Sonic and friends are back on the third live-action movie outing based on the megahit video game franchise. This time, Sonic's up against his ultimate arch-nemesis; Shadow.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the third installment of the live-action Sonic movie series sees Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles up against the ultimate threat; Shadow the Hedgehog. What's worse is that Dr. Eggman Robotnik joined forces with his pops Dr. Gerard Robotnik. With the threat of world domination imminent, this latest adventure is Chaos...Control. Get it? Chaos Control!
This installment is another shocker for fans of the Sonic series with John Wick actor Keanu Reeves lending his voice as Shadow the Hedgehog in this movie. Like Wick, Sonic's greatest arch-nemesis always leaves his signature trails of destruction. With a hedgehog as fast as Sonic but hellbent on revenge, this is the showdown fans have been waiting for since the days of playing Sonic Adventure 2 a few decades ago.
Of course, like past movies, it still packs a high-speed blend of action, comedy, and drama. Seriously, the comical parts made Sonic wish he would play Super Smash Bros. and beat Pikachu, Mario, and Luigi. GAME!
The ultimate showdown that fans have been eagerly anticipating is finally here. From beginning to end, this movie promises to be the biggest Sonic adventure to hit the cinemas.
Fortunately, it won't be the last, as the world's fastest blue hero continues to delight audiences with his antics. Never stop, Sonic! Never stop!
The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire minivans in the H40W generation now offer a plug-in hybrid variant. This is the first time a Japanese minivan has been provided with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
2025 Toyota Alphard PHEV
2025 Toyota Vellfire PHEV
Based on the range-topping Executive Lounge variant, the first-ever Alphard and Vellfire PHEV variants still feature the same nooks and crannies as expected in most variants but now in a six-seater setting.
These minivans still come with a super-long overhead console, power side sunshade for rear seats, universal steps positioned at the sliding doors for easy access, a one-touch seesaw switch on the sliding doors, and the 5:5 split two-position space-up seats where the third-row seats can be flipped up for extra space.
Apart from numerous luxury amenities, including a rear entertainment system for your binge-watching pleasure while stuck in Tokyo traffic, the PHEV variants come with an exclusive ultrasuede roof headlining, offering a refined, smooth texture and excellent durability.
It uses the same 2.5L A25A-FXS petrol-hybrid powerplant from its normal hybrid equivalents but combined with powerful electric motor generators, the new Li-ion battery mounted under the floor, and the enhanced heat pump HVAC system, it delivers 306PS of total power output. With the CVT gearbox, it has 16.7km/L of combined fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards and 73km of EV driving range, enough to travel from your fancy Susana Heights mansion to Okada Manila to home again.
Like the normal ones, the PHEV variants are built on the TNGA platform and feature front MacPherson struts, rear double wishbones, and ventilated disc brakes. They offer a luxury car experience, providing a refined level of silence and comfort that will impress VIPs in the rear seats. Additionally, both models come equipped with Toyota Safety Sense and Toyota Teammate, enhancing safety during driving and making parking worry-free. It’s best to avoid asking your boss about these features.
The Alphard Executive Lounge PHEV starts at 10.65 million Japanese Yen while the Vellfire Executive Lounge PHEV starts at 10.85 Japanese Yen. Additional costs included.
Attention, high-rollers in the Far East! The latest, most powerful versions of the Alphard and Vellfire have arrived, offering unmatched style and comfort. Guests at premier casino resorts like Okada, Newport World Resorts, Solaire, City of Dreams, and Hann will be excited about these luxurious PHEV 4WD minivans.
- According to PHIVOLCS, a magnitude 5.3 quake with a tectonic origin at a depth of 17 km rattled San Policarpo, Eastern Samar, early in the morning.
- The US House of Representatives failed to pass a bill backed by President-elect Donald Trump that would avert a government shutdown.
- UK Labour peer Lord Peter Mandelson is expected to be named as the new UK ambassador to the United States.
- Luigi Mangione, the suspect behind the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York, is set to be extradited from Pennsylvania to New York to face murder charges.
- The Teamsters union launched a strike against Amazon, affecting several California facilities and locations in Queens, New York; Skokie, Illinois; and Atlanta, Georgia.
- YouTube says they're cracking down videos with clickbait titles and thumbnails, starting in India. The rollout starts in the coming months.
- Suzuki previews its Solio range's minor change ahead of its Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 premiere.
- Production of the third-generation Dodge Durango range, including its V8-powered variants and the Hellcat, will continue in 2025.
- The Dan Da Dan TV anime is renewed for its second season coming this Summer 2025.
- The live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie series is getting a fourth installment expected to hit cinemas this 2027, according to reports.
- Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V is named Twitch Recap 2024 Global Game of the Year, racking 1.46 billion views. The upcoming GTA VI is named the "most anticipated game of 2025".
- Song Kang Ho is confirmed to make a special appearance in the second season of the Netflix original series Beef.
- Philippine girl group BINI will hold their World Tour this 2025.
- The TV variety show IT'S SHOWTIME will continue airing on GMA-7 in 2025.
Avid Top Gear fans will likely remember the showdown between the Z4 and the Fairlady Z. In a Season 13 episode, Jeremy Clarkson compared the Z4 E89 and the Z34 Fairlady Z, ultimately handing the victory to the Nissan, driven by The Stig. Additionally, in Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip, Clarkson, driving the first-generation Z4, outperformed Hammond and the Z33 Fairlady Z with the help of a shortcut through a dirt stage that Clarkson doesn't particularly favor.
With the current generation of these longtime arch-rivals, which one will have the last laugh? But first, let's get to know them, starting with the Z4 G29.
The third-generation model is a return to the Z4's roots. It has a soft-top roof that can be folded up or down in ten seconds, even at cruising speeds. The range-topping M40i model has a 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine that produces 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. When mated with the 8-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 250kph.
Now, let's talk about the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34, the latest version of Nissan's legendary Z-car.
Despite its fresh appearance, the RZ34 remains fundamentally a Z34 at its core, making it a car from the Heisei era that has been updated for the Reiwa era. Given the extensive updates, it has been designated as the RZ34, with the "R" standing for Reiwa. Like the Z Proto, the RZ34 Nissan Fairlady Z incorporates design elements inspired by earlier generations.
Under the hood, the RZ34 is equipped with the same 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine found in the Skyline V37 400R. This engine delivers 405 PS of power and 475 Nm of torque and can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 9-speed automatic transmission.
In addition to the new monotube shocks and enhanced front geometry, increased rigidity, available sport brakes, a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), and rear suspension tuning, the RZ34 introduces, for the first time, features like launch control and electric power steering.
With a makeshift circuit near the fancy beach resort, it's time to find out which of these longtime rivals is the best. Remember the Top Gear days; the first-gen Z4 beat the Z33 in the dirt thanks to an unexpected shortcut Clarkson found. Rewind to the Top Gear track circa late 2009, the Z34 is faster than the E89 with The Stig behind the wheel. It's one win for each. Let a game like Forza Horizon 5 be the decider. Roll the tape.
And now the results...
Z4 G29 - 1m03.380s
Z (RZ34) - 1m03.664s
That was the closest result I've ever witnessed but in the end, this is how the West was won. The final-generation G29 Z4 defeated the RZ34 Fairlady Z by a narrow margin.
The BMW Z4 is the "ultimate driving machine," and it proved it in a duel against the Fairlady Z. In a close race, the Z4 won by a narrow margin. The Z4 was outshone by its Toyota GR Supra twin, but against the Fairlady Z, it proved its mettle just like its predecessors. If Jeremy Clarkson remained in Top Gear, this would be his bet compared to the RZ34.
Speaking of which, I've prepared a little something for the eternal rivals from the world of Top Gear.
The RZ34 Fairlady Z is donning the role of the PriPara main character, Laala Manaka. Let's admit it, she's unstoppable in her tracks just like the show itself. PriPara really is the GOAT of the Pretty Series.
As for the G29 Z4, look what I just did. On one side, you have Matsuri Hibino, while the other side has Myamu. Matsuri and Myamu, they're both main characters from Waccha PriMagi!
So, what we have here are two of my favorite rear-wheel-drive sports cars bearing significant Pretty Series milestones. One represents the greatest Pretty Series show of all time while the other represents the last of its kind before the switch. Yes, PriMagi is the last Pretty Series anime that had Tatsunoko involved in it before switching to OLM for AiPri. Long story short.
With two of my favorite Pretty Series milestones written all over the bodywork, the Z4 G29 and the Fairlady Z RZ34 are showcasing their high-performance prowess in two EventLab creations against a pack of rivals. Let's roll the tapes.
Meganee-san would be proud of their achievements today!
The letter "Z" is the last letter of the alphabet, and it represents the culmination of the alphabet. The BMW Z4 and the Nissan Fairlady Z are both at their peak. They know that their time is limited in this "new normal," but they're determined to put on a heck of a show as sports cars built for the "new normal." They have done it just like their predecessors and even when the endgame comes, they have proved their worth in this unstable world.
This is the zenith of sports car perfection, redefined.
- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas presented the first complete Philippine Polymer Banknotes to President Bongbong Marcos. The new polymer banknotes feature animals instead of past Philippine Presidents.
- The Office of Civil Defense is studying the possibility of widening the Permanent Danger Zone around the Kanlaon Volcano due to flash flood threats.
- The Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives accepted the third impeachment complaint against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte.
- Dominique Pelicot gets a jail sentence of 20 years in French mass rape trial - as all other defendants found guilty of at least one charge. Pelicot was found guilty of drugging and raping ex-wife Gisèle and recruiting strangers to rape her.
- The leader of the HTS rebel group that ousted Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad tells the BBC that Syria is exhausted by war and is not a threat to the West.
Apple canceled its plans for an iPhone subscription service due to software issues and regulatory concerns. However, it will continue offering the iPhone upgrade program and Apple Card monthly installments.
- Liam Lawson replaces Sergio Perez as Red Bull F1 driver joining alongside Max Verstappen.
- Doriane Pan will return to Mercedes-AMG for the 2025 F1 Academy season.
- Bianca Bustamante will make her GB3 Championship debut with Elite Motorsport in 2025.
- Valtteri Bottas will return to the Mercedes-AMG F1 team as a reserve driver.
- Sony and Kadokawa are forming a "strategic capital and business alliance" that will see Sony becoming Kadokawa's biggest shareholder by about 10% of its shares.
- Nihon Falcom founder Masayuki Kato dies at the age of 78.
Aqours, the school idol unit, was formed in 2015 as the second generation of the Love Live! franchise. They quickly rose to fame with the success of Love Live! Sunshine!!. Now, as they celebrate their 9th anniversary, it's time for Aqours to bid the world farewell with a series of Finale concerts.
The official anthem of Aqours Finale LIVE has arrived, marking the end of the era for Aqours.
Eikyu hours
This latest single from Aqours not only features the titular song but also the additional song as heard from JR Central Tokaido Shinkansen 60th Anniversary Oshi Tabi Collaboration, 僕らの旅は終わらない.
The Limited Edition features a Blu-Ray disc featuring the music video of the titular song and its BTS. Not only that, but those who pre-ordered it will receive a random promo card from the upcoming Love Live! Official Card Game and a chance to win a ticket for the upcoming Aqours Finale Love Live! ~Eikyu Stage~.
Aqours heroes, once and always, and now forever in our hearts.
- Typhoon Querubin continues to move over the waters of eastern Mindanao while maintaining its strength. In today's Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No.4 of PAGASA, the eye of the storm was spotted 195 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
- The PH Senate tightened its security following a bomb threat.
- PH DOJ Usec. Raul Vasquez assured that Mary Jane Veloso will first be subjected to a five-day quarantine to assess and ensure her health.
- Russia detains a Uzbek citizen recruited by Ukrainian Intelligence over the killing of a senior general in charge of Russia's nuclear protection forces.
- Luigi Mangione is charged with first-degree murder of UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson by the Manhattan district attorney.
- Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey quits as a priest after reports of the Church's handling of a sexual abuse case.
- Alisha Palmowski will drive for Red Bull Racing and Emma Felbermayr for Kick Sauber in the 2025 F1 Academy season.
- Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors announced that "this is not something that our company has announced" in response to reports that the three carmakers are discussing business integration.
- Honda confirms the Prelude revival will have an S+ Shift automatic gearbox.
- A live-action movie adaptation of Ya Boy Kongming! was announced and will hit cinemas this April 25th.
- Prime Video's original animated anthology series Secret Level was renewed for Season 2.
- Kim Seon Ho confirms his departure from his current agency.
- NBAcommissioner Adam Silver says the league looks into critiques over 3-point volumes.
