Let's Do The News! (April 13, 2026)

            

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

- Manibela is staging a transport strike from April 15 to 17.

- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla apologized after the incident where a man was ticketed for not wearing a top while mixing cement in Brgy. Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City.

- The PH House of Representatives is targeting the passage of bills to address the energy crisis next month. According to Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, who is the Presiding Officer of the Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD) committee, among the bills they are considering is the proposal to suspend the 12% value added tax (VAT) and other price reduction methods. During the ongoing hearing of the Deca-Tri Committee today, April 12, Quimbo said the chamber is open to all policy options.

- The International Border Management and Technologies Association (IBMATA) has laid out ways to strengthen border security against human trafficking and other crimes, such as illegal entry and drug smuggling.

- The US Central Command will begin a naval blockade of Iranian ports following failed talks over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

- Polls due to close in Hungary, where record numbers have voted on whether to end Viktor Orban's 16-year rule.

- States of emergency in New Zealand continue overnight as Cyclone Vaianu's threat remains.

- The FIA WEC introduces the Legends of Lemans support series, where classic LMP1s, LMP2, and GTs from the 2010s are racing in Imola, Spa, and Bahrain.

- A new Cardfight! Vanguard TV series is coming in 2027.

- The Nissan EV kei car, the Sakura, is receiving a facelift for the 2027 model year.

2027 Nissan Sakura

- Hyundai unveiled the Venus and Earth concepts at the 2026 Auto China, previewing the next-generation IONIQ models.

- Rory McIlroy becomes the fourth golfer to win successive Masters titles and clinches his sixth major.

TTFN.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series - Food City 500

After a lengthy Easter break, the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series resumes in Bristol, Tennessee, for the Food City 500. Bristol has a reputation for unpredictable moments, and this season’s race is no different. As they say, “It’s Bristol, baby!”

As the green flag waved, the action in Bristol began. Kyle Larson won Stage 1, but Stage 2 took a turn when Christopher Bell got loose and hit the wall, resulting in a spin. This was soon followed by a major incident known as "The Big One" at Lap 160. Larson once again emerged victorious in Stage 2. The final stage ended with an overtime-inducing incident when Kyle Busch spun after making contact with Riley Herbst.

Screengrab from NASCAR

Ty Gibbs has won the Food City 500 in the NASCAR Cup Series! This is not a typo; it's real! Ty Gibbs has secured his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series victory.

The next race is at Kansas for the AdventHealth400 this April 19, 2026.

Autobacs Super GT 2026 Series Round 1

The 2026 edition of the Autobacs Super GT has officially commenced. This season not only marks the final farewell for the GR Supra racing machines, which were officially discontinued last month, but also the debut of the new Honda Prelude racing cars, based on the hybrid coupe launched last year. With new and returning drivers joining the grid, the 2026 season promises to be one for the books. As always, Okayama is the first destination of this new season.

Screengrab from Super GT

The season opener in Okayama concluded with a 1-2 finish for the GR Supra, with the No. 36 au TOM'S GR Supra taking first place, followed by the No. 38 KeePer CERUMO GR Supra in second. The No. 12 TRS IMPUL with SDG Z secured third place. 

In the GT300 class, the winner was the No. 777 D'station Vantage GT3. The No. 2 HYPER WATER INGING GR86 GT finished in second place, while the No. 31 apr LC500h GT came in third.

The next race is at Fuji Speedway at May 3-4, 2026.

WRC 2026: Croatia Rally

The 2026 World Rally Championship is currently ongoing with the Croatia Rally as the fourth event in the series.

Screengrab from WRC

Sami Pajari capitalized on the misfortunes of Elfyn Evans and Oliver Solberg during the Friday stages. However, his own troubles in SS14 allowed Thierry Neuville to take the lead. This could have been Neuville's moment to shine, but a dramatic turn of events ultimately led to Takamoto Katsuta securing his second-ever WRC win, narrowly defeating Pajari and newcomer Hayden Paddon.

The next event is the Rally Islas Canarias, based in Gran Canaria, from April 23 to 26, 2026.

2026 Formula DRIFT Pro Championship - Streets of Long Beach

Formula DRIFT is back for the 2026 season. The season opener took place on the streets of Long Beach, California.

Screengrab from Formula DRIFT

After a two-run drift-out, Conor Shanahan drew first blood by beating Fredric Aasbo by unanimous decision decision while Jack Shanahan settled for third place.

The next event is at Road Atlanta this May 9, 2026.

2026 Repco Supercars Championship - Taupo Super 440

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship is underway with the Taupo Super 440. Originally scheduled as a three-race event, it was shortened to two races due to the impending threat of Cyclone Valanu. Despite the reduced number of races, this weekend became memorable for Supercars' newest competitor, the now-defunct Toyota GR Supra.

Screengrab from Supercars

The first race in Taupo featured a 1-2 finish for Mustang drivers, with Brodie Kostecki taking the victory and Will Brown finishing in second place. Ryan Wood from Walkinshaw secured third place, marking the GR Supra's first podium finish in Supercars. 

In the final race, history was made as Ryan Wood achieved the GR Supra's first-ever Supercars victory, finishing ahead of Broc Feeney, who drives for the Mustang team Red Bull Ampol. Chaz Mostert rounded out the podium in third place. This race marked the first occasion where two Supras finished on the Supercars podium.

The next event is the ITM Christchurch Super 440 from April 17 to 19, 2026.

Let's Do The News! (April 10, 2026)

           

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

- New Zealand braces for Cyclone Valanu, which is expected to make landfall in the North Island by Sunday.

- The United Kingdom revealed a month-long Russian submarine operation over "critical" cables and pipelines.

- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding talks with Lebanon as Iran says attacks in Lebanon are a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

- US First Lady Melania Trump says she was never a friend or victim of the late Jeffrey Epstein in a video statement at the White House.

- Meralco will implement a 53-centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh) rate hike this April. The said rate hike is due to the increase in the generation charge, as well as the weakening of the peso against the dollar. As a result, households consuming 200 kWh will pay an additional ₱107, households consuming 300 kWh will pay ₱160, households consuming 400 kWh will pay ₱213, while households consuming 500 kWh will pay ₱267.

- The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has transferred to the custody of three suspects allegedly involved in the brutal hazing of more than 20 underclassmen at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) on Good Friday, April 3.

- The BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge gets a Cease and Desist Order from the LTO. The controversial riding event is no more.

- Alex Lynn suffers from a neck injury and will miss the opening WEC rounds.

- Race engineer Gian Piero Lambiase is set to leave Red Bull to become chief racing officer at McLaren for the 2028 season.

- Toyota's Noah and Voxy minivans are updated for the 2027 model year.

- SM Entertainment provides an update as deepfake offenders receive prison sentences.

- FIFA adds new and more expensive World Cup ticket tiers.

- TV5 is launching its STAR WORX artist center this May 5, 2026.

TTFN.