Wuerzburg on Monday night. Five people are hurt. The attacker was killed by the police and later, a hand-painted flag of ISIS was spotted on his room.

- Following last week's Nice attacks, French President Francois Hollande says his government plans to extend its state of emergency until January.

- New Pokemon Sun and Moon info on the radar. There are new Pokemon identified on the latest info such as Wimpod, Bounsweet, Comfey, Mudsdale, Bewear, and the Pikachu look-alike Mimikyu. The latest info introduces us Hyper Training and its Pokemon Global Link connectivity.

- Following Norway's plans to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by the year 2015, its capital city Oslo is set to erase parking spaces in its ambition for a car-free city.

- Suzuki Motor Corporation delays launch of their next-generation Swift and Wagon R models to next year following their fuel economy scandal. The new Swift is set to launch on the 1st quarter of 2017, followed by the new Wagon R by Spring.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea launched missiles

Sourced from Arirang News:

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(or JCS) said North Korea fired off three ballistic missiles Tuesday morning 

between 5:45 AM and 6:40 AM Korea Time.

The latest launch is thought to be part of Pyongyang's response to the July 8th decision by Seoul and Washington

to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system here by the end of 2017 to deal with the nuclear and missile threats from the North.

The military said the missiles, presumed to be Scud-class or intermediate-range Rodong missiles, were launched from Hwangju, Hwanghaebukdo Province and two of the missiles flew between five hundred and six hundred kilometers before falling into the East Sea. 

The JCS said the range is enough to reach all of South Korea, including the far southern port city of Busan, 

adding that South Korea's military is keeping close tabs on the North and fully prepared for additional missile launches.  

Let's Do The News! (July 19, 2016)

- The Supreme Court has dismissed a plunder case against Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over her alleged misuse of the intelligence funds of the PCSO. At a televised press conference, the high court dismissed the case against Arroyo for lack of evidence. The court also ordered the immediate release of Arroyo, who is currently under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

- Despite being soured in the recent arbitral ruling, China has agreed to cooperate the Philippines in the fight against illegal drugs with its embassy saying narcotics are "a common enemy of mankind". The Chinese Embassy has expressed explicitly to the new administration China's willingness for effective cooperation as the Chinese government has been firm and severe in drug control and in punishing all drug criminals regardless their nationalities.

- Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade apologized for the closure of the main runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday evening. Tugade explained that he was forced to declare closure of the NAIA Runway 06-24 when the asphalt got peeled off and required immediate repair to ensure passenger and aircrafts' safety.

- The first day of the 4-day US Republican National Convention kicked off in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday, with delegates from all fifty states and party members attending. Over the course of the convention, politicians and actors will deliver speeches addressing Trump's campaign slogan "Make America Great Again". On Tuesday, Donald Trump and Indiana Governor Mike Pence will be named as the party's presidential and vice presidential candidates.

- The European Union foreign ministers have condemned the failed coup attempt in Turkey but urged the country to respect human rights in dealing with the plotters. Turkish authorities have detained at least 7,500 people, including members of the military and judiciary institutions.

- An inquiry commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency says Russia carried out a state-sponsored doping program at the Sochi Winter Olympics two years ago. Sources showed at least 15 of the 33 Russian medal winners at the Sochi Olympics were a part of the doping program.

- An international conference of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, also known as UNAIDS, opened in Durban, South Africa, on Monday. About 18,000 people, including researchers and those who offer assistance to HIV carriers, are taking part.

- Shooting for the first episode of the Amazon original series, The Grand Tour, hosted by former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, in South Africa has finished. The main idea of the show behind the scenes is the presenters taking their studio with them in a large tent globally every episode.

- TV presenter Kris Aquino got criticized by netizens about why she watched the latest AlDub movie, Imagine You & Me, instead of seeing an Enrique Gil film titled Dukot. Believe it or not, both of the films were showed in theaters on the same day since the 13th of July.

- Alden Ehrenreich was named as the actor who's going to play the young Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars prequel film. That was announced during last weekends Star Wars Celebration fan event in London, England.

TTFN!!!

Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ (2017 minor change)

The Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ, two rear-wheel drive sports cars that signalled the collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, have been around for about four years since its 2012 debut and continues to win the hearts of many car enthusiasts who wanted a proper Japanese sportscar that handles and drives just the way the speedo boys want. For Toyota fans, the 86 considered to be a revival to the company's fun-to-drive mantra that has experienced from its past machines including the AE86 Sprinter Trueno/Corolla Levin. For the Subarists, the BRZ is just nothing more of a sacrilege to Subaru's four-wheel drive tradition because of its rear-wheel drive layout but either way, these sportscars remain popular among speedo boys looking for a JDM sportscar that loves to do things sideways just the way they want.

2017 Toyota 86

2017 Subaru BRZ

For the 2017 Model Year, the Toyobaru twin sportscars that reignited the sports car empire has been upgraded with a small power increase and improved dynamics that will keep these two cars coming back for more but upgrades aside, choosing between the 86 or the BRZ is still a hard choice because those who wanted to own an 86 are the kind of drivers who believe that cars are better than people when it comes to overall enthusiasm but they love to drive as much as they want while for those who deserve the BRZ are the kind of people who like to keep their driving style in a calm and collected manner, those who like to keep their cool at all times. Remind you of something?

2017 Toyota 86 interior

2017 Subaru BRZ interior

Yep, the revised design of these two speak for themselves and as for the interior, you will notice the new dashboard, new steering wheel design, and a new, high-tech instrumental panel packed with something that monitors your track day progress such as lap times, distribution, G-force, and so on. That all sounds business for the drivers but if they want to have these cars talk about what's on their mind, let's focus more on the improved performance.

2017 Toyota 86

2017 Subaru BRZ

Using their motorsports knowhow, both of these models now come with improved springs and dampers as well as increased spot welding points on the rear pillars, allowing for better steering response and ride comfort and if anyone goes for an optional Sachs dampers, handling can be slightly improved. Under the hood, the FA20 D-4S two-litre 4-cylinder engine adds 7 more PS to its engine output, resulting to 207PS of power and 212Nm of torque output. Sounds good but only the manual transmission variants are welcomed by this power increase because models with 6-speed automatic gearbox still offers the same previous output as the pre-facelift model.

For those who called themselves Team 86, the 2017 Toyota 86 starts from 2,623,320 to 3,250,800 Yen while for those "Team BRZ", it's yours starting from 2,430,000 to 3,375,000 Japanese Yen. As a key reminder, those who wanted to own an 86 are the kind of drivers who believe that cars are better than people when it comes to overall enthusiasm but they love to drive as much as they want while for those who deserve the BRZ are the kind of people who like to keep their driving style in a calm and collected manner. If you are among one of these sides, you have surrendered your fate in one of these machines in terms of behavior, value for money, and overall enthusiasm, as said at the back of your pants. The 86 is all about behavior with an act of valor while the BRZ is just plain mystic in every single detail but differences aside, these new updates will keep them coming back for more.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation /Fuji Heavy Industries

Seattle's Chinatown International District Dragon Fest 2016

As the hot summer weeks are scorching the Pacific Northwest, I went out to the Seattle Chinatown District to enjoy some sights and sounds of the annual DragonFest, which was sponsored by McDonald's of course. In here, spectators witness some of the best Asian cultural showcase, visit some booths, and for some who didn't mind about the DragonFest for some reason, catching Pokemon in their little smartphone game they called Pokemon Go. I know. I'm one of the many who are catching some wild Pokemon and stocking up supplies on the PokeStops while at it.

Full Gallery: https://www.flickr.com/gp/leopauldelr/Cbk5XF

Video:

Let's Do The News! (July 18, 2016)

- The Malacanang urged protesters not to hold rallies in President Rodrigo Duterte's first State of the Nation Address, which takes place next week, the 25th of July. Instead, militant groups should air their sentiments to the president on another time to maintain peace and order during the SONA and enable "better communication".

- Returning to the aftermath of the arbitral ruling over the South China Sea, China's People's Liberation Army flies a nuclear-capable bomber, the H-6K, flying over the Scarborough Shoal a few days after the ruling. The H-6K can run at top speeds of 1,050kph and has a range of 6,000km. It was specifically built for the PLA Air Force. Days after the bomber flew over Scarborough Shoal, China tested its two new airports on the Spratly Islands.

- Regular white taxis on Monday can now pick up passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's arrival area. Since then, arriving passengers have to climb up to the departure area to get a white taxi ride because only NAIA-accredited yellow taxis are allowed to pick up passengers in the arrival area. Yellow taxis have a flagdown rate of 70 pesos while regular white taxis have a lower flagdown rate of thirty.

- On the Turkish failed coup, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to rid the government of followers of US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who despises Erdogan. Erdogan spoke on Sunday at a funeral for victims of the coup attempt in Istanbul. In an apparent reference to the Gulen movement, he vowed to keep ridding the ones responsible for the overthrow attempt from all state institutions. He plans to urge the United States to hand over Gulen who lives in Pennsylvania.

- Back to the Nice attacks, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy blamed the government for not doing enough to provide security. Over 80 people died when an attacker hit-and-run a truck into people celebrating Bastille Day on Thursday.

- UK's new foreign minister, Boris Johnson, stresses that the UK will not abandon its European Union allies despite its historic Brexit referendum. In his appearance on Brussels, Johnson said the EU needed a "co-ordinated response" to terrorism following the Nice attacks. He is expected to meet with EU foreign ministers for talks.

- The National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Japan, has been listed as one of UNESCO's world heritage sites. UNESCO's World Heritage committee announced the decision in Istanbul on Sunday/ The meeting had been postponed following the failed coup attempt. The building was designed by the French architect Le Corbusier and seven countries had jointly recommended the designation of 17 buildings designed by Le Corbusier as a single entry.

- The suspect behind the killing of three police officers at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an ex-Marine named Gavin Long, had posted videos urging to "fight back" against police treatment of African Americans. The ex-Marine, 29, was killed by police during the attack on Sunday morning. Thension has been high since police shot dead a black man in Baton Rouge two weeks ago.

- The White House states that previously classified papers regarding the September 11, 2001 attacks released on Friday show there had been no Saudi Arabia links. Lawmakers and victims' families campaigned for years for their publication, alleging high-level Saudis were complicit in the attacks. The pages from the 2002 report found it likely the attackers got firm financial backing inside the KSA. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers behind the attack 15 years ago were Saudi nationals.

TTFN!!! 

Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

Celebrating Pokemon's 20th anniversary, the 19th Pokemon movie has erupted on the big screens across Japan and as far as anyone believes, this will be the last film of the Pokemon XY & Z saga that started with 2014's Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction and 2015's Hoopa and the Clash of Ages.

In this new film, Satoshi (Ash) and the gang made an unfateful encounter with the mythical Steam Pokemon Volcanion, who sets its mission to find and save the Artificial Pokemon, Magearna, before an rogue minister tries to take advantage of Magearna's Soul Heart to take over the world. However, Ash and Volcanion never get along very well but with them working together, this is going to be a Pokemon adventure they'll never forget.

Whereas last year's film feature all of the legendaries, this latest Pokemon movie became an overload of Mega-Evolved Pokemon that overshadowed the stars of this film, Volcanion and Magearna. It's very odd that with so many Mega-Evolved Pokemon making their movie appearances, it almost felt like it's going to be one heck of a farewell party because with the upcoming Pokemon Sun and Moon upon us, it is unclear whether or not Mega Evolution will retain.

Whatever the heck it is, this film will serve as a swan song for Ash's Kalos quest because pretty soon, the XY saga will draw to its climax and pave way to the upcoming Sun and Moon saga.

In the meantime, as we are almost ready to bid adieu to the Kalos quest and making way to the imminent Alola journey pretty soon, best to enjoy the movie that became part of celebrating 20 years of Pokemon and enjoy it 'till the end of the film.

My rating: 3.7 out of 5