- In Game 1 of the 2017 PBA Governor's Cup, Ginebra San Miguel scored their first win of the match after beating Meralco Bolts at the score of 102-87.
- In his latest tirade against the media over "fake news", US President Donald Trump threatened NBC to revoke their broadcasting franchise renewals. Few hours ago, on an unrelated note, the American firebrand leader threatened to end critical payments to health insurers that help millions of lower-income Americans afford coverage after his tried-and-failed efforts against the Affordable Care Act.
- With their carriage agreement set to expire on Sunday, Viacom and Charter Communications are still at odds heading into the weekend. If the deal isn't set, Spectrum will lose most of the Viacom channels including Nick, MTV, and Comedy Central.
- Aston Martin unveiled the new DB11 Volante, an open-top version of the British sportscar company's latest grand tourer. Unlike its hardtop equivalent, it's powered only by a 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine from Mercedes-AMG.
2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante
- Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will serve as the official instructor for the upcoming Gran Turismo Sport PS4 game via their newest collaboration.
At the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Washington D.C., Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon informed reporters that Seoul and Beijing signed an agreement to extend currency swap deal for another three years. The agreement accounts for some 46% of Korea's total value of currency swap deals that it has with foreign countries.
The deal had already been expanded to the current 56 billion dollars and extended twice since 2009.
Meanwhile, in a statement from the UAE's foreign ministry on Thursday local time, North Korea's ambassador has been told to leave the country and Dubai will also recall its own envoy from North Korea. On the same day, Malaysia said it is considering a shutdown of its embassy in Pyongyang.
Relations between the two nations have soured following the Kim Jong-nam murder case earlier this year at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
- A task force on cybersecurity will meet on Monday to investigate the hacking of emails of opposition senators' staff, according to a Department of Information and Communications Technology official. This comes after the senators, on Thursday, said that several emails accounts of their staff were hacked, including “official email addresses for releasing media statements of Sen. Pangilinan and the Liberal Party.”
- After being designated the sole agency in charge of the ongoing war on drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency vowed that the anti-narcotics campaign would be less bloody. Meanwhile, Amnesty International said that President Duterte's decision to shift the responsibility to PDEA for his ongoing drug war was just a "PR" move and Human Rights Watch said that Duterte's "finally feeling the heat".
- Senate President Koko Pimentel defended President Duterte's profanity-laced attack on EU ambassadors, saying it was a defense of "Filipino values" and sovereignty. However, despite Duterte's ultimatum on the ambassador, a Malacanang Palace official says there is no directive to kick out diplomats of the European Union from the Philippines.
- Democrats cried foul over EPA's decision to reverse clean water safeguards, allowing a mining company to set up a mine in the salmon-rich Bristol Bay in Alaska. Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell said in her statement that the EPA's plan to reverse clean water safeguards is "egregious and inconsistent with science and frankly, inconsistent with basic logic." The public has until October 17 to comment on the EPA's proposed withdrawal of a move under the Obama administration to protect the Bristol Bay watershed from potential mining activities.
- Tobu Zoo's Humboldt penguin, Grape-kun, has passed away Thursday at the elder age of 21, a late age for Humboldt penguins that typically live approximately 25 years. This elder penguin won the hearts of Kemono Friends fans many and placed a cardboard cutout of the show's character Hululu in his environment.
- The Netherlands is joining the list of EU nations to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles beginning in the next two decades.
- Production of the Volkswagen Scirocco hatchback has ended after nine years.
- Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand will unveil the next-generation QX80 full-size SUV at next month's Dubai Motor Show.
- Toyota's Lexus brand announced that the next-generation ES will be sold in Japan in the autumn of next year as the replacement for the lackluster HS250h.
- Rotom Dex says "NEW POKEMON ULTRA SUN & MOON INFO ON THE RADAR!" Today's info puts the spotlight on Legendary Pokemons' brand new Z-moves such as Searing Sunraze Smash for Solgaleo/Dusk Mane Necrozma and Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom for Lunala/Dawn Wings Necrozma. Also, Rotom Dex says he's got upgraded with new features such as Roto Loto where you can get special power-ups such as added prize money, Exp. points, added capture rate, and so much more. Later, Rotom Dex can grant you the new "Rotom's Z-Power" feature which allows you to use your Pokemon's Z-move again!
The BMW M2 can be easily criticized by some for not being a proper M car because it has an ordinary BMW engine, basically a turbocharged 3.0L l6 engine on the front, but thanks to its back-to-basics approach, it can be easily regarded as one of the best M cars ever made, which is very exaggerating to think that the baby M car is the best car to live with. Despite being slower than any other M cars of today, the M2 is all about bringing driving back to the drivers and that really is perfection on so few levels.
It's hard to say why I am falling in love with the M2 not because of being small but because it has a unique characteristic I had fallen in love since I first set off with this thing back in Down Under years ago. Why? Because it's enjoyable at so many levels, which is unheard of for a baby M car powered by an ordinary turbocharged BMW engine.
Yes, I know that this car can get a bit twitchy and can be a real pain in the corner in the event of the understeer but with so much character on it, this is exactly why I am starting to fall in love with the M2 more than its M4 big brother, in fact, there's so much to tell about it.
So, the M2, 3.0L straight-6, turbocharged, 365HP, stronger and lighter wheel carriers, improved suspension components, and locking differential from the M3, this M car is all about getting familiar with this car, and even though it's not the fastest M car around, it's still one of the most enjoyable M cars to drive even though you are new to this. No wonder Top Gear host Chris Harris likened it to the old M3s of the last century but he mostly preferred its 1-Series M Coupe predecessor. Speaking of which, who wants to see the M2 round the Top Gear Track? Basically, the prime target was the BMW 1M's 1:25 lap time and let's see if I can do better with its successor. Ready? Cue the tape...
After a lap around the Top Gear track, which took me a fortnight, it did it in 1:24.932, which is amazingly similar to the 1M's lap time. Not bad, even though it wasn't a quick car to do the job rather nicely.
I'm already in love with this M2 because while this isn't the fastest despite its size, this is the car that you can spend a lot of time with until you had enough of it, and no matter how hard I try, it often left me with a rather nice impression at the very end.
The eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla has been around in the market for five years now and with the latest minor change for the 2018 model year, the new Corolla in two different models, the Axio sedan and the Fielder wagon, are now the safest Corolla ever made with the addition of new safety features capable of tackling through the Tokyo rush hour with ease. So, what's new on the 2018MY Corolla?
2018 Toyota Corolla Axio
2018 Toyota Corolla Fielder
When Toyota first facelifted these Corollas years ago, the bland styling has been replaced with an even more sleeker taste to make sure these two commoners' cars are back in business. However, a single facelift wasn't enough so the folks from Toyota redesigned the eleventh-generation model once more and the result is a sporty and fine design thanks to its new front bumper and grille. On the inside, there are plating decoration on the passenger side instrumental panel for added texture as well as new black sheet color.
2018 Toyota Corolla Axio interior
2018 Toyota Corolla Fielder interior
In the hybrid variants, the 1.5L 1NZ-FXE VVT-i engine with the 1LM electric motor has been slightly improved and because of the slightly improved control of engines, motors, inverters, and so on, the fuel economy by JC08 Mode standards is now up to 34.4km/L. Of course, if the hybrid variant wasn't your thing, there is a normal 1.5L petrol with idling stop available in CVT and 5-speed manual gearbox (which is nice if you're an UBER driver using this car for ride-sharing purposes). Of course, nothing special done with what's under the car, meaning they still behave pretty much the same as the others.
For safety purposes, the 2018MY Corolla lineup comes with standard Toyota Safety Sense C- which features Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, and a Pre-Collision System, all of which can help prevent or mitigate collisions in a wide range of vehicle speeds. Apart from that, these models come with the Intelligent Clearance Sonar, smart entry and start system, and a new Cruise Control setting that allows constant speed running without stepping on the gas pedal. Now that's science get it right, again.
Price? The new 2018MY Corolla range starts from 1,550,520 Yen for the Axio saloon and 1,614,000 Yen for the Fielder wagon. It maybe a fair price hike but they remain one of the most reasonably priced cars offered in the Japanese market and with the added safety features, it's as Japanese as it ever gets for the world's best-selling car in history.
South Korean president Moon Jae-in will make a three-nation Southeast Asia trip next month for regional forums where he is also expected to hold numerous bilateral summits with other world leaders.
The trip is expected to start on November 8th with a visit to Indonesia, where he will likely hold a summit with his Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widowo. Then, he will visit Vietnam on the 10th for the APEC summit, which will bring together leaders from 21 member economies, including US President Donald Trump. They are also scheduled to hold a bilateral summit in Seoul before they head to the Southeast Asian nation for the annual APEC summit. The bilateral talks between Moon and Trump will be the third since the South Korean president took office in May.
- Tish Bautista, the estrange wife of ousted COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista said they have full confidence in government institutions handling the cases against him. Her spokesperson explained that even with the disappointment at the first round of impeachment deliberation when the complaint was found insufficient by the House committee on Justice, they never lost their hope and remained optimistic.
- President Rodrigo Duterte attacked the European Union for supposedly lobbying for the Philippines' removal from the United Nations, this time, he issued the ambassadors an ultimatum to leave the Philippines within 24 hours.
- Meanwhile, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV slammed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for calling him an "opportunist" for seeking support of President Duterte before the 2016 elections.
- Numerous transport groups announced that they are not joining the planned two-day transport strike on October 16 and 17 next week. Among the transport groups who reportedly announced that they are not joining the jeepney strike are the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) and Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association (PASANG MASDA).
- As Robert Mueller's investigation on the Russian interference in the 2016 elections draws some heat, a group of Republicans and Democrats unveiled a legislation that would stop the White House from firing Special Counsel Mueller and it would preserve the independence of future Special Counsels.
- A special edition MINI One 1499 GT model was unveiled for the UK market, featuring an optional JCW Sport Pack, special interior, and special striped decal.
- PROJECT CARS 2 is joining the list of car racing games partnered with Mattel's Hot Wheels line of toy cars for their new diecast collection.
- Toyota will display an LCV Concept at this month's Tokyo Motor Show with three different variations.
- The last Holden car is expected to roll out of GM's assembly plant in Elizabeth, South Australia, on October 20.
The US flew two B-1B strategic bombers over the Korean peninsula late on Tuesday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff say the bombers flew from Anderson Air Force base in Guam and entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone at around 2050 hours.
The South Korean military added that the regular deployment training is aimed at enhancing extended defense capabilities against North Korea. Late last month, the US flew B-1B bombers over international waters close to North Korea's east coast.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has met with his top national security officials to discuss "a range of options" on North Korea. The White House said in a statement that President Trump was briefed by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford during a national security team meeting.
The statement added that the discussion focused on the range of options to better prevent North Korea from threatening the US and its allies with nuclear weapons. The White House didn't give details of the options but experts believe that military options were among the list.
- The House of Representatives has overturned the decision of its Justice committee to impeach COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista, who earlier in the day announced his decision to step down from his post at the end of this year.
- President Rodrigo Duterte designated the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as the "sole agency" in charge of the war on drugs despite public outcry over alleged police abuse in the ongoing crackdown.
- House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said that the ruling PDP-Laban wants to field a complete slate of senatorial candidates for the 2019 midterm elections. Meanwhile, former president and Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has joined the ruling party.
- Catalan leader Carlos Puigdemont and other regional leaders have signed a declaration of independence from Spain following the disputed referendum but the move will not be implemented for several weeks to allow talks with the Spanish government. The document calls for Catalonia to be recognized as an "independent and sovereign state".
- South Sudan aims to restore production of their oil sector to pre-war levels next year, according to the oil minister. "Security is now under control, and those investing will be provided with security," Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth said in an interview in the South Sudanese capital Juba.
- As the next Fast and Furious film won't come until 2020, a spin-off film starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham has been confirmed for 2019 release.
- Steel manufacturer Kobe Steel reported that its Aluminum & Copper Business division has traded products that didn't comply with specifications. This recent scandal has affected 19,300 tons of aluminum products, 2,200 tons of copper products, and 19,400 units of aluminum castings and forgings, shipped out between September 1, 2016 to August 31 this year. Most of the materials were supplied to car manufacturers.
- Renault plans to launch 21 new models in 2022, including eight electric vehicles and 12 hybrids which will deliver annual revenues of over 70 billion euros within their six-year plan.
- The Range Rover has been given a minor change for the 2018 model year and it added the new PHEV variant as well.
- Ciao! Mari Ohara joins DreamTech's Love Live! Sunshine!! Kimino Kokorowa Kagayaiterukai? figure lineup. She's available for orders starting at 14,800 Yen (including tax and delivery) and arrives this February.
For today's PROJECT CARS 2 session, it's time to recreate the first Grand Tour episode using the hypercar holy trinity at the racetrack as seen in the series opener, Portugal's Algarve circuit. It's hard to believe a year has passed since The Grand Tour began and looks like I'm reliving the beginning using the three hybrid hypercars in Algarve right here on PROJECT CARS 2.
First, let's start with the McLaren P1, the hybrid hypercar that started the craze. As the forefather of hybrid exotics, the P1 combines McLaren's motorsport knowhow with its promise to reduce global carbon footprint. With hybridization became the new norm for production vehicles, the P1 pushes the hybridization to uncharted heights with its revolutionary IPAS petrol-electric powertrain which combines the improved version of the 3.8L V8 twin-turbo engine as applied on the 12C and a single electric motor, making the combined power output of 903HP and torque output of 664ft-lb of torque. With its extensive use of carbon fiber, the P1 weighs 1395kg and overall, it has a 0-100kph time of 2.8 seconds and top speed of over 350kph.
The Porsche 918 Spyder, like the McLaren P1, is a hybrid hypercar and while this car is heavy and less powerful than the P1, its four-wheel drive system can easily shame the P1 by a second margin. With its carbon fibre reinforced plastic bodywork that weighs 1640kg, a combination of a 4.6L V8 engine, two electric motors bolted on the axles, and a 6.8kWh Li-ion battery, it delivers a combined output of 881HP of power, and mated with Porsche's 7-speed PDK, the 918 has has a top speed of over 340kph (211mph). As for efficiency, the 918's range can get up to 680km (420 miles).
Lastly, the LaFerrari is known to be the ultimate decider between the P1 and the 918 because this is the most powerful and the lightest of the three hybrid hypercars. It is powered by an upgraded version of the same 6.3L V12 engine lifted from the F12berlinetta and HY-KERS (Hybrid-Kinetic Energy Recovery System) which develops a combined power output of 963PS, making this the most powerful Ferrari ever made and it lapped the Fiorano Test Track faster than the F12berlinetta. Unlike the other two, the car's V12 engine and the electric motor are working in unison and cannot be separated, which is very clever by Ferrari standards but what's even more clever are the computer-controlled aerodynamics that makes the LaFerrari the automotive equivalent of a Typhoon fighter jet. Well, you get the point but Ferrari's F1 knowhow really payed off in the making of this car.
In the first Grand Tour episode, the boys sent professional racing driver Jerome d'Ambrosio to drive these three round Algarve. After his first impressions regarding the three hybrid hypercars, he then set off to see which one is the fastest or risk losing one of the presenters' home, basically Jeremy Clarkson's. Anyway, what am I going to do in this session is to recreate the three hypercars' Algarve lap, although my times aren't as fast as the real-world times set by d'Ambrosio himself but still, feel free to enjoy my re-enactment of the one as seen in the first Grand Tour episode.
And now the results...
LaFerrari - 1:57.600
918 - 1:56.962
P1 - 1:58.120
Hmmm...not as fast as what d'Ambrosio set in real life but this is just like the first episode! If I was on the P1's side, I would literally lost my house just like Clarkson's. How amusing. It really feels like what happened last year! Well, with season 2 coming this fall, I can't hardly wait to see what sort of mischief the presenters are up to so watch for it.
In the meantime, feel free to drive with the hypercar Holy Trinity on PROJECT CARS 2 on PS4 and PC via Steam.
Marking its 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Korean Workers' Party, experts say North Korea could mark the occasion with yet another ICBM launch.
According to a member of a Russian parliament who recently visited Pyongyang, North Korea could be planning to do just that in the coming weeks if not today. He said the North is planning another launch of the Hwasong-14 ICBM which was tested twice in July and that is capable of reaching the US West Coast.
Meanwhile, the Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has told the US Army to be ready for military action against North Korea if called upon by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a convention in Washington on Monday local time, Mattis spoke of an uncertain future, and the need to ensure military options that the president can employ if needed. However he stressed that sanctions and diplomatic efforts are currently being used to try and convince North Korea from provocations.
