Let's Do The News! (July 1, 2022)

                                   

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos named former UN diplomat Enrique Manalo as DFA secretary.

- Ormoc City received the Philippines' first ISO 18091 certification.

- Tropical Depression Domeng will bring rainy weather to parts of Luzon.

- An alleged Maute terror group member surrenders in Marawi City.

- Peru's Machu Picchu was threatened by wildfire.

- Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over tightly choreographed celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain.

- UK Conservatives got mired in a recent scandal over a certain MP's drunken behavior.

- Activists warned that Singapore's conducting another execution of drug trafficking.

- The European Union says it's not possible to cross the finish line on the Iran nuclear deal.

- Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the first Black woman on SCOTUS.

- The SCOTUS limits the government's powers to curb greenhouse gases, a major blow to the Biden administration's fight against climate change.

- BTS's J-Hope releases his solo single MORE.

- The latest developments in NBA free agency period.

- The USC and the UCLA are now moving to Big Ten this 2024.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Countdown to Hot Wheels (PART 1)

Series 9 of Forza Horizon 5 signals the countdown before the Hot Wheels Expansion arrives this mid-July, meaning you can expect two Hot Wheels cars and two American classic muscle cars in the series. A warm-up before the biggest ride of the summer.

The first ride of the Series is the Hot Wheels 2JetZ, which I won from the Wet Season playlist. Created by Luis Rodriguez and won the inaugural Hot Wheels Legends Tour in 2018, immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy, the 2JetZ is heavily inspired by fighter jets and high-speed vehicles that sprint through the salt flats. As the name implies, it was powered by a 3.0L 2JZ turbocharged engine from the Toyota Supra, a modified Subaru-derived 6-speed gearbox, and an F1-style twin radiator cooling. The result is 627HP of power and weighs 1,600lbs.

Having enjoyed the little backstory about a machine that is forever immortalized as a Hot Wheels toy, it's time to give the 2JetZ a quick dash to the finish line. Roll the tape.

Not the best attempt but that keeps me warmed up before the Hot Wheels ride of the summer strikes.

Enjoy your new ride!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Leaders of U.S., South Korea and Japan agree closer cooperation over North Korea threat

 

The leaders of the United States, South Korea and Japan on Wednesday expressed deep concern over North Korea’s missile tests and said they would cooperate more closely to address the threat posed by Pyongyang.

U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid and agreed that the progress of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes posed serious threats to not only the Korean peninsula but also East Asia and the world.

North Korea has this year been conducting missile tests at an unprecedented pace, and is believed by some to be preparing for another nuclear test.

The three leaders agreed to explore further means to reinforce “extended deterrence” against North Korea – the ability of the U.S. military, particularly its nuclear forces, to deter attacks on U.S. allies – along with security cooperation.

“The deterrence capabilities of the Japan-U.S. and U.S.-Republic Of Korea alliances need to be upgraded as part of the essential effort to strengthen the trilateral partnership between Japan, the U.S., and ROK,” Kishida said.

The South Korean and Japanese leaders are attending NATO’s annual summit as observers for the first time.

Ties between Japan and South Korea have long been strained by memories of Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Relations deteriorated to their worst in years under South Korea’s previous President Moon Jae-in, with spats over territory and history and the two nations calling off an intelligence sharing pact. Yoon, though, has expressed a desire to repair ties, and Kishida has also seemed to respond favourably.

Source: Reuters

Let's Do The News! (June 30, 2022)

                                  

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Bongbong Marcos returns to the Malacanang as the 17th Philippine President.

- Outgoing PH President Rodrigo Duterte will return to Davao City after leaving Malacanang.

- Cairo's floating heritage risks being towed away by grand projects.

- The Taliban is set to meet the US on releasing frozen Afghan funds after the quake.

- Hong Kong's on high alert as Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit is expected for the handover.

- New York lawmakers are loosening the state's gun laws after the controversial SCOTUS ruling.

- The World Health Organization warns that "sustained transmission" of monkeypox risks vulnerable groups.

- The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship released its 2023 schedule; adding the first Formula E race in India.

- The Citroen C4 X was revealed.

2023 Citroen C4 X

- The Kia Seltos minor change was unveiled.

- Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm became the winningest player in WNBA history with her 324th career win.

- R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in the sex case.

TTFN.

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 6/30/2022

                                

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

• NATO backs military aid for ‘heroic’ Ukraine, Russia steps up attacks
• UK to provide another 1 billion pounds of military support to Ukraine
• If Putin was a woman, there would be no Ukraine war - UK's Johnson

COVID-19 SITUATION: 6/30/2022

                                                                                          

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• Pass responsibility of COVID-19 vaccine procurement to citizens, incoming Marcos admin urged
• Kris Aquino opens up on dealing with illness as sons test COVID-19 positive
• Macau COVID-19 infections rise as spread extends to medics, police
• "No more secrets": Bongbong Marcos vows to fix COVID-19 response snags
• COVID-19 can't break South Africa's love affair with shopping malls

Honda Civic e:HEV (FL4)

The year 2022 marks the Honda Civic's 50th anniversary and with the whole world enjoying driving the eleventh-generation Honda Civic since last year's launch, the return of the hybrid variant could spark unanswered questions about one of the most iconic vehicles in the world bringing back the least lovable variant.

2023 Honda Civic e:HEV

The Civic e:HEV, priced at 3,940,200 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, marks the return of the hybrid variant to the Civic lineage. The last time the Civic has gone the hybrid route was in the eighth-generation model just so you know. Anyway, with the hybrid variant back in the eleventh-generation Civic, you can expect a lot of mixed comments about the Civic e:HEV.

At first glance, it looks similar to the normal Civic that was launched last year. Well-balanced, geometrical, clean, lower, and longer compared to the tenth-generation Civic Hatchback, not to mention the roomy interior and the back-to-basics dashboard that could set the template for future Honda models soon. However, the only differences in this hybrid variant are the e:HEV badges and the NSX-esque gear buttons instead of the gear lever from the normal petrol-powered model.

The e:HEV system is the cream of the crop for hybrid-powered Honda models since the fourth-generation Fit and it's been recalibrated for the Civic. Why? Check the driving modes and you will notice the Sport Mode feature in the Civic e:HEV, which is somewhat of a joke for speedo boys behind the wheel until they engage it and it makes the Civic e:HEV more responsive on the road thanks to sharpened throttle response and improved performance. Imagine taking one for a leisurely drive at either Suzuka or Motegi with this feature on.

With the newly-developed LFC-H4 2.0L petrol hybrid powerplant mated to a twin-motor electric CVT with Manual Mode involved via paddle shifters, the Civic e:HEV has a combined power output of 184PS, 315Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of just 7.8 seconds, and a fuel economy of 24.2km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

Of course, because being a high-tech hybrid for the new normal, the Civic e:HEV features an updated Honda SENSING system featuring a Forward Collision Warning System, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist System, improved Adaptive Cruise Control, and Adaptive Driving Beam, among many others.

Like it or not, the Civic e:HEV proves that the eleventh-generation Civic is now in tune with the times with its hybrid powertrain capable of giving drivers the extra mile, although unhappy for speedo boys behind the wheel. The least desirable Civic has returned, recharged, and reloaded with new and exciting features that will make it capable of handling the new normal.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.