Let's Do The News! (October 19, 2024)

                     

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

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and his First Lady Liza Marcos are en route to Jakarta, Indonesia to attend tomorrow's inauguration of President-elect Prabowo Subianto and VP-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

- Kanlaon Volcano released "volcanic ash" due to its degassing activity, according to PHIVOLCS.

- Israel blockades part of northern Gaza, dashing hopes of a ceasefire after the killing of the Hamas leader.

- The London Met Police only sought two prosecutions of the late tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed over his sex offense charges over two of 21 women who accused him while he was alive, according to reports.

- ICYMI: X (formerly Twitter) will no longer let users opt out of allowing their tweets to be used to train their AI system Grok, according to reports. The change goes into effect this November 15th.

- The Porsche 911 GT3 range was updated for the 2025 model year with an 8% shorter final drive ratio for both gearboxes and improved aerodynamics.

2025 Porsche 911 GT3

- LPU Pirates player JM Bravo collapsed during an Arellano-LPU match of the NCAA. The incident happened during a rebound play when Bravo and Arellano University cager Renzo Abiera butted heads, with 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Bravo stretchered out of LPU's loss to Arellano and he's now conscious.

- Game 4 of the WNBA finals saw the Minnesota Lynx force a winner-take-all Game 5 after beating the New York Liberty at 82-80.

- The Yankees are a game away from winning the ALCS after beating the Guardians in Game 4 at 8-6.

- Celebrities pay tribute to the late One Direction member Liam Payne. "We got to live out our wildest dreams together", Niall Horan said. Meanwhile, Simon Cowell said he is "devastated" and "heartbroken" at the death of Liam Payne, who he describes as "thoughtful, talented and humble". Girls Aloud singer Cheryl says Liam Payne's death is "indescribably painful" and "earth-shattering".

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (October 18, 2024)

                    

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

- National Prosecution Service Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento steps down.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos said he was happy to greet former Vice President Leni Robredo. The two exchanged greetings after Senate President Chiz Escudero invited Robredo to lead the welcome to President Marcos in Sorsogon yesterday where the two even shook hands.

- ABS-CBN announces "difficult" decision to lay off 100 employees.

- Israel confirms that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was eliminated during an attack in Gaza. The Hamas leader was believed to have been a key figure behind the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel.

- Formula 1 will no longer award the fastest lap point from the end of this season, as the 2026 regulations will undergo extensive enhancements.

- According to reports, Nikita Mazepin has ruled out his return to Formula 1. Mazepin was kicked out by Haas after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His father is a businessman with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

- The Ferrari F80 was unveiled. Serving as the successor to the LaFerrari, the F80 is powered by a 1200PS hybrid system combining a V6 and electric motors. Mated to an 8-speed F1 DCT, it propels from 0-100kph in 2.15 seconds and has a top speed of 350kph. All 799 units are reserved.

2025 Ferrari F80

- Touring Superleggera unveiled the Veloce12. Limited to 30 units, it's based on the Ferrari F12berlinetta with exterior cues inspired by the 575M.

Touring Superleggera Veloce12

- BanG Dream! Ave Mujica TV anime will air on January 2, 2025.

- Edens Zero video game coming next year for PC and consoles.

- The Hachigatsu no Cinderella Nine app game ends service this December 17, 2024.

- Actor Toshiyuki Nishida passed away at the age of 76.

- The Guardians beat the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS at 7-5.

- Tony Bennett, Virginia men's basketball coach, will announce his retirement ahead of basketball season.

- Angel Reese of Chicago Sky says "The WNBA don't pay my bills".

- OneDirection members pay tribute to the late Liam Payne.

TTFN.

Suzuki Fronx

After 36 years, the Suzuki Escudo is officially dead and its place was filled by its replacement transferred from India. Meet the first-ever Suzuki Fronx.

2025 Suzuki Fronx

Priced at 2,541,000 Yen plus additional costs, the first-ever Fronx fills the void left by the recently deceased Escudo and is ready to compete with the Toyota Raize and the Honda WR-V. The Fronx marks the second time Suzuki imported a vehicle from India's Maruti Suzuki manufacturing line since the Baleno in 2016.

2025 Suzuki Fronx

Beginning with the styling, the Fronx looks well-sculpted and macho compared to the Escudo it replaces. From its NEXwave grille, striking front fascia, NEXTre' LED lights, new-age aerodynamic design, LED sweeping taillights heavily mistaken for a Mercedes SUV, and geometric alloy wheels, rest assured that the Fronx is starting to take shape like an earnest Indian student who got transferred to a Japanese school.

2025 Suzuki Fronx interior

Now, let's get to know the interior and by surprise, the Fronx is shockingly premium in its class. The driver's side is packed with goodies such as a heads-up display, wireless charger, heated seats, and a 9-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity and Suzuki Connect service. Although regularly comfortable by compact crossover standards, you can carry up to 290L of goodies with the rear seats present, which is more than the Escudo and can be folded down for more.

2025 Suzuki Fronx

The only powertrain offered in the Fronx is the 1.5L Dual Jet mild-hybrid powertrain mated to a 6-speed AT with paddle shifters. The engine produces 100PS of power and it's connected to a 2.3kW electric motor with a lithium-ion battery. In its FF configuration, it has 19km/L of fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards while the 4WD variant gets 17.8km/L.

Being a fully imported crossover from India that can travel across Japan, the Fronx is packed with Rack & Pinion steering, front MacPherson Struts, rear torsion beam, and front ventilated disc brakes. As a front-wheel-drive crossover, the Fronx feels slightly regular to drive daily but with 4WD equipped, it has slightly improved its capabilities. Not great but it will do. Greatness can somewhat be a cruel and unpredictable mistress if you catch my drift.

The Fronx features Suzuki Safety Support, a suite of ADAS that can tackle everyday driving by streets, highways, parking, and at night. Along with ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child fix anchorages, six airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters, impact compliance, and Pedestrian Protection compliance, it's about as safe as every Japanese crossover should be.

Although this is the most expensive crossover in its class, more than the Raize and the WR-V, it's cheaper to own than the now-defunct Escudo, the fully-imported Suzuki Fronx tries to make a name for itself as a world standard in Suzuki's right. Let's hope it won't repeat the same mistake as the Baleno because this is the second chance Suzuki is selling an Indian import on its home turf. Best of luck.

Available Colors: Artic White Pearl, Artic White Pearl/Black Roof, Splendid Silver Metallic, Splendid Silver Metallic/Black Roof, Bluish Black Pearl 4, Opulent Red Pearl Metallic/Black Roof, Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic/Black Roof, Earthen Brown Pearl Metallic/Black Roof, and Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (October 17, 2024)

                   

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

- Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is possibly hiding, according to the Philippine National Police.

- PH President Bongbong Marcos regarded the Israeli government's response to ensure the safety of the Filipinos.

- The Philippine Health System Resilience Project was approved by the NEDA Board.

- The LTO suspended registration of e-bikes.

- The US envoy to the UN has said Washington is watching Israel's actions in northern Gaza to ensure there is not “a policy of starvation" there.

- The BBC has announced that the long-running interview program, HARDtalk, will be axed in March 2025 after nearly three decades on-air as part of the public broadcaster's job cuts.

- Ford unveiled the Bronco Stroppe special edition with design cues that pay homage to the original Baja 1000 winner from 1969.

- BMW will adopt Vision Neue Klasse concept design for its next-generation ICE cars.

- Bandai Namco reportedly cuts staff after halting projects. About 100 have reportedly resigned.

- Game 3 of the WNBA finals saw the New York Liberty leading 2-1 after beating the Minnesota Lynx at a score of 80-77.

- The NCAA closes loophole on Oregon's 12-man penalty.

- Former OneDirection member Liam Payne was found dead in Argentina. He was 31 years old. Payne uploaded photos from his Snapchat account an hour before his death.

TTFN.

Subaru Chiffon Try

Remember the Daihatsu FunCross two years ago? Guess what, Subaru borrowed one for their own version of the said kei car. Called the Chiffon Try, it's for those who want a Daihatsu Tanto FunCross but their nearest dealership is Subaru's. Not bad.

2025 Subaru Chiffon Try

With prices starting at 1,831,500 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the Tanto FunCross is the rugged version of the current-generation Chiffon that features a rugged exterior with a tough front face and black claddings on the side and back. Although rugged, observers still consider it "cute", just like the rest of the Chiffon family.

On the interior, the Try's seats feature a camouflage design and some orange panelings that are in sync with its rugged design. Although they're somewhat show-off, their signature traits are still in this model; the signature pillarless door on the passenger side, space for four people, various seating arrangements, and various compartments to store your stuff, among many others. Word of advice, though, there are USB-C ports involved in this car so you better bring the right plug while on the go.

Like today's Chiffon range, the Chiffon Try runs on the DNGA architecture. Along with the rack-and-pinion steering, front MacPherson Strut suspension, ventilated disc front brakes, and leading trailing rear brakes, not to mention the torsion beams for FF models and 3-link rear suspension for 4WD models, the Try behaves pretty much like a Chiffon despite its rugged looks, as expected. Although made for the great outdoors, it's still a city car that fits well with the Tokyo traffic.

Under the hood, the Try runs on the KF 660cc 3-cylinder DOHC 12V EFI engine. Mated to a D-CVT, the fuel economy is up to 21.9km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

Like most Chiffon models, the Try features Smart Assist, a suite of active safety features ranging from collision avoidance, detection, driving load reduction, and parking. It even comes with full LED headlamps, VSC, TRC, CTA, emergency stop signal, ABS, TAF body, SRS airbag, and ISOFIX.

So, if you want a Daihatsu Tanto FunCross but your nearest dealership is a Subaru dealership, the Chiffon Try is for you.

Photo: Subaru Corporation

Let's Do The News! (October 16, 2024)

                  

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

- A magnitude 4.2 quake hits Anda, Bohol, according to PHIVOLCS.

- The House Quad Committee will request the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in their investigation regarding the "reward system" in the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

- DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo is en route to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the 8th PH-MY Joint Commission Meeting.

- The US tells Israel to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza within a month or risk having some military assistance cut off.

- UK PM Keir Starmer does not rule out a National Insurance increase for employers in the Budget.

- The Kia Tasman will make its world premiere this October 29th.

- Chevrolet confirms the Corvette C8 ZR1's 233mph top speed during testing at Germany's ATP Papenburg oval, making it the fastest production car by the US Big Three carmaker.

- The ERT Formula E team was renamed Kiro Race Co. after American investment.

- The BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe is updated for the 2025 model year.

2025 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

- Prime Video original cartoon Invincible's 3rd season will stream this February 6, 2025.

- Riot Games lays off more League of Legends developers while promising to increase team size.

- Actor Ong Seong Wu has officially completed his mandatory military service and discharged.

- Thomas Tuchel agrees to become the next England team manager.

- Game 2 of the ALCS finals saw the Yankees leading 2-0 after beating the Guardians 6-3.

- Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart said her wife received a threatening, anti-gay email following the New York Liberty's loss to the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (October 15, 2024)

                 

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

- Members of the Philippine Army and the Australian Army have commenced their KASANGGA military drills in Camarines Sur.

- A fire broke out in Sta. Ana, Manila, causing 100 homes to be engulfed in flames.

- As many as 20 Bureau of Corrections personnel involved in various violations have been removed from their positions.

- India and Canada expelled their top diplomats in a row over accusations that Indian agents were involved in murder on Canadian soil.

- NASA's spacecraft blasted off from Florida in search of alien life on a mysterious moon of Jupiter.

- Brake manufacturer Brembo purchased suspension company Ohlins from Tenneco for $405m.

- Hendrick Motorsports will not appeal Alex Bowman's Charlotte disqualification.

- The 2025 INDY 500 will be broadcast on FOX.

- The Harvey Awards inducted the late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama into the Hall of Fame.

- Asahi Production signs a business partnership with famed anime studio Pierrot, aiming to boost the system for stable production of high-quality anime titles.

- Netflix original series Culinary Class Wars renewed for Season 2.

- The nominees for the 2024 MAMA Awards are announced.

- Sean "Diddy" Combs facing fresh sexual assault allegations.

- Radio DJ Chris Tsuper reveals the reason why he left Love Radio after two decades.

TTFN.