Review: Honda Civic 1.8 E

'Hindi, mahal ’yan! Imported ’yan!”

A friendly argument arises between two enterprising street urchins—unofficial watch-your-car boys collecting spare change at an outdoor parking lot—about the burgundy whip that pulls in. The statement is both right and wrong: The brand is Japanese, thus making the car imported. But priced at a very conservative P1.088 million, the Civic 1.8 E is anything but expensive.

That amount isn’t exactly chump change, but the new Civic looks more expensive than it really is. Channeling European luxury-brand sensibilities makes it the most premium-looking Civic to date. It seems to have shed the whole ‘sport-tuner’ vibe and switched to a more distinguished disposition.

This newfound refinement is apparent in the driving dynamics, too, the car having very little in common with the boy-racer Civics of the past. The only thing that still feels sort of sporty is the driving position—something Honda has, amazingly, kept consistent with all Civics over the years. Otherwise, it’s a completely different experience. It has the hardware to go fast, that’s apparent when you ease in the gas, but it just doesn’t feel like it wants to go fast.

While it isn’t as sharp as its predecessors around corners, it’s still surefootedenough to stay grippy in a yank-and-turn situation. Maybe it’s because the car has put on some weight after all these years—metabolism isn’t what it once was, can we get an amen?

This latest generation doesn’t pay homage to its lineage, except in still being great value for money. That said, it would be healthy to look at things from a different perspective. Back then, the EG or the SiR was a favorite among younger drivers because it went fast and had cheap parts aplenty. Fast-forward to today and priorities have changed. Finding the time to set up a car is hard. Going at breakneck speeds outside the track is stupid. Comfort, class, and a premium feel matter more.

The new Civic, aging with the audience that has grown up idolizing it, now offers these things. That’s evolution on a whole new level. 

SPECS: HONDA CIVIC 1.8 E

Price: P1,088,000

Engine: 1.8-liter SOHC I4

Power: 139hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 174Nm @ 4,300rpm

Transmission: continuously variable

Layout: FWD

Seating: 5

Score: 18/20

Honda takes the wraps off the new WR-V

IMAGE Honda Motor Company
Crossovers and SUVs are still getting hotter and more popular as more car buyers shift to these higher-riding vehicles. In a short period, Honda’s global portfolio of crossovers has expanded dramatically with the arrival of the HR-V, and then the BR-V. Now it’s about to grow even bigger.

Teased last month via a rendering, Honda’s newest baby crossover, the WR-V,aka “Winsome Runabout Vehicle”, has finally made its world debut at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show. As expected, this little runabout is based on Honda’s popular and versatile Jazz hatchback, but with the extra ground clearance and tough styling one would expect from its SUVs.

Up front is a variation of the brand’s crossover face, which features a taller hood and high-mounted slim headlights linked by a large chrome bar. Below this is a large grille opening. Moving on to the sides, everything from the A-Pillar back is virtually identical to the Jazz. Chunky matte black cladding outline the lower portions of the bumpers, while wheel arches and sills add some ruggedness to the once docile-looking hatchback.

At the back it receives slightly blockier re-profiled taillights which now extend to the rear hatch forming an “L” shape. The Jazz hatchback’s pillar-mounted reflectors have been replaced by black gloss panels, and the rear license plate recess sits close to the rear bumper, a design cue shared with its crossover siblings.

Heavily tinted windows hide its interior, but chances are it will be Jazz-based but tweaked to match its more adventurous exterior. Expect the brand’s flexible ULTR seats to be present.

Drivetrain options still remain a mystery at this point, but it will most likely have the same 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC mill and continuously variable transmission as the Brazilian-spec Fit/Jazz. It will probably be FWD to keep costs down, but an AWD option could still be a possibility since the platform supports it, as seen in some JDM models.

The WR-V will go on sale in Brazil and other South American markets in the first half of 2017.

It’s still too early to tell if Honda’s little South American CUV will be introduced in the Southeast Asian market, but having a lot in common with the Jazz makes it a possibility. Hopefully it reaches our shores someday. Judging by the enthusiasm crossovers are receiving in our market, there seems to be ample room for one more.

IMAGE Honda Motor Company

IMAGE Honda Motor Company

IMAGE Honda Motor Company

Jackie Chan given honorary Oscar at Governors Awards

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan was given an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards, after a staggering 56 years making movies.

The 62-year-old was handed the award by his Rush Hour co-star Chris Tucker on Saturday night (12Nov16), but not before stars including Tom Hanks and Michelle Yeoh listed his lengthy achievements.

Calling the Hong Kong-born star "Jackie 'Chantastic' Chan” and comparing him to John Wayne and Buster Keaton, Hanks said it was gratifying to be able to finally acknowledge Chan's extensive work.

In an exuberant speech, Chan said he knew he wanted an Oscar after seeing one of the prestigious awards at Sylvester Stallone's house many years ago, Variety reports.

"After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, after so many bones, finally," he quipped to the star-studded audience while holding his sought-after Oscar.

Chan had the audience in stitches after recalling a story about watching the Academy Awards on TV with his parents, and his father always asking him why he didn't have one of the statuettes, despite having made so many movies.

He praised Hong Kong for making him "proud to be Chinese," and thanked his fans, saying they were the reason "I continue to make movies, jumping through windows, kicking and punching, breaking my bones."

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, hosts of the eighth annual ceremony, also bestowed honorary Oscars on British film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentarian Frederick Wiseman.

Donald Trump is richer than all the presidents combined

The US presidency has been traditionally held by rich men. Not always—Truman, Coolidge, Lincoln, Grant and a few others were not wealthy and amongst our “poorest” presidents, according to24/7 Wall Street’s definitive list of presidential wealth adjusted into 2016 dollars.

On the other end of the spectrum, when you adjust for inflation as of 2010, there is George Washington with a net worth of $580 

million, Thomas Jefferson with $234 million, and John F. Kennedy with $1 billion—though he hadn’t technically inherited it when he was assassinated.

Combined, the first 44 presidents had around $2.99 billion in assets – in 2016 dollars. While that’s a lot, President-elect Donald Trump currently has a net worth of $3.0 billion, according to Bloomberg. (Still, he’s not wealthy enough to be ranked by its Billionaire list, which is limited to the 500 richest individuals.)

Of course, there’s not great visibility to Trump’s actual net worth—he could have much more or less. While Trump himself claims to have $10 billion, many people have called into question whether he’s a billionaire at all, given his lack of financial transparency and refusal to release his tax returns.

If Bloomberg’s numbers are right—and they are as legit, if not more, than anyone else’s—this makes Trump about $10 million richer than every Commander in Chief who came before him, combined.

Trump, Pence meeting in New York on Cabinet picks

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence embrace at their election night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump planned to meet with Vice President-elect Mike Pence in New York on Tuesday to discuss key appointments as moderate Republican Mike Rogers was jettisoned from the transition team.

The departure of Rogers, a former congressman who was chairman of the House of Representatives intelligence committee, indicated Trump may be leaning away from some establishment figures as Pence takes over the transition team.

"Our work will provide a strong foundation for the new transition team leadership as they move into the post-election phase, which naturally is incorporating the campaign team in New York who drove President-elect Trump to an incredible victory last Tuesday," Rogers said in a statement.

Rogers, who worked on the transition team led by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for six months, said he would continue to advise Trump. Pence took over the transition leadership from Christie last week.

Trump and Pence will be "reviewing a number of names for key jobs" during the meeting at Trump Tower in New York as lists for the leadership positions begin to narrow, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said.

"If the vice president-elect is getting together with the president-elect to discuss names, then I would say that it's serious, obviously," he said on Monday.

Trump, a businessman who has never held public office, and the Pence-led transition team are working on picking members of his Cabinet and the heads of federal agencies.

Tuesday's meeting comes as former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a longtime Trump friend and supporter, emerged as a leading candidate to be U.S. secretary of state.

"Well, that's possible," Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway teased on Fox News on Tuesday, when asked about the Giuliani report.

John Bolton, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush, was also under consideration for the high-profile job, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Monday.

Giuliani became one of Trump's closest advisers during the campaign, functioning as a vocal defender on cable news programs and introducing him at many rallies. Giuliani has also been mentioned as a possible attorney general or homeland security secretary.

Trump's choice of Republican Party insider Reince Priebus to be White House chief of staff was heralded as an indication he wants to work with members of Congress, where a number of Republicans had opposed his candidacy.

However, Trump's appointment of Steve Bannon as chief strategist was roundly criticized by members of both parties who denounced the former Breitbart News chief as having made the website a forum for the "alt-right," a confederation of neo-Nazis, white supremacists and anti-Semites.

Bannon has been calling Republicans in Congress to build relationships with lawmakers after years of thumbing his nose at establishment figures in the party, according to website Politico.

People who received the calls, which included rank-and-file members as well as leaders, said the main message was that the Trump administration expects a very close relationship with Capitol Hill Republicans, Politico reported.

(Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

13 amazing facts you never knew about coffee

Whether you’re a flat white, cappuccino or skinny latte kind of person, one thing’s for certain: Caffeine is your groove.

But besides giving you a handy (read: absolutely essential) boost in the mornings, there are many more amazing things every coffee lover should know about the drink.

Drinking one or two cups of coffee a day could make you 20% less likely to prematurely die from heart damage

Coffee actually stays warmer if you add cream to it

It could reduce your risk of dementia by a third 

If you’re addicted to coffee, it could be down to your genes, according to science 

For the best taste, coffee should be brewed at around 90°C to 96°C while instant coffee should use water that’s 80°C to 85°C

Studies have found that moderate coffee intake can help boost memory and cognitive performance 

According to legend, coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder who noticed that after eating the berries from a certain tree, his goats became so energetic they couldn’t sleep

For more flavoursome coffee, store your coffee beans in the fridge - because science

The best time of day to drink coffee isn’t first thing in the morning, but between 9:30am and 11:30am or 1:30pm and 5pm so it matches our body’s natural energy boosts and dips 

Coffee is the world’s second most valuable traded commodity, according to Global Exchange 

Coffee is technically a fruit

You can overdose on coffee, but it’d take 100 cups 

It takes 42 coffee beans to make an espresso

Three-minute dinner ideas for when you can’t be bothered to spend time cooking

We all know the feeling. It’s been a long day, you’re hungry, you don’t want to spend hours cooking. So we’ve found some easy dinners you can whip up in just three minutes.

Gnocchi & pesto

Pop the gnocchi into boiling water for three minutes. While it’s in, half some cherry tomatoes. Drain the gnocchi and mix with pesto, the tomatoes and some fresh basil. Done. [Photo: Instagram/Jamie Mat Horgan]

Salad with grilled polenta and smoked mackerel

Use pre-prepared polenta to speed this up. Slice and griddle and serve with salad and smoked mackerel, adding a tomato pesto dressing. [Photo: Pinterest/Tom Cheesewright]

Courgetti with tomato, chilli and garlic prawns

Courgetti’s so popular you can buy it pre-made these days. So how about whipping up a healthy treat of tiger prawns and tomatoes with garlic and chilli on a bed of the quicker-cooking spaghetti alternative. [Picture: Instagram/charlottesfitnessdiaryx]

Frittata

An easy, healthy dinner, you can chuck pretty much anything you like into a frittata, from spinach and tomatoes to spring veg, cheese and ham. An easy one to throw together in three minutes. [Picture: Getty]

Tuna Melt

This guy sums it up – Tuna Melts are SIMPLE. [Picture: Instagram/Alvaro AKA Pintastik]

Hot dogs

If you get your water boiling first, you can just about get your hotdog simmered in three minutes (okay, you might need a tiny weeny extra minute). Chuck in a roll, add mustard, salad, chillies – whatever you want – and Bob’s your uncle. [Picture: Getty]

Parma ham-wrapped asparagus with eggs

Make asparagus a bit more substantial by wrapping in parma ham, and serve up with boiled or poached eggs to make a delicate, but filling dinner made in minutes. [Picture: Instagram/Irena Macri]

Healthy pancakes

Pancakes for dinner? Why not. Try this healthy version made from one egg, one banana, chia and flaxseed with peanut butter drizzle and Greek yoghurt. Mash the banana and mix with the egg, then add a chia and flaxseed mix or something like whey protein powder. ‘Splodge’ tablespoons of mixture into the pan and cook on each side for 30 seconds or so. Top with Greek yoghurt and berries or a homemade glaze. [Picture: Lauren Turner]

Stir fry

Ken Hom showed us years ago how easy stir frying is, and nothing’s changed. Stick with something like beansprouts to keep the cooking time down, and you could always chuck in some cooked chicken. You won’t need long and you’ll have a tasty oriental dinner. [Picture: Instagram/Ash AKA ashtransformation]

Scrambled eggs on toast

Scrambled eggs are often eaten for brekkie, but how about pimping them up for dinner. You can add all sorts of things to make them a cut above your average breakfast fish, like grating parmesan and truffle on top. [Picture: Getty]

Instant noodles

Another student food, but it’s amazing what you can do with instant noodles to give yourself a decent dinner. Take this gorgeous bowl of goodness – the addition of cooked chicken, coriander and sriracha makes it look as good as any meal that took much longer. [Picture: Instagram/theramenrater]

Beans on toast

Come on, it’s a classic. And so easy. Whether you do the beans on a hob or in the microwave, you’re guaranteed to have it ready in three minutes – probably with a few seconds spare to chuck on some herbs or grated cheese. [Picture: Getty]

Bubble and squeak

Your leftovers will already be ready. It’s just a case of mashing them together into cakes and frying them. You can poach an egg at the same time if you like and you’ll still have dinner in just a few minutes. [Picture: Instagram/chefgary007]

Couscous salad

You can just about get your couscous done in a few minutes. And then it’s just a case of adding some colourful additions to your warm salad, whether it’s pre-soaked chickpeas, tomato, green leaves, beetroot, or much more. Serve it quickly and you’ll have it nice and warm. [Picture: Instagram/Helen Lee AKA sydneymum_helen]

Cheese toastie

It’s been feeding students for years and can be created in minutes by even the most amateur of chefs. The cheese toastie can be served simple or pimped up however you see fit – add beans, tuna, chilli or anything you fancy and you’ll have an easy, filling, comforting dinner. [Picture: Instagram/Jordan AKA jpi_85]

The great milk debate: your go-to guide to alternative milks

Alternative milks are on trend right now

Soya, almond, rice. If your milk of choice (or in some cases necessity) isn’t dairy-free then you’re not part of the white stuff in-crowd.

Recent stats reveal that one in five households are now choosing plant and soy based milks over their dairy counterparts.

But with dozens of trendy new options on the milk market, including hemp, cashew and even oat milk, it’s difficult to know which alternative milk to plump for.

Lucky for you we’ve compiled our cheat sheet to non-moo milk so everyone will be able to tell their cashew from their coconut.

Hemp milk:

Made from a blend of hemp seeds and water, hemp milk is a vegan product with a creamy texture and nutty taste. One of the primary benefits of hemp milk is that it has a higher omega-3 content compared to milk made from most other nuts and seeds. “Omega-3 fats can be beneficial for our heart, cholesterol levels and our skin,” says Shona Wilkinson, Nutritonist at Superfooduk.com. “Hemp seeds are also a great source of magnesium – a mineral that has many vital roles in our body, including making energy from our food, and supporting our bones.” Other benefits include it being naturally higher in protein, easy to digest and can strengthen your immune system.

Cashew milk:

Great as a bar snack, even better on your breakfast cereal! “Cashew nuts are a good source of several minerals,” reveals Nutritionist, Cassandra Barns. “These include copper, which helps maintain our hair pigmentation (i.e. helps to stop it going grey) and manganese, which has antioxidant activity. Cashew milk can be naturally creamier than other types of nut or seed milk, which can make it a nicer replacement for normal milk.”

But try to avoid the sweetened versions if you’re drinking a lot of it, as the sugar can quickly add up. “Also, bear in mind that relative to normal milk they contain only a small amount of protein and calcium (unless they’re fortified with calcium) so can’t be counted as a good source of these nutrients,” adds Shona Wilkinson.

What’s your white stuff preference?

Almond milk:

Similar in many ways to hemp and cashew milk, Almond milk is a great choice if you’re counting the calories. “Unsweetened almond milk is generally low in calories (as little as 14 calories per 100ml, compared to around 48 cals in normal semi-skimmed milk) and very low in carbohydrates, so can be a good choice for dieters,” says Barns. “Almonds are a good source of minerals too, including magnesium, and are also a better source of calcium than many other nuts and seeds. They’re also one of the best natural sources of biotin, a vitamin that we need for healthy skin and hair.

“This milk is made from a nut rather than a bean or grain. Has more protein than either rice or oat milk so it is a better choice if you want to lose weight. Unfortunately, many of the almond milks are not as healthy as they could be because of added sugar and other ‘nasties’,” adds Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading Nutritionist and author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar (Amazon).

Not particularly creamy, this alternative milk isn’t to everyone’s taste, but some like the mild almond flavour that comes through.

Rice milk:

Made from mille rice with water and sunflower oil, rice milk is a mixed-bag health-wise. “Even the unsweetened versions are much higher in carbohydrates and sugars than most other milk alternatives,” explains Cassandra Barns. “They contain up to 11 grams of carbs per 100ml, versus less than 2 grams in unsweetened nut milks. This can be fine if you’ve just been working out – or running a marathon! – but is not ideal for most people as a ‘staple’ in their diet. As rice milks are often made with refined white rice, they can be a poorer source of vitamins and minerals than some other milk alternatives.”

Good if you’re allergy prone, not so good if you’re carb-conscious. “A good choice if you are allergic to soya. However, it has more watery and thinner consistency than soya milk and it’s high in carbohydrates as it is made from a grain,” adds Marilyn.

Oat milk:

“As it’s made from a grain, oat milk is higher in carbohydrates than nut milks, but not as high as rice milk,” explains Wilkinson. “One of the specific benefits of oats – and oat milk – is that they contain a type of fibre called beta glucan, which has been found to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. It has a naturally creamy consistency and a naturally sweet taste without the need for added sugar or other additives. Like almonds, oats are high in biotin – for healthy skin and hair – and also manganese, which is a vital antioxidant mineral.”

It’s a great choice if you want to up your calcium quota too. “Oat milk contains 10 minerals and 15 vitamins – one glass of oat milk contains more calcium than a glass of cow’s milk. In addition, it contains no saturated fat. However, some oat milks can be sweetened with sugar or have other ‘nasties’ added so read the label,” Dr Glenville adds.

Coconut or cashew nut?

Soya milk:

Some experts don’t recommend soya milk as a staple alternative to normal milk. “Soya can have health benefits – it contains good levels of protein, fibre, lecithin (that can help us to digest fats), some B vitamins and vitamin E,” advises Cassandra Barns. “However, soya in high amounts can disrupt hormone levels in some individuals, due to its content of phytoestrogens (plant compounds similar to oestrogen). It has even been found to affect fertility in both men and women.”

Barns says that soya in large quantities can also have a ‘goitrogenic’ effect, which means it can affect the activity of the thyroid gland, which controls our metabolism. “Neither of these are likely to be an issue if you’re just having the odd bit of soya milk in a cup of tea, but can be a problem for some people if they’re getting through several cartons of soya milk a week, for example.”

And Dr Glenville has another word of warning for soya milk chuggers. “If not organic, soya milk could be genetically modified. It can also be sweetened with sugar or be made from soya isolate which is a refined product.”

Coconut milk:

Though coconut water is made from the juice of the coconut, the milk comes from the flesh – which is then mixed with rice and water. “Coconut is rich in a beneficial type of fats called medium-chain fatty acids,” says Cassandra Barns. “These fats are more easily converted to energy in our body compared to other fats, and also have natural anti-bacterial properties. The types of coconut milk found in cartons (which are generally diluted versions of ‘real’ coconut milk) are also fairly low in carbohydrates and calories, making them similar to nut milks,” she adds.

Plus if you’re a coconut fiend, like us, you’ll go mad for the coco-nutty flavour. “Although coconut milk contains a high amount of saturated fat, research in animals has shown that it can actually decrease total cholesterol and LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol and increase HDL (‘good’ cholesterol),” adds Dr Glenville of the coconut milk benefits.

Father-to-be Conor McGregor has hinted at retirement and believes he deserves a greater share of UFC profits after defeating Eddie Alvarez in New York on Saturday.

The Irishman, who went into the bout as featherweight champion, became the first fighter to simultaneously hold belts in two weight divisions when he overcame lightweight title holder Alvarez by knockout in the second round of the showpiece clash at UFC 205.

The sport was sold for $4billion in July and McGregor, UFC's most popular figure, is seeking to capitalise on his commercial significance.

"They've got to come talk to me now, because no one has come and talked to me since the sale has happened," he said at a media conference, during which he revealed he is set to become a father in 2017.

"As a business man … I've earned something. 

"Where's my equity? If I'm the one that is bringing this [success] ... they've got to come talk to me now, that's all I know. 

"I've got both belts, a chunk of money, a family on the way. You want me to stick around and keep doing what I'm doing, let's talk. But I want ownership now. I want what I deserve and what I've earned.

"There's not a f****** scratch on me. I've not been wobbled. But I mean for a 28-year-old at the top of the game, all the belts, all the money, all the numbers, in a game like this there is not a f****** thing wrong with me. I can keep going all day. 

"I'm aware of my worth and now I've got a family. Now I've got a kid on the way. So I'm coming for mine now if you want me back."

UFC president Dana White hailed McGregor's achievements in the octagon but was reluctant to discuss the Irishman's ambition to join him behind the scenes of the commercial juggernaut. 

"I'm going to let him enjoy this night and we'll talk business later," White said.

McGregor meanwhile, perhaps in a gambit to try and gain leverage over UFC's organisers, hinted his impending fatherhood may prompt him to reconsider his future in the sport.

"It's messing with my head because I don't even want to bring a child into this," he said.

"I don't want any celebrity type s***. I don't want my family to be like that. So that is kind of a little thing in the back of my head. 

"I'm going to just have this baby and take a little time and see what way I feel after that."

PHOTOS: Widespread damage from massive New Zealand quake

New Zealand’s South Island was hit by a 7.5-magnitude quake shook the island after midnight on Monday (14 November).

Two people have been reported killed and hundreds of aftershocks have been experienced since the first major tremblor.

The powerful earthquake struck the near the coastal area Kaikoura, about 93km north-east of the city of Christchurch. Prime Minister John Key has predicted billions in damage from the disaster.

Here are some pictures of the damage seen across the country.