Veteran TV actor Adam West passed away

Adam West, the veteran TV actor behind his iconic role of Batman in the self-titled TV show from the late 60's passed away at the age of 88 due to leukemia, according to his family's statement.

Born under his real name William West Anderson in Walla Walla, Washington on September 19, 1928, his acting career began after he left the army and first appeared on a Hawaiian children's show El Kini Popo Show before his breakthrough on western TV shows and crime series. He landed on his iconic role of Batman for three seasons from 1966 to 1968. His recent role in voice acting is a recurring character known as the mayor of Quahog from FOX's hit animated comedy series, Family Guy, as well as last year's animated film Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.

West is survived by his wife, Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

URL: https://www.newsarama.com/34848-adam-west-tv-s-batman-diest-at-88.html

Rimac Concept One destroyed during TGT filming

Photo: Official THE GRAND TOUR Twitter

A moment of silence, ladies and gentlemen, because what you see in this very graphic photo that splintered through the motoring headlines that the wrecked car in question is identified as the RIMAC CONCEPT_ONE and it was crashed while in the middle of the Hemberg Hill Climb in Switzerland and shooting for an upcoming episode of THE GRAND TOUR with Richard Hammond behind the wheel.

Thankfully, Hammond survived the crash but the concept car he drove wasn't. He lost control of the electric sportscar while braking until it eventually hits the barrier.

THE GRAND TOUR released a statement via Twitter about what happened in a tragic car crash...

Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash, but very fortunately suffered no serious injury. pic.twitter.com/4Oib32IJvj

— The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour) June 10, 2017

The RIMAC CONCEPT_ONE is an electric sportscar spawned by the up-and-coming Croatian supercar company RIMAC. Unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the CONCEPT_ONE is powered by four extremely powerful permanent magnet electric motors delivering 1224HP of power and 1600Nm of torque. With the proprietary gearbox system, it does 0-100kph in 2.5 seconds and top speed of 355kph (221mph). It comes with All Wheel Torque Vectoring that controls each wheel individually one hundred times per second for unparalleled dynamics unseen for an electric sportscar. It was limited to eight units.

Richard Hammond was once involved in an infamous car accident in Yorkshire since 2006 when he was piloting a jet-powered vehicle until his untimely crash that led him to comatose. He even got involved in a motorcycle accident while filming for The Grand Tour's Mozambique special a few months ago.

THE GRAND TOUR, Amazon's original car program, hosted by former Top Gear presenters like him, Jeremy Clarkson, and James May, is reportedly returning for their second season this Autumn of this year.

URL: http://www.autoblog.com/2017/06/10/richard-hammond-fiery-crash-rimac-concept-one/

The Six-Day War: 50 years on...

Map imagery: Google

June 10th, 2017 marks 50 years since the end of the Six-Day War, a war between Israel and its Arab neighbors changed the way the Middle East is forever. For some Israelis, it is considered to be their celebration since Israel regained control of Jerusalem from the Arabs and became their so-called unified capital of this Middle Eastern nation but some, it's a questionable tragedy that changed the way they think about Israel and why it became a long-standing template of the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflicts even as of today.

During the course of the Six-Day War that lasted from the 5th to the 10th of June, 1967, whatever historians define it, the Israeli forces trade bullets against Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. Most of the air forces from the Arab neighbors were destroyed by Israel and most of the territories were now under Israeli control in the aftermath of the war, including Jerusalem, Golan Heights, the West Bank, and many others.

After the war, the Arab leaders at the Khartoum Conference rejected making peace with Israel in September 1967, three months after the war, and then two months later, the UN Resolution 242 was created for future peace negotiations, envisioning Israel withdrawing from some of the territories it gained (not all) in the war, in return for recognition by and long term peace with the Arabs. The extent of the withdrawal to be determined in negotiations.

It is now 2017 and fifty years have passed since Israel won the war despite being outnumbered by Arab forces but the echoes of the six-day war and the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflicts still remain, especially with the rise of US President Donald Trump and his pro-Israeli movement that rattled most world leaders, especially the reports of Israeli adding settlements to Palestinian territories and the ongoing clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, killing numerous people in both sides. As any historian would tell, the Six-Day War is a clear template of why tensions between the State of Israel and the Arab nations became even more rampant as years passed by and while some celebrating this victory with their so-called "Jerusalem Jubilee" celebration in honor of Israel regaining control of Israel after the Six-Day War, historians will long remember as the nightmare that changed Israel into a rogue nation that can't be underestimated by many and in today's climate, there's no telling what will the Israelis plan next in the Middle East.

Further reading: https://www.britannica.com/event/Six-Day-War

Let's Do The News! (June 10, 2017)

- The Department of Transportation showcased their revised Anti-Distracted Driving Act yesterday and under their revised rule, gadgets and other objects will be allowed on the safe zone, which is only up to 4 inches from the vehicle dashboard. Anything beyond the said distance will be part of the "line of sight," where gadgets and objects are prohibited.

- A Philippine gaming regulator urged Resorts World Manila to cease gambling operations following the casino attack that killed 37 people last June 2. Resorts World has been ordered to “cease and desist all gaming operations pending investigation and final determination by PAGCOR of RWM’s liability”, according to Andrea Domingo, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

- US President Donald Trump is confident that he will testify under oath about Thursday's Senate Hearing with ousted FBI director James Comey.

- According to the results of this year's General Elections in the UK, Theresa May's Conservative Party scored 318 seats at the Parliament while the opposing Labour Party gained 262. The Scottish National Party got 35, Liberal Democrats 12 and DUP 10. The shock results put a major blow to May and her Brexit plans ahead of their talks.

- In Game 4 of this year's NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 4 after beating Golden State Warriors at the score of 137-116.

- A special Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series was unveiled, featuring 607HP of power output from its turbocharged 3.8L flat-six engine, special Golden Yellow Metallic paint and special treatments from Porsche Design. It will be limited to 500 units globally.

TTFN!!!

Bubble Gang - June 9, 2017 #BGHapitot

In the June 9, 2017 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Pinagpalit gags

- Whose robbers are better in the bank robbery?

- The rich man and the poor man are besties

- Bad news, everything's in our house got cut off...

- Chattering with the syndicate

- Wonderbruh to the rescue!

- Make love...in war.

- Problem-solving sexy women are here.

- Basa-basa pik!

Forza Horizon 3: Back to your regular Cayman?

You may already driven the Cayman GT4 from the Porsche Car Pack on Forza Horizon 3 but do you really miss the mid-ranged Porsche Cayman GTS from past installments? Fear not because this weekend's Forzathon event grants you a chance to win the Porsche Cayman GTS for yourself.

For a quick refresher, the Cayman GTS adds 15HP of additional power to its 3.4L boxer-six engine mounted in the middle, delivering 340HP of power output as well as power-to-weight ratio under the 4kg/hp mark. With the Sport Chrono package as well as the available PDK and active Sport Plus button, the Cayman GTS results to a top speed of 285kph. Aside from the PASM adaptive damping control system, it even comes with Porsche Torque Vectoring system for better traction and better dynamics compared to the base model.

Anyway, let's not talk more about this because while in a middle of our Thrilltopia adventure, the Porsche Cayman GTS is ready to take on an emotional rollercoaster ride through the orange-tracked Hot Wheels fantasy world while dealing with the hardened opposition trying to snarl their way through the back.

Prepare for some camber carnage in our latest Thrilltopia adventure using the Porsche Cayman GTS. Ready? Let's go!

Even though you got your hands on this latest Porsche Forzathon prize car, don't stop here because more Porsches are coming throughout the coming weeks, whether you like it or not and when that opportunity comes, act fast while you still can!

Forza Horizon 3: The Cayman GT4

The 991 Porsche 911 GT3 RS isn't the only Porsche you can enjoy on the Forza Horizon 3 Porsche Car Pack because in this pack lies another enjoyable Porsche that delivers the same track-proven performance as experienced from the 911 GT3 but this time in a sportscar that isn't a 911, but rather its mid-engined relative, the Cayman.



This is called the Cayman GT4 and with that name rings a bell, this is like a baby 911 GT3 for people who are not interested in Porsche 911s. So, what's it all about a 911 GT3 for people who are not interested in 911s at all? Good question, though, because when it made its appearance at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Cayman GT4 promises to be a track-capable Cayman ever built while drawing inspirations from the 911 GT3 and engineered to tackle the most demanding race tracks in the world, including the dreaded Nurburgring.

For starters, the 3.8L flat-six engine was now boosted to 385HP of power output while mated exclusively with the 6-speed manual gearbox. Apart from the added power from its six-cylinder boxer engine, the GT4 is lowered by 1.2 inches with dynamic transmission mounts while being armed with aggressive aerodynamic upgrades, race-bred suspension, and Porsche's torque-vectoring system, making the GT4 one of the most enjoyable Caymans ever built from the ground up while delivering the same thrills inspired by the 911 GT3.

The Cayman GT4 may look stodgy, old, and it went out of production, but this car sure knows how to keep up with the enthusiasts with its 911 GT3-inspired dynamics that will make their driving feel so alive again. It's good on the racetracks but not brilliant on normal roads because being a track-focused sportscar engineered from the Nurburgring, usability as a weekday car is bad as it gets but for being one of the most enjoyable Porsches ever built, I could spend a lot of time driving the GT4 as much as I want. Speaking of which...





Time to give the Cayman GT4 one last try by meeting up with the other Porsche drivers across Horizon but first, some over-the-counter stimulants I made for this and when you say stimulants, I mean, of course, some bedwetting design I made to reflect the Cayman's sexy styling fit for a sports coupe. Without giving in to such a bedwetting design bedwetting enough to snog the heck out of men, the Cayman GT4 is ready to show its true colors as the ultimate Cayman ever made.





Job well done for the Cayman GT4. Although gone, it's still not out until it gives a fair good fight to deliver 911 GT3-like thrills for the drivers who demand more. It maybe challenging at the first try but as you get used to it, you'll get used to its dynamics that makes the Cayman GT4 very unique for a non-RR Porsche and if you got the choice between this and the 911 GT3 RS, which remains the king by the way, which hardcore Porsche would you choose?

Let's Do The News! (June 9, 2017)

- At least 230 individuals will face arrest by authorities due to links with the Maute Terror Group. DND Secretary and Martial Law Administrator Delfin Lorenzana issued an arrest warrant against the said personalities.

- The Philippine National Police Region 7 declared the abduction and serial killing to Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Boniel as case closed. The PNP made the statement based on the admission of passengers of the motorboat who saw how Board Member Niño Boniel killed and threw in the sea his wife.

- The Philippines was ranked 2nd least peaceful country in Asia according to the Global Peace Index, sitting above Myanmar, China, and Thailand, but behind North Korea, which ranks 1st. The ranking is allegedly due to President Duterte's war on drugs campaign and the Martial Law declaration in Mindanao due to Marawi Siege

- Ousted FBI director James Comey testified at the Senate hearing about his so-called loyalty issues on US President Donald Trump and why did Trump fired him. He testified every conversation he had with Trump but one question he didn't answer is Trump's connection with Russia interfering with the 2016 presidential elections.

- Qatar dismissed allegations of backing terrorism after four Arab states cut ties with Qatar with week, blacklisted as terrorists dozens of people with alleged links. The announcement by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain increases pressure on the wealthiest Arab state over allegations that it interferes in the affairs of its neighbors by supporting and financing Islamist groups.

- Australian Olympic swimmer Thomas Fraser-Holmes will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a 12-month ban for missing anti-doping tests.

- The second-generation Honda N-BOX has been unveiled prior to its Autumn release. It will be the first Honda kei car to come with Honda Sensing safety tech.

2018 Honda N-BOX

- SEGA's Shenmue III game has been delayed to second half of 2018.

- Actress Zhang Ziyi joins the MonsterVerse franchise and will be star in 2019's Godzilla: King of Monsters film.

TTFN!!!

Nissan X-TRAIL T32 Minor Change

Nissan's best-seller SUV in the world, the current third-generation Nissan X-TRAIL, has been given a much-needed facelift to keep it updated, and what's even more surprising for the latest minor change is that it was gifted with the same semi-autonomous tech as witnessed from last year's new Serena minivan. That's right. We're talking ProPILOT.

2018 Nissan X-TRAIL

2018 Nissan X-TRAIL

2018 Nissan X-TRAIL

First and foremost, the recent facelift sees the application of Nissan's signature V-motion grill on the front view as well as the addition of LED lights on the front and the back and some new alloys in store for the new X-TRAIL. On the inside, you will notice that the steering wheel looks suspiciously similar to the Serena's and if you pay close attention, you will notice that it now comes with a button that engages ProPILOT.

2018 Nissan X-TRAIL interior

2018 Nissan X-TRAIL interior

As you are aware by now, ProPILOT controls the steering, acceleration, and braking in a single lane on highways during heavy traffic and high-speed cruising. Because this is version 1.0, much like from the Serena's, it's set for single-lane traffic use in the meantime but you should know that the ProPILOT is on a self-propagating phase as when it features it on future Nissan vehicles, its tech gets evolved even further. Easier said than done.

Part of Nissan's Intelligent Mobility campaign that promotes safe cars with future-ready driving tech for the drivers of today and tomorrow, the X-TRAIL is accompanied by Nissan Safety Shield technology such as the Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning, and a collision prevention assist. With these and ProPILOT, there's no doubt that this is the most technologically advanced X-TRAIL ever built. It's here today, ready for tomorrow.

The 2018 X-TRAIL still offers the MR20DD engine like last time, in normal and hybrid with the Intelligent Dual Clutch Control system capable of delivering now up to 20.8km/L of fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards. All of these engines are mated with a smoother XTRONIC CVT. Let's not forget that it comes with Active Ride Control, Active Engine Braking, and the available ALL-MODE 4x4-i made to tackle any surface and weather with ease. Best of all, it still offers either a 5-seater or a 7-seater for long family hauls, and finally, the new remote control auto back door that can be opened automatically at the lift of your foot. Now that's convenience done right for the most demanding of times.

2018 Nissan X-TRAIL

The 2018 Nissan X-TRAIL starts at 2,197,800 Japanese Yen and it's available in many variants including the special XTREMER X and Mode Premier variants, including the new NISMO Performance Package with NISMO exterior touches and handling updates courtesy of NISMO themselves. With its autonomous tech implanted, this X-TRAIL is ready to take on the roads of today and tomorrow, no matter what's happening right now.

Available colors: Premium Corona Orange, Garnet Red, Olive Green, Galaxy Gold, Imperial Amber, Shining Blue, Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Dark Metal Grey, Diamond Black, Burning Red, and Titanium Khaki.

Photo: Nissan Motor Company

Toyota Harrier (XU60) - 2018MY Facelift

Toyota's luxurious midsize crossover, the Harrier, is now offered with additional luxury but you won't find it on its newly revised exterior, more luxurious interior, refined dynamics, and a suite of safety tech because what you will find now in the new Harrier is its new turbo power.

2018 Toyota Harrier

2018 Toyota Harrier

At first glance, you may see some minimal changes on the front and back as well as the inside but rest assured that with the 2018 Toyota Harrier retained the similar choice of 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine with VALVEMATIC and Toyota Stop&Start System mated to a Super CVT-i, as well as the the same 2.5L 2AR-FXE engine from a Toyota Camry connected with two electric motors for the Hybrid variant, the new turbocharged variant makes a surprising addition to the new Harrier, making this the first luxury turbo crossover from Toyota.

2018 Toyota Harrier

It comes with the 8AR-FTS 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder D-4S engine which produces 231PS of power and 350Nm of torque and with the 6-speed Super ECT, fuel economy is expected at around 13km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Although not as good as any expensive European imports, the turbocharged variant is expected to swoon most drivers by the way it performs, which isn't so bad for a Toyota, and while on the subject of having Toyota's first ever turbocharged luxury crossover, you can even get one in with Dynamic Torque Control 4WD system that works very well in any road and weather conditions. Plus, it comes with performance dampers exclusive to this model, which improves roll rigidity and suppressing body deformation, maintaining straight-line stability at high speeds. 

Other noteworthy driving stuff you can find not just in the turbocharged model include Steering-Assisted Vehicle Stability Control, Electric Power Steering, Anti-lock Braking System, Traction Control. and Frequency Adaptive Damping shock absorbers, Overall, the driving performance for the Harrier makes it an inch close to those European imports and that is a good thing they done it right to ensure its satisfactory for the drivers of today.

2018 Toyota Harrier interior

2018 Toyota Harrier interior

Speaking of drivers of today, the 2018MY Toyota Harrier now offers Toyota Safety Sense P, featuring a more high-tech millimeter wave radar which detects pedestrians and vehicles alike, and Radar Cruise Control which detects preceding vehicles and determines their speed. Couple that with other driving assists including the Panoramic View Monitor, and the new Harrier is a more senseful luxury crossover that fits to the urban climate.

The new 2018MY Toyota Harrier starts at 2,949,480 Yen up to 4,604,040 Yen (around $30,000 to $47,000), ranging from ELEGANCE, PREMIUM, and the new top-of-the-line PROGRESS; in non-turbo, hybrid, and the new turbo. With such choices to choose from, there's no doubt that Toyota's luxury crossover is on a roll due to the increasingly strong demand and a long waiting list for some variants. Although available only to the Japanese market, the new 2018 Harrier, with its turbocharged engine added, promises to deliver world-class luxury and performance to the motoring public, if it can.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Dark Red Mica Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (June 8, 2017)

- The Philippine government are confident that the siege in Marawi City will soon be over because the logistics of the Islamist militants holed up there have been disrupted and they have been reduced to a “small resistance”.

- The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters strongly denies ties with the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Groups in assaulting Marawi City. According to a radio interview, BIFF Spokesperson Abu Misry Mama stressed that they do not know any leader from Maute Group nor spoke with and have no contact with each other. However, they support Maute but will not help them in the ongoing clash.

- Militant group Bayan is preparing for a protest at this coming Independence Day celebration on the 12th of June.

- Activist group Common Cause urges House Speaker Paul Ryan to enforce House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes' recusal from the committee's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Last week, Nunes ignored his recusal and used his power as committee chair to subpoena intelligence service materials related to the “unmasking” of Trump campaign officials for their contacts with Russian government officials and intermediaries.

- Yesterday, a military aircraft vanished over the Andaman Sea with 122 soldiers, family members, and crew on board after a takeoff from the coastal town of Myeik on a weekly military flight.

- The United Kingdom general elections has begun and reports predict that ongoing PM Theresa May will win by a landslide against Jeremy Corbyn.

- Amazon original motoring TV program, The Grand Tour, will return for their second season this October.

- Sherlock actor Andrew Scott hints on the show's timeline update, using UK's general elections as hints on possible return.

- In Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors leads the game at 3-0 after defeating Cleveland Cavaliers at the score of 118-113.

TTFN!!!

Forza Horizon 3: The first Holden in history

In Forza Horizon 3's Mountain Dew Car Pack, here's the car Aussies forever worshipped for because to them, this is the genesis of what is known as "Australian's Own Car," Holden, and this is how it all began, the Holden 48-215, known by the chassis code as FX.



I knew this moment will come because as car production in Australia is nearing its end within a few months, it's a clear reminder that we should look back at the cars that became the forefront of Australian car production and nothing is more important than the FX Holden, the car that started it all. So, where did it all began? Let me go back to the beginning.

The year was 1945, in the climax of the Second World War, when the Australian Government urges the establishment of full-scale Australian motor manufacturing history and while Ford's presence in Australia is all in all at the moment, they demand Australia to have its own car maker and once such thing that steps up to the challenge is none other than General Motors Holden's. Two years later, in November 29th, 1948, Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched "Australia's Own Car," Holden.

The first Holden would officially be known as the 48-215 but they decided to call it just Holden and when it was replaced by its FJ successor, it was unofficially known as the FX Holden because it was never been used by Holden in such purpose. Since it was launched in 1948, General Motors Holden's managed to produce 10 Holdens a day, and over 75 million Australian Pounds were spent for expansion programs to enlarge and improve their facilities across Australia.

Despite being influenced by American styling, the Holden is 99% Australian through and through because nobody understands Australian driving conditions more than GMH. Under the bonnet lies a 132.5cu (2.2L) cast-iron 6-cylinder engine mated to a 3-speed manual gearbox. It produces 60HP of power and does a 0-97kph time of 18.7 seconds. Because this car is suitable enough to tackle Australian driving conditions, it's rugged enough to tackle the remote outback because of its dust-proof body and unique dynamics capable to handle such conditions.



I already driven the ute version of the Holden FX and with the saloon version of the very first Holden ever made, it all makes sense now that for a country that loves football, meat pies, and kangaroos, almost every Australian in the Land Down Under considered Holden to be the nation's favorite car because it really is Australia's driving future.

It's hard to say that if Holden celebrates its 70 anniversary next year, it will be sad because with car production well and truly over and their range is mostly imported from all parts of the world, including the next Commodore which is now based on the German-made Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, what would Aussies think about Holden now since they have no Aussie-made car on their lineup, but the important thing is that without it, Holden will not exist as a carmaker and Australia became heavily influenced by Ford.



I guess it's time to owe this first Holden a heartfelt thanks by calling out anyone who loves the FX Holden for a little gathering of some sorts. Holden has been with us for almost seven decades thanks to this car built for Australian driving conditions and to celebrate, let's take the FX Holden for a race against other FX Holden lovers while dealing with typical Australian driving conditions. This should be very interesting.



I may have overcooked a bit but I am very proud that I feel like an Australian with the knack for football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars and it all makes sense to me now that this is the car that made Australia became part of the globally-competitive environment, helped Australia through its industrial maturity, stepped up engineering standards, and made "Made In Australia" a new status symbol among the nations of the world. It really is "Australia's Own Car" with the look and leadership wherever they go.