Distortion/Neutral/Jellyfish

Sub-units became a longstanding tradition in the Love Live franchise and Liella's is no exception. Having expanded into an 11-school-idol-team with the addition of Wien and Tomari, in case you missed it, Liella's split into three sub-units; CatChu!, KALEIDOSCORE, and 5yncri5e!. These are the Liella sub-units first single.

Distortion

First up, CatChu!, consisting of Kanon Shibuya (CV: Sayuri Date), Sumire Heanna (CV: Naomi Payton), and Mei Yoneme (CV. Akane Yabushima), starring in their first single titled Distortion and it features not just the said title song but also the coupling song titled 全力ライオット and their version of "What a Wonderful Dream!!"

Neutral

Second, KALEIDOSCORE, comprising of Tang Keke (CV: Liyuu), Ren Hazuki (CV: Nagisa Aoyama), and Wien Margarete (CV: Yuina), are starring in their first single titled Neutral and it features not just the said title song but also the coupling song カメリアの囁き and their version of "What a Wonderful Dream!!"

Jellyfish

Lastly, 5yncri5e!, comprising of Chisato Arashi (CV: Nako Misaki), Kinako Sakurakoji (CV. Nozomi Suzuhara), Shiki Wakana (CV. Wakana Ookuma), Natsumi Onitsuka (CV. Aya Emori), and Tomari Onitsuka (CV: Sakura Sakakura), starring in their first single "Jellyfish" and apart from the said title song, it features "Thank you Good morning" and their version of "What a Wonderful Dream!!"

The Liella sub-units' first singles are a must-listen for those who can't get enough of Liella in anticipation of Love Live SuperStar's third season because truth be told, there's no other choice. Anyway, expect more to come from the Liella sub-units in the world of Love Live!

Let's Do The News! (April 30, 2024)

                                 

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

- Five members of the Dawlah-Islamiyah-Maute group were killed in an encounter at Lanao del Norte. Five soldiers were hurt.

- According to the AFP, three Chinese research vessels were spotted at the Ayungin Shoal and they're possibly aiming at the ongoing Balikatan exercises.

- The yellow alert on the Visayas grid has been lifted by the NGCP.

- Scotland First Minister Humza Yousaf announced his sudden resignation, triggering a leadership race.

- The US and the UK are calling on Hamas to accept Israel's new ceasefire order. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he hopes Hamas will accept what he called Israel's "extraordinarily generous" offer for a Gaza truce.

- Former IndyCar driver and longtime official Wally Dallenbach passed away at the age of 87. Dallenbach won five races and served as a longtime chief steward of the IndyCar Series.

- The Arrow McLaren IndyCar team announced they're letting go of David Malukas as he's still reeling from his injured left wrist he sustained in a mountain biking accident in early February.

- The Cupra Leon and Formentor range received a minor change for the 2025 model year with its Tavascan-inspired exterior design, a revised interior, and a choice of mHEV, e-HYBRID, diesel & up to 221kW (300HP) petrol engines.

2025 Cupra Leon

2025 Cupra Leon Sportstourer

2025 Cupra Formentor

- LOONA member Yves is confirmed to make her solo debut.

- The US and Mexico announced their dropout from the bid to become the host nation of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup and instead focus on 2031.

- College sports leaders are in deep talks to settle the NIL antitrust case against the NCAA.

TTFN.

Toyota GR Yaris (2025MY minor change)

Toyota's GR Yaris is the only three-door super hot hatch they make. It's been given a minor change for the 2025 model year. Although controversial, it's been given major upgrades to make it more accessible for speedo boys everywhere.

2025 Toyota GR Yaris

The 2025 Toyota GR Yaris, starting at 3,490,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, is the improved version of what Toyota claims to be a road-legal rally car. Although it's insane to call it, the latest revisions are a love-or-hate affair at first sight. Don't ask why.

Beginning with the exterior, the GR Yaris now sports a new front bumper design while the rear view ditches the Toyota logo while donning the Durango-esque taillights. The new look mimics its rally car equivalent, although explaining why is complicated.

2025 Toyota GR Yaris interior

The inside job is where the GR Yaris' minor change draws flak from observers. Instead of the dashboard from the normal Yaris, the new center console is repositioned to the driver's side, and as an optional extra for the entry-level RC version, you can have the handbrake positioned near the gear lever, giving you the experience that rally drivers and drifters do. Flashy but it works wonders.

The revised interior also sports the new 12.3-inch color instrument panel displaying real-time driving information and improved driving position to make driving slightly more accessible.

2025 Toyota GR Yaris

The G16E-GTS 1.6L 3-cylinder intercooler turbo engine that powers the GR Yaris has been improved with added 32PS of power compared to the pre-facelifted GR Yaris, meaning it produces 304PS power output and 400Nm of torque. With the 6-speed manual gearbox, fuel economy is 12.4km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

The 2025 GR Yaris marks the debut of the 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission, an automatic gearbox recalibrated with sporty driving in mind. Although it feels cheesy compared to the 6MT variant, it's good for 10.8km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

In addition to numerous revisions underneath the shell, the GR Yaris is prepped with the Drive Mode Select, which allows drivers to select three different modes that can alter the electronic power steering, air con, and powertrain's behavior. There's even a Circuit Mode feature that unleashes the full majesty of the GR Yaris while you're in tracks like Tsukuba, Fuji, or Suzuka. Although mild and menacing for a 4WD super hot hatch, it's more addictive to drive compared to the old GR Yaris.

With the flagship RZ "High Performance" variant, you can expect specially tuned suspension, red-colored calipers, an air-cooled intercooler with spray, a piano black radiator griller, and brake ducts.

As expected, the GR Yaris comes with the Toyota Safety Sense, blind spot monitor and safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert for MT variants, parking support brake for AT variants, and a rearview monitor.

Love it or hate it, the 2025 GR Yaris minor change is a better version of Toyota's road-legal rally car that is not afraid to get itself dirty. From the streets of Tokyo to Hokkaido's dirtiest roads, this 4WD super hot hatch is ready to roll for more. Are you not entertained?

Available Colors: Super White II, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Precious Metal, Precious Black Pearl, and Emotional Red II.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Honda WR-V (DG5)

As Honda's SUV lineup consists of the Vezel, the WR-V, and the soon-to-be-released CR-V e:FCEV, the smallest member joins the party. Welcome to the all-new Honda WR-V.

2024 Honda WR-V

Priced at 2,098,800 Yen plus additional costs, the all-new Honda WR-V is the smallest in the Honda SUV lineup and the first Honda fully imported from India, the second Japanese carmaker to do so after Suzuki with its now-defunct Baleno hatchback. So, what can we expect from the fully-imported compact Honda crossover that's small enough to fit through the Tokyo traffic?

2024 Honda WR-V

Beginning with the exterior, the all-new WR-V measures 4,312 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, 1,650 mm tall, and has a wheelbase spanning 2,650 mm, smaller than today's Vezel. With a typical Honda design on the front, Ignis-esque side view, and Seltos-esque rear view, it's no wonder why the all-new WR-V is another Indo-Pacific fusion cuisine worth checking out if you're into that. Add the Tough Style package and it packs some bling into it.

2024 Honda WR-V interior

Inside, the all-new WR-V features a horizontal keynote design and texture of the details, as Honda claims. It even comes with an optional 9-inch Honda CONNECT navigation system as well as a 7-inch digital graphic meter, among others. The base X variant features fabric sheet material for the seats while the Z and Z+ variants come with the Prime smooth x Fabric sheet material as well as a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.

Asked about space, the wheelbase makes it roomy for a compact five-seater crossover and it can accommodate up to 458 liters of boot space. Decent enough to fit today's grocery shopping list.

2024 Honda WR-V

The all-new Honda WR-V has a 1.5L i-VTEC engine that produces 118PS of power and 142Nm of torque. It's mated to a CVT gearbox with paddle shifters and gets up to 16.4kmpl based on Japan's WLTC Mode standards.

The Honda WR-V is a front-wheel-drive-only crossover, so it's best suited for asphalt and some dirt areas. It's too cute for its own good, though, so don't plan on taking it to Hannibal's. The WR-V has front MacPherson struts, a rear torsion bar, front ventilated disc brakes, rear reading trailing brakes, and Rack & Pinion electric power steering. It has a turning radius of 5.2 meters, which is not too shabby.

For safety, the WR-V features the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as well as a reverse camera, LaneWatch, Vehicle Stability Assist, and Hill Start Assist.

The fully imported Honda WR-V proves that small is better in the new normal. Although more expensive than the Toyota Raize, it's more affordable than the Nissan Kicks, making the WR-V the bargain compact crossover of 2024.

Engineered in Japan, built in India, and finished in a choice of five colors, the all-new WR-V is worthy of becoming your first reasonably priced car if you're new to the driving thing.

Available Colors: Platinum White Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Illuminous Red Metallic, and Gold Brown Metallic.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (April 29, 2024)

                                

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

- The NGCP has placed the Visayas grid under yellow alert while the Luzon grid's yellow alert schedule has been extended due to the expected increase in electricity demand.

- Two Chinese navy vessels were spotted during the Balikatan maritime exercise.

- The MMDA Traffic Sector 5 staff has confirmed that the assistant secretary of the PH Department of Transport was stopped after passing the EDSA Busway Ortigas. Instead of a bus lane violation, the officer who identified himself as authorized to pass through the EDSA Carousel was ticketed for a number coding violation.

- The ongoing Russian attacks forced Ukrainian troops to retreat as the worsening situation led to withdrawals from several positions along the frontline. Ukraine's commander-in-chief says his troops have returned to new positions west of three villages where Russia has concentrated significant forces.

- Divisions emerge in the Israeli government with ministers at odds about a potential Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

- Tesla is expanding its Full Self-Driving Capability to overseas markets. According to Elon Musk, FSD Version 12 is ready for supervision in left-hand-drive markets but right-hand-drive markets such as the UK and Japan will take a bit longer.

- Malaysian carmaker Proton opened its new R&D center in China as part of its collaborative efforts with Geely. The new facility, which is located within the Geely Automobile Research Institute at Hangzhou Bay, will complement Proton’s existing R&D facilities in Malaysia.

- Artwork-sharing site pixiv blocks adult content in the USA and the UK as a new change to terms of use came into effect on April 25th.

- The Quintessential Quintuplets series is getting a new honeymoon anime coming soon as well as the Goto Pazu Story video game sequel coming this year.

- Byeon Woo Seok will make a guest appearance on the SBS TV show Running Man.

- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch injures his knee in a sideline collision with one of the players after the team's recent win over the Phoenix Suns.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Würth 400

The Monster Mile returns to life as the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series continues in Dover, Delaware for the Würth 400.

As the green flag waved, the action at the Monster Mile was on. The first stage saw Todd Gilliand spinning on the front stretch and getting door-to-door with Austin Dillon on Lap 39 followed by Brad Keselowski spinning from 13th in turn 2 with a flat rear tire. As Martin Truex Jr. wins Stage 1, Stage 2 goes to Kyle Larson, and the final stage saw a spin by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on Lap 321, followed by a restart disaster triggered by Bubba Wallace eight laps later.

Screengrab from NASCAR

After all the action in Dover, Denny Hamlin wins the Würth 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is in Kansas for the AdventHealth 400 this May 5th.

NTT IndyCar Series 2024 - Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix

The 2024 NTT IndyCar Series continues in Alabama's Barber Motorsport Park for the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix.

The race kicked off with Sting Ray Robb and Jack Harvey slipping but still standing, followed by Colton Herta colliding with Santino Ferruci and Pato O'Ward went off track on Lap 2. Lap 6 saw Pietro Fittipaldo get crashed by O'Ward while Lap 18 saw Scott Dixon run off-track and fall back. Lap 33 saw Marcus Armstrong colliding with Josef Newgarden. On Lap 52, a mannequin fell on a track and got hit by a passing race car. No one knows what that is.

Lap 55 saw Sting Ray Robb crash to the barriers, and with the race having five laps to go, Christian Rasmussen spun but was still standing.

Screengrab from IndyCar

From crashes, collisions, and a collapsed mannequin, the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix ended with Scott McLaughlin taking the win while Will Power finished 2nd and Linus Lundqvist finished 3rd.

After Alabama, Colton Herta and Will Power are now a point apart, 101 vs 100, while Alex Palou's in third with 98 points.

May is Indy 500 month and the campaign begins with the Sonsio Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course this May 11th.