Dream Believers 104th Version

The Link! Like! Love Live! app game is now in its second term and the story of the Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club with three new additions to the group such as Hina Sakurai as Ginko Momose, Fuuka Hayama as Kosuzu Kachimachi, and Rin Kurasu as Hime Anyoji. They'll be joining alongside existing members Nozomi Nirei as Kaho Hinoshita, Kokona Nokana as Sayaka Murano, Niina Hanamiya as Kozue Otomune, Kotoko Sasaki as Tsuzuri Yugiri, Kanna Kan as Rurino Osawa, and Kona Tsukine as Megumi Fujishima.

As Link! Like! Love Live! begins its second season, the debut single returns, and this time, it's even better than the original. 

Dream Believers 104th Version

The Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club's debut single, Dream Believers, returns with the new 104th Version. In this new version, the new additions to the club are joining in the fun with existing members and it's not just the debut song that's given the 104th treatment. Other songs such as "On your mark" and "永遠のEuphoria" have been updated to the 104th version.

To bring the most of the newly expanded Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club, there are three new songs performed by the three existing sub-units. Cerise Bouquet (consisting of Kaho, Kozue, and Ginko) are performing the song "アオクハルカ" while DOLLCHESTRA (consisting of Sayaka, Tsuzuri, and Kosuzu) does "レディバグ" and Mira-Cra Park (consisting of Megumi, Rurino, and Hime) does "みらくりえーしょん".

Look forward to what's in store for the new and improved Hasu no Sora Jogakuin School Idol Club!

Let's Do The News! (April 19 2024)

                          

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The NGCP placed the Luzon grid on red and yellow alert today.

- The Bureau of Immigration says that foreigners with student visas will undergo intelligence investigation by the PH government. It also says that Filipino students in the country may still be subjected to the probe.

- US officials confirmed that an Israeli missile hit Iran. Iran media says three explosions were heard near an airbase in Isfahan. The attack was a reprisal from last weekend's drone and missile attack launched by Iran to Israel.

- The inquest jury rules that the 48 people who were killed in the 1981 Dublin nightclub fire were unlawfully killed.

- Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was re-arrested in connection with the investigation into SNP finances. Murrell was charged in connection with embezzlement of funds from the SNP.

- Two jurors were excused in Donald Trump's first criminal trial, days after being sworn in.

- Kenya's top military official General Francis Ogolla was among those who were killed in a defence force helicopter crash, according to President William Ruto.

- Reports revealed the true scale of the number of medical trials using infected blood products on children in the 1970s and 80s. They reveal a secret world of unsafe clinical testing involving children in the UK, as doctors placed research goals ahead of patients' needs. They continued for more than 15 years, involved hundreds of people, and infected most with hepatitis C and HIV.

- Indians cast their votes in the first phase of its seven-stage election.

- Skoda will reveal its Vision Gran Turismo entry next week.

- The second-generation Citroen C3 Aircross was revealed. It will be offered as a seven-seater for the first time.

2025 Citroen C3 Aircross

- BMW teases the next-generation X3 crossover.

- The upcoming Yuri!!! on Ice: Ice Adolescence film was canceled. The series' production committee and MAPPA cite "various circumstances" over the film's cancelation.

- The stop-motion animated series Ania Kingdom, based on Takara Tomy's Ania line of toy animals, returns for its second season this summer.

- Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry will voice Optimus Prime and Megatron in the animated prequel movie Transformers ONE, coming to cinemas this September 20, 2024.

- Singer Parc Jae Jung will be enlisting in the military next month.

- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers will not be disciplined by the NFL after being involved in a domestic violence investigation earlier this year, according to the league's statement.

TTFN.

Toyota Land Cruiser 250 (J250W)

After four generations, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is no more. In its place, a new successor is taking over in the Light Duty class of the Toyota Land Cruiser lineage, sitting between the Heavy Duty-type Land Cruiser 70 and the flagship Station Wagon-type Land Cruiser 300. Welcome to the all-new Land Cruiser 250.

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250

Starting at 5,200,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the first-ever Land Cruiser 250 picks up where the Prado left off with its boxy styling, luxurious interior, legendary off-road capability, and an array of tech worthy of bearing the Land Cruiser bloodline.

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250

Beginning with the design, the Land Cruiser 250 uses the cubic approach that will leave observers Tetris-eyed. Be there and be square, they said, and like the final Prado it replaces, the Land Cruiser 250 doesn't feature a rear spare wheel. Fair enough.

In observance of the Land Cruiser's heritage, the 250 doesn't use Toyota logos all over and instead uses TOYOTA letterings. A real blast from the past.

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 interior

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 interior

Apart from the squarish exterior design that makes their square pants fizz, the all-new interior stays true to the Land Cruiser's character as a luxury off-roader not only works as a family-oriented vehicle but for taking VIPs and executives to their important points of interest. The driver's side is packed with a 12.3-inch TFT display that tells most of the important stuff around this car, the available 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment purposes, HUD, digital rearview mirror, climate control, Nanoe X, and heated steering wheel, among others.

Apart from that, the Land Cruiser 250 is offered with a choice of a 5-seater or a 7-seater. Whichever seating layout you're on, you will be greeted with luxurious features like the power moonroof, and the available JBL Premium Sound System. As for boot space, it's good for up to four golf bags with all of the passenger seats folded down. For easy access, the Land Cruiser 250 comes with a hands-free power liftgate that can automatically open with your foot lift.

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 250

With the TNGA platform and a ladder frame chassis, the Land Cruiser 250 is better to drive and more rigid than the Prado. It even has improved braked towing capacity as well. For the first time in a Land Cruiser series, the 250 features electric power steering and a brand-new Stabiliser Disconnect Mechanism (SDM) that allows drivers to manually switch the stabilizer between 'locked' and 'free' for extended wheel articulation. Other useful features of the Land Cruiser 250 include Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, the improved Multi-Terrain Monitor with a Toyota-first back underfloor view, full-time 4WD with Torsen LSD, Downhill Assist Control, Hillstart Assist Control, A-TRC, electric rear diff lock, and Drive Mode Select.

The Land Cruiser 250 is offered in a choice of a VX-exclusive 163PS 2.7L 2TR-FE petrol engine mated to a 6-speed Super ECT and the one engine that scares all Japanese straight, a 204PS 2.8L 1GD-FTV diesel engine (optional on the VX model, exclusive to the GX and ZX models) mated to a Direct Shift-8AT with paddle shifters. The petrol version has a fuel economy of 7.5km/L while the diesel version does 11km/L. All are based on WLTC Mode standards.

In terms of safety, the Land Cruiser 250 features the new and improved Toyota Safety Sense comprising advanced features such as the Pre-Collision Safety System with Pedestrian Detection and Road Sign Assist, among others.

Being the Prado's successor can be stressful work, especially with the diesel engine being the cream of the crop. The kind of engine that terrifies Gen Alfa Japanese people lately. Despite mixed results, the Land Cruiser 250 is still the Prado's successor worth waiting for. The middle child of the Land Cruiser family is now cubed for perfection. Let's see if the Japanese public had their word with this off-roader.

Just don't call this a Prado anymore because the Land Cruiser 250 is no longer the Prado of yesteryears. This off-roader has turned.

Available Colors: Avantgarde Bronze Metallic, Super White II, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Black, Avantgarde Bronze Metallic, and Smoky Blue.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (April 18, 2024)

                         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- PH President Bongbong Marcos ordered the granting of a "grace period" to light electric vehicles such as e-bikes and e-trikes plying national roads in Metro Manila. This means that the enforcers will not be arrested and e-trikes will not be fined or impounded.

- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is visiting the Philippines for a state visit.

- 6 PCG ships are prepared for the Balikatan exercises and possible tensions in the north are part of this exercise's preparation. China warned against the Philippines and the US.

- Senator Bong Revilla is set to undergo surgery for his torn Achilles tendon.

- The Luzon grid is placed on red and yellow alert due to minimal power reserves while the Visayas grid is placed on yellow alert.

- Scotland ditched its 2030 climate change target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75%

- The US-Ukraine aid vote date has been agreed. The long-awaited package has been held up for more than 2 months. The vote on the 95 billion dollar bill is set for Saturday and includes more military funding for Israel, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza.

- Israel says it will make its own decision amid calls for restraint in the wake of Iran's unprecedented attack at the weekend.

- The upcoming Gakuen IDOLM@STER app game casts Tsumugi Nanase as Mao Arimura.

- A 10-episode cartoon adaptation of SEGA's Golden Axe game is coming soon to Comedy Central. It will star Matthew Rhys, Danny Pudi, Lisa Gilroy, Liam McIntyre, and Carl Tart.

- Lee Junho, Kim Hye Joon, Kim Byung Chul, and Kim Hyang Gi will star in an upcoming Netflix series Cashero. The series will be helmed by director Lee Chang Min and penned by screenwriters Lee Je In and Cheon Chan Ho.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (April 17, 2024)

                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The 2024 Marine Exercises (MAREX) will be conducted in the coastal area of Datu Blah, Maguindanao del Norte for the first time.

- The Senate comments by the PH Supreme Court about the petition of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on the arrest order against him.

- Some parts of Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte will experience unscheduled power interruption. According to the NGCP, this is because of the ongoing line patrol.

- Senator Bong Revilla may undergo surgery due to his torn Achilles heel, according to reports.

- The streets of Dubai are hit with floods due to severe rainy weather.

- A Muslim student at a London school has lost a High Court challenge against its ban on prayer rituals. Michaela School in Wembley was taken to court by the girl over the policy, which she argued was discriminatory.

- The UN says that Israel is still imposing unlawful restrictions on Gaza aid. All aid for Gaza is subject to strict Israeli security checks. The UN is also calling on Israel to do more to stop the escalating violence in the West Bank.

- The Belgian police told to shut down the meeting of right-wing European politicians in Brussels.

- Citroen will unveil the all-new C3 Aircross tomorrow.

- ICHILLIN member Chowon announced that she's temporarily halting activities after being hit by a foul ball at a baseball game.

- Gram Entertainment released a new statement regarding actress Kim Hieora's school violence controversy.

- Meralco Bolts player Raymond Almazan was caught on camera, passing the EDSA busway, and bribed officials.

- A woman who accused former major league pitcher, Trevor Bauer, of sexual assault has been indicted by a grand jury in Arizona on felony charges of fraudulent schemes and theft by extortion.

- ABS-CBN advises the public over "fake auditions" for Pinoy Big Brother, FPJ's Batang Quiapo, and High Street.

TTFN.

4th-Generation Citroen C3

The all-new, fourth-generation Citroen C3 marks the true beginning of the French carmaker's new era in the age of electrification, and being a back-to-basic hatchback with budget-friendly pricing, it's a good compact to start with.

2024 Citroen e-C3

Starting at 14,990 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new fourth-generation Citroen C3 brings Citroen back to being a humble French carmaker even under the thumb of Stellantis. Being the first model to proudly wear the new Citroen logo from the OLI Concept, it truly is a new start.

2024 Citroen C3

The fourth-generation Citroen C3 is the first model to bear the new Citroen logo. However, its design conveys a different message. With styling inspired by the OLI Concept, the C3 resembles a crossover more than a city car, especially with its black cladding on the side and rear. The C-shaped headlamps make the car look like a Rubik's cube, which seems to be a French expression of style. Mind you, the all-new C3 uses most of the bits and bobs from today's Peugeot 208 and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa rather than the new platforms Stellantis introduced a long time ago because it's too early to tell.

2024 Citroen C3 interior

The all-new Citroen C3 has a completely redesigned interior layout that adopts the brand's C-Zen lounge concept. It features a squarish steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a sat-nav touchscreen, and automatic air conditioning in MAX variants. The low-cost YOU variant has conventional climate control knobs and a smartphone holder, which is useful for those in the Gig Economy. In terms of space, the C3 has 310 liters of boot space, which is more than adequate for today's thrift store purchases.

2024 Citroen C3

The fourth-generation Citroen C3 is available in petrol and electric versions. The petrol version provides the most enjoyable driving experience, owing to its 1.2L HN09 PureTech engine, which generates 101 PS of power and 205 Nm of torque. When paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, this engine propels the C3 from 0 to 100 kph in 10.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 183 kph. In terms of fuel economy, the petrol-powered C3 achieves 5.6 L/100 km combined based on WLTP standards.

The e-C3's electric powertrain has a 44kWh Lithium iron phosphate battery and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. It produces 113PS of power and 120Nm of torque, which enables it to go from 0 to 100kph in 11 seconds and reach a top speed of 135kph. The e-C3 has a range of 326km and takes less than 30 minutes to charge to 80% at a 100kw public charging station.

Although not the most fun to drive on the straights, its city-friendly handling and the signature Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension made the all-new C3 civilized and user-friendly in the real world. As for safety, the all-new C3 features a wide range of safety tech such as rear parking assist, Active Safety Brake, Active Unintentional Line Crossing Alert, speed sign recognition, and the MAX-exclusive reversing camera.

From its OLI-inspired exterior design, minimalist interior, a choice of petrol and electric, user-friendly driving feel, and loads of safety tech, the all-new fourth-generation Citroen C3 truly is the new start for the French carmaker and has the right to wear the new Citroen logo. Welcome to the subtle side.

Photo: Citroen

Remembering the Sewol tragedy 10 years ago

The 16th of April, 2024 marks ten years since the deadly sinking of the MV Sewol ferry that killed 299 people, most casualties are high school students going on a field trip. Most South Koreans observed silence to remember those who lost from what is known to be the "darkest day" in South Korean history.

The Sewol tragedy 10 years ago (File Photo)

The tragedy occurred on the 16th of April, 2014, when passengers, mostly high school students on a field trip, were boarding the MV Sewol ferry en route from Incheon to Jeju until the sinking occurred. According to reports, 299 people aboard the Sewol ferry have died, and most of the casualties are high school students. Five remained unaccounted for. Lee Joon-Seok, the ship's captain, was sentenced to 36 years in prison.

Ten years have passed since the terrible tragedy that killed most of the Korean youth. Friends, families, and relatives of those who were lost in the worst maritime disaster in South Korean history are still bearing the scars and trauma of losing their loved ones.

The sinking of the Sewol ferry ten years ago was a painful lesson to the maritime industry in South Korea and worldwide. Accountability is what truly sums up as well as preparedness to prevent such tragedies like this in the unforeseeable future.

As I said from a not-too-distant past, there's nothing else I can say but until another inevitable comes, I am praying for the rest of the world to cooperate to resolve today's problems.