Friday, July 22, 2022

MG5 EV (2023 minor change)

The MG5 EV was revised as Britain's reasonably priced electric estate's gone premium and being premium is a good thing...almost.

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

Priced at 31,690 Euros plus additional costs, which is drastically more than its pre-facelift, the new MG5 EV's big minor change delivers a bold new approach to one of the most reasonably priced EVs on the market. Beginning with the exterior design, the big minor change features a sleeker front view reminiscent of a certain Kia not available in its home market. I can't say what model due to search query reasons but you get the point. On the back, meanwhile, the rear lamps have been revised while it sports a new rear bumper. With such an exterior design, it doesn't look like a cheap car anymore. Nice one, MG.

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

2023 MG 5 EV
2023 MG 5 EV

On the interior, the Volkswagen-esque dashboard was revised and it now features a new and longer touch screen that now takes control of every single nook and cranny. Don't worry though, you can see buttons below the touch screen that controls the aircon and volume controls within reach. Like the old MG5, it accommodates up to five people but the rear space can accommodate up to 89 liters less than the old model with the rear seats folded down, pre-facelift's 1456L vs. facelift's 1367L. What a whammy for space-conscious people who are spending their weekends doing garage sale trips.

The MG5 EV big minor change is now offered only with the 61kWh Long Range electric powertrain. It produces 156PS of power and 280Nm of torque, which is more than the old model, a 0-60mph time in around eight seconds, and 115mph of top speed, which is pretty much the same as the old one but still slightly faster than a normal Japanese car as expected. The driving range is good for around 250 miles based on WLTP standards while charging times can take about 40 minutes to reach 80% on a public charging station or six hours and 30 minutes at home.

As expected, the new MG5 EV features a wide array of safety features such as Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection, Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, and Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Intelligent High Beam Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

While the shortened boot space and the drastic price hike are the main Achilles' Heel, the new MG5 EV is taking shape with its reworked design, tech, and improved driving range that will keep on going until the last charge.

Photo: MG Motor

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Bound for TOKIMEKI

Aired from April to June 2022, the second season of the Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club TV anime series picks up where the first season left off as the girls are experiencing a new kind of drama on campus following the appearance of new faces such as Shioriko, Lanzhu, and Mia.

Bound for TOKIMEKI
Bound for TOKIMEKI

Now that the entire Nijigasaki journey's completely finished, for now, the original soundtrack has arrived, featuring the songs and score as heard from the second season. This two-disc OST features most of the background music as well as TV-sized versions of the opening, closing, and featured songs.

It's their way of saying thank you for watching the second season of Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club TV anime. The story may be finished but the Nijigasaki journey continues.

TRACK LISTINGS:

Disc 1:

01.虹の架け橋
02.未来へと橋を架けよう
03.Colorful Dreams! Colourful Smiles![オープニング主題歌](TV size)
04.始めようよ!
05.met meets meeting!
06.今日も一日
07.ようこそ!
08.みんなのために、ひとつのために
09.それぞれのスクールアイドル
10.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11.露一手给你们看看
12.Eutopia(TV size)
13.ライバル
14.仲間がいる
15.すすめ!同好会
16.たわむれ
17.Honesty baby
18.謎解き同好会
19.ミアとはんぺん
20.ノリノリでゴーゴー
21.Lanzhu's castle
22.つながり
23.ハーモニー
24.ニジガクファイオー!
25.侑の悩み
26.バラバラのララバイ
27.求められるもの
28.ENJOY IT!(TV size)
29.愛の思いやり
30.落葉
31.競い合える仲間
32.Eternal Light(TV size)

Disc 2:

01.しずくの夜ふかしノート
02.激アツ遊園地
03.不器用な愛情
04.萌ゆる桜坂劇場
05.くじけそうな時は
06.みんなの大好きが集まる場所
07.Infinity!Our wings!!(TV size)
08.凍結した心
09.かわいい策士
10.トキメキを信じて
11.EMOTION(TV size)
12.これが私のトキメキ!
13.ここから走り出そう!
14.TOKIMEKI Runners(TVアニメ挿入歌Ver.)
15.I'm here.
16.Crossing
17.Reach out
18.stars we chase(TV size)
19.誰もひとりじゃない
20.部長のかすみんです!!!
21.GOGOにゃんがさき!
22.Love U my friends(TVアニメ挿入歌Ver.)
23.うつりかわり
24.未来ハーモニー with YOU
25.不透明なふたり
26.テンアゲ彼方ちゃん
27.First Live "with YOU"
28.みんな大好き!!!
29.Future Parade(TV size)
30.NEO SKY, NEO MAP!(ピアノアレンジVer.)
31.夢が僕らの太陽さ[エンディング主題歌](TV size)

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 7/21/2022

                                               

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

  • Russia restarts major gas pipeline, expands Ukraine war goals
  • Host Curry brings awareness to Griner at ESPYS

COVID-19 SITUATION: 7/21/2022

                                                                                                         

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

  • COVID can reinfect you, raise health risks: What to know
  • NDRRMC set for bigger role in COVID response

Let's Do The News! (July 21, 2022)

                                                 

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Toni Yulo-Loyzaga has officially taken office as the DENR secretary, vowing to fight climate change and preserve the Philippines' indigenous species.

- Quezon City has junked the Bayan rally's permit for PH President Bongbong Marcos's first SONA next week.

- The James Webb telescope may have found the most distant known galaxy.

- US President Joe Biden plans talks with China's Xi Jinping soon, casting doubt on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's planned Taiwan trip.

- Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new president of Sri Lanka.

- 13 have died in the worst heatwave to strike the UK.

- Microsoft is investigating the outage on its Teams service that caused a drop for thousands of users.

- The all-new Honda Civic Type R was unveiled.

2023 Honda Civic Type R

- Aston Martin unveiled its redesigned logo.

- Nintendo will end the eShop service for 3DS and Wii U at the end of March.

- Football player Charles Johnson dies at the age of 50.

- Pinoy boy group SB19 joins BTS and The Beatles in the "favorite boy bands of all time" list.

TTFN.

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS officially appointed honorary ambassadors for 2030 Busan World Expo

 


Members of K-pop phenomenon BTS have officially embarked on their roles as honorary ambassadors for South Korea‘s bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan.

The bidding committee on Tuesday afternoon held an appointment ceremony at the band’s label Hybe‘s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, officially naming the seven members as public relations ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid.

BTS is the world’s most popular K-pop group consisting of seven members: RM, Jin, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook.

The ceremony was attended by BTS and the committee‘s co-chairs: Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won (who doubles as chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Busan mayor Park Heong-joon and Hybe CEO Park Ji-won.

During the ceremony, BTS was presented with an appointment plaque, and the band’s leader RM delivered a speech on behalf of the seven members:

“It‘s a true honor that BTS has been appointed as ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo. We will do our best to make the bid successful. Starting with the global concert in Busan set for October, we will strive earnestly to support the bidding and contribute to spreading South Korea’s beautiful culture around the world. Again, we ask for everyone‘s love, attention and support for the Expo.”

The representative members of the bidding committee also shared words of acknowledgment for the K-pop super-band joining the bidding rally.

During the ceremony, SK Group chairman Chey noted how fans from 197 countries around the world had watched the act’s online concert last year, a number larger than the 170 members countries of BIE. He also expressed excitement about the K-pop group‘s role as ambassadors.

“There’s a BTS song titled ‘Attack on Bangtan.’ I think it was released when they were a rookie band, and the lyrics were about how BTS will march forward. I‘m also looking forward to seeing how the Busan Expo will unfold with BTS marching forward in unison,” Chey said.

“With BTS alongside us, from the bidding to the hosting of the event, we can make Busan Expo into a festival on ’Fire‘ for people all over the world. I expect something like ’Dynamite.’ Let’s ‘light it up like dynamite,’” Prime Minister Han said, making references to the band‘s hit songs “Fire” and “Dynamite.”

Hoping to add star power to the port city’s 2030 Expo bid, Hybe signed a memorandum on June 24 with the Busan city government to support and cooperate in bidding efforts, whereby BTS would be ambassadors.

Taking up the ambassadorial roles, the K-pop group is poised to participate in various promotional activities at home and abroad. BTS will hold a global concert in the port city in October, conduct negotiation activities with the voting members of Bureau International des Expositions and promote Busan as a candidate at the BIE General Assembly. BIE is the intergovernmental body overseeing the World Expo.

The World Expo is considered one of the largest international festivals, on par with the World Cup and Olympics. The event takes place every five years and attracts millions of visitors to the host city during its six-month duration. According to the South Korean government, hosting a World Expo is estimated to create economic activity worth 61 trillion won ($46.4 billion).

Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, is among three competitors vying to host the 2030 Expo. Its rivals are the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh and the Italian capital Rome. The host nation will be decided in November 2023 in a vote among the 170 BIE member countries.

Busan is also the home city to two of the members, Jimin and Jungkook. Mayor Park noted this as he shared gratitude for BTS and Hybe, saying, “We weren‘t sure if they would take up the role of ambassadors as they are such huge global stars, but CEO Park was very willing. Park visited Busan with the chairman, Bang Si-hyuk, and understood our objectives for their appointment as ambassadors, and we’re grateful for this.”

About the upcoming concert in Busan, the mayor said, “We are aware that the band is preparing for a gig bigger than their LA concert. We‘re hoping billions of BTS fans will cheer for Busan Expo.”

Meanwhile, BTS’ appointment as honorary ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo marks the K-pop act‘s first official group activity since announcing a hiatus on June 14 for the members to focus on solo projects.

If held as planned, the Busan gig is expected to be BTS’ first concert in Korea since playing in Seoul as part of its “Permission to Dance On Stage” world tour series in March.

Source: The Korea Herald

Let's Do The News! (July 20, 2022)

                                                

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos asks to continue blended learning in specific areas beyond the end of October.

- The Department of Foreign Affairs is eyeing the repatriation of 115 Filipinos in Sri Lanka before the end of this month.

- China warns of "forceful measures" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

- The US House of Representatives passes the bill that will protect same-sex marriage.

- The US Senate voted to move ahead on the chip bill to compete with China

- Japan will hold a state funeral for former prime minister Shinzo Abe this September 27th.

- Iranian director Jafir Panahi will serve a decade-old jail term amid a crackdown on dissent.

- Twitter will have an October trial in its legal fight to hold Elon Musk to his $44b takeover.

- The new-generation Perodua Alza was unveiled.

- The Nissan X-Trail T33 was unveiled and it's the first to be powered by a 1.5L e-POWER VC-Turbo powertrain as well as e-4ORCE 4WD.

2023 Nissan X-Trail

- NASCAR gets a Chicago street race this 2023 season.

- The Las Vegas Raiders led the NFL in ticket revenue last year.

- Miles Bridges has been charged with a felony for domestic violence and child abuse.

- The Philippines has won six more medals in the Asian Youth weightlifting.

TTFN.