Let's Do The News! (August 3, 2016)

- Philippine National Police chief Director General Bato Dela Rosa on Wednesday said he is willing to free Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., tagged as drug protector and drug trafficker by President Rodrigo Duterte, if proven not guilty. Espinosa Sr. voluntarily surrendered to Dela Rosa on Tuesday morning after the "shoot to sight order" of Duterte. He and his son Kerwin were asked to surrender on the grounds of drug trafficking and coddling drug lords within a day. However, Kerwin failed to show up past deadline.

- Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday said she supports constitutional convention as a mode of changing the Constitution rather than a constituent assembly. However, she understands the reservations of President Duterte on a convention as it would be more costly. The vice president noted that a con-con needs budget for the election of the delegates and the entire process.

- The United States and Singapore urged all concerned parties in the disputed South China Sea to avoid actions that would escalate tensions in the contested waters such as the militarization of outposts in the area. US President Barack Obama and Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong released a joint statement on Tuesday, reaffirming the two nations' commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability.

- US Republican presidentiable Donald Trump is refusing to endorse GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, in their upcoming Republican primaries for re-election to Congress in November. Trump said in an interview that the US needs very strong leadership and that he is not "quite there yet" with regard to endorsing Ryan.

- Hundreds of people held a protest against the Rio de Janeiro Olympics near the city, forcing the torch relay to change course. About 200 protesters rallied in the city of Niteroi, where the leg of the relay was held on Tuesday. For security reasons, authorities stated the torch relay about one kilometer away from where it was originally planned.

- The family of actor Anton Yelchin is suing FCA over his death. The Star Trek movie actor was killed in May when his 2015MY Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled away and pinned him between a gate and a brick pillar.

- Investigators say that the fuel economy scandal that hit Mitsubishi Motors was a "collective failure". Specifically, there was a lack of unity between divisions, company-wide pressure to boost fuel-efficiency numbers, and an unwillingness to accept fuel-economy shortfalls. The company's new stakeholder, Nissan, plans to improve its image following its fuel economy scandal regarding most of its vehicles, including kei cars.

- The Turn 10 Summer Car Pack on the XBOX One-exclusive Forza Motorsport 6 game is now on sale for $7 and this month's car pack features the brand new Cadillac CTS-V and the brand new Abarth 695 Biposto, as well as legends such as John Surtees' Ferrari F-158, A.J. Foyt's Watson #1 Sheraton-Thompson Special Roadster, Paul Newman's Datsun #33 Bob Sharp Racing 280ZX Turbo, and more.

TTFN!!!

F1 2016: German GP

Photo: Reuters

It was all business as usual at the German Grand Prix of the Formula 1 2016 season held at the Hockenheimring and for Lewis Hamilton, snagging his fourth championship win is just another day for him. Behind Hamilton's lines, Nico Rosberg's poor performance at the Hockenheimring gave way for the two Red Bull drivers; Daniel Ricciardo and rookie driver Max Verstappen. The two drivers scored a double podium finish, with Ricciardo 2nd and Verstappen 3rd, making the team more competitive in the constructor's standings.

Onto the driver's standings, thanks to his recent win, Hamilton retains his lead by 217 while Rosberg's 19 points behind and Ricciardo, 3rd place overall with 133 points.

The next race is at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, on the 28th of August.

Kimeta yo Hand in Hand/Daisuki Dattara Daijoubu!

Kimeta yo Hand in Hand/Daisuki Dattara Daijoubu!

As the Love Live! Sunshine!! TV series keeps on rolling throughout the rest of the Summer 2016 anime season lineup with better praise from the fans, the songs inspired from the hit TV series just keeps pouring in and the latest single inspired from the show is just one of them.

These two songs previously heard from the TV series, performed by Chika Takami, You Watanabe, and Riko Sakurauchi, now come with the full version so you can listen to the rest of the songs without a single fuss! Kimeta yo Hand in Hand, as heard from the pilot episode, and Daisuki Dattara Daijoubu, heard from the third episode, are now here so fans can listen to the songs that the three girls gave birth to the school idol group we know as Aqours.

Don't celebrate just yet because there will be more songs inspired from the LLS TV series coming your way!

TRACK LISTINGS:

1) 決めたよHand in Hand

2) ダイスキだったらダイジョウ

3) 決めたよHand in Hand (Off Vocal)

4) ダイスキだったらダイジョウ (Off Vocal)

Let's Do The News! (August 2, 2016)

- The Philippine Air Force will be acquiring more attack helicopters to boost its fleet as part of a long-term upgrade program. This project is part of the PAF Flight Plan 2028 and very much in line with the president's thrust. It would boost the existing MD-520 attack units and newly acquired AW-109s. As of now, the PAF has between 12 to 16 MD-520s and eight AW-109 attack helicopters.

- The Supreme Court has summoned Vice President Leni Robredo to reply to the electoral protest filed by former Senator Bongbong Marcos. The tribunal asked the vice president to file an answer to Marcos' protest within 10 days of receipt of summons.

- Senator Leila De Lima decried the "do-it-yourself justice" introduced in the current administration's war on drugs and criminality. The senator defended her call for an investigation on the rising number of extrajudicial killings and summary executions of alleged drug users and dealers.

- A Truce Mural has been unveiled at the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, calling on warring parties to cease hostilities and observe the Olympic Truce. IOC President Thomas Bach marked the inauguration of the mural and it was signed with messages of peace by athletes and officials during the Games. The Truce Mural has been part of the Games since the Sydney 2000 Games.

- Health authorities in the US state of Florida have announced that 10 more people are affected with the Zika virus. The officials said that the 10 people are also believed to have contracted the virus from mosquitoes. They said six of them have not exhibited symptoms such as fever, but that they have tested positive for Zika.

- New Pokemon Sun and Moon info on the radar. Today, new Pokemon are announced such as Fomantis and its evolved form Lurantis, Gumshoos (the evolved form of Yangoos), Minior, Mudbray (which evolves to Mudsdale), and Oricorio (with four different variations). In addition, familiar Pokemon have been given Alola forms such as Exeggutor, Vulpix, Ninetails, Sandshrew, and Sandslash. Apart from these new Pokemons, there's a brand new Z-Moves feature where you can have your Pokemon unleash its powerful Z-Move that corresponds to the crystal equipped on the ring. For example, if Pikachu holds an electric-type Z-crystal that corresponds to the matching Z-crystal equipped on the Z-Ring, it can unleash the powerful Gigavolt Havoc. Z-Moves can be used once per battle but you can experience it on the real world as Takara Tomy announced a Z-Ring toy for sale, coinciding the launch of the games.

- In Pokemon Go-related news, as sales of the Pokemon Go Plus accessory has been pushed to September, reports told that New York State prohibits sex offenders to play this game as well as other stuff as a condition of parole in the state. Under the condition, registered sex offenders under state supervision who download, access, or play the game will violate the terms of their parole. Meanwhile, a recent study shows that more women in the USA play Pokemon Go than men.

- J-POP hip hop group Home Made Kazoku goes on hiatus at the end of the year as the members are pursuing their solo careers but hope to reunite later with new skills.

- Racing simulation game Assetto Corsa will feature three Porsche Packs and all packs have a total of 24 Porsche cars featured. The first batch of the Assetto Corsa Porsche DLC is expected late September in PC and console versions.

TTFN!!!

Mercedes-AMG C43/63 Coupe

2017 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

2017 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Coupe

The AMG version of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe now comes with two different versions to choose from. For those who wished to have an AMG C Coupe but deserved to be more accessible to get through the most out of it, there's a brand new C43 Coupe 4MATIC that was catered for drivers like them or for the privileged few, there's a new C63 Coupe packed with the same 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine as its other equivalents.

Both of these AMG C Coupes behave differently in terms of performance and driving pleasure car enthusiasts would enjoy as well as the pricing that I'll going to mention it later on. First off, let's focus on the AMG C63 Coupe because this is the one I'm particularly familiar with.

In its base version, the 4.0L V8 engine produces 469HP of power and 479  lb-ft of torque but in the high-end S model, it produces 503HP of power and 516 lb-ft of torque, around four less than the previous limited-edition C63 Edition 507. Both of these variants are mated with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed gearbox but here on the C63 S Coupé, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph or 290 km/h with the optional AMG Driver's Package. Apart from the engine variations, it comes with the AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the rear-axle limited-slip differential or the dynamic engine mounts, for better handling compared to the previous C63 AMG coupe. Although lairy to drive at, the new C63 behaves like a matured adolescent ready to man up in the face of anyone at the college grounds.

Of course, it maybe more matured to drive compared to the last one but when compared to the BMW M4, its chief rival, the new C63 means serious business because it has enough power to scrape off the M4, However, when compared against cars like these, it may start finding difficulty to catch up when compared to its more powerful rival, the Cadillac ATS-V Coupe, which remains a jelly in every car enthusiasts' envy. Why can't I get the ATS-V Coupe instead of this? Sure, it maybe more powerful compared to this car, it hasn't arrived in Europe yet, although when it did, the starting price of 77,826 Euros for the C63 would be doomed and it will be eaten alive easily in terms of value.

So, what about the C43? Since the advent of the SLC43 AMG a few months ago, I started to be skeptical when I said that the 43er that will soon cause misery for the AMG fans everywhere and the AMG we all know is gone and went into something hard water rather than faith in science. In general, AMG 43 models will serve as entry-level models to slot below 63ers. This C43 is one of them and you can think of it as...AMG seminar 101.

Forget about seminars because the C43 offers the similar 3.0L V6 twin turbo engine from the SLC43, which produces a more powerful 367PS of power and 520Nm of torque. Yes, it's mated with a 9G-TRONIC gearbox but exclusive on this model, it has a 4MATIC four-wheel drive system, which makes it personal when it feels under the weather. 

It can be fit for a multirole but because this is a four-wheel drive system, its mild handling just spoils its sense of humor and handling one of these in the bends is a risky struggle that requires a lot of painkillers on your glove compartment when it aches upon hard cornering in different regions. Do you consider fun to drive? As a long-distance semi-grand tourer, it should be fun, nice, and easy. You'll spend lots of time getting to know more about this car as you drive along the open roads without all the drama intended for your driving pleasure. The C43 maybe harsh on track days but on open roads, it's not so bad at all, especially its 61,285 Euro introductory price.

With these models, the AMG lineup is becoming a diversity for car enthusiasts at all levels and there's an AMG for every driver that matches to the level of his or her driving pleasure. So, which AMG C-Coupe would you consider? It's going to be a tough choice choosing either one of the two but I'll leave the rest to you.

Photo: Daimler AG

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

- The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA has lifted the warning signals raised over some areas after it reported that severe tropical storm Carina (Nida) was leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The signals were removed 1100 hours local time after PAGASA reported that the storm is no longer in the PAR.

- Despite lifting the unilateral ceasefire days ago, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hopes to resume talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines. The President lifted the ceasefire last Saturday after the National Democratic Front of the Philippines failed to announce a reciprocal ceasefire within the deadline that he gave.

- Pope Francis encouraged his young devotees at a global gathering Sunday to "believe in a new humanity" that is stronger than evil and refuses to see borders and barriers. The Pope celebrated a Holy Mass on the meadows in Brzegi, Poland, which is the final part of the annual World Youth Day, a global celebration of young Catholics.

- On the race to the White House, Democratic Presidentiable Hillary Clinton says Russian intelligence services are behind a cyber-attack on computers used by the Democratic National Committee. She said she thinks the case raises serious issues about Russian interference in US elections and US democracy. She also criticized Republican Presidentiable Donald Trump for showing a "very troubling willingness" to support the Russian president. Meanwhile, Trump said in a televised interview that he has not met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has no ties to the Kremlin.

- On a seemingly related note, Donald Trump made disparaging comments after belittling the parents of the Muslim US solider who died in Iraq in 2004. Trump made disparaging comments about Khizr and Ghazala Khan following their Democratic National Convention appearance last week. Republican Party Governor John Kasich of Ohio also condemn Trump's latest comments.

- Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee, says he will deal with the challenges posed by Russian athletes participating in the Rio Olympics in so little time left. Bach told reporters that the total ban would not be justifiable either morally or legally. He said the IOC has set "a very high bar" for Russian athletes, and that they are not being afforded a presumption of innocence.

- Meanwhile, people demanding the permanent ouster of suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and her supporters have taken to the streets of cities across the country, ahead of the opening of the Rio Olympics. Demonstrations took place in at least 10 states on Sunday.

- Chevrolet's brand new Camaro ZL1 is expected to have 650HP of power output from its supercharged V8 engine, about 10 more than the previous power output mentioned during its unveiling.

- Ford Australia rolled off the last Falcon Ute from its assembly line since last weekend., signalling the end of the company's Ute, ahead of Ford's Australian production in October. It signals the end of Ford's Aussie-made Falcon ute that started since February 1961 and includes seven generations and over 467,000 vehicles. With the saloon version ending production this October and the Territory at the end of the year, Ford's 90-year history of Australian production will end.

- Shooting for ABS-CBN's new TV drama, Till I Met You, starring OTWOL sensations James Reid and Nadine Lustre, has commenced. They commenced taping with her and JC Santos, who plays as a "third wheel" between the main characters.

TTFN!!!

Volvo S90 and V90

Continuing on Volvo's path to revitalization and modernization that started it all with the new XC90, with safety is its top-priority, the Scandinavian carmaker continues to revive itself from its dreariness and blandness from its current lineup in a more technological manner with the brand new flagship saloon, the S90.

2017 Volvo S90

The S90 name sounds hardly familiar to any Volvo historians many because that was once used back in 1996 as a minor change version of the 960 saloon. It was known to be the last Volvo in history to be rear-wheel drive, just like its wagon derivative, the V90. Of course, with the S90 and V90 names brought back as the company's flagship, don't expect they'll behave as the ones from the last century, though, because they are basically offered with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations.

2017 Volvo S90

2017 Volvo V90

What matters about the new S90 and V90 is the technology that serves as the driving force of these new flagship models and sticking true to its "zero casualty" promise that Volvo delivers within the next decade, the new S90 and V90 are packed with autonomous driving technology.

Sure, Tesla has that Autopilot shindig going on with their Model S but for Volvo, Tesla's Autopilot is nothing but a serious wannabe in the autonomous driving stakes so Volvo's kind of autonomous tech is something beyond reach from Tesla's hands. Called Pilot Assist, it is the most advanced standard safety package on the market today, and apart from doing most kinds of stuff that Tesla's Autopilot do most of the time such as making good use of its sensors, camera, front radar, and autonomous emergency braking for collision prevention, this tech comes with large animal detection and run-off road mitigation, something that Tesla should put in the first place, huh?

Autonomous driving can be good news and bad news for us but as a word of warning, drivers who are solely relying on autonomous driving tech should need to be aware on the road at all times because autonomous driving isn't all fun and games or rest and relaxation because having learned from Tesla's mistakes, it's imperative that drivers need to be active on the road, even when they engage the car's autonomous driving features for the benefit of themselves. One more thing though, while these cars are born to be autonomous, they're just semi-autonomous ones and you need to be extra clever to study its merits and demerits while on the road.

2017 Volvo S90 interior

What about design? Having learned from its large crossover derivative, the XC90, the new S90 and V90 features Volvo's new design language packed with "Thor's hammer" headlamps that looks strikingly impressive even after hours. Although squarish to look at from back and front, the sidelines are all dynamically proportioned to deliver that luxury mandarin that you expect from the German saloons. As for the interior, it's surprisingly very nice to be accommodated and very high tech. You could spend hundreds of minutes trying to toy around the inside of the car but once you have it, it means a very serious business proposal for you to get behind the wheel of one of Volvo's most technologically advanced vehicles ever made.

2017 Volvo S90

2017 Volvo V90

If the S90 and V90's main paradigm shift is safety, has they completely forgotten about performance? Not quite because even it its front-wheel drive powertrain, driving one of these can be broadly similar to the Audi A6 but in a very Scandinavian kind of way thanks to its new platform that was used on the XC90 but if you try to opt in for an optional AWD powertrain, it can be a proper multirole that can take on any weather it sees at the cost of being too much grip and prone to understeering when you corner it hard on the bends. Most models do come with different two-litre engine configurations, be it petrol or diesel, but the most powerful is the T8 Twin Engine, which combines this with an electric motor, resulting to 407PS of power and 640Nm of torque. Believe it or not, diesel models now come with a brand new PowerPulse technology that eliminates the turbo lag, which makes it wonderful on the go, and the new i-Art injection system which keeps these engines smooth while running. Depending on the variant, these models can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic.

Should you buy it? The new Volvo S90 starts at 364,900 krona while the V90 starts at 374,900 krona so on paper, they're somewhat more costly to own than the Audi A6, in sedan and Avant derivatives, but if you didn't mind about the price differences, the S90 and V90 deserved a lot more respect than the Germans because of its unparalleled tech it offers for the drivers on today. It maybe here today, but these cars are ready for tomorrow thanks to the science that Volvo promises within the next decade.

Photo: Volvo Cars