THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Reports suggest Kim Jong Un could be in China

Reports suggest a high-ranking North Korea official appears to be visiting China, adding that it could be the regime's leader Kim Jong Un.

Citing unknown sources, reports told that Kim has made a sudden visit to Beijing, his first overseas trip since taking power in 2011, but added no further details were available.

Japanese media also reported that speculation about a possible visit by the North Korean leader circulated around the Chinese capital on Monday, as a special train similar to the one used during his late father's visit to the nation was spotted in Beijing.

They added that security is was tight around the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, while a North Korean Embassy vehicle was also spotted. South Korea's presidential office said they couldn't verify the reports yet, adding that it's keeping a close eye on reports. The White House also said they couldn't confirm whether Kim's in China.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (March 27, 2018)

- The office of the Commission on Higher Education in Quezon City was rattled by a message regarding a bomb threat inside the vicinity. Duty officer Agnes Mendoza allegedly received a call stating that a bomb will explode in 15 minutes.

- Criminal charges have been filed against nine members of the Philippine National Police Academy cadets for allegedly mauling their seniors immediately after last week's graduation rites.

- The Manila International Airport Authority lays out plans following the Philippines' entry to the Top 10 Most Improved Airports in the world.

- The latest in American politics: protesters are drawing attention to the killing of an unarmed African American male by police in Sacramento, California. The Golden State is launching a state-funded gun violence research center, since data about guns is hard to come by. And the US is expelling numerous Russian diplomats following a poison attack on a former spy and his daughter in Britain.

- A rare phenomenon has turned the snow in Eastern Europe orange. The orange snow is a result of sandstorms from the Sahara Desert mixing with rain and snow. Ski resorts resembled sandy beaches and witnesses compare the surface to Mars.

- Over 600 guests are expected to witness the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the 19th of May at the St. George's Chapel.

- Yesterday, TOP Media announced the death of 100% lead member, Seo Minwoo, another untimely death is causing grief to KPOP fans. According to his management, the singer was found unconscious inside his home in Gangnam.  Paramedics were called and tried to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

- Formula 1 collaborates with NETFLIX for an original series due next year.

- The Arizona state has suspended Uber's self-driving test programme following a fatal crash that took place on March 18 in Tempe. This was verified by the letter of Arizona governor Doug Ducey to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

- For the first time, the Mythical Pokemon Mew appears in Pokemon GO via a new research feature where players can take on two kinds of research and each research has a set of challenges. Accomplish them and you will receive greater rewards, including Legendary Pokemon encounters. The new feature will go live this March 30.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: High levels of fine dust to ease slightly this afternoon

The authorities are taking emergency measures to try and protect the population from the ultra-fine dust. Seoul has been dealing with this season's highest levels of fine and ultra fine dust since yesterday with an ultra fine dust advisory in place since Saturday evening.

Aire quality will improve a bit in the afternoon.

The Ministry of Environment said on Sunday it requested metropolitan and regional governments to take procedures in accordance with guidelines to prevent the fine dust level from rising further. The ministry said that it will extend the measures into Monday, citing the poor air quality, and issued a fine dust warning in Seoul and other areas.

Meanwhile, South Korea's trade minister has revealed that Seoul has reached an agreement with the US to amend their free trade deal. After returning from the US on Sunday, South Korea's trade minister Kim Hyun-jong said Seoul and Washington had reached a settlement on revising the bilateral trade pact and steel tariff issues.

Kim explained that uncertainties on the steel tariff issue were effectively eliminated, thereby enabling Korean steel products to continue entering the US market. He also stressed that Seoul was able to defend its red line on agricultural goods, making clear there will be no further opening of the domestic market.

Kim added the results of the negotiations will be announced after Monday's Cabinet meeting.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (March 26, 2018)

- 61 solons appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to continue the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Based on House Resolution 1803, the solons are asking both the government and the NDFP to ‘complete the comprehensive agreements on social, economic, and political reforms to lay the basis for just and lasting peace’

- The Philippine government stands firm on the total closure of Boracay and DENR chief Roy Cimatu says that the recommendation is still to shut down the popular tourist destination as early as the 26th of April.

- PAGASA monitors a tropical depression located 1,740 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, according to latest reports. The Tropical Depression is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on March 26 or 27 under the name Caloy and has not yet affected any part of the country.

- The Department of Interior and Local Government has mobilized LGUs in order to ensure the safety of the public during Holy Week. DILG Officer-In-Charge Eduardo Año gave a directive for local officials to order their peace and order councils to prepare for the influx of people participating in various religious activities.

- As America's fight for net neutrality rages on, some cities are taking net neutrality at their own hands as mayors in multiple cities -- including New York, Portland, and Austin -- have signed the Cities Open Internet Pledge requiring all internet providers with whom the do business to follow strong Net Neutrality principles.

- The Dalai Lama cuts his air travel due to age and exhaustion. His health issues are not serious, officials said, noting that the spiritual icon has been traveling within India, where he lives in exile from China-controlled Tibet. The prolific speaker supports self-rule.

- Volkswagen has launched the third-generation Touareg SUV at an event in China, promising performance, technology, and safety for all.

2019 Volkswagen Touareg

- Uber has confirmed its sale for their ASEAN division to Grab, according to reports. This marks Uber’s operational exit from yet another major market, like what happened in China and Russia.

- There's a stage play adaptation of The Seven Deadly Sins action adventure manga series happening in August.

- NASCAR postpones the STP 500 race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia to Monday, local time, after the state became enveloped with snowy conditions

TTFN!!!

Top Gear S25E05

The fifth episode of this season's Top Gear is all about making a sports tractor, a hardcore muscle car not allowed for European roads, and a very powerful Ferrari.

Top Gear S25E05

The highlight of this episode is where Matt LeBlanc and Chris Harris trying to make agriculture more fast and fun by turning an ordinary tractor into something they christened it as the "Track-tor". The Track-tor was so awesome, it managed to beat the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Tractor with the speed of 87.271mph.

Rory Reid, meanwhile, returns once again to America to sample the most hardcore muscle car that is so hardcore, it's banned for European roads. It's the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE and to demonstrate it, Sabine Schmitz coaches him to drive it round Willow Springs while aiming for the target time.

Also, LeBlanc samples the most powerful V12 Ferrari ever made, the all-new 812 Superfast, and he even takes it for a spin round Imola.

Award-winning actress Vicky McClure is this week's SIARFC and she set a lap time of 1:45.3 round the track.

F1 2018 - Australian GP

It's lights out and away with the brand new Formula One season where change is already here as demonstrated by their new logo and the racing machines that now come with the highly controversial halo cockpit that is proven to be quite an obstruction to their view, not to mention the removal of grid girls in favor of little kids savoring the F1 action, but despite the halo cockpit ruining the drivers' safe zone, that distraction wouldn't stop our driving aces from bracing the brave new season they're heading on.


Albert Park, Melbourne, is quite jam packed for the whole weekend because of the recent Supercars race occurred and as the dust settled from the Supercars action, it didn't take long before the new F1 cars blitzing into action like scud missiles and as the action progresses, the obstruction's becoming to show its mettle just as how Max Verstappen demonstrates when he got spun out the corner and how the HAAS F1 team faced a bitter end with a DNF.

In the end, Ferrari took the opening salvo in Melbourne with Sebastien Vettel winning the race and Kimi Raikkonen placed 3rd. Last year's world champion, Mercedes-AMG's Lewis Hamilton placed 2nd.

To the amazement, McLaren, reeling from their disastrous season last year, is coming back with Fernando Alonso placing 5th. "Now, we can fight..." Alonso said.

The next race of this new F1 season will be on Bahrain on the 8th of April.

2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship - Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400

Photo: VASC

Before Melbourne's Albert Park kickstart the all-new season of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship took over with the Coates Hire Supercars Melbourne 400, a four-race event where spectators can build their excitement by watching Australia's best Supercar drivers go all out before the new F1 season begins.

Friday's race sees a victory for Shell V-Power Racing's Scott McLaughlin while Saturday's double race event, despite the rainy weather, witness Jamie Whincup and Scott Pye taste the Victory Lane, and in the final day of the Melbourne race before paving way for the F1 2018 season, Erebus' very own  David Reynolds won the race while Whincup secured the first-ever Larry Perkins trophy for having the highest overall points throughout the weekend.

The Supercars Championship will be heading to Tasmania for the TyrePower Tasmania SuperSprint from the 6th to the 8th of April, 2018.