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

- The Philippine National Police will support the National Bureau of Investigation in their examination of the deaths of Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo De Guzman. President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the NBI to investigate the deaths of Arnaiz and De Guzman since members of the police force are suspects.

- Senator Grace Poe has sought for a Senate investigation regarding the recent spate of killings of minors due to the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs.
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- The Commission of Human Rights admitted that it fears the possibility of receiving no budget for the fiscal year 2018 following the Energy Regulatory Commission’s 1,000 peso budget.

- Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson drew attention to herself after her alleged performance at a casino hotel in Pasay City, which violates the virtues of Presidential Decree No. 1067-B (series of 1977), as amended by PD No. 1869 (series of 1983), where government officials and employees are banned from entering, staying, or playing at casinos.

- As Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms in history, ravaged the Caribbean and killed 13 people, a warning is issued on the US state of Florida. Also, in areas ravaged by the most powerful storm in history, danger is looming because of the incoming Hurricane Jose.

- Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US President Donald Trump, is under Senate investigation as reports circulate the President's son wanted dirt on Hillary Clinton from a Russian lawyer during last year's elections.

- 143 million people in the US are could be heavily affected in a massive Equifax data breach.

- Mazda plans to electrify all models by 2035 beginning with mild hybrid and all-electric vehicles by 2019 followed by a PHEV in 2021. In addition, Mazda plans to make autonomous driving tech standard by 2025 with the first phase slated in 2021.

- The same GSi goodness from the all new Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, now in the new Sport Tourer variant.



- Jaguar gave the iconic E-Type a modern twist with the Zero Concept, complete with a modern interior and an electric powertrain. It was presented during the Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest in London in addition to the Future-Type Concept, which pinpoints the future of driving.



- Jonathan Pryce from Game of Thrones will be starring alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins in the upcoming Netflix biopic film about Pope Francis, titled The Pope.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Moon, Abe denounce N. Korean nuke test

The leaders of Japan and South Korea denounced North Korea's recent nuclear test and pledged to boost their cooperation between them to tackle this international problem.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met up during a bilateral summit on the sidelines of a regional economic meeting Japanese people and the South Korean public have come to be greatly concerned due to North Korea's ongoing threats.

Two agreed to push for new UNSC sanctions against the Korean Peninsula. In response, the Japanese PM noted the two countries are working closely together to fend off North Korea's threats and believes North Korea's repeated provocations pose a very dangerous threat unlike any other.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (September 7, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte met with the parents of the 19-year old Carl Angelo Arnaiz, who was killed by the Caloocan police. The meeting happened at the Malacanang Gold Clubhouse last September 6, pass 3pm, before Pres. Duterte attended the 60th Anniversary of the Social Security System.

- Opposition lawmakers strongly condemn President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement of granting the Marcos family immunity from criminal prosecution in regards to their voluntary turnover of a portion of their alleged ill-gotten wealth.

- Thousands of residents fled their homes in Nueva Vizcaya due to intensified clashes between the AFP and the New People's Army.

- Reports show that numerous lobbyists, contractors, and others who make their living influencing the government pay US President Donald Trump's companies for golf club membership, a status that can put them in close contact with the President.

- Former Californian Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's push for nonpartisan redistricting gained numerous Republican support with Ohio Governor John Kasich signing on to his amicus brief at the Supreme Court and Arizona Sen. John McCain filing a separate friend-of-the-court brief.

- Lamborghini unleashed the Roadster variant of the improved Aventador S, ahead of its Frankfurt premiere.


- Three individuals were arrested for posting One Piece manga scans before publication. According to the police, the suspects scanned manga and earned money from website ads.

- Your first look at the upcoming movie The Man Who Invented Christmas, starring Dan Stevens as Charles Dickens.



TTFN!!!

Forza Horizon 3: Toyobaru Revisited - Side BRZ

It's been half a decade since Toyota and Subaru introduced the world their compact front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports coupes sold under their respective names of Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ and as sportscars come and go by, rest assured that these affordable Asian sportscars never gone to waste even though they're not as fast as any European sportscars because what these cars are not just good-looking but also greater to drive which isn't so bad for a four-cylinder car to begin with if you're new into sportscars.

I already talked about the 86 a few moments ago so now it's the turn of its Pleiades relative, the Subaru BRZ.





The BRZ maybe Subaru's first coupe offering since the likes of the Alcyone, the SVX, and the Impreza Retna, but it's known forever as the sacrilege of the breed because of its rear-wheel drive powertrain, a treason to Subaru's four-wheel drive heritage, but I don't care if this car is a treason to Subaru's lineage because like the 86, the BRZ is a fun to drive car that knows no bounds. From its low centre of gravity, boxer-4 engine, and some basic dynamics that makes it easier to live with, the BRZ is all about giving drivers the fun they've been longing for and on weekends, it's a blast to drive.

Of course, while the BRZ and the 86 are the same beings, heritage is what separates them apart because while the Toyota 86 follows the tradition of Toyota's successful sports cars, the BRZ breaks the Subaru tradition like a village idiot in a family of geniuses. Differences aside, I'm starting to admire those Japanese sportscar heroes after being around for half a decade.

So, now that I enjoyed getting to know about the BRZ, how about a little treat for this rear-wheel drive hero?





I know, that design looks familiar to you but in an event a Hachiroku couldn't make it to future installments, the BRZ will provide the backup and with the design I made to love about it, it reflects the BRZ's personality as a machine. Wish I want to drive my special BRZ but Australia's starting to wear me out like an old man so instead...





I'm taking the BRZ at the Hot Wheels Thrilltopia for a rollercoaster drive it will never forget. The cool thing about the Thrilltopia is that with so much obstacles to conquer, it almost feels like the automotive equivalent of Ninja Warrior, the ultimate endurance challenge which tests one man's strength and spandex. The BRZ will be taking part of a challenge I line up for it and see if this car can make it or fall under the sea of disappointment.

Even though I made some improvements to make it competitive, I don't think this BRZ might have a fighting chance to survive Thrilltopia's obstacles but like everyone else, I believe in this machine. Cross your fingers for the ultimate battle of a lifetime...



The Subaru BRZ survived and won the challenge. What a day to be the ultimate Hot Wheels Thrilltopia Ninja Warrior, eh? Good show, and I think the BRZ earned it.

Call it a sacrilege or a treason on Subaru's heritage but the BRZ is all about being an enjoyable rear-wheel drive sportscar with a spritey personality and they did a really good job making a rather satisfying sportscar that caters the driver's desires. Looks like I have to give them a hearty thanks.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: President Moon leaves for Vladivostok

South Korean president Moon Jae-In arrived in Russia on Wednesday for a two-day visit for a regional economic meetings that will also include series of summit talks between the Russian and Japanese leaders.

Moon and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will later hold a joint press conference on the outcome of their talks, the second of their kind since the new South Korean leader took office in May.

The meeting was widely expected to focus on ways to deal with threats from North Korea in the wake of the sixth nuclear test last weekend.

Meanwhile, Moon is scheduled to hold a bilateral summit with his Mongolian counterpart Khaltmaagiin Battulga later in the day. On Thursday, President Moon will meet up with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for bilateral talks before attending the third Easter Economic Forum, mostly aimed at enhancing economic cooperation in the region that includes the Russian Far East.

In Washington DC, the White House says it is focused on pursuing aggressive, diplomatic, and economic measures against North Korea which do NOT include dialogue, for the time being. White House Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the priority of the Trump administration was to remove nuclear weapons from North Korea and the protection of American citizens.

Sanders reaffirmed President Trump's stance that all options remain on the table and urged other countries, including China and Russia, to help deter further threats.

However, both the US and Russia clashed at the UN Security Council over new sanctions on North Korea. Speaking to reporters at the UN HQ, the Russian Ambassador for the UN said he knows the US has drafted a new sanctions plan, and said Moscow would study Washington's proposals, but stressed punitive measures along will not resolve the crisis. However, the United States is insisting on the toughest possible economic sanctions to punish the Korean Peninsula as Nikki Haley, the US Ambassador for the UN, will present the new resolution by next week.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (September 6, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police to bring the media with them during their next anti-drug operations. He made the statement during the media briefing.

- Senator Richard Gordon maintained his stance that filing an ethics complaint against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV will teach the former soldier a "long due lesson." On Monday, Gordon filed an ethics complaint against Trillanes remarking the “continuous, unabated, unparliamentary acts, language, and conduct” that is causing damage to the Senate and to the people. Then, Trillanes filed a counter complaint against the Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman for allegedly being “unparliamentary and unethical.”

- President Duterte admitted that the Marcos family might seek immunity from possible prosecution before entering into a deal regarding the return of their supposed ill-gotten wealth during the dictatorship of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos.

- The Duterte administration mulls building the country's first subway station which is expected to be fully operational by 2024. Construction of their Mega Manila subway will commence by 2019 and costs to build it has an estimate of over five billion dollars.

- Wildfires spread overnight throughout the Pacific Northwest region of America earlier and Seattle-area residents awoke to ash falling from the sky.

- Former president Barrack Obama says that having the Trump administration axing the DACA, which gives protection to young migrants, is wrong. Earlier, President Donald Trump axed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which badly affect some 800,000 "Dreamers", mostly Latin Americans. The House of Representatives now have half a year to scrap the DACA.

- Nissan unveiled the second-generation LEAF electric vehicle, which features an improved electric powertrain that promises 400km of electric distance based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards, new ProPilot Parking which allows the car to park by itself, and the new e-Pedal which combines acceleration and braking in one smart pedal. Sales in Japan will start in early October.

2018 Nissan Leaf

- Mini will showcase their John Cooper Works GP Concept at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show, previewing an ultra-high performance variant of the Mini hatchback.

Mini JCW GP Concept

TTFN!!!

2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup - Bojangles Southern 500

As Fall Season's fast approaching, Darlington Raceway goes all-out last weekend with the Bojangles Southern 500 race of the Monster Energy NASCAR race series and nothing's more awesome than an endgame duel no one saw it coming.

In Lap 15, the Bayne's car hit the wall and while AJ Allmendinger's car came sliding past the car in question. In Lap 19, Clint Bowyer's car suffered mechanical failures and he was therefore out of the race. In Lap 40, at the exit of the fourth turn. the #17 Ford oversteered and then bumped through the wall. In Lap 100, Martin Truex Jr. nailed a photo finish Stage 1 win. In Lap 124, Daniel Suarez's #19 car caused some sort of firework display from behind and he was therefore out. In Lap 200, Martin Truex Jr. nailed another stage win. In Lap 331, the #11 car of Denny Hamlin missed the pit lane but then on  Lap 364, it's showtime.

The epic duel between Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. happened at Darlington is a battle to remember as these two drivers nosing themselves through the finish line at Lap 367 and after the heat of the battle, Hamlin wins the race at Darlington.

Next race is on Richmond for the Federated Auto Parts 400 on 9th of September.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: US to propose new sanctions against NK

The United States is urging the United Nations Security Council to impose the toughest sanction possible to North Korea in the wake of the sixth nuclear test.

Following an emergency session of the UNSC, top American envoy Nikki Haley warned that North Korea's spoiling for a fight in one of her toughest remarks yet. She called for new measures to maximize sanction pressures on the North as well as other entities conducting business with the regime.

Washington has the firm backing of its East Asian allies in South Korea and Japan with Seoul's UN envoy Cho Tae-yul, saying new sanctions, must hit North Korea where it hurts. Despite this, China and Russia remained opposed to the adoption of any new sanctions.

Meanwhile, South Korean leader Moon Jae-in spoke with US President Donald Trump to lift the limit on the payload of South Korean ballistic missiles under the allies' missile guideline. This move is aimed at enhancing their own defense capabilities against threats from North Korea.

Increasing the payload will make it possible for Seoul to develop missiles that can destroy the fortified underground bunkers used by the North. During the call, President Moon also said South Korea will complete the temporary deployment of the THAAD missile defense system as soon as possible.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (September 5, 2017)

- Malacanang officials hasn't disregarding the information claiming to assassinate President Rodrigo Duterte in an effort to destabilize his administration. According to a former senatorial candidate, the Liberal Party has been plotting to undermine the Duterte administration and subsequently end the life of the president.

- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has been accused of spending his allocation under the discredited Disbursement Acceleration Program to fund a project that was never implemented.

- According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, the poultry industry suffered an approximately 2.5 billion peso loss due to the bird flu outbreak in Pampanga last month.

- Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor Luis Marcaida III was arrested after being discovered with illegal drugs by the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group yesterday. The vice mayor has been accused of operating illegal drugs which provoked authorities to conduct a surveillance operation.

- Last weekend, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would seek an end to Turkey’s membership talks with the European Union in an apparent shift of her position during a televised debate weeks before a German election.

- Two people have been killed while seven are wounded in a recent Chicago shooting, adding the overall cases to 42 people shot during the Labor Day weekend. A woman was killed in an apparent homicide-suicide and a 15-year old boy was shot to death Monday evening on the West Side.

- The ultimate SEAT, the Leon Cupra R, has been unleashed. The ultra hot hatch is known as the most powerful SEAT made, with 310PS of power output available. Only 799 units will be made.



- Mercedes-Benz unveiled the S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet range's minor change prior to its Frankfurt debut.



- New Pokemon Sun and Moon toys from Takara Tomy on the radar! There's a miniature Gashapon Machine coming this October for 4,990 Yen plus tax and delivery and this playset not only comes with the Gashapon machine but also five medals, ten coins, ten Poke ball-shaped capsules to fit your Moncolle GET figures, and a bonus Pikachu Moncolle GET figure. For this month, the Pokemon plush toy range gets expanded with the addition of Rowlet with Ash's backpack, Dusk Form Lycanroc, and Cosmog. For MonColle EX collectors, there are new additions to the range coming this October such as Silvally, Mimikyu Battle Pose, and check out the new Ash vs. Gladion Battle Set which comes with four Moncolle EX figures; Umbreon, Rowlet, Midnight Form Lycanroc, and the brand new Dusk Form Lycanroc.

- The Avengers actor Paul Bettany is joining the cast for the yet untitled Han Solo film.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (September 4, 2017)

- The Public Attorney's Office reveals evidence of torture on slain 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz by the Caloocan police. Since the 17th of August, Carl Angelo Arnaiz went out with a friend for a midnight snack but never came back home. The same night, he was accused of flagging down a taxi driver with a revolver and allegedly stole the driver's wallet. The driver escaped and sought help from police officers who allegedly exchanged fire with Carl Angelo which led to the teenager’s death.

- President Rodrigo Duterte denied accusations that he has formed any deal with the Marcos family regarding the return of their supposed ‘ill-gotten’ wealth which was accumulated during the regime of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. Last week, President Duterte announced that the Marcos family extended their willingness to return a portion of their amassed wealth.

- The Department of Health announced yesterday that no reports of fowl to human infections occurred amidst the bird flu outbreak in San Luis, Pampanga, last month.

- President Duterte expressed hopes that they will end the ongoing Marawi Siege by the end of this year.

- Former courtside reporter Laura Lehmann was named Miss World Philippines last night. Following her win, she will represent her country in the upcoming Miss World International contest in China this November.

-Genesis teases their upcoming sedan officially called the G70.

- Mercedes-AMG teases their upcoming "Project One" hypercar with its F1-inspired hybrid technology capable of unleashing a thousand horsepower and over 350kph of top speed.



- Mercedes-Benz previews their new OLED taillights on their upcoming S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet minor change.

 

- See what happens when Tiff Needell pits both the Nissan GT-R NISMO and an Audi R8 in an evo track test.


- MF Ghost, a new manga series by Initial D's Shuuichi Shigeno, has launched and check out your first look of the first page of the new manga series about an ace driver returns to Japan to take on a new kind of futuristic racing battle. CLICK HERE.

- Former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston will star in an upcoming drama series Come Home.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea detonates its sixth and most powerful nuclear test yet

North Korea detonated their sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, according to Japan and South Korea, hours after Pyongyang said it had developed an advanced hydrogen bomb that possesses “great destructive power”.

Meteorological officials said an earthquake detected near the North’s test site – measured by the U.S. Geological Survey at magnitude 6.3 – was around 10 times more powerful than previous detonations.

The move is a direct challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump, who hours earlier had talked by phone with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about the “escalating” nuclear crisis in the region.

Source: Reuters

Top Gear America - Outside the Box

The latest episode of BBC America's Top Gear America goes offroading and it's all about getting themselves dirty.

Antron Brown invites Bill Fichtner and Tom "Wookie" Ford for a taste of UTV action and that meant being provided with the best UTVs for sale. Bill drives a Polaris RZR XP 1000, Tom goes for the Yamaha YXZ1000R Special Edition, and Brown goes for the Can-Am Maverick X3 XRS. With the UTVs under the boys' hands, they set off for the ultimate comparo between the best UTVs in the market. Accidents included.

After the UTV adventure, Wookie goes to East LA to investigate the "lowrider" scene that became popular among American classic car owners everywhere.

Rocker Chris Daughtry is this week's celebrity guest and he lapped round the track in 1:26.84.

Then, Bill tries out one of the most extreme track toys ever to come out from Britain, the BAC Mono.

This episode ends with The Stig tries out a 2,000HP Toyota Land Cruiser round the track and he did it 1:32.44 before setting it on fire.