Let's Do The News! (April 27, 2026)

            

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

- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag believes that Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte's "assassination plot" against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was planned, and that it was not just a 'metaphor' because she contacted an assassin. Matibag said they continue to be on high alert due to threats to the President's life, and are continuing to search for the alleged assassin they contacted.

- The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) is already drafting the Chairman's Progress Report regarding the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.

- Data leak to Office of the Ombudsman investigators is now being investigated by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

- The upper house of PH Congress will once again push for the postponement of this year's Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) date. Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill 2067 which would postpone the BSKE from November 2, 2026 to October 4, 2027. Under the bill, current barangay incumbents will continue in office until their successors are elected in 2027 and the terms of Barangay and SK officials will be reduced to four years.

- The Malacañang has advised former President Rodrigo Duterte's lawyer, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, not to dwell on the past. This comes after Duterte's camp raised the government's position in 2023 questioning the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

- Suspect in US press gala shooting aimed to assassinate President Donald Trump and his cabinet, according to investigators.

- Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Hokkaido, Japan.

- Geely unveiled the Galaxy Light Gen II Concept and the Eva Cab Concept at the 2026 Auto China.

- TOEI GAMES unveiled the first three games coming this 2026.

TTFN.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Jack Link's 500

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series continues to the high banks of the legendary Talladega Superspeedway for the Jack Link’s 500 race. Austin Cindric returns as the defending spring winner, while Tyler Reddick looks to stay hot after his Kansas stint.

As the green flag waved, the intense Dega showdown began. As Ryan Preece took Stage 1, Stage 2 witnessed a double whammy of The Big Ones. As Ross Chastain wins Stage 2, the finale saw Tyler Reddick losing his tire and Erik Jones went off track.

Screengrab from NASCAR

Another unsung hero enters the list of NASCAR race winners as Carson Hocevar wins the Jack Link's 500 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

Next race is at Texas Motor Speedway for the Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY this Sunday, May 3, 2026. 

DTM 2026: Red Bull Ring

DTM is back for the 2026 season, and it promises to be the most intense season yet. New entries include the Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO and the Lamborghini Temerario GT3, joining the existing lineup of GT3 machines from Ford, BMW, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche.

The 2026 DTM season campaign kicked off in Austria's Red Bull Ring. The first two races will decide who will draw first blood amid the intense drama both races delivered.

Screengrab from DTM

The season-opening race of the 2026 DTM season saw Thomas Preining edged out Lucas Auer for the win while Maro Engel finished third. The second part, meanwhile, saw a win for Maro Engel while Marco Wittmann finished 2nd and Lucas Auer in third place.

The next event will be in Zandvoort this May 21-24, 2026.

WRC 2026: Rally Islas Canarias

The 2026 World Rally Championship is currently ongoing with the Rally Islas Canarias as the fifth event in the series.

Screengrab from WRC

The Canarias leg became a grueling showdown between Sebastien Ogier and Oliver Solberg as their clash for first place became a knife-edge duel. In the end, Solberg crashed into the barrier on the final day of the event, giving Sebastien Ogier the win. Ogier's recent victory ahead of Elfyn Evans and Sami Pajari marked Gazoo Racing's historic 300 podium finishes in the World Rally Championship.

Post-Canarias, Evans leads the title fight with 101 points, two points ahead of Takamoto Katsuta.

The next event is the Vodafone Rally de Portugal on May 7-10, 2026.

My GT7 Log: Xiaomi The Money

For the first time in Gran Turismo history, a Chinese car company, Xiaomi, has joined the franchise. As the Gran Turismo series begins to cater to Beijing, many are questioning the future direction of this iconic car racing series.

To the commoners, Xiaomi is a Chinese tech giant known for premium gadgetry at affordable prices. When a Chinese tech giant like Xiaomi ventured into the automotive business, this was uncharted territory worth conquering, and a car like the SU7 Ultra is proof of it.

First launched in 2024, the SU7 is Xiaomi's first mass-produced vehicle that incorporates Xiaomi's gadgetry know-how into a high-performance EV sedan. It was offered with a choice of Standard, Pro, Max, and, this, the Ultra.

The SU7 Ultra features a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system that produces a total output of 1,527 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 1.98 seconds and can reach a top speed of over 350 kph, showcasing supercar-level performance for a high-performance Chinese electric saloon.

In addition to its impressive speed, the SU7 Ultra boasts high rigidity and a lightweight design, thanks to carbon-fiber body panels and a cell-to-body construction. It generates up to 285 kg of downforce and has a stopping distance of 101 feet when braking from 100 kph to a complete stop.

The SU7 Ultra lapped the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6m22.091.

I visited the Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE, the venue for the F1 season finale, to showcase the impressive performance of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. Honestly, this level of performance made me anxious about how China has produced such an outstanding super saloon that could outshine Western counterparts. Let’s take a closer look.

My moment with the SU7 Ultra made me post a 2m04.350s lap time around the Abu Dhabi track. Not my best result, but I got the taste of the performance this Chinese super saloon delivered. Call me worried.

From producing high-quality gadgets at affordable prices to making waves in the automotive industry with the fastest super saloon in the Green Hell, Xiaomi is on a roll. The SU7 Ultra is a clear indication of what's to come from China. No wonder the folks from Gran Turismo urged to bring the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra to GT7. Whether we like it or not, it's a real headline-grabber.

That is the Chinese food for thought for the night.

Michael (2026 film)

The untold story of one of the world's legendary performers, Michael Jackson, is now on the big screen. Jaafar Jackson takes on the role of the late Michael Jackson in this powerful biopic that highlights the rise of a music icon.

Michael (2026 film)

The story of Michael Jackson unfolds through a cinematic lens, showcasing the life and legacy of one of the world's legendary performers. Viewers will experience the challenges and triumphs of his journey, starting from his childhood as the youngest member of the Jackson 5 to his rise as a successful solo artist. The narrative also covers the accident that ultimately changed the course of his life forever.

This is what Michael Jackson's life showcased before his controversial image change that shocked the world: the bitter struggles he faced, the legendary career he launched, and the numerous successes he achieved—everything that made Michael Jackson, well, Michael Jackson. 

From start to finish, this movie demonstrates how a legend like him was made.

Let's Do The News! (April 24, 2026)

            

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

- US President Donald Trump says the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire was extended to three weeks after their White House meeting.

- US President Donald Trump says that King Charles' state visit could help mend US-UK relations.

- Two were arrested over alleged drug sales in High Street mini-marts after the BBC undercover investigation in the UK's West Midlands.

- The first air-conditioned passenger waiting room at the LRT-1 Baclaran Station has been officially opened, aiming to provide additional comfort to passengers against the extreme heat of the weather.

- The Malacañang maintained that there was no contradiction in the statement of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Justice regarding the situation of former congressman Zaldy Co in the Czech Republic.

- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is pleased with the signing of a unified interagency standard operating procedure for the implementation of the executive order banning the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

- Peugeot unveiled the 6 and 8 concepts at the 2026 Auto China.

- The Porsche Cayenne Coupe Electric was unveiled.

- The Volkswagen ID.BUZZ was updated for the 2027 model year with physical buttons in the interior.

- Honda is ending its car sales to the South Korean market by the end of 2026.

- Lucas leaves SM Entertainment.

TTFN.