Let's Do The News! (September 14, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte explains along with other officials and soldiers about his supposed disrespect on entering the Grand Mosque in Marawi City with boots still on their feet. According to the president, they only kept their boots on because of the mosque was littered with broken shards of glass that could injure them. The Armed Forces of the Philippines regained control of the Grand Mosque from Islamic State sympathizers.

- Meanwhile, President Duterte is determined to grant the Marcos family immunity from possible prosecution in return for the voluntary turnover of a portion of their alleged ill-gotten wealth.

- The impeachment complaint against COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista was reviewed on Wednesday after the complaint showed signs of flawed wording in the verification sheets. The complaint was threatened to be junked for insufficiency in form.

- Evacuees from Hurricane Irma have returned to the storm-ravaged Florida Keys, where sunrise will give them a first glimpse of devastation that has left countless homes and businesses in ruins. The current death toll is now up to 60.

- European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker told the EU's eastern states on Wednesday he fight for equal rights for their consumers, but their workers would not be allowed to unfairly undercut those in western members.

- Another teaser for the upcoming Lamborghini Urus SUV has gone up before its December 4 reveal.

 

- Former Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston returns to stage play for his lead role in an upcoming adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

- New Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon info on the radar! The latest info delves deeper on the mystery of the legendary Necrozma and its new forms similar to the legendary Pokemon such as the Dusk Mane Necrozma (when collided with Solgaleo) and Dawn Wings Necrozma (when crossed paths with Lunala). Also, Lycanroc's signature Z-move, Splintered Stormshards, has been unveiled, as well as two new Ultra Beasts to look out for.



TTFN!!!

Mazda CX-8

Mazda is now officially out of the minivan race as the MPV, the Premacy, and the Biante, are officially discontinued because of the rise of crossovers and following the success of their crossovers such as the CX-3 and the CX-5, they've decided to add their flagship SUV with minivan-sizing that will contemplate today's Japanese families.

2018 Mazda CX-8

This is the brand-new Mazda CX-8 and judging by the name, this will be Mazda's flagship SUV offered exclusively for the Japanese market and bearing minivan-like sizing, this crossover means business for Mazda as this SUV blends the the ideal balance of luxury, performance, economy, and safety, all in one unique crossover.

2018 Mazda CX-8

Like a man of his word, Mazda's trademark KODO design fits rather well for a big midsize crossover and by the looks of it, the CX-8 bears the impression of "Honey, I Grew Up The CX-5" because for those who think their new CX-5 not big enough for those who are having kids can either trade one for this of lend their CX-5 to someone close so their previous Mazda crossover are in safe hands while the CX-8 accommodates rather well for family use.

2018 Mazda CX-8 interior

It's all typical Mazda interior by the looks of it but because being the first-ever Mazda SUV to be offered with third-row seating, albeit for Japan, the CX-8 is not just about practicality and utility but also luxury as well because for people who picked the six-seater variant, it comes with captain's chair seats with a large console box between them. Those second-row seats were heavily inspired by luxury minivans offered in Japan such as Toyota's Alphard and Vellfire, Nissan's Elgrand, and Honda's Odyssey, and if you can picture it quite well, it's just another ride for the politicians but if you're not using it for political or business purposes, you can get one in a seven seater format, which is family-oriented. 

Of course, being an SUV with three rows of seats, expect the occupation of child seats on the second-row, making access to the third-row seats a royal pain and this may involve either squeezing. If you do make it to the third row seats by either from the second row or at the back, you have to admit that because of its minivan-like sizing, the third-row seats can accommodate even the tallest of people like me. As for the boot space, it's not so bad either. I mean, you have room for your grocery hauls and stuff for your relative's birthday as well as other occasions. 

2018 Mazda CX-8

Due to the success of the diesel variants of both the CX-5 and the CX-3, the CX-8 follows the same suit as the only engine offered at launch is the same SKYACTIV-D 2.2L engine from the CX-5 but it's been uprooted to produce 190PS of power and 450Nm of torque. Couple that with the revolutionary SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT and the fuel efficiency is 15.8km/L based on the very relevant WLTC mode standards. First introduced on the gasoline variant of the CX-3, the WTLC (Worldwide harmonized light duty driving test cycle) or Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, whatever you may call it, is a chassis dynamometer test calculate vehicles' fuel efficiency in urban areas (WLTC-L), residential areas (WLTC-M) and highways (WLTC-H), just like the EPA-estimated mileage or the EU combined fuel-efficiency cycle in so many ways and this is their new and proper way to determine how fuel-efficient a car should be.

Okay, now that you are familiarized with the WLTC Mode standards, let's move on to the handling and like today's Mazdas, the G-Vectoring Control delivers a healthy balance of response and stability depending on the load of the wheels. Combined with the i-ACTIV AWD and the result is a crossover that handles pretty well in today's weather forecast, whatever it may be. As for city use, the CX-8's true asset is the safety tech courtesy of i-ACTIVSENSE such as Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).

The new Mazda CX-8 starts at 3,196,800 Japanese Yen and arrives in dealerships this mid-December, in time for the holidays. Although not the most exciting crossover to enjoy with, the CX-8 is the crossover that delivers the ruggedness of the SUV, the spaciousness of a minivan, which Mazda no longer makes, and sedan-riding comfort, all in one unique crossover catered for the Japanese motorists. Hope this better works but that's Mazda so if any articles circulating about this crossover, it's their loss, especially someone...

Available colors: Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Premium Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, and Snowflake White Pearl Mica.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Talks are underway for SK-JP-US summit in NY

A Blue House official told that leaders of South Korea, United States, and Japan might have a summit in New York. He confirmed report that the three countries are in final stages of talks to hold a three-way summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

Citing unnamed sources, it has reported that the meeting between US President Donald Trump, South Korean leader Moon Jae-In, and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe could take place next Thursday with a focus on bolstering cooperation in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test.

Also confirming that Seoul and Washington are indeed in talks regarding US President Donald Trump's South Korea visit this November. Earlier, various media outlets in the US reported that President Trump will likely stop by China on his first official trip in Asia.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (September 13, 2017)

- Former president Fidel V. Ramos reacts on the reports that the military will attempt a coup d'etat against the government and the review on the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

- Five people are dead while six others are missing due to Tropical Depression Maring.

- As the death toll from Hurricane Irma is now 12 in Florida, evacuees returned home to find homes ripped apart and businesses coated in seaweed amid a debris-strewn landscape where an estimated 25 percent of all dwellings were destroyed.

- Former parliament speaker Halimah Yacob was declared elected as Singapore’s first woman president on Wednesday, after the returning officer announced she was the sole candidate to qualify for the contest.

- Apple officially unveiled two new iPhone models, the iPhone 8 and the flagship iPhone X which fetches a thousand dollar price tag. The flagship model ditches the home button an in return, a whole screen occupied the newest model. Plus, it comes with facial recognition software called Face ID. The iPhone 8 models, on the other hand, have an all-glass design and can charge wirelessly. All come with an iOS 11 software and an upgraded camera and processor. In a separate note, the new Apple Watch was launched as well as Apple TV 4K.



- Jaguar's upcoming I-PACE crossover will go racing for a special one-make race series as a supplement race for the upcoming 2018-2019 FIA Formula E season.



- The all-new Renaultsport Megane has been unveiled with the turbocharged 1.8L petrol engine with 280PS of power and 390Nm of torque, a choice of Sport and Cup chassis, and new 4CONTROL four-wheel steering.



- BMW returns to endurance racing with their M8 GTE Racecar



- Director and writer J.J. Abrams will be officially directing and writing another Star Wars film tentatively called Episode IX.

- Gegege no Kitaro characters will make a special guest appearance in the upcoming Yo-Kai Watch Shadowside film.

- Adam Wingard, director of Netflix's live-action Death Note film, deleted his official Twitter account due to death threats and harassments.

- As the Doctor Who Experience officially closes its doors to the public, here's a fitting tribute to the best Doctor Who exhibit in time and space.



TTFN!!!

All New Suzuki Swift Sport ZC33S

Those who've been waited to see a brand new Swift Sport based on the recently-released fourth-generation Suzuki Swift have been heavily rewarded as the newest incarnation of Suzuki's world-class hot hatch has been unshackled to the world over, armed with the HEARTECT platform, improved handling, and the 1.4L downsizing turbo engine, which is the most intriguing change of all for this regeneration. Let's take a closer look on the all-new Swift Sport.

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport

Carrying the tradition of the Swift Sport legacy for over a decade, the Swift Sport is a hotter version of the Swift that promises to ignite the senses of any driver who come across this hot hatch that is the ideal stepping stone for budding car enthusiasts on track days and for the new model, based on the fourth-generation model, it has radicalized the way we think about hot hatches.

The design maybe based on the latest Swift but the Swift Sport features sportier aerodynamics that became the trademark of the Swift Sport heritage since the first one and with the new look, you have the impression of a junior-sized Nissan GT-R that wants to rip through the curves like a swimmer by weekdays, pop star at weekends and holidays. Sounds exaggerating but I'd admire with the new look's confidence when it wants to let it all out. On the inside, the familiar interior of the latest generation Swift has been kitted out with red interior accents and driver-centered instrumental panel for that fresh sportscar smell that makes you change your clothes from your yuppie look to boy racer look when no one's looking at you, except your girlfriend's dad who has a shine on your car.

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

With the new design that is downright obviously sporty for a hot hatch, here comes the performance this new model radicalized at and for starters, the average M16A natural aspiration engine from the previous Swist Sports has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and in place uses the new K14C BoosterJet turbocharged engine as seen on the Escudo, producing 140PS of power output, four more than the old one, and 230Nm of torque, which sounds massive.

No more CVT on the choice of gearboxes, thank goodness for that, because the new Swift Sport has a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or a more enjoyable but technical 6-speed manual gearbox with fuel consumption of up to 16.4kmpl based on JC08 Mode standards and it's not just the enjoyable choice of gearboxes and the revolting turbo engine that contributes to an improved fuel efficiency, it's the brand new HEARTECT platform that provides improved rigidity, performance and weight loss, which makes this new model less than 970kg of weight and more enjoyable to drive thanks to its improved sport-tuned suspension, Monroe front shock absorbers, and specially designed rear suspension. Of course, on a track day basis, the sporty handling of the Suzuki Sport is great but on a everyday Tokyo traffic, it feels like a war zone in here, especially when the new Suzuki Swift Sport comes with a wide array of safety tech such as advanced forward detection, Dual Sensor Brake Support, lane departure warning, and other key technologies.

The new Suzuki Swift Sport starts at 1,836,000 Japanese Yen, which is more expensive than the previous model it replaces but more affordable to own than today's Japanese sportscar, making it a great beginner's car to work with, tune with, and play with. On a day-to-day basis, the Swift Sport can be a crushing experience because of its sport-tuned dynamics but out in the open, the Swift Sport is as free-spirited as a pop star swimmer and while the turbocharged engine is a revolting radicalization to the new model, the sharp weight drop due to the HEARTECT platform and the dynamics will make this new model a must have for this year. Come on world, we're getting envy over it.

Available colors: Champion Yellow 4, Burning Red Pearl Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic, Pure White Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, and Super Black Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS STARLIGHT MASTER 13 Sweet Witches' Night ~Rokuninme wa Daare~

Heads up, Starlight Stage noobs and vets, there's a new installment of the STARLIGHT MASTER range inspired from THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Starlight Stage app game, and this installment is anything beyond magical.

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS
STARLIGHT MASTER 13
Sweet Witches' Night ~Rokuninme wa Daare~

If by magical, there's more to it than that because the title of this installment is Sweet Witches' Night ~Rokuninme wa Daare~ and after spending a lifetime to getting hooked to this song from DEBUT to MASTER difficulty, they've been rewarded to listen the extended version never before heard, performed by the likes of Kanako Mimura (CV: Yuka Otsubo), Airi Totoki (CV: Hitomi Harada), Nono Morikubo (CV: Karin Takahashi), Noriko Shiina (CV: Chiyo Tomaru), and Shizuku Oikawa (CV: Yuri Noguchi).

If the highlight song doesn't sweeten you enough, there are two new songs to look out on this installment such as わたぐも by Miria Akagi (CV: Tomoyo Kurosawa) and shabon song by Miho Kohinata (CV: Minami Tsuda), Mika Jougasaki (CV: Haruka Yoshimura), Yumi Aiba (CV: Juri Kimura), Haruna Kamijo (CV: Mina Nagashima), and Miria Akagi (CV: Tomoyo Kurosawa).

Impressed? Enjoy listening to these new songs on this latest volume and be sure to keep playing Starlight Stage!

TRACK LISTINGS:

01 Sweet Witches' Night ～6人目はだぁれ～ (M@STER VERSION)

02 わたぐも

03 shabon song

04 Sweet Witches' Night ～6人目はだぁれ～ (M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ

05 わたぐも オリジナル・カラオケ

06 shabon song オリジナル・カラオケ

07 Sweet Witches' Night ～6人目はだぁれ～ (GAME VERSION)

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150 - 2018 facelift

Welcome everyone to Series III of the current-generation Land Cruiser Prado and because this is the second time Toyota has facelifted this baby Land Cruiser, this latest minor change promises to be the best Prado ever, whatever the heck that is, because apart from the updated design, they've added Toyota Safety Sense P on the latest minor change. More on that later on, but first...

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

What's new on how it looks for this 2018MY minor change? Well, you can see the Prado's new hood, taller front bumper, new daytime LED running lamps, redesigned grille, realigned wing lines and bumpers, new taillights, new rear bumper, newly designed wheels, and more, making it even more longer than the pre-facelifted model by about 60mm. Exterior aside, the interior has been heavily revamped to make it more luxurious while still providing seats for either five or seven. With the new dashboard, new instrumental panel, reorganized switch gear, LED ambient lighting, new T-Connect SD Navigation System for expensive models, new steering wheel design, and much more, Toyota's done a massive job to overhaul the Prado's already luxurious interior into something else. Now that's what an SUV should be like, catering the rich and powerful wherever they go.

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado interior

2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado interior

The engine lineup's heavily changed, however. Gone is the 4.0L V6 engine, which is rather disappointing for Prado fans many, and in the choice of engines are now down to just the 2.7L 2TR-FE engine with 9.0km/L of fuel economy or the revolutionary 2.8L 1GD-FTV clean diesel engine with 177PS of power, 450Nm of torque, and fuel economy of up to 11.8km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. All of these engines are mated to a 6-speed Super ECT.

Combined with the ladder frame, Multi Terrain Select, Crawl Control, KDSS, and the Multi Terrain Monitor among many other features, the Prado really is a real sports utility hero, even in its new look, and because being a Toyota, the Prado now comes with a new array of safety tech courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense P, including a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic high-beam, and optional blind spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic.

The Land Cruiser Prado is available in TX, TX L Package, and TZ-G, and prices now start at 3,538,080, which is more expensive than the pre-facelift and while offroad enthusiasts are mourning over the loss of the V6 engine, which became the staple of the Prado lineage, the new look and the added tech made the Series III Land Cruiser Prado a cut above the rest as its ready to chart through new heights, whatever lies ahead.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation