Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Let's Do The News! (October 15, 2024)

                 

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

- Members of the Philippine Army and the Australian Army have commenced their KASANGGA military drills in Camarines Sur.

- A fire broke out in Sta. Ana, Manila, causing 100 homes to be engulfed in flames.

- As many as 20 Bureau of Corrections personnel involved in various violations have been removed from their positions.

- India and Canada expelled their top diplomats in a row over accusations that Indian agents were involved in murder on Canadian soil.

- NASA's spacecraft blasted off from Florida in search of alien life on a mysterious moon of Jupiter.

- Brake manufacturer Brembo purchased suspension company Ohlins from Tenneco for $405m.

Hendrick Motorsports will not appeal Alex Bowman's Charlotte disqualification.

- The 2025 INDY 500 will be broadcast on FOX.

- The Harvey Awards inducted the late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama into the Hall of Fame.

- Asahi Production signs a business partnership with famed anime studio Pierrot, aiming to boost the system for stable production of high-quality anime titles.

- Netflix original series Culinary Class Wars renewed for Season 2.

- The nominees for the 2024 MAMA Awards are announced.

- Sean "Diddy" Combs facing fresh sexual assault allegations.

- Radio DJ Chris Tsuper reveals the reason why he left Love Radio after two decades.

TTFN.

MINI Countryman U25 v Mini Cooper F66 5-door v Aceman

The MINI Countryman is now in its third generation and it just got a Masters degree in Wumbology because this is the biggest MINI you can buy.

2025 MINI Countryman
2025 MINI Countryman

With prices starting at £29,350 plus on-road costs, the all-new third-generation MINI Countryman is the biggest MINI ever made. With such size, it feels like it's no longer fit to be called a MINI, perhaps it should be called a Wumbo from now on. These folks behind this car did set it to Wumbo.

2025 MINI Countryman
2025 MINI Countryman Electric

The first-generation Countryman in 2010 has an associate degree in Wumbology. The second-generation model is just a bachelor's degree. This all-new third-generation model earned the right to claim the Master's degree in Wumbology because this is the biggest MINI ever made. While donning a fresh new take on the familiar styling, the sizing is the proof.

2025 MINI Countryman
2025 MINI Countryman interior

Like today's MINIs, the all-new Countryman adapts to the new MINI interior featuring a 240mm OLED screen in the middle that works as a speedometer also, backed by MINI Operating System 9. This OLED touchscreen features an onscreen mascot named Spike and he pops up upon using the rather annoying and Alexa-ish MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant feature.

There are switches below the screen that can control the power, the volume, the air conditioning, and of course, seven MINI Experience Modes that each have a specific user interface design that also affects the lighting inside the vehicle.

On the topic of boot space, the all-new Countryman can carry up to 450L of boot space with the rear seats present but if you fold the rear seats down, it goes up to 1450L. That's the biggest boot space of any Mini you can find.

2025 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman
2025 MINI John Cooper Works Countryman

The normal Countryman is offered a choice of a 1.5L 3-cylinder petrol engine for the front-wheel-drive C variant, and a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine for the S ALL4 with 204HP of power. All are mated to a 7-speed gearbox and mild-hybrid technology.

The Countryman Electric, meanwhile, is offered a choice of a 204HP front-wheel-drive variant with up to 286 miles of driving range and the 313HP S ALL4 variant with up to 266 miles of driving range.

Those wanting more from the Countryman can go for the high-performance MINI John Cooper Works Countryman. With the 300HP 2.0L turbo engine, ALL4 4-wheel-drive system, and seven-speed AT to match, the can-go-anywhere JCW Countryman has a 0.62mph time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. This model is too cool to be ignored, even by the likes of people behind the Forza games.

Although it drives slightly better than the previous model, the U25 MINI Countryman is packed with numerous safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Remote 360, among others, not to mention the Parking Assistant and optional Parking Assistant Plus systems.

Less of a MINI, and more of a Wumbo. This all-new third-generation Countryman is taking shape in this brave new world it faces. Let's admit it with such sizing, it no longer deserves to be called a MINI. Thankfully, there is a MINI worthy of its name but with extra doors for practicality just like the latest Countryman.

2025 MINI Cooper 5-door

This is the five-door version of the Mini Cooper F66. With prices starting at £24,050, you can afford one rather than the Wumbo-fied Countryman.

Although it features several nooks and crannies from its 3-door equivalent, the extra doors at the back make it fit for family use or road trips with your mates. With boot space from 275 to 925L, it fits for almost everything.

The Mini Cooper F66 5-door has two versions; the C and the S. The Cooper C has a 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces 181HP of power and it will go from 0-62mph in 8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. The range-topping Cooper S, meanwhile, has a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 215HP of power. 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and flat-out in 150mph seconds. All are mated to a 7-speed DCT.

Sadly, there's no five-door version of the J01 MINI Cooper at the moment so you might need to take a look for an alternative like this;

2025 MINI Aceman
2025 MINI Aceman

This is the first-ever all-electric MINI Aceman. With prices starting at  £31,800 plus additional costs, it's £10,280 cheaper than the MINI Countryman Electric, a hard bargain for what's surprisingly known as the coupe-crossover equivalent of the said car.

2025 MINI Aceman
2025 MINI Aceman

2025 MINI Aceman
2025 MINI Aceman interior

At first glance, the Aceman looks and feels just like today's Countryman but because being the coupe-crossover equivalent, the boot space can accommodate up to 1,005L of boot space. That's less than what you get from the Countryman but more than what you get from the five-door Mini Cooper F66.

Being an FWD-only all-electric coupe crossover, the Aceman features two different electric powertrains. The E with the 38.5kWh battery has 184HP of power and can go from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds with a driving range of up to 192 miles. The SE, meanwhile, has a 49.2kWh battery pack that produces 218HP of power. It can go from 0-62mph in 7.1 seconds and has a driving range of 251 miles.

The MINIs of the new normal are not as MINI as they were in the past as demonstrated by the all-new Countryman. Even with the F66 or the coupe-crossover Aceman, they're still deemed not worthy to be called MINIs. It hurts but that's maturity for you. They grow up so fast.

Photo: MINI

Monday, October 14, 2024

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS’ J-Hope to be discharged from military; agency urges fans to stop visiting site

 

BTS’s J-Hope is set to be discharged from the military on October 17, and his group’s label. BigHit Music, urged fans to refrain from visiting the site where he will be released from service.

BigHit made the announcement in a statement on the fan community platform Weverse on Monday, October 14, saying J-Hope is “close to completing his active service” while reiterating that no special events are planned.

“We are excited to bring you the news of J-Hope’s upcoming military discharge. He is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged. Discharge day is a day shared by many service members. No special events are planned on the day of his discharge,” it said.

The agency reminded fans to send their “warm regards and encouragement” to the BTS member through different means, and not by visiting the military site.

“To prevent any issues arising from overcrowding, fans are strongly advised to refrain from visiting the site. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts,” it said.

In its statement, BigHit also thanked fans for expressing their support toward the “Pandora’s Box” singer throughout his enlistment.

“We are always grateful for your unwavering love and support for J-Hope. Our company will continue to put our utmost effort into supporting our artists. Thank you once again for your continued love and support for BTS,” he said.

Born Jung Ho-seok, J-Hope is the second BTS member to be discharged from the military after Jin. He began his mandatory service in April 2023.

Despite his enlistment, J-Hope filmed content in advance, including his special album “Hope on the Street Vol. 1” and the dance show “Hope on the Street” in March 2024, both of which are based on the BTS member’s passion for street dance.


Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

Let's Do The News! (October 14, 2024)

                

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

- The Department of Migrant Workers confirmed that eight OFWs from Lebanon have arrived in the Philippines, bringing the total number of Filipinos who returned home from the war-torn country to 450.

- Senator Bong Go denies reports that he's involved in the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

- According to the PH Department of Justice, A witness linked to POGO "kingpin" Alice Guo may be included in the Witness Protection Program.

- Hezbollah claims responsibility for the deadly drone attack in northern Israel. The Israeli army says four soldiers were killed while over 60 were hurt. The United Nations demanded answers after Israeli tanks drove into their compound in Lebanon.

SpaceX catches Starship rocket booster for first time ever as it returns to Earth after launch. It marks a huge milestone in the history of space exploration, bringing SpaceX closer to its goal of achieving rapid reusability.

- The Renault 4 returns as an all-electric crossover equivalent of the 5.

2026 Renault 4 E-TECH


- Citroen, at the Paris Motor Show, unveiled the C4 range's 2025 minor change as well as the C5 Aircross concept and the Ami minor change.

- Mini unveiled the first-ever JCW Electric and the JCW Aceman.

- The Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback range, as well as the SQ6 e-tron Sportback range, was unveiled.

- Aston Martin unveiled the DB12 Goldfinger Edition made in honor of the movie's 60th anniversary.

Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition
Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition

- The Alpine A110 R Ultime was unveiled. Limited to 110 units, the ultimate version saw its 1.8L petrol engine producing 345hp of power, making it the most powerful A110 ever made.

2025 Alpine A110 R Ultime

- Comedian Lee Jin Ho confesses to illegal gambling.

- Game 2 of the WNBA finals saw the New York Liberty level the score with one win each after beating the Minnesota Lynx at the score of 80-66.

TTFN.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Bank of America ROVAL 400

Who will be eliminated? The fight for the Final 8 in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs ends in Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Bank of America ROVAL 400. Time to find out who's in and out.

As the green flag waved, the elimination match in Charlotte began. As Tyler Reddic won Stage 1, Stage 2 saw Chase Briscoe lose a right rear on Lap 35 and forced him to pit. With Stage 2 belonging to Alex Bowman, the final stage saw Ross Chastain spin on Lap 56 followed by Austin Dillon losing his left front tire on Lap 81.

2024 NASCAR Cup Series - Bank of America ROVAL 400
Screengrab from NASCAR

After an intense elimination fight in Charlotte, Kyle Larson won the Bank of America ROVAL 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series! Due to a breach in weight rules, Alex Bowman was disqualified, joining Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez, and Chase Briscoe on the list of drivers eliminated from the playoffs.

The Final 8 is set and the fight for the Championship 4 has begun. Who will survive and make it to the finale in Phoenix? The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will continue in Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the South Point 400 this Sunday, October 20th, 2024.

Sunday, October 13, 2024

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP - Jeonnam GT

The 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP continues with the penultimate event of the season known as The King of Korean Motorsports; Jeonnam GT.

Set in the backdrop of Korea International Circuit, which used to host the Korean Grand Prix of Formula 1 from 2010 until 2013, the headliner Super 6000 class race was joined by other class-specific races such as the TC1600 class, the Sports Bike 400 class, and the Sports Prototype class.

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP - Jeonnam GT
Screengrab from Superrace

Focusing on the Super 6000 class, Superrace veteran Hwang Jin-woo of Jun-Fitted Racing is unanimously this race's winner while Brand New Racing's Park Gyu-seung finished 2nd, and Seohan GP's Kim Jung-gun finished 3rd.

With Jang Hyun-jin and Kim Jung-gun now 24 points between them, who will be crowned the 2024 champion? Find out in the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP finale this November 2-3, 2024. Don't miss it!

2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - Motul Petit Le Mans

Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is the final destination for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The Motul Petit Le Mans is the title fight to decide who will be crowned champions as the night falls.

2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship - Motul Petit Le Mans
Screengrab from IMSA

As darkness falls in the final race of the season, the winners are named. The #01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R is the winner of the season finale while the #11 TDS Racing ORECA LMP2 07 wins the LMP2 class, the #19 Iron Lynx Huracan GT3 EVO2 in the GTD PRO class, and the #34 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 for the GTD class.

As the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship came to an end, the #7 PORSCHE PENSKE MOTORSPORT emerged as the champion, the #77 AO RACING in the GTD PRO class, and the #57 Winward Racing in the GTD class.

This concludes the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Congratulations to this season's winners and see you in Daytona next year.