THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Two Koreas to discuss protocol, security, press coverage of 2018 summit

Officials from North and South Korea are set to hold talks on Thursday to discuss the details of an upcoming summit between their leaders.

According to the Cheong Wa Dae, the working-level dialogue will be held on the South Korean side of the joint security area, also known as Panmunjom. The meeting comes a week after the two Koreas agreed to hold the summit on the 27th of April in a high-level dialogue on the North Korean side of Panmunjom.

The summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will also be held at Panmunjom. Cheong Wa Dae officials said Wednesday's meeting is largely aimed at discussing security measures, protocols, and media coverages.

It will be followed by separate working-level meeting on Saturday to discuss the establishment of a communication hotline between the South Korean and North Korean leaders, which the countries have agreed to install. The summit is the first between leaders of the South and North since 2007.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (April 5, 2018)

- President Rodrigo Duterte gives the green-light on the closure of Boracay for six months beginning April 26. According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, the president on Wednesday made the decision to close down Boracay from April until end of October, based on the recommendations of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian says that the National Food Authority should have predicted rice shortage in the Philippines. The senator added, that based on this forecast, the NFA should have imported rice in order to prevent a shortage in their reserves.

- The Department of Labor and Employment has ordered the Philippines' top two food chains to regularize its employees. DOLE National Capital Region Dir. Henry John Jalbuena made the confirmation that their agency has tasked the Jollibee Food Corp. that on May 6, all of its employees from Mang Inasal, Jollibee, and Chowking should be regularized.

- Responding on US President Donald Trump's proposed tariff against Chinese imports, China has imposed tariffs against 50 billion dollars worth of US imports entering the country, causing problems in today's stock markets.

- Last night, a liberal justice won the seat of the State Supreme Court in Wisconsin, a state narrowly carried by President Trump for the first time in 23 years. In response, the Republicans are using this result to motivate Trump supporters to turn out in Wisconsin and across the country. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker took to Twitter in a panic. Walker is up for re-election this year.

- TV presenter Vice Ganda updates his fans regarding his health condition. In his Twitter account, Vice Ganda said that he had finished his ultrasound.

- Reports revealed about last September's Tesla Autopilot crash that the driver says that his Model S was set to Autopilot and then crashed through the divider after the low sun got to his eyes. A few moments ago, a driver of the Model X was killed when the car in question activated the same feature but the driver's hands were not detected on the steering wheel for six seconds prior to the fatal crash.

- Actress Jewel Mische is pregnant with her first baby.

- Jodi Sta. Maria's Instagram post about love draws praise from her followers.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: China tells North Korea it appreciates its efforts on denuclearization

China lauded North Korea's "important efforts" to ease tension in the Korean Peninsula, according to a top diplomat Wang Yi who told to North Korea's foreign minister on Tuesday hours after he called both sides to stay focused on the talks.

China has traditionally been secretive North Korea’s closest ally, though ties had been frayed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and missiles and Beijing’s backing of tough U.N. sanctions in response.

But in late March Beijing vowed to uphold its friendship with its isolated neighbour and won a pledge from Kim to denuclearise the peninsula during a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

China’s Foreign Ministry gave only hours notice that Wang, a State Councillor and China’s Foreign Minister, would meet North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

Wang told Ri that Xi and Kim had reached an important consensus on achieving a peaceful resolution to the peninsula nuclear issue during Kim’s visit to Beijing, his first known trip outside North Korea since he assumed power in 2011.

“China appreciates North Korea’s position working towards denuclearisation of the peninsula and its important efforts to ease the situation on the peninsula, and supports meetings between the leaders of the North and South and between the North and the United States,” Wang said, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

The ministry cited Ri as saying that North Korea would “maintain close strategic communications” with China on peninsula-related issues, and that the Kim-Xi meeting was an “important juncture” in the development of bilateral relations.

North Korea’s official news agency KCNA had said that a delegation headed by Ri left on Tuesday to meet other foreign ministers in Azerbaijan and to visit Russia, but made no mention of China.

Source: Reuters

Let's Do The News! (April 4, 2018)

- The Office of the President is considering dissolving the National Food Authority amid the reported crisis in the supply of cheap rise, according to reports, saying the information came from NFA Council Chairman Leoncio "Jun" Evasco Jr. Uri, who is covering Malacañang, quoted Cabinet Secretary Evasco as saying that the NFA, headed by Administrator Jason Aquino, was allegedly the source of false information that the country was facing rice shortage.

- The Supreme Court ordered police to hand over full records of thousands of deadly encounters in the country's war on drugs, thwarting a government bid to keep the brutal crackdown hidden. The high court gave the solicitor-general, Jose Calida, 15 days to comply with a December order that he had challenged on the grounds of national security.

- Senator Joel Villanueva agrees with the statement of the Malacanang that an Executive Order won't stop labor contractualization. According to Villanueva, chairman of the Committee on Labor and Employment, Congress needs to legislate a law that will completely prohibit contractualization.

- Multiple injuries have been reported after a shooter attacked the YouTube HQ in San Bruno, California. The suspect who shot three people and later killed herself is identified as Nasim Aghdam. She was found at the scene and appeared to have killed herself with a handgun, but the investigation is underway.

- The Trump administration raised the stakes in a trade war against China, targeting 25% tariffs on some 1,300 industrial tech, transport, and medical products to try to force changes in Beijing's intellectual property practices. The U.S. tariff unveiling, representing about $50 billion of estimated 2018 imports and aimed at dealing a setback to China’s efforts to upgrade its manufacturing base, drew an immediate condemnation from Beijing, along with a threat of retaliatory action.

- Malaysia approved a new law against "fake news" on Monday, where violators will face up to 6 years in prison, shrugging off critics who say it was aimed at curbing dissent and free speech ahead of a general election. Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government secured a simple majority in parliament to pass the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill, which sets out fines of up to 500,000 ringgit ($123,000) and a maximum six years in jail. The first draft of the bill had proposed jail of up to 10 years.

- Audi continues their teaser for their Vision Gran Turismo entry set to be unveiled next week.

- Comedian Dave Chappelle got sued by someone who threw a banana peel at him since his New Mexico performance three years ago, according to reports.

- Actor Robin Padilla is in hot water over his comment to a single mom contestant in an episode of Pilipinas Got Talent, telling her she needed a man in her life. His misogynistic remark draw flak from netizens.

- TV presenter Sharon Cuneta says that she is recovering well after her surgery to remove lipoma.

TTFN!!!

Second Generation Kia K9 (RJ)

It's been roughly six years have passed since Kia introduced us to their first rear-wheel drive premium saloon, the K9 (known as the K900 in some markets) and although it is silly for a Korean carmaker to make a rival for the BMW 7-Series or a Mercedes S-Class, its performance is very serious on the real world. Now, here we are, the second-generation model of Kia's flagship saloon and for this full model change, THE K9 wants to be even more serious than ever.

2019 Kia K9

2019 Kia K9

As serious as the name implies, THE K9 from Kia aims to be the top-class premium luxury saloon with all of the luxury qualities of expensive European imports with the pricing of its lesser brothers starting at just 54,900,000 Korean Won ($53,000 or Php 2.71 million). While this sounds like a bargain of the moment, there's so much to investigate its full model change starting with its design. While this is exactly big by premium saloon standards, the way it looks can be somewhat perplexing starting with the front view which is pretty much like today's Lincoln Continental while the rear view looks closely similar to the Subaru Impreza G4. Although cheesy, the design is still serious talk for a premium luxury sedan and then we get to peek at the interior.

2019 Kia K9 interior

2019 Kia K9 interior

THE K9's new interior really is like a mashup between the BMW 7-Series and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, meaning that this is like the best of both worlds for this luxury car and what's even more surprising is that expensive piece of jewelry strapped on the dashboard. See that analog clock? Kia collaborated with watchmaker Maurice Lacroix for this kind of masterpiece, which makes it very special. Also, contrary to popular belief, the wooden trim is made out of real wood so there's a hint of craftsmanship involved in here. While the fancy dashboard stuff as well as the gadgetry really made it special, the party piece of THE K9 is the rear space, and for VIPs, there is an "out on a limo" feeling when they hit the sweet spot especially when it comes with a rear seat entertainment system that keeps them occupied on a long trip to the country club and with other features such as the Lexicon Premium Sound System, its interior is like lucid poetry. Boot space wasn't too shabby either.

2019 Kia K9

The focal point of THE K9 is its performance and to explain what I'm on about, you better pay attention to the Genesis EQ900 for the time being because THE K9 has the same driving experience as its Genesis EQ900 equivalent as well as the serious choice of engines such as the V6 3.3-liter T-GDI (370PS) for the Masters model, V6 3.8-liter GDI (315PS) for the Platinum model, or the range-topping V8 5.0-liter GDI (425PS) for the Quantum model, all mated with an 8-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter. Most of you are tempted to get a V8 variant in rear-wheel drive but don't count of being too excited because, with that powertrain that is somewhat Cadillac territory, it's still as quiet as snoring at bedtime rather than yelling like a hardcore V8 sportscar should because Kia wanted to make sure THE K9 is a serious car made for the serious drivers in the real world and while a rear-wheel drive K9 sounds nice, they can offer you with an all-wheel drive option and that's also nice if you are sure about driving it.

THE K9 introduces the most cutting-edge driver aids in the name of seriousness, including the world's first behind-view monitor which lets drivers see who's tailing them while driving, in addition to the Lane Following Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Front Collision Assist, Rear Cross Collision Avoidance, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear, Safe Exit Assist, and many other safety feature worth eye-popping.

Let's talk serious stuff now because, after quick investigations, I can hardly say that while the dynamics and the overstuffing of safety tech really cramp speedo boys everywhere, the pricing, the interior, and the serious design are worth appealing, and because it is priced less than the Genesis EQ900 equivalent, THE K9 really is a serious bargain worth checking out and even if you are working with K-Pop celebrities or with the Cheong Wa Dae, make no mistake that this car could be it.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Panthera Metal, Lake Stone, Dim Deep Chroma Blue, Marcella, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Moon apologizes to victims of Jeju massacre on 70th anniversary

South Korean President Moon Jae-in apologized to the victims of state violence during a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the April 3rd incident on Jeju Island.

President Moon also renewed his pledges to uncover the truth behind the tragedy, restore the victims' honor, and make state compensations for them.

The Jeju April 3 incident, about ten percent of the population - estimated at around 30,000 men, women, and children were killed due to government-backed anti-communist suppression campaign from 1948 to 1954.

This is the first time a sitting President to attend such event since the day was designated as a national commemorative day in 2014. It was one of President Moon's 100 key campaign promises.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (April 3, 2018)

- Former senator Bongbong Marcos and his sister, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos have witnessed the start of the manual vote counting for the 2016 Vice Presidential race. Over 200 Marcos loyalists launched a prayer rally as they insist on a speedy recount because of their belief that Marcos was cheated of the Vice Presidential post.

- The joint forces of the PNP and the PDEA-Western Visayas arrested a policeman suspected of selling illegal substances. PO2 Stephen Magno was apprehended during a buy-bust operation on April 2 at Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo, Iloilo.

- Some parts of Mexico hosted a caravan of over 1,200 Central American migrants heading to the US border despite US President Donald Trump's call for Mexican authorities to stop them. Local officials have offered lodging in town squares and empty warehouses or arranged transport for the migrants, participants in a journey organized by the immigrant advocacy group Pueblo Sin Fronteras. The officials have conscripted buses, cars, ambulances and police trucks. But the help may not be entirely altruistic.

- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was suspending a new agreement with the UN refugee agency to relocate thousands of African migrants, as right-wing pressure mounted on him to scrap the deal. Hours after announcing the new arrangement, which would also give thousands of other migrants the right to stay in Israel, Netanyahu posted a message on his Facebook page saying he was putting its implementation on hold until further review.

- Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist and ex-wife of the late Nelson Mandela but ruined her reputation due to allegations of violence, passed away at the age of 81. Madikizela-Mandela died peacefully surrounded by her family following a long illness that kept her in and out of hospital since the start of the year, family spokesman Victor Dlamini said in a statement.

- At the 2018 New York Auto Show, Lincoln presented the Aviator Concept, previewing next year's new SUV with a PHEV option.

2018 Lincoln Aviator Concept

- Grab CEO, Anthony Tan, is confident that he saw "zero issues" over his plan to buy Uber's ASEAN operations. Meanwhile, Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines regulators are investigating whether the sale breaches competition rules.

- Meet the cast who will be appearing in August's stage adaptation of The Seven Deadly Sins action adventure manga series.

- ICYMI: Actor Tobias Menzies replaces Matt Smith for the role of Prince Philip in the third season of the NETFLIX original series The Crown.

- The viral video of Bagani actress Liza Soberano draws mixed reactions from netizens.

TTFN!!!