- Senators agree to the proposed suspension and review of the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs. According to Sen. Grace Poe, she condemns the death of 14-year old Reynaldo De Guzman, the latest of the recent controversial killings of minors, who was discovered in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, and covered in multiple stab wounds.
- Hurricane Irma, the historically powerful storm that struck the Caribbean days ago, has became a Category 5 storm again as it made landfall on the Camaguey archipelago of Cuba late Friday night as the storm edged closer to US landfall in the Florida Keys after leaving a trail of devastation and death in much of the Caribbean as it advanced toward South Florida.
- The TVR Griffith has been reborn as the revived British sportscar company's first offering, complete with the iStream architecture designed by Gordon Murray, Cosworth-tuned 5.0L V8, 6-speed manual gearbox, and 400bhp/tonne power-to-weight ratio, capable of reaching over 200mph of top speed and 0-60mph time of less than 4 seconds.
2019 TVR Griffith
- BMW will display the X7 iPerformance Concept at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show, previewing BMW's flagship full-size SUV.
BMW X7 iPerformance Concept
- Your first look at The Current War film, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon as rival inventors Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse.
- Check out the trailer for the upcoming Wake Up, Girls Shin Shou anime series before its October 9 premiere.
- The trailer for the upcoming UQ HOLDER anime series is now up, prepping up for its October 2 premiere.
Renault's first-ever midsize pickup truck, the Alaskan, has enjoyed its notoriety at Latin America, its target market, and now it's ready for showtime at Europe, where it will face stiffer competition against the likes of the VW Amarok, the Fiat Fullback, or even the Toyota Hilux. While this is an all-new model, the Alaskan bears a familiar side everyone knows about and there's a clear reason for that.
2018 Renault Alaskan
The new Renault Alaskan maybe the company's first-ever pickup truck but what's underneath is co-developed by Nissan due to the nature of the Renault-Nissan Alliance so the way the Alaskan behaves puts you into the mind that it's like driving the not-for-Japan Nissan pickup truck that I cannot mention it to you due to search query reasons. But before that, what do you think about the looks? Well, at first glance, this is the first time you saw a pickup truck bearing a Renault badge on it, which is not very fleur by the looks of it but it has some masculine sense on it you would expect from the fruit of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
2018 Renault Alaskan interior
2018 Renault Alaskan interior
Unlike today's Renaults, the interior of the Alaskan is very different compared with the others because this is the same interior as you would expect from a Nissan pickup truck of today, although the steering wheel is different than the Nissan's by the looks of it. For a pickup truck with the sedan-like creature comfort, the Alaskan is pretty impressive in so many levels and rather than using it for work, it can also be used for leisure and with an ample bed space, just think about the endless possibilities you can do with Alaskan, as long as you're not making trouble with the public.
2018 Renault Alaskan
Since the Renault Alaskan is a Nissan underneath, it uses a ladder-frame chassis combined with the super-high-tensile-strength steel which makes it as tough as a Challenger 2 tank blowing a safe and in terms of its off-road ability, the Alaskan is a French car that is not very French indeed, in fact, it's like a French-Thai-Latino fusion cuisine that doesn't have any lactose on it, only tougher and braver when it was served on a wooden platter, which is very unique.
Under the hood, the Alaskan is powered by a 2.3 dCi engine with various configurations. The highest power output offered is 190PS and with 450Nm of torque output, it has a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, which is very strong indeed for a foreign exchange pickup who got transferred from a banana republic to a superpower by chance. It's surprisingly durable as well.
As a pickup truck, the Alaskan offered different driving modes to choose from such as rear-wheel drive if you are driving normally (or if you are planning to slide this car through the road as a show-off), high-ratio 4WD if you're feeling under the weather, or low-ratio 4WD when things get rough. Apart from that, the Alaskan is prepared with a multitude of safety features such as ABS, ESP, EBD, EBA, TCS, that autonomous braking thing, and the one thing Nissan happily lend it to the Renault Alaskan; the Around View Monitor.
Should you buy it? The Renault Alaskan starts at 36,860 Euros, which is less expensive than the VW Amarok by a wide margin, and that makes it a fair value for those who want a pickup truck that can do so much more than 9 to 5. This pickup maybe made for the 9 to 5 stuff but rather than being a workhorse, the Alaskan can do some leisure stuff on the weekends. There's so much you can do with Renault's first-ever pickup truck as long as you're not a magnet of trouble with it.
The United States is pushing for the toughest ever sanctions against North Korea in the wake of the sixth nuclear test.
It is still unclear how much cooperation the US could draw from China and Russia in eventually passing its draft resolution currently under discussion but the blacklisting of NK leader Kim Jong-un, which would be the first, would freeze his foreign assets and ban him from traveling abroad.
In addition, it calls for slapping an oil embargo on the North and mobilizing all means necessary to ban and search North Korean ships in international waters, which includes the use of military force. However, an unnamed official says China and Russia has yet to support the draft, which also aims to pull the plug on textile exports and the hiring of North Korean workers overseas, which has been a source of much-needed income for the Korean Peninsula.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
