Let's Do The News! (August 29, 2024)

         

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- A fire broke out at the Baseco Compound in Manila, the second alarm has been raised. As of 1:14 PM Manila Time, the fire that broke out in a residential area in Baseco Compound, Manila has been declared out.

- The oil collected from the submerged MT Terranova has reached over 200k liters, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

- The Bureau of Immigration is punished for failure to prosecute accomplices in issuing fake passports and birth certificates.

- Advocacy groups are supporting the PNP's efforts to hunt down Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Meanwhile, Quiboloy's hangar is possibly connected to an underground bunker. The PNP is closely monitoring the hangar.

- Telegram chief Pavel Durov was placed under formal investigation in France and banned from leaving the country.

- At least nine Palestinians killed as Israel launches operation in occupied West Bank, and troops surround Jenin hospital.

- The FBI said the gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump last month had searched extensively online for events by him and President Joe Biden.

- The smart #5 crossover was unveiled. It's the first to feature a Sennheiser sound system with 20 speakers.

2025 smart #5

- The all-new MG ZS was unveiled with a hybrid powertrain.

2025 MG ZS

- Land Rover remastered the first-generation Defender with the 5.0L V8 natural aspiration engine mated to an 8-speed ZF AT.

- Mashin Sozoden Wataru TV anime premieres this January 2025 on TV Tokyo.

- SM Entertainment has shared a statement in response to recent reports about Taeil’s sexual offense allegations being filed earlier this year in June.

- The Paris 2024 Paralympics has officially begun. The opening ceremony took place at the Place de la Concorde.

- Korean actor Kim Ji Soo officially signs a contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center.

- TV presenter Willie Revillame drew flak from netizens over last night's Wil To Win episode when he rejected the phone call from a contestant for watching Family Feud on GMA-7.

TTFN.

Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet

When Mercedes-AMG engineers took the subtle CLE Coupe, force-fed it moderate amounts of steroids, and made it look moderately cool without drawing wanton attention, the result was the Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe. What about the Cabriolet version?

2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet

The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Cabriolet is the latest AMG open-top model. It starts at 100,436 Euros, which is less expensive than the Mercedes-AMG SL43, making it the season’s bargain. The CLE53 Cabriolet is a bold blend of machoness and subtlety, as you would expect from a moderately beefed-up CLE Cabriolet.

Under the hood, the CLE53 Cabriolet has a 3.0L inline-six engine with an electric turbo and an integrated starter generator that produces up to 472PS of power. Mated to an AMG Speedshift TCT 9G and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, it does 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph.

The CLE53 Cabriolet is a moderately good car to drive on the road and on the track. It has AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully adaptable power distribution and rear-wheel steering. It also has AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, three-stage AMG parameter steering with variable ratio, and AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with adaptive damping. However, the controversial AMG Real Performance Sounds is downright filtered.

Having a V6-powered convertible with a six-figure price tag is outrageous, but for the fun of it, you can really have the CLE53 Cabriolet over the SL43 because despite being slower than that, it is less expensive, more powerful, and overall, more fun to drive. It's a bravado of a bargain AMG managed to pull it off.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX

When the first-ever Volkswagen ID.3 received its first minor change last year, it gained what the customers demanded apart from its updated styling; and more user-friendly features. It all went well but the lack of a performance variant made it...lacking. Until now.

2025 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX

2025 Volkswagen ID.3 GTX interior

The first-ever Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is an all-electric alternative to the legendary Golf GTI. It promises to deliver GTI levels of driving feel, and at 50,795 Euros plus additional costs, it's a worthy sleeper. The ID.3 GTX is part subtle and part obvious.

Although it looks and feels just like the normal ID.3, it features the usual GTX exterior treatment as well as sporty front seats, red stitching, a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and illuminated touch sliders for the media volume and air-conditioning. It still fits five people and has up to 1267 liters of boot space for your daily stuff.

Being the only rear-wheel-drive vehicle of the VW GTX grid, the electric motor powering the rear axles and the 79kWh battery pack gives the ID.3 GTX 286PS of power and 545 Nm of torque. In the more powerful Performance variant, the performance figures bumped to 326PS, resulting in a 0-100kph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 200kph, as fast as a Mazda Roadster.

The ID.3 GTX is a rear-wheel drive car that weighs almost two and a half tons. It behaves like a hot hatch but in a mild and tangy way as expected. It has spartan driving manners just like a normal Porsche 911. Driving one is a piece of cake, thank you MEB platform and aluminum bodywork.

As for safety, the ID.3 GTX features a wide array of ADAS such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Travel Assist with automated lane changes, and Park Assist Plus with a memory function. It also comes with V2X technology that allows this car to "communicate" with others within 800 meters and alert the driver of hazards, accidents, and stationary traffic.

If you're looking for a hot hatch that promises to be as cool as the Golf GTi, but the Golf is out of the picture due to the new normal, then the ID.3 GTX is your only alternative. It's controversial, but it's worth a shot.

Available Colors: Mondsteingrau Schwarz, Grenadillschwarz Metallic Schwarz, Gletscherweiß Metallic Schwarz, Kings Red Metallic Schwarz, and Scale Silver Metallic Schwarz.

Photo: Volkswagen AG

Let's Do The News! (August 28, 2024)

        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Today's Metro Manila Council meeting regarding mpox and ASF is canceled due to inclement weather.

- Senator Win Gatchalian claims that Sheila Guo lied to the Senate just like her fugitive sister Alice Guo.

- The DILG clarified to the court what's with the temporary restraining order at the KOJC. The PNP says that the search for the KOJC compound over Pastor Apollo Quiboloy will continue despite the TPO.

- Israel says it has rescued a hostage being held by Hamas during a "complex" operation in southern Gaza.

- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will present his "victory plan" to the US. Ukraine's recent incursion into Russia's Kursk region is part of the plan. 

- Williams Racing dropped Logan Sargeant out of the F1 '24 season following his firey accident during Free Practice in Zandvoort last weekend and he was replaced by Argentinian Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the season.

- The NASCAR Cup Series will, for the first time, race in Mexico City for the 2025 season.

- Ariel showcased its E-Nomad concept with its 281bhp electric motor.

- The recent Nintendo Direct showcase previews new games coming to the Nintendo Switch such as Pizza Tower, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, The Patrick Star Game, and more.

- The MMORPG video game Blue Protocol will end its service this January 18, 2025.

- Netflix original series Gyeongseong Creature's 2nd season will premiere this September 27, 2024.

- The NCAA is proposing the elimination of football's spring transfer window. Under their proposal, the 30-day transfer window in December would become the lone opportunity for FBS and FCS players to enter their name in the transfer portal and seek a new school.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 27, 2024)

       

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- According to Senator Bato Dela Rosa, most senators aren't convinced about Shiela's story over Alice Guo's escape. Dela Rosa called Shiela a liar over her story.

- Imposing fines on motorists without RIFD or having insufficient funds are postponed by the PH Department of Transportation.

- PH President Bongbong Marcos says there are no human rights violations committed by the police over the serving of an arrest warrant against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The Philippine National Police says they will not stop looking for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy inside the KOJC despite the 'cease and desist' order of the Davao City RTC.

- Six were killed and dozens hurt as a wave of Russian strikes hit key energy targets in Ukraine.

- The World Health Organization sets out plans to curb the spread of mpox.

- Four privately trained astronauts prepare to test a new type of space suit.

- The Ford Bronco Sport was updated for the 2025 model year.

2025 Ford Bronco Sport

- K-pop boy group NCT WISH prepping for their September comeback.

- Bomin, TAG, and Jibeom will leave the boy group Golden Child and Woollim Entertainment. The group will continue as seven members.

- Mnet reality series Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE premieres this September 19th at 9:30PM KST.

- Former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson passed away at the age of 76.

- Rock band Oasis will reunite for next year's world tour.

- WWE legend Sid Vicious passed away at the age of 63 after his fight with cancer.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (August 26, 2024)

      

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Makabayan Bloc unveiled the list of their 2025 midterm election contenders. The list includes Jerome Adonis, Danilo Ramos, PISTON's Mimi Doringo, Mody Flranda, Ronnel Arambulo, Teddy Casino, GABRIELA's Liza Maza, Alyn Andamo, Rep. France Casto, and Rep. Arlene Brosas.

- The PH Department of Health mulls creating a new online constitution system against mpox.

- The DILG is once again urging Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to turn himself and face his cases. The Malacañang insisted that it was only following the law in Quiboloy's case. The Philippine National Police is studying other cases that can be filed against the KOJC.

- Israel and Hezbollah forces exchange fire in the biggest clash in 10 months. Israel says it carried out the pre-emptive strike in Lebanon.

- Telegram app CEO Pavel Durov is arrested by French police at an airport north of Paris. Mr Durov was detained after his private jet had landed at Le Bourget Airport, according to reports. The app is accused of failure to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation.

- ICYMI: Two astronauts stranded in space will return to Earth on a SpaceX ship next year, according to NASA.

- The new Shutokou Battle street-racing video game is coming to PC via Steam this 2025.

- BTS member Suga issued his second apology for his DUI incident.

- Fanatics refiled its lawsuit against Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. late last week, expanding it to include fraud allegations against his father, Marvin Harrison Sr.

TTFN.

NTT IndyCar Series 2024 - Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland

The Pacific Northwest is the next stop for the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series with the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland, held at the Portland International Raceway. What a way to end summer than intense racing action at the Pacific Northwest.

The start of the race saw misery for Scott Dixon as he crashed after being nudged by Pietro Fittpaldi. As a result, Fittipaldi got penalized for unavoidable contact. Lap 23 saw Fittipaldi and Conor Daly get into a first-corner mishap. Halfway through the race with Will Power, Alex Palou, and Josef Newgarden are hunting each other for the top, Lap 62 saw Romain Grosjean experience some power interruption following a spin and if that wasn't enough, he got collided by Christian Rasmussen. However, Grosjean's back in the running.

Screengrab from IndyCar

After what's known to be a chaotic fight in the Pacific Northwest, Will Power wins the Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland with Alex Palou finishing 2nd and Josef Newgarden finishing 3rd.

With Portland behind them, Palou is leading with 484 points, 54 points ahead of Power, and Colton Herta is in 3rd with 417 points. The title fight is too close to call.

The NTT IndyCar Series is coming to Wisconsin for the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250. This two-part race will be held from August 31st to September 1st, 2024.