Let's Do The News! (January 7, 2016)

- The Department of National Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin reminded soldiers to remain apolitical a month before the campaign period for the May 2016 elections starts. In a speech delivered in Camp Aguinaldo, Gazmin noted that being nonpartisan is part of their mandate. Armed Forces chief General Hernando Iriberri said that soldiers who engage in partisan politics will be punished.

- The Metro Manila Development Authority issued a traffic advisory and announced the closed roads and alternate routes to give way for the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene this coming Saturday.

- US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton filed an appeal to a local court to reverse his conviction in the killing of transgender Jennifer "Jeffrey" Laude and sought a bail and a reduction of his six to 12-year jail term. According to his lawyer, Pemberton didn't kill the transgender in a motel room after they met in a disco bar two years ago and that his sentence should be eased because he surrendered to authorities.

- According to the South Korean Defense Minister, the recent hydrogen bomb test conducted by North Korea is aimed at promoting national unity ahead of the nation's first ruling party congress in 36 years. The ministry believes that it is unlikely that the explosion was caused by the H-bomb and it carried out in order to boost solidarity ahead of the congress.

- The French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo published a special edition marking one year since Islamic extremists killed 12 people, including the chief editor and police officers, on its head office in Paris last year. The weekly published one million copies of the special issue for readers in France and elsewhere.

- Chinese reports told that two civilian aircraft successfully landed on a newly built airfield at Fiery Cross Reef, proving that it's capable to handle large civilian aircraft. The US and Vietnam expressed concern over test flights to an artificial island in the disputed South China Sea.

- Two big reveals from Chevrolet! First at the 2016 CES, there's the Bolt electric compact car which promises a 200-mile range, and then there's the first-ever Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback, due for 2016 NAIAS unveiling. Both of these will be on sale this Autumn 2016.

2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

2017 Chevrolet Bolt

- The first ever images of the first-ever Hyundai IONIQ hybrid car were officially unveiled. Hyundai's full-hybrid car due to be on sale this year with an electric version and PHEV to follow soon.

2017 Hyundai IONIQ

- Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima will be inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. Last year, Kojima left Konami moments after the success of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and following his departure, he established his own game studio under the standalone Kojima Productions name and collaborating with Sony for a PS4-exclusive game soon.

- Binge-watchers of the world, rejoice! Online video-streaming service Netflix will launch in 130 more countries including the Philippines! As of now, Netflix is now offered in Azerbaijan, India, Vietnam, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Singapore, and more. In the Philippines, new members will get the first month free and when the trail expires, they are offered with three subscription packages; Basic (P370), Standard (P460) and Premium (P550). Either way, customers can enjoy the best films, TV shows, and Netflix originals such as House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Marvel's Jessica Jones, and much more.

TTFN!!!