Let's Do The News! (January 11, 2018)

- Despite improvements, the Philippine passport remained in the weaker half of the latest annual rankings for world's most powerful passports. According to the 2018 Henley Passport Index, the Philippine passport ranked 72nd in terms of global travel freedom out of the 199 passports in the index, tied with Azerbaijan, Cape Verde, Indonesia and Cuba.

- The Department of Health reported yesterday that over 90% of the Filipinos are now covered by social health insurance. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH through PhilHealth provided health insurance coverage to 91 percent of the country’s total population and paid out a total of P361 million “Z benefit” claims in 2017.

- Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio will not attend the ongoing impeachment hearing against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. In a statement sent to reporters on Thursday, Carpio said that he wrote a letter to the House panel to decline the invitation to testify as he has "no personal knowledge of the matters the committee mentioned in its reply to me."

- A Cebu policeman involved in a drug war was named one of The Outstanding Young Men for 2017, along with seven other exceptional Filipinos. Supt. Byron Allatog, police chief of Bogo City, Cebu, said he felt honored and humbled by the recognition from the TOYM Foundation, believing that it would change the image of the PNP amid the bloody drug war.

- Rep. Darrell Issa, the Republican who stood on a building yelling at protesters when he voted for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and who nearly lost in 2016, just announced he won't run for re-election in 2018. This comes just two days after another California Republican Rep. Ed Royce announced he also would not run for re-election.

- ICYMI: Philip Morris International announced that they will stop making cigarettes and replace them with alternatives such as e-cigarettes.

- A power outage broke out at the recent Consumer Electronics Showcase in Las Vegas Convention Center for nearly two hours. First reports of the power outage began hitting Twitter from convention goers starting around 11:14AM Pacific, and was slowly restored shortly after 1:00PM Pacific.

- Ford unveiled the Edge ST ahead of NAIAS premiere, featuring a slightly upgraded 2.0L EcoBoost engine mated to a brand new 8-speed AT with Auto Start-Stop technology.

2019 Ford Edge ST

- Kia teases an upcoming full model change of the K3 compact saloon with a sketch.

Teaser sketch for the All New K3

- The FIA Formula E Championship teams up with the ABB Group to become its official partner and now, the series is known as the ABB FIA Formula E.

TTFN!!!

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS LITTLE STARS! Snow＊Love

Time for another Cinderella Girls Gekijo-inspired maxi single to add on your playlist and true to this snowy season, the latest closing theme song adds some chills to the enjoyment of your favorite Cinderella Girls' misfits.

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS
LITTLE STARS! Snow＊Love

The title of this closing theme song is Snow＊Love and the stars of this song are Nina Ichihara (CV: Misaki Kuno), Shizuku Oikawa (CV: Yuri Noguchi), Yui Ohtsuki (CV: Nanami Yamashita), Aiko Takamori (CV: Yuki Kaneko), and Yoshino Yorita (CV: Yuuki Takada). As with all the other closing theme songs you had in your playlist, you can listen the whole version of the latest closing theme with the whole gang or individually sung by the idols mentioned in the album.

Plus, two CinGeki remixes of familiar Cinderella Girls songs such as とどけ! アイドル and ススメ☆オトメ are here to deliver the final blow to your CinGeki playlist.

As a bonus, there's a serial code that will grant you a chance to win tickets for the Cinderella Girls Gekijo Spring Festival 2018 happening at the Maihama Amphitheater happening this March.

The Cinderella Girls would like to thank you from enjoying their short escapades in Cinderella Girls Gekijo since the start and here's hoping we can toy with them again sometime in the world of THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls.

TRACK LISTINGS:

01 Snow＊Love

02 Snow＊Love 市原仁奈ソロ・リミックス

03 Snow＊Love 及川雫ソロ・リミックス

04 Snow＊Love 大槻唯ソロ・リミックス

05 Snow＊Love 高森藍子ソロ・リミックス

06 Snow＊Love 依田芳乃ソロ・リミックス

07 Snow＊Love オリジナル・カラオケ

08 とどけ! アイドル - しんげきRemix -

09 ススメ☆オトメ ～jewel parade～ - しんげきRemix 

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Moon hold New Year's press conference

South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a press conference at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae from 1000 hours local time. It marks the second of its kind since President Moon came into office in May of last year.

The President urged efforts to finalize constitutional revision by June. Moon highlighted the need to reflect changes in the people's beliefs and values over the past three decades and stressed the need to put the proposed amendment to vote together with the local elections.

Moon said Seoul has no plans to ease sanctions on North Korea against international move .

First, the president gave a keynote speech, laying out the direction and tone of his major policies of this year. He took questions in the economy, politics, and social and cultural issues.

According to the Cheong Wa Dae, the entire press conference is scheduled to take 80 minutes. Moon's first press conference of the new year also follows the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue the day before.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 10, 2018)

- Former senator Bongbong Marcos ditches plans to run for the 2019 midterm elections. Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Marcos said: "Why would I run for senator? I won already as vice president." The son of the late dictator was lost to Leni Robredo by a slim margin of 260,000 votes in the 2016 elections but accused her of cheating. Ballot recount begins next month.

The Malacanang said yesterday that staying in office beyond his term is President Duterte's ultimate nightmare as it brushed aside claims that he would use proposals to change the form of government to stay in power. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque reiterated that Duterte is willing to let go of the presidency once the Constitution is amended to strengthen measures against graft and corruption and to establish a federal form of government.

- The Philippines now has two choices for the third telecom player that will save the country from bearing the slowest internet speed in the Asia Pacific. A third telecom provider is targeted to be up and running by the first quarter of 2018.

- China seen to push claimant states away from the South China Sea as it seeks greater control over the region in the long run, maritime security analysts said. Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies said China may have a different goal than when they first started their island-building activities in the South China Sea a few years back.

- Malaysian syndicates have been using Thailand as transit point before smuggling stolen cars into the region, according to reports. According to Bukit Aman CID director, Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd, the Royal Thai Police had retrieved more than 100 stolen Malaysian vehicles in the Land of Smiles since 2015, and have since handed them over to its Malaysian counterpart.

- On Wednesday, local time in America, Howard Nielson, a judicial nominee of US President Donald Trump will have a hearing. Nielson was known by critics for his demonstrated contempt for the rule of law and he was part of a "Screening Committee" involved in the Department of Justice's politicization under the Bush administration.

- Following the win of Democrat Alabama senator Doug Jones, the Senate Judiciary Committee would add another Democrat in the committee. The new party divide on the committee is 11 Republicans to 10 Democrats and two new Democrats who are very strong on judges have been assigned to the committee - California's Kamala Harris and New Jersey's Cory Booker.

- Yesterday, clothing retailer H&M is in hot water over an image appearing in its online store that showed a black child model wearing a hooded sweatshirt that said “coolest monkey in the jungle.” H&M apologized and they will pull the shirt out from its stores worldwide. The image was heavily criticized for its reference to a monkey, an animal that has long featured in racial and ethnic slurs.

- The third-generation MINI range is now updated for the 2019 model year with new headlamps, new Union Jack rear lamps, new MINI logo, new body finishes, and improved performance.

2019 MINI Cooper S

- The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer is now updated for 2019MY and in addition, the Active Tourer gained a new 225xe iPerformance variant.

2019 BMW 225xe iPerformance

- The PriPara series is heading to Nintendo Switch in an all new game coming this March 22nd.

- Former Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman is set to appear in the TV miniseries "The Cry" alongside Ewen Leslie.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 7: NSX - then and now

From the beginning to its discontinuation up to its revival, the NSX has been one of Honda's all time greats when it first came out in the dawn of the 90's. It was about as awesome to drive as a European exotic but unlike them, the NSX is driver friendly because of its reliability and accessible dynamics that was proven popular among speedo boys worldwide. So, how about a little history lesson round Suzuka?





So, the first of its kind? What is it? Of course, I don't need further explanation about the NSX apart from the fact that the legendary Ayrton Senna involved in the development of this car but what I want tell you about is how the NSX impresses me from the start. Of course, the NSX really is a budget supercar for those who don't have the funds to buy expensive sportscars like the Ferrari F355 or the Lamborghini Diablo, but while the pricing is the party piece for the original NSX, the performance is not what you called exotic standards. Because this is pure "Japanese" inside and out, it's only good for 180kph, the standard top speed for all Japanese cars on the road (with some exceptions to the rule).

It may not be as fast as a European exotic because it's too Japanese in its own but the dynamics are pretty impressive for a Japanese sportscar and even if you're not concentrating, it feels just so nicer to drive as any other JDM car I know. No wonder speedo boys fell in love with the NSX since the very start.





So, what about the facelifted version? Sure, Honda restyled the back, the front, and they replaced the headlights with fixed ones but it still behaves pretty much like the same thing. In the R, it pulls out all the right moves speedo boys really love. Look at the speedo, it now reads up to 300kph, which is not very "Japanese" at all and we love it and unlike today's GT-R, it doesn't have the sat-nav to restrict its speed. However, despite all the back-to-basics approach, the 3.2L V6 engine produces less than 280HP of power so it's not as powerful as its European supercar rivals.

Even though this NSX R is short on power compared to its rivals, the aerodynamics is what impresses the most and because of its aerodynamics courtesy of its new hood, new rear wing, and extensive use of carbon fiber, it's no wonder that it became the first street-legal road car to break the 8-minute barrier from the legendary Nurburgring.

It's hard to miss the original NSX the most because even though Honda stopped making one in 2005, its heritage will not be forgotten and the same thing goes to today's NSX.





With the promise of "Original Must Be Done", the NSX combines tradition with innovation and because it's now a hybrid supercar that is five times less expensive than the Hybrid Hypercar Holy Trinity we are familiar with, it combines performance and efficiency in a same pace.

Like its predecessors, despite all the added power from its 3.5L V6 Turbo engine coupled with three electric motors and a Li-ion battery, it's not as fast as the Europeans but what it makes up from its shortcomings is fly-by-wire brakes that has no physical connection to the pedal because it needs to harvest all that energy to recharge the batteries and the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD works rather very well, resulting to impressive handling that makes you feel like you're driving a Civic while soothing your brows all the way home. And then there's the aerodynamics that can cool all the motors while promising generous downforce in all four wheels.

Well, with all that history lesson done and about, let's see how much the NSX has evolved from the past to the present with a quick lap round the track. Man, it's great to have Suzuka back in the world of Forza and with all of the ingredients here, this is going to be the most interesting history lesson yet!



And now the results...

E-NA1 - 2:41.975
LA-NA2 - 2:37.361
NC1 - 2:27.069



The original NSX made speedo boys driving a supercar less complicating than the Ferrari and with its hybrid successor, it really feels pretty much like the same thing. It's great to have Honda back at making the NSX but as years change, the NSX surely has some room for improvement and if you're listening, Honda, never stop improving. The NSX is a great supercar but when it comes to perfection, be like Nissan. Don't stop improving your beloved masterpiece until it's time to let go.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Two Koreas begin first high-level talks in two years

The first thing the two Koreas shared during their first talks in two years on Tuesday was words about the cold weather, a meatphor for years of frozen ties and a requirement for the success of the next month's PyeongChang games.

Senior officials from the two sides gathered at the bordered village of Panmunjom to discuss the North's participation in the Olympics and ways ot restore relations.

The government hopes that better inter-Korean relations can help pave the way for the resolution of North Korea's nuclear issue and broader talks between the US and North Korea.

Cho, 61 years old, is an veteran negotiator with extensive experience in inter-Korean dialogue. He helped prepare for the inter-Korean summit in 2007 under a liberal administration. His counterpart, Ri, known as a hard-liner with a military background, was mainly involved in working-level military talks in the past.

Main agenda items for the meeting will deal on North Korea taking part at the Winter Olympics but broader discussions are expected to be held. The government is expected to renew its July proposal to hold military talks on easing border tensions and a Red Cross meeting to discuss reunions of war-torn families. North Korea has not responded to Seoul's offer.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 9, 2018)

- As the Feast of the Black Nazarene begins, about 248 devotees suffered fracture, cuts, fever, dizziness, and others, as treated by the Philippine Red Cross personnel. In the hourly tally of the PRC, a total of 226 patients suffered abrasions, lacerations, fever, dizziness, and vomiting as of 10 a.m. while the image of Black Nazarene is being paraded on its way to Quiapo Church.

- Forensics from the Public Attorney’s Office has noted a pattern in the remains of three children who died several months after they were given the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia last year. The PAO team examined the bodies of two boys from San Pablo City, Laguna and Imus, Cavite at the request of their families.

- A policeman accused in the kidnap-slay case of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo is named a state witness. In a 10-page order, the Angeles City, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58 granted the Department of Justice's motion to discharge SPO4 Leviste "Roy" Villegas who was originally included in the case.

- A small fire broke out at the top of Trump Tower at New York City during dawn time. Two minor injuries were reported but the fire was finally under control. Cause of the fire is electrical failure.

- Danish authorities are on the search of the thief who stole and left the 1.3 million dollar vodka bottle. The bottle is made of gold and silver and the cap is diamond-encrusted. It was created by Latvian car manufacturer Dartz Motorz, and the owner had lent the bottle to Ingberg who has a large collection of fine spirits in the basement of his bar. Last weekend, authorities said that the bottle had been found. It was discovered by workers on a construction site in Charlottenlund, north of Copenhagen.

- Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso started his own e-sports racing team and a game like GT SPORT gives them a chance to be part of his team. Players in Portugal got themselves a chance to be part of Alonso's newly established FA RACING, in collaboration with G2 Esports and Logitech.

- The Citroen e-Mehari electric car has been revised for 2018 model year and now comes with a hardtop variant and an upgraded electric powertrain with 166Nm of torque and 110kph of top speed.

2018 Citroen e-Mehari

- Kia Motors presented the Niro EV Concept at this year's CES at Las Vegas, showcasing the future of electric cars.

Kia Niro EV Concept

- Love Live! Sunshine!!'s Shuka Saito gets to be a honorary chief of police in Numazu for 30 minutes only starting tomorrow, in honor of Numazu's 110th day celebrations, which is a commemorative date set by the National Police Agency in 1985 to help promote proper use of "110," Japan's emergency call number.

TTFN!!!