US President Donald Trump said he is doing everything possible to have a "very successful" US-North Korea summit but added he will walk away if its unlikely to bear fruit. He said this in a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Florida.
It was the second and final day of the summit between US President Donald Trump and the Japanese Prime Minister. Much of the press conference covered North Korean issues and what the US hopes to gain from it.
President Trump said he is looking forward to his meeting with Kim Jong Un and that hopefully, the talks are a great success. Trump plans to meet Kim at either the end of May or the start of June to discuss the denuclearization of the peninsula.
- Australian and Japanese forces will be taking part in the forthcoming joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States. The 34th Balikatan exercises between Filipino and US troops will be conducted at multiple locations in Luzon from May 7 to 18.
- Various groups reported yesterday that the affordable 39 peso per kilo rice boasted by the National Food Authority could not be found in markets in Metro Manila and the provinces.
- President Rodrigo Duterte wanted a full-on investigation on a 71-year-old Australian nun Patricia Anne Fox for “disorderly conduct” led the Bureau of Immigration to take her into custody and detain her for almost 24 hours.
- Two new transport network companies are set to enter the market soon following the exit of Uber in the Philippines. The LTFRB approved the accreditation of Hype Transport Systems Inc. and HirNa Mobility Solutions Inc. as TNCs in an order signed yesterday.
- The Department of Tourism has ordered local and foreign agencies to stop promoting Boracay ahead of its six-month closure.
- The US Congress introduced what was slammed as a fake net neutrality bill that can overturn the FCC's decision to rollback the Obama-era net neutrality principles but with a shocking twist; legalizing paid prioritization.
- The hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico is once again hit by a major blackout. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority had boasted Wednesday morning that less than 3 percent of its customers remained without power, substantially concluding what some estimates called the biggest power failure in United States history. The island of 3.4 million residents was open for business again, government officials said.
- BMW transformed the M2 into an improved model called the M2 Competition, powered by the M3-derived 3.0L straight-six twin turbo engine, producing 410HP of power.
2019 BMW M2 Competition
- The last Dodge Viper ever made and the last Dodge Challenger Demon ever made, along with other goodies, will be auctioned at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction this June.
- The diesel emission scandal continues as Porsche and Audi facilities have been raided by German prosecutors as part of ongoing investigations relating to Dieselgate. The collective involvement of Porsche and Audi was first discovered in 2015, when the 3.0 litre TDI V6 engines from the brands were suspected of having emissions control defeat devices installed to get around US EPA emissions testing.
- Actor Ed Skrein is set to appear in the sequel of Disney's Maleficent film, starring Angelina Jolie.
It was mistakenly reported that US President Donald Trump had direct talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as Trump answered "yes" to a reporter who asked if he has spoken directly with Kim.
However White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders soon clarified that the two hadn't talked directly as of now.
According to President Trump, as he held his first day of two-day summit with the Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Florida, the US did engage in direct talks with the North as "extremely high levels." But he didn't specify which official from Washington and Pyongyang have talked.
- Zamboanga City Representative Celso Lobregat explained his objection to the passing of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law at the committee level of the Congress. Lobregat believes that the Lower House wasted all the meetings and consultations for the legislation of the BBL since there were no changes in the provisions of HB 6475, which was filed by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
- Senators insist that authorities should reveal the names of village officials suspected of being involved in illegal drugs activities in their areas. According to Senate Pres. Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III, suspected narco-politicians will have the chance to clear their reputation once the list is publicized.
- The Department of Health warns the public of measles outbreak as public flock to festivals and fiestas. According to Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, spokesperson of the DOH, while measles is not a primary illness during the summer season, cases of such sickness is being closely monitored since it quickly infects other individuals.
- Syria's UN ambassador said a United Nations security team travelled to the Syrian town of Douma ahead of a planned visit by global chemical weapons experts on Wednesday to look into a suspected poison gas attack that sparked a U.S.-led retaliatory strike.
- All Starbucks stores across the United States will close on May 29 for racial-bias training. This comes following last weekend's controversial arrest of two black men in Philadelphia.
- ZTE's US problems deepened as regulators proposed new rules that could cut into its sales, while a supply ban means it may not be able to use Android software in its devices, according to reports. The U.S. Commerce Department banned American firms on Monday from selling parts and software to ZTE for seven years. The move was sparked by ZTE’s violation of an agreement that was reached after it was caught illegally shipping U.S. goods to Iran.
- Former First Lady Barbara Bush, passed away at the age of 92 at her Houston home. Mrs. Bush had been hospitalized with pneumonia in December 2013. She underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer in 2008 and had heart surgery four months later. The Bushes had celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary three months ago, making them the longest-married couple in presidential history. As the wife of the 41st president and the mother of the 43rd, George W. Bush, Mrs. Bush was only the second woman in American history to have a son of hers follow his father to the White House.
- In honor of National Mustang Day in America, Ford announced that the Mustang will be racing at next year's Monster Energy NASCAR series. News comes following the Mustang's participation in next year's Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
- Aston Martin teases their upcoming flagship GT tourer, the DBS Superleggera, coming this June.
- This year, Ken Block's going to hoon a 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Rally Car.
- AKB48 Producer Yasushi Akimoto unveiled the original anime titled Kimi dake ni Motetainda in partnership with NTV and launching auditions for male voice actors.
- Before May 19's Kamen Rider Amazons Saigo no Shinpan film, there will be two compilation films opening on May 5 and 12, highlighting two seasons of the Kamen Rider Amazons series.
Remember the Top Gear episode where Ken Block and his Hoonicorn are taking a field trip round London courtesy of presenter Matt LeBlanc? That pretty much sick by such standards and I was wondering if I can do the same to Ken Block's Hoonicorn Mustang only this time, I'm taking a tour round Britain's tracks in Forza Motorsport 7?
Thanks to the Hoonicorn Pack I obtained since launch day, I finally got to show the Hoonicorn what is like to be in one of the most exciting places in England except without all the monuments and landmarks to savor at and instead, the tracks offered. But before that, let's hit a refresh button for a while.
Ken Block's 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR had the whole world shaken, rattled, and rolled when he smoked this monster machine in Gymkhana SEVEN and if that wasn't enough, he made it even badder with two turbos and methanol to the mix.
The V2 Hoonicorn features a fully custom twin-turbo setup that blows 21lbs of boost to a 410cu methanol-powered engine, producing a monstrous 1,400 horsepower sending through all four wheels, enough to melt all of its tires completely. Apart from the engine setup, the livery's updated with a "star and stripes" theme first appeared at his Mk.II Ford Escort.
The bigger, badder, and better Hoonicorn made its appearance at Climbkhana where Block roared his way to the top of Pikes Peak.
Anyway, with that settled, time to take the Hoonicorn for a field trip round Britain's tracks. It will be like the good old South Park joke; Russell Crowe fightin' round the world!
First stop, Brands Hatch. Once a rally track in the mid-1920's, it was one of the few circuits in the UK to stage Grand Prix, IndyCar, and NASCAR races. It's been now used for the likes of touring car races and other rookie race tourneys like the Renault Clio Cup. Although the layout is pretty much simple, the elevation and the corners can be somewhat unnerving for drivers taking on Brands Hatch and from where I'm sitting, driving the Hoonicorn round the track made me nervous even though its 4WD layout is prone to understeering while slowing down. Still, that makes it a fun introduction to the wonders of this track.
We survived but the Hoonicorn thinks it needed some more action so I'm bringing it to Silverstone, which matters I hope.
Once used as an RAF airfield in the Second World War, Silverstone has became the future home of British motor racing and their first Grand Prix event was held in 1950. Apart from being used for the British GP leg of Formula 1, it became also a venue for touring car races, even endurance ones. As I recalled, the old Top Gear trio once race a diesel-powered BMW saloon on an endurance race at this venue and survived their way at the end of the race. Such bravery but this is no time for nostalgia as I'm taking the Hoonicorn for a spin round Silverstone and see if this car's very happy at this place. By the look of its smokes, I can tell that it's starting to smile on me.
After a lap round the Silverstone track, the Hoonicorn's starting to smile on me but it left me cold. Is there's something missing with the picture? Wait, I think I know what's missing!
Of course! The famous Top Gear Test Track! Once as an airfield used in the Second World War, this Dunsfold-based airfield is now home to the world-renowned Top Gear Test Track. With Lotus masterminded the track, it was known for testing sports cars to the limit courtesy of The Stig as well as pitting celebrities to see who's got the fastest time. The Hoonicorn's starting to feel at home round the Top Gear Track and by such feels, time to give it a blast this beast truly wants! Here we go!
After a hot lap round the Top Gear Track, Ken Block's Hoonicorn finally smiled at me, knowing that this is going to be its sandbox to toy around all day as long as The Stig's not around. How's that, Your Grace? Ticked you off? Anyway, I finally gave the Hoonicorn one heck of a field trip round Britain's tracks in Forza Motorsport 7. I may not be as cool as Block himself but I did it in his honor as well as the Hoonicorn itself. This has got to be one of the best afternoons ever.
Wait, does the Hoonicorn want world domination? See if we care. When that time comes, it will be the Hoonicorn fightin' round the world!
The countdown to the historic 2018 Inter-Korean summit took off.
The Cheong Wa Dae said the slogan for the inter-Korean summit has been chose as "Peace, A New Start," to signify the journey the two Koreasa will have to take to achieve world peace.
The Moon-Kim meeting at the truce village of Panmunjom on April 27th will mark the third inter-Korean summit following the top-level meetings held in 2000 and 2007. The talks will be followed by a US-NK summit likely to be held either in May or June.
It was reported that President Moon Jae-in is preparing for the grand event, thinking it is a "one time chance" to tackle the problem on the Korean Peninsula. He said please do prepare for the summit with the thoughts to making the event as a stepping stone to restore ties and towards peace and prosperity at the Korean Peninsula.
- Yesterday, the Philippines detained a 71-year-old Australian nun for “illegal political activities” after she took part in a human rights fact-finding mission in the troubled south and she was expected to be deported, according to a liberal group leader. Her detention came a day after Giacomo Filibeck, a Socialist Party official from the European Union who had criticised Duterte’s brutal anti-drugs crackdown, was deported.
- President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign an Executive Order ending the End of Contract by May 1st.
- Outgoing Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa was emotional during his final flag raising ceremony yesterday. During his speech, Dela Rosa thanked the more than 180,000 strong police force he had worked with for the two years he has been as PNP chief. Bato is expected to step down this Thursday.
- The Cleveland Indians donated $37,000 for relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Last year, the team decided to donate a playoff share to relief efforts on the island, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria and where large areas remain without power.
- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy just announced he will sign automatic voter registration legislation into law, bringing secure and modern elections to the Garden State. It will join 13 other states across the United States adopting AVR to ensure safe and accessible elections.
- Ford Australia announced that the Mustang will be racing at the Supercars Championship beginning in the 2019 season.
A post shared by Supercars (@supercarschampionship) on
- Mazda's upcoming SKYACTIV-X engine won the 2018 Edison Award for Engine Enhance category.
- GM Korea Company is on the verge of filing for bankruptcy if they don't lay out their restructuring plan to General Motors and Korea Development Bank by Friday.
