Let's Do The News! (November 27, 2024)

                  

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

- Leaders of social security from 10 Southeast Asian nations gathered for the 41st ASEAN Social Security Association Conference, emphasizing their increasing influence in global capital markets and their dedication to improved social protection.

- Soldiers assigned to provide security for Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte will be temporarily replaced by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos urged establishing the Inter-agency Committee on International Humanitarian Law.

- The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah began after an agreement brokered by the United States. US President Joe Biden welcomed a US and French-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, believing that peace was possible.

- Alfa Romeo's new 33 Stradale has a confirmed top speed of 333kph after a high-speed run in the Nardo track.

- BMW created a replica of the M3-GTR featured in the 2005 Need For Speed Most Wanted video game to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary and the release of NFS Unbound's Volume 9 update.

- Stellantis plans to shut down Vauxhall's Luton factory as part of turning Ellesmere Port into its UK production hub.

- Shuhei Yoshida will leave Sony after over three decades. Yoshida was the first non-engineer on the PlayStation team who headed SIE Worldwide Studios and Indies Initiative.

- Sony confirmed the PlayStation2 has sold over 160 million consoles worldwide.

- The mother of T-ara member Ham Eun Jung passed away.

- Jung Ho Yeon and Lee Dong Hwi confirmed their breakup after nine years of dating.

- Companies removed Conor McGregor's endorsements after a sexual assault verdict last week in Dublin. This includes IOI removing content featuring McGregor in the Hitman: World of Assassination games.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (November 26, 2024)

                 

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

- About 23 people were killed when a bus plunged into a ravine, on a remote mountain road in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

- The Manila City LGU appealed for the cooperation of the nearly 2,000 families affected by the fire in Isla Puting Bato and Sampaloc last weekend so that their names can be immediately listed among those to be helped.

- During the seventh hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, it was revealed that Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly instructed former Department of Education (DepEd) Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda to allocate additional funds to certain school superintendents.

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) insisted that there is no need for a loyalty check in their ranks.

- Special counsel Jack Smith drops case against US President-Elect Donald Trump over interference during the 2020 election which he lost.

- Japan and the US are planning to develop a joint military plan for a possible emergency in Taiwan, which includes the deployment of missiles.

- Israel and Hezbollah are said to be close to the Lebanon ceasefire deal.

- Formula 1 confirms the agreement in principle for General Motors/Cadillac to enter in the 2026 season.

- Robert Wickens will race at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with DXDT.

- JLR announced it will compete in the 2026 Dakar Rally with Defender as part of its multi-year partnership.

- Los Angeles Rams player Demarcus Robinson was arrested on suspicion of DUI, according to the California Highway Patrol.

- Famed novelist and author of A Woman of Substance, Barbara Taylor Bradford, passed away at the age of 91.

TTFN.

Kia EV6 GT - 2025MY Minor Change

Following the arrival of the minor change to the normal Kia EV6, the range-topping high-performance version, the Kia EV6 GT, is now following suit, better and more stylish than before.

2025 Kia EV6 GT

2025 Kia EV6 GT interior

The new Kia EV6 GT is yours for 76,050,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, which is more expensive than the previous model. Despite the price hike, the latest improvements will make you fall in love with it even more, even those who regret driving the pre-facelift model a few moments ago.

Like the normal EV6, it features new G-shaped headlamps conjoined to the return of the signature Kia Tiger Nose grille, refreshed taillights, new wheel designs, not to mention the Civic Type R-styled rear bumper. To differentiate the EV6 GT from the vanilla EV6 GT-Line model, it's been fitted with lime-colored brakes, which became Kia's signature color for electric GT models.

The same goes for the interior. It features a new steering wheel, a revised 12.3-inch display panel, a revised dashboard, ambient lighting, and a revised Qi wireless charging pad. In addition to a new software update, it has a walk-away auto lock, powered steering wheel adjustment, a 12-inch head-up display, photocatalytic sterilization for the air conditioning, a digital rear-view mirror, and a built-in dash cam. Adding the GT button on the steering wheel and the lime accents on the seats sums it up.

The EV6 GT's high-performance electric drivetrain has been recalibrated with the use of the 84kWh battery pack. Thanks to its improved electric drivetrain, at the push of the GT button, it now produces 650PS of power and 770Nm of torque, capable of a 0-100kph sprint of 3.5 seconds. That's IONIQ 5N territory in the performance figures. As for the driving range, it's now good for a combined 355km in one full charge, depending on road conditions.

The increased power enhances the driving experience thanks to its sport-tuned dynamics, e-LSD (electronic limited-slip differential), and electronically controlled suspension. The e-diff lock actively manages the distribution of power to all wheels, improving handling performance and compensating for loss of traction when turning at high speeds. Meanwhile, the electronically controlled suspension ensures a stable ride and exceptional handling based on the selected driving mode.

As always, The New Kia EV6 GT comes with new safety features such as the revamped remote parking assist, lane keeping assist, and low-speed autonomous braking.

The harbinger of the silent movement is still cloaked in silence but promises to be the best EV6 GT ever made. Those who had the old EV6 GT, your time is up. Make the switch to the improved version. Modernization rules.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Red, Wolf Gray, and Yacht Matte Blue.

Photo: Kia

Let's Do The News! (November 25, 2024)

                

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

- The PH Department of Justice considers Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte as the "mastermind" behind the threat and attempted assassination of President Bongbong Marcos. Because of this, the NBI will reportedly issue a subpoena against the Vice President. "The premeditated plot to assassinate the President as declared by the self-confessed mastermind will now face legal consequences," says Undersecretary Jesse Andres.

- The National Security Council calls Vice-President Sara Duterte's threat to President Bongbong Marcos a "national security concern".

- Number of casualties from the encounter between the government troops vs. the New People's Army in Negros Occidental reaches 8.

- The body of the missing rabbi Zvi Rogan was found dead in the UAE after what Israel says was an "anti-Semitic terrorist incident". Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi.

- Nissan could reportedly scale back manufacturing operations in Thailand but no plants will be closed.

- The North Carolina school district removes the Unico: Awakening manga, a move similar to other districts to remove series such as Assassination Classroom, and Sasaki and Miyano.

- Love Live's Nijigasaki High School Idol Club visual novel game also coming to PC via Steam, on the same day as the Switch version comes out in April 2025.

- NFL hall-of-famer Michael Stahan is named honorary Pace Car driver for the 2025 Indy 500 race.

TTFN.

Wicked (2024 movie)

One of the most beloved and enduring musicals on stage comes to life on the big screen and it promises to be one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024.

Wicked (2024 movie)

From the musical stage to the big screen, Wicked stars award-winning Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and award-winning superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, the two witches of Oz bonded by destiny. The fate between them will forever change the land of Oz.

The movie adaptation of Wicked is true to its musical roots. It delivers a huge roster of musical performances as moviegoers get to know the origin story of the two witches of Oz in spectacular fashion. They say "pink goes good with green" and this movie says it all.

This movie is a surefire blockbuster for 2024. It's a worthy Oscar contender and an "artisan pick" for sure. With its marvelous blend of magic, music, and adventure, it's no wonder that this movie is a huge hit.

It's more than a Thanksgiving treat for the family, it's an early Christmas treat. Welcome to the Wicked World.

GLADIATOR II

A sequel 24 years in the making, the story of Gladiator continues in the follow-up to the cult classic period action movie from 2000 that rewrites the history of the Roman empire with blood.

GLADIATOR II

GLADIATOR II, the sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 masterpiece continues the tale of power, intrigue, and vengeance in Ancient Rome. Set after the end of the first Gladiator movie, Paul Mescal plays the role of the gladiator Lucius who witnessed the death of Maximus from the previous story and is now forced to fight in the arena after his home was taken over by the tyrants who now control the Roman Empire with an iron fist. Fighting through his past, Lucius is throwing all means for the future of Rome and in due course, continuing the fight left by Maximus.

The movie also stars The Last of Us's Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.

Like the original Gladiator movie 24 years ago, this sequel is unforgivingly relatable even by Ancient Rome standards. The authoritarian rule as demonstrated by the antagonists from the film forced men into a do-or-die battle royale is what sums it up and as expected, this is about survival. Still, the hard-hitting battle scenes retain the Gladiator signature even in the eyes of the new protagonist who vows to continue the fight for Rome.

The harsh Ancient Roman political hardline, a relentless fight to the death, and the gripping storytelling that picks up where the previous story left off, this is what GLADIATOR II sums up. Welcome back to the stage of history.

F1 2024: Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix

The Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix of the 2024 Formula 1 season is a high-stakes battle to decide whether Red Bull's Max Verstappen has the right to be crowned world champion for his fourth consecutive time.

Image: Formula 1

George Russell spearheaded Mercedes-AMG's 1-2 punch in the Las Vegas street race with Lewis Hamilton finishing 2nd while Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz completes the podium with a third place finish. Having finished in the Top 5 in Vegas, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen earned the right to be crowned World Champion for his fourth consecutive time. His title was barely defended although the fight for the Constructor's Championship led by McLaren will be decided in the season's last two races.

The next race will be the Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix on November 30th, 2024.