Bubble Gang - September 16, 2016 #BGFridayBash

On the September 16, 2016 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Hangover gags

- More jungle fun with the Jungle Belles

- Istambay, Istambay Sa Looban, Hindi sigurado kung uulan, pero sigurado ang tawanan, makinig ka lang sa 'ming...KWENTUHAN!!!

- In this week's Enkangtodo, the Hungres are facing a powerful enemy too heavy to handle!

- Another Buhay ng Bakla session

- Today's cases in Mas Pinabonggang Sumbong Sumbong Kay Bonggang Bongbong are women coloring their hairs, picturetakers at a birthday party who missed taking a pic of someone blowing a cake, and men who are bisexual but never met a woman.

- Men getting showered on the chatter

- More news for mommies in Balitang Ina

- Basa Basa Pik!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Meeting in New York this week

The top diplomats from South Korea and Japan will hold a meeting later this week in New York to discuss countermeasures against North Korea's recent nuclear test. The bilateral meeting between South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se and his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, will be held on Sunday local time, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session. The two diplomats will discuss the current agenda items on the UNSC and other measures against the North. They are expected to discuss the issue of forging the General Security of Military Information Agreement, a military intelligence sharing pact. The long protracted issue was discussed during summit meeting between President Park Geun-hye and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Laos earlier this month.

Meanwhile, North Korea may take further provocations following its recent nuclear test, according to Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho. North Korea watchers see the senior official's comments as a protest against the US B-1 bombers that flew over South Korea on Tuesday in a show of force against the Korean Peninsula's biggest nuclear test to date. Some say, it's part of the North's efforts to soften new UN sanctions that are all but certain to come.

Source: Arirang News

Second Generation Honda Freed

It's been eight years since Honda gave us a compact minivan, the Freed, which is as practical as the other recreational vehicles offered from its range. Now, the Freed has been regenerated for its second iteration and it promises to be more convenient than ever while delivering class-leading fuel consumption perfect for the long journey ahead.

2017 Honda Freed

The new, second generation, Honda Freed, is what really happens when you make one of the most practical MPVs in the market even better by adding tons of convenience, fuel efficient performance, and a host of tech to make everything meaningful for the average household. So, with the new model, what's it like to be in the new Freed?

First impressions can be somewhat average and when you look at the way it looks, you can really look at the signature "Solid Wing" face that most Hondas had since the third-generation Fit, making it very noticeable but look closely on the rear and you can see that the back looks highly reminiscent of the old Suzuki Solio you used to had a few years ago. In broad context, it looks a bit half-baked for a people carrier to have such design.

2017 Honda Freed interior

2017 Honda Freed interior

One of the most redeemable key points about the new Freed is its interior and while this is even more roomier compared to the last one, you have a lot of choices to make in terms of carrying people or stuff depending on your lifestyle. For models with third-row seating, it can be either a six or a seven seater, depending on the variant, and unless there are any soccer moms putting kids on the second row seats, whichever you'll seat on the new Freed is above average as long as you're not moaning about. Of course, if you're not a big fan of third-row seats, there's an even spacious alternative; a five seater variant called "Freed+", which trades third-row seats for bigger boot space as well as a special utility board that can separate the boot space to two rows; one at the top and one at the bottom, which is perfect to carry lots of garage sale stuff you bought on the weekends. Also, it can be useful for all kinds of trips such as fishing trips, camping trips, diving trips, bad trips, whatever trips you're having on the weekends. It's kinda like the old Spike model in so many ways and this MPV knows the customers are onto something here.

2017 Honda Freed

The new Honda Freed can be offered with a normal 1.5L petrol engine connected to a CVT gearbox or a hybrid variant with the 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox on it. When I said "dual clutch", Honda says it's SPORT HYBRID i-DCD (intelligent Dual Clutch Drive). I know. It's been around for three years since the Fit and it's been around in most everyday models like the Vezel, the Shuttle, the Jade, and the Grace. With such combo, fuel economy is an estimate 27.2kmpl based on the JC08 Mode standards. For the first time in a hybrid compact minivan, there is a four-wheel drive variant which is great for any weather conditions, be it rainy or snow, or road conditions.

Because it's surprisingly compact, it's just feels so easy to drive, easy to park, and easy to live with. Whether on the city center or on the open roads, the new Freed truly feels at home anywhere. It also packs Honda Sensing, which comes with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. Connectivity aside, the internavi service on the new Honda Freed now comes with Apple Carplay compatibility, meaning your iPhones can feel at home in this car.

Should you buy it? The new Freed starts at 1,880,000 up to 2,748,200 Yen, which sounds expensive compared to its main rival, the Toyota Sienta. Sure, both the new Freed and the Sienta are seven-seaters and they come with hybrid variants with similar fuel efficiency, but despite the comparative pricing, the new Freed is bigger and spacious compared to the Sienta and when the previous model had its share in the ASEAN market, there's high chance that the new generation Freed could make it to the ASEAN market so it can take its rivalry with the Toyota Sienta elsewhere. There's going to be a buzz from elsewhere about what's it all about the new Honda Freed anytime and it's more than enough to take it as an ideal compliment, no matter the odds.

Available colors: Blue Horizon Metallic, Citron Drop, Cobalt Blue Pearl, Premium Deep Rosso Pearl, Mandarin Gold Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Luna Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (September 16, 2016)

- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday questioned Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III for going "out of bounds" in denying Senate protection for self-confessed Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato. Trillanes said that he will inquire if Pimentel has the authority to overrule the ruling of the Senate justice committee.

- According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, the convicted drug lord and robbery gang leader Ampang Colangco will testify against Senator Leila de Lima at the congressional inquiry next week. President Rodrigo Duterte identified Colangco as one of the two drug lords already imprisoned but are still directing operations of their crime groups.

- Donald Trump Jr., the son of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, made headlines over his anti-semitic speech regarding the use of gas chambers to make a political attack. Meanwhile, Trump doubled down on his tax plan benefiting billionaires while he continues to refuse to release his own tax returns. Earlier, he released his medical records on the Dr. Oz show.

- Recovered from her sickness, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's back on the campaign trail at North Carolina.

- A huge meteorite weighing about 30 tons has been discovered in Argentina. Scientists say it is one of the biggest meteorites ever found in Earth. The meteorite was found in the country's northern province of Chaco. A local astronomy association unearthed it using a crane on the 10th of September. Over four millenniums ago, a meteor shower hit the area where the meteorite was found, leaving some craters.

- In case you missed last night's special announcement at the end of the Pokemon XYZ one-hour special, Pokemon Sun and Moon will become a TV anime series coming to TV Tokyo this November 2016. From new Pokemons, Team Skull, new characters, and Ash goes to school (?), life in Alola couldn't get even more exciting.

- More Resident Evil/Biohazard news! Announced at the TGS 2016, the latest 3D CGi film, Biohazard (Resident Evil) Vendetta will hit theaters this Spring 2017. Also, a new Biohazard 7 clip showcasing "the Bakers".

- Based on the new Volvo V90, the new V90 Cross Country features the same stuff as found on the normal V90, now with added ground clearance and all-weather capability as an all-wheel drive sport utility wagon.

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country

- The final Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ever made was auctioned for $76,000 and proceeds will benefit Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

- General Motors reported that the Opel Ampera-e, the European version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, won't be sold in the UK as a Vauxhall due to expense and risk, probably all thanks to the Brexit issue.

TTFN!!!

Audi SQ7

In the not too distant past, when the first-generation Q7 didn't had a high-performance model, they once offered a V12 variant, which is by no means one of the rarest attempts to create a V12-powered SUV, a breed unknown to many. That diesel-powered V12 Q7 was a rare breed for the privileged few and treated it to be a super SUV in its own right but sadly, like dinosaurs, it was extinct. In today's Q7, you don't expect to have a big diesel engine to be bolted to it but instead, a much milder, yet menacing, version has stepped in and it wants to capture the essence from its prehistoric predecessor, except for every single detail.

2017 Audi SQ7

2017 Audi SQ7

This is the brand new Audi SQ7 and this semi-high performance full-size crossover SUV is just one of the main reasons why performance is becoming a new normal, especially when it's diesel-powered. Sure, despite big setbacks facing today's diesel engines because of today's headlines but the new SQ7 really despises the setbacks and, in return, it does taking cases seriously on the road.

Behind its athletic styling inside and out, the SQ7 is powered by a brand new 4.0L V8 TDi engine with the world's first electric powered compressor. While it produces less than the old Q7 V12, 435HP and 900Nm compared to over 500HP of power and 1000Nm of torque, it's quicker to 100kph compared to the old Q7 V12, 4.8 seconds versus 5.5 seconds while top speed limited to 250kph, couple that to its lightweight construction, 8-speed automatic gearbox, and signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Although as strong as a beefed-up Russian female bodybuilder, its average fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km really means it's surprisingly frugal of a semi-high performance SUV of that size, well-fit for a family vehicle doped for perfection.

Because it's lighter and quicker than the old Q7 V12, you might think that the SQ7 handles better than the old Q7 V12 and the answer is...slightly improved. It maybe lighter compared to the old Q7 V12 thanks to its extensive use of lightweight materials as demonstrated on the normal model but there's still a hint of mildness when you drive it like a sportscar. If it gets understeer, you'll be having a big expression of dragging a very heavy object from point A to point B and when that thing drops on your foot, even when you're wearing shoes, you'll be amputated...quickly. 

Although you'll going to need a lot of force to corner it in the event of understeer, the SQ7 really ups the challenge for those who aren't afraid to say "challenge accepted" and if they get it right, the SQ7, despite the bulk, is a potent competitor compared to sports SUVs, including the Porsche Cayenne or even the Bentley Bentayga.

The price of this hunk of diesel greatness? It starts at 89,900 Euros and that's less expensive compared to the heavyweights, including the Bentley Bentayga. Despite the high-price tag, the new SQ7 really is a potent successor of the old Q7 V12, even though it has a smaller V8 diesel engine, and if drivers get things right to master this diesel behemoth on the road, feels like this day will never end and they will have more fun going places in a semi-high performance SUV that despite its size, it remains a fun family car full stop.

Photo: Audi AG

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: US and China exchanged views on new UNSC sanctions

The United States and China have begun exchanging views on the level of new UNSC sanctions against North Korea for their fifth nuclear test.

Last week, the Security Council held urgent consultations to discuss the North's nuclear test. After the meeting, they condemned the test and pledged to immediately begin working on a new resolution to impose sanctions on the North.

 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urged the council to unite and send a strong message against the Korean Peninsula. In the meantime, South Korea has yet to find any traces of radioactivity from North Korea's latest nuclear test confirming the country remains safe from nuclear fallout.

The commission added South Korea's background radiation currently remains at the usual level of 50-300 nanosieverts per hour, apparently unaffected by the North's nuclear test.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (September 15, 2016)

- One of the witnesses from the "Davao Death Squad" claims that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the death of supporters and bodyguards of his then political rival, former House Speaker Prospero Nograles. Self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato said their squad kidnapped about four supporters and bodyguards of Nograles. He said Nograles and Duterte ran for city mayor six years ago.

- He also said that Senator Leila de Lima, who headed the Commission of Human Rights, was among the targets of Duterte, who was once the Davao City mayor. According to Matobato, Duterte ordered someone to ambush De Lima, who was investigating extrajudicial killings in Davao in 2009. He said his group was hiding and waiting to attack De Lima and her team who were looking at a mass grave at Laud Quarry, where the slain have been buried.

- The United States's memorandum of understanding has been reached to Israel. In the White House statement, this new 10-year security assistance MOU to Israel is the most historic part of President Barack Obama's commitment to Israel's security. It will come in effect within the next three years and the funds will be used for the missile defense system and other equipment.

- An updated statement regarding Hillary Clinton's health has been released from her doctor saying she is healthy and fit to serve as the next US president if elected. It says the candidate is recovering well from pneumonia with antibiotics and rests. She will return to the campaign trail on Thursday when she is due to speak in the battleground state of North Carolina as well as the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

- The people of Flint, Michigan, became enraged over the recent visit of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, condemned it as a photo-op that did nothing to help Flint families recover from the ongoing water crisis. What's worse, his speech, where the part goes about attacking Clinton, got interrupted by a pastor.

- Mitsubishi Motors unveiled their GT PHEV crossover concept prior to its Paris Motor Show debut next month.

- The open-top version of the Mercedes-AMG GT was launched as well as the new GT C Roadster, the open-top equivalent of the GT R. It's set to appear on next month's Paris Motor Show.

- New on THE IDOLM@STER Platinum Stars; a new DL Live, 吹き抜ける一陣の風, is now up and running and players can perform better to win a brand new, high-ranking, Wild Obsidian costume for use in-game!

 

- Of course, after the success of the live-action Resident Evil/Biohazard movies, another CAPCOM franchise will be getting a Hollywood treatment, this time it's Monster Hunter.

TTFN!!!