Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Let's Do The News! (October 11, 2016)


- Before President Rodrigo Duterte leaves China for a state visit, he would set aside the Scarborough Shoal for now but vowed to ask the Chinese government to allow Filipinos to fish in the disputed sea. Duterte is schedules to visit China from the 18th to the 21st of October to strengthen ties between the Philippines and China, which have been strained by the sea dispute.

- According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the annual joint military exercises of Philippine and American armed forces in the country might be suspended next year, following President Duterte's recent pronouncement. Lorenzana said the agreement on the Balikatan exercises is subject to change yearly and it has yet to reach the agreement on the joint military exercises for the 2017, which the parties are supposed to sign in November.

- A low pressure area will intensify into a tropical cyclone within 24 to 72 hours, according to PAGASA. The weather disturbance is expected to bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over eastern Visayas and Caraga. Flash floods and landslides are possible within the area.

- Despite petitions against hosting next year's Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines following series of issues, the Department of Tourism believes that the country and willing to host the pageant. The government's decision to accept the Miss Universe Organization's offer to stage the pageant has an "over whelming support among Filipino women and their families, according to the department.

- German police apprehended a Syrian refugee, bringing an end to a manhunt launched by the discovery of explosives in his apartment. The 22-year-old male was arrested by police, acting on a tip-off that he was at the home of another Syrian in Leipzig. Police are now investigating his possible links with the Islamic State group.

- Paul Ryan, a top Republican and speaker of the House of Representatives says he will not defend or campaign the party's presidential nominee Donald Trump. He made the comment during a conference call with Republican lawmakers on Monday.

- The United Nations has appealed for an estimated 120 million dollar aid for Haiti, which was battered by Hurricane Matthew and is grappling with a worsening cholera outbreak, The violent storm moved north over the Caribbean and wreaked havoc on coastal nations last week before making landfall in the US South, bringing storms and heavy rain

- BMW will unveil the new-generation 5-Series this 13th of October.

- Michiyuki Kawashima, the lead vocalist of Boom Boom Satellites has passed away. Kawashima's been fighting his 4th brain tumor relapse.

TTFN!!!

FIA Formula E 2016-2017 - Hong Kong


The 2016-2017 season of the FIA Formula E Championship has kicked off in Hong Kong, where new and returning drivers are beginning the start of a long battle to the top spot of the rankings in this zero-emission electric car racing franchise, which is now on its third season.

On the winners' circle, e.Dams' Sebastian Buemi kicked off this season with a win followed by ABT Schaeffler's Lucas Di Grassi, despite problems with his car, who placed 2nd, and Mahindra's Nick Heidfeld who placed 3rd.

Highlights:



The next race will be at Marrakesh, Morocco, this November 12th.

F1 2016: Japanese GP

Photo: Associated Press

So, with Mercedes got their constructor's championship title at the end of the Japanese Grand Prix of the 2016 Formula One season, the heated debate between the team's drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is becoming a key topic of this season and Japan has been the turning table between the two.

With the tables turned, Rosberg is named as the winner of the race while Hamilton, despite his poor start, managed to finished third following a close-combat endgame between him and Red Bull rookie Max Verstappen, who finished 2nd.

Following Rosberg's win, the gap between him and Hamilton is now up to 31 points (313 vs 280) and with four more races this season, there's no telling when will the tables turned between them, perhaps some luck that will even the odds. So, the next race will be on the USA this 23rd of October.

Forza Horizon 3: A Wooden Opportunity

I only have two barn finds left two find and I've been given two choices; one that won't take me a lot of time to wait but can be downright slow or the other that is a gorgeous keeper to drive but takes a lot of time to wait before it's restored. Truth be told, I've gone for the first choice.


Care to see what that is? Let's find out...




sd

That super rare barn find in question is a Ford Super Deluxe, one of the post-WWII Fords ever made in history, and this one's woody in terms of appearance. If by woody, it IS woody just by looking at the wooden sides that make it very unique for a vintage post-war car in America. Historians told that this is known to be the last of the all-wood-bodied cars before the steel transition at the end of the 1940s and although as extinct as the dinosaurs from prehistoric times, this fossil unearthed from the barn is a clear reminder of why we love cars as much as our grandparents do in their time.


Although it is a slow car, with only 90 horses produced on a big V8 engine, it's a car worthy to take on an adventure if you have free time away from your festival duties, All it needs now is to play yourself a nice song from your grandma's music collection to soothe yourselves but not so much.

Having enjoyed myself driving the classic woody wagon, I spent some extra time at the festival driving one of these bad boys I mentioned here.

jeep

See this Willys Jeep I drove? I made it to look like how an owner-type jeep behaves, only this time in offroader duties, just like old times huh? Driving a war machine used for American troops during the second world war and reemerged into a commoners' favorite that takes on all shapes and sizes.

As I recalled, this machine originated the Jeep name although there are some puzzles about the origin of the Jeep word via this car, although it was claimed from the slurring of the letters GP, the military term for General Purpose while others say it came for a character named "Eugene the Jeep" from the Popeye cartoon strip.

With driving now, explanation later, I took this little owner-type jeep I made myself for a spin around a rainforest on a misty day to see how adventurous and thrilling a classic jeep can be. Things get a little muddy out here...



Man, I love a good adventure driving post-war classics out on the Australian open roads and while I'm having a blast driving these American post-war classics, I still have some unfinished business to do because the journey continues...

Monday, October 10, 2016

Let's Do The News! (October 10, 2016)


- A French newspaper calls Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte a "serial killer president" because of his bloody war on drugs, sparking protests from his supporters. The French daily Liberation's front-page report is the latest criticism from the foreign media of the Duterte administration's war on drugs, which has drawn international flak for human rights violations and alleged extrajudicial killings that killed 3,700 suspects as of now.

- The Moro National Liberation Front has scored the Office of the Ombudsman for reviving a 15-year-old graft case against its founding chairman Nur Misuari. The MNLF website said the case against Misuari was dismissed by former ombudsman Aniano Desierto. The MNLF claimed the revival of the case came after President Duterte announced that he would issue safe conduct pass to Misuari.

- Convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian believes that the recent riot at the New Bilibid Prison might have been caused to prevent him from testifying before the House Committee on Justice, which is investigating the drug trade at the penitentiary. Sebastian, testifying before the panel, said that retired Chief Inspector Clarence Dongail, an inmate, started the riot where he was stabbed and another inmate was killed.

- US Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sized each other again in their second presidential debate held at the Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri. The recent debate is at a town hall format where undecided voters got the chance to ask them questions regarding today's issues. As usual, the two trade insults against each other different issues but in the end, Clinton proved she's worthy.

- Ten people in the US are killed after Hurricane Matthew made landfall in the southern part of the country on Saturday. The hurricane brought strong winds and heavy rain to Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

- Ethiopia declared a state of emergency as anti-government protests turn violent. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn gave a televised address on Sunday, saying he needs to ensure the safety of its citizens. One week earlier, police fired tear gas at protesters in the southern state of Oromia, triggering a stampede that killed over 50 people.

- 140 people are reportedly killed when an air raid struck on a funeral in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Saturday's attack targeted those mourning the death of a senior member of an anti-government group. Fierce fighting continues between the Yemeni government troops and rebels.

- Tesla's Autopilot software is facing some backlash not just here in America but also abroad as the US state of California and the European country of Germany are facing problems with Tesla's autonomous driving software.

- Germany wants all combustion engine vehicles to be banned within the year 2030 and this could potentially spread throughout the European Union.

- The title of the 2016 Doctor Who Christmas Special was named as "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" and it will be aired on Christmas Day 2016. Also, the first trailer of its spinoff drama series Class is now up and running. The new show will air on BBC One next year alongside Doctor Who so check out both of the clips and which one are you excited for.


TTFN!!!

Super GT 2016: Thailand


Of course, with the best of Formula One racers having their day in Japan for their F1 2016 season, the Super GT's finest drivers went to the Chang International Circuit in Thailand for their seventh leg of the 2016 Super GT season but Thailand's the penultimate part of the season because by next month, an epic two-part finale will take place in Twin Ring Motegi. Why a two-parter? Glad you asked because the third round, which was supposed to held at the Autopolis, was cancelled due to the Kumamoto quakes last April and hence made the final round, which will take place at the Twin Ring Motegi next month, a two-parter.

Anyway, onto Thailand, and with all that twists, suspense, and the inevitable crash, even on ASEAN soil, it seems that no one can stop the thrill from those brave Super GT racers vying for the top spot at the rankings and at the end of this 66-lap battle, the #19 WedsSport ADVAN RC F, driven by Yuji Sekiguchi and Yuji Kunimoto, wins the GT500 class while the #25 VivaC 86 MC, driven by Takeshi Tsuchiya and Takamitsu Matsui, wins the GT300 class.

As mentioned, the two-part Super GT 2016 finale will be at the Twin Ring Motegi. Part One will be on the 12th of November while Part Two will be on the 13th of November.

Highlights:

Jubilee of Mercy: Marian Jubilee

The Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy kicks off today at the Vatican City with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Jubilee of Mercy logo

Last weekend at the St. Peter's Square, groups of pilgrims and individual participants took part at the Marian Jubilee, which is part of the ongoing Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy celebration. There are solemn celebration of the Eucharist in honor of Our Lady at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major as well as the Recitation of the Holy rosary, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and more,

 

In the final day of the Marian Jubilee, Pope Francis believes that "it's often strangers and even people from other religions who remind us of the Christina virtues of humility and thanksgiving, of which Mary is a prime model". He states that Mary didn't just listen, she acted, based on the different angles of religious perspectives.


Next month, there will be Jubilee for prisoners, and then the Closing of the Holy Doors that will signal the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy celebration.

THREATS OF NORTH KOREA: 10 years since the first nuclear test



The first nuclear test in North Korea, since Kim Jong-Il's dictatorship, began on the 9th of October, 2006, and Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of North Korea's first nuclear test, and the first month since the recent and the most powerful nuclear test to date.

There were a total of five nuclear tests occurred in North Korea. The second was in May 2009, the third was in February 2013, and the recent two tests; one by January of this year and the latest last month. The previous two were under Kim Jong-Il's rule while the other were under the rule of his son, the current leader of the DPRK Kim Jong-Un. Concern is rising that the North may start another as it aims to establish itself as a "nuclear power".

Experts believed that the Korean Peninsula is honing its nuclear technology with each test. The first test said to have had an explosive yield equivalent to less than one kiloton of TNT. The recent test is estimated at 10 to 12 kilotons.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong HO told the UN General Assembly last month that the nuclear program is a self-defensive measure against the United States, stressing that his country will continue to strengthen its nuclear arsenal.

The South Korean government is on high alert for possible threats from North Korea.

Source: NHK World

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Forza Horizon 3: The Grand National


See this little bad boy from the 80's? This is just one of the cars you can win at the Midnight Battle. It's the second out of the four midnight battle cars to win in Forza Horizon 3 and this is the Buick Regal GNX, a cult classic that remains one of the baddest examples of an American muscle revival in the 80's. Anyway, no time to talk more about this car, see what happens when I pit against that kind of car...



After my second Midnight Battle win that earned myself the keys to the car, I had a little quiet digging about this car and as far as I concerned, it's just one of the expert-level cars for tuners who wanted to get the most out of this bad boy and because this is classified as one of the muscle cars on the road, some power-hungry drivers wouldn't bother to give a big hood and a thousand horses on this Buick. In fact, no one bothers why...


So you may asking why would you want to give this Buick GNX a thousand horses and there's a main perspective for this kind of conundrum; you wanted this car to go fast in Bugatti Veyron levels. However, there's a major catch to this one; it's a nightmare to drive because if you're going to give this car the power equivalent of a Bugatti Veyron, be very careful about the torque it delivers because when the race starts, that wheelspin start is a technical act to follow and when you get off; be very careful on driving this thing because a slight mistake could be a major disaster but still, it's an adventure that has some perspective to it.



Call it a disaster or an adventure but hey, at least I still have the best day ever in this classic Buick Regal GNX though. With two more Midnight Battles to go, nothing's like taking a break than burning the midnight oil. That's perspective to you.

Google's Panoramio services to end this November



Google's photo geotagging service, Panoramio, will cease its services after the 4th of November, 2016. Users who linked their Panoramio profile with their Google accounts can access their photos on an Google Album archive and will be added on the Contributions at Google Maps.

About two years ago, Google announced that they will be retiring Panoramio in order to focus on photo-sharing experiences directly inside Google Maps but user feedback prompted to postpone such plans and worked to add features to Maps that better support the level of engagement users enjoyed with Panoramio.

Now, Google will terminate the Panoramio services this November 4, 2016 and Panoramio users, which are linked to their Google accounts, can enjoy Google Maps with its new photo upload tools and Local Guides program. If Panoramio users linked with their Google account, most of the Panoramio photos will be copied to the Google Album Archive and appear in the Maps Contributions panel.

STATEMENT:

Back in 2014, we announced our intention to retire Panoramio in order to invest our efforts into improving photo-sharing experiences directly inside Google Maps. In response to your feedback, we postponed these plans and worked to add features to Maps that better support the level of engagement that you have enjoyed with Panoramio. Today, with photo upload tools in Google Maps and our Local Guides program, we are providing easy ways for you to share your photos with an active and growing community. As such, we’ve decided to move forward with closing down Panoramio. To make this transition easier, we’ll provide several options to continue sharing photos through other services. If you choose, you can also export all your data and take it somewhere else.

If you have linked your Panoramio profile with a Google account, all your Panoramio photos will be copied to the Google Album Archive at full resolution after Panoramio goes away. These copied photos will not use any of your Google storage quota. Your Panoramio photos that appear in Google Maps will continue to appear in Maps, unless you delete them later from the Maps Contributions panel. Note: You must link your Panoramio profile with a Google+ account for your photos to be automatically copied.

After November 4, 2016, you’ll continue to have access to your photos in Panoramio for a year, but you will no longer be able to add new photos, likes, or comments. Below, we’ve included resources to help you manage or export your data.

URL: http://www.panoramio.com/maps-faq

This is the last Australian Ford ever made

Photo: Ford Australia
It's a sad moment in the history of Australian motoring as after over nine decades of producing cars for the Australian motorists, including homegrown favorites such as the Falcon, the Territory, and the high-performance FPV range, Ford signalled the end of producing cars in Australia as the last car they ever made, a blue Ford Falcon XR6 saloon, was rolled off the assembly line at its Broadmeadows plant on Friday. Last July, the last ute they ever made, a Falcon Ute, rolled off the line.

The decision for Ford to cease their Australian production will result to a loss of 600 jobs at the very plant where the Falcon was made for 56 years and 3.5 million units. Ford will continue to import vehicles in Australia while local engineers will contribute to development of the models sold there.

On a similar note, GM's Holden ended production of their Cruze Hatchback as well. Of course, Toyota and General Motors will end their production in the Land Down Under next year and when it does, it will officially be the end of Australian car production as they knew it.

Are there any Australian-made Fords will you miss?

Forza Horizon 3: The Devil Z...sorta


As stoic JDM speedo boys believed, a first-generation Datsun Fairlady Z remains one of the most important forefathers of the JDM sportscar realm apart from the 2000GT from Toyota and the Cosmo from Mazda but apart from being one of the founding fathers of every speedo boys' favorite, it remains one of the unsung heroes of the seinen manga/anime genre when it became the star of the Wangan Midnight franchise as the Devil Z, the demon of the Wangan expressway that main character Akio Asakura braved enough to master this powerful machine. We always wanted the S30 Fairlady Z to look like the mythical demon of the Wangan Expressway, until now...


You have to thank this game's new "bodykit" feature because if you equip this car with the Rocket Bunny kit, you now have a Z that has a closer resemblance to the Devil Z. A dream come true, huh? But not quite yet because in order to become the Devil Z, apart from its looks, it has to behave like one, and that means giving it lots and lots of power but do it at your own risk because if you give it too much power, it's going to be very undrivable due to the nightmarish torque that plunge you through to an unavoidable wheelspin nightmare so you might want to balance on how fast it goes and how good to handle. I know, I tried making this one with a thousand horsepower output but that wheelspin's killing me badly so I tone it down a little.



My recreation of the Devil Z isn't much of a Devil Z I hoped for but it's one heck of an enjoyable ride if I had to take a little time off from my Festival duties, like, you know, street races. Let's see how much I can work on this recreation of a mythical Wangan legend. My Devil Z isn't ready yet.