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2021 Toyota 86: The New Generation

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When released back in 2012, Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ (the same cars except for the badge) immediately draw attention from sports car lovers. The naturally-aspirated boxer engine placed in front of the car and transferring power to the rear wheels was somewhat an unexpected combination, but it ensured the ideal 50/50 weight distribution between front and rear axles. As of late, however, the car was shown a side in favor of the new Supra.

It was the most talked about topic in car magazines and TV shows this past year. The new Supra has generated a huge amount of hype, which culminated with rumors that Toyota will discontinue the production of 86. Fortunately, the rumors proved to be unfounded after Toyota and Subaru denied them and confirmed that they are working on the new generation. We feel that the 2021 Toyota 86 will be even bigger news from the Japanese manufacturer and their South Korean partner.

The lack of any photo evidence of the new model forced us to turn to our trusted crystal ball to try and discern what it may look like when it finally arrives. Please note that everything that follows is just an educated guess and once the real photos are released, we will publish them.

Img Source: twowheeldrive.club

The designers of Supra went with a mild, neutral look, especially of the front part, which has drawn some mixed reviews. The new GT86 will probably go the other way, creating a much bolder design that will cause some controversy among the critics.

Perhaps the most obvious choice for the inspiration may be original AE86, which would give new GT86 lifted rear and sharp nose lines, with dramatic and sharp shoulder shapes.

Img Source: gripshiftslide.com

The elevated back could provide enough room for 2+2 coupe concept, something the original 86 possessed. The front will be heavily modified, together with new triple LED headlamps and a full LED light bar in the back.

The cabin will be brought up to speed and modernized to include all new gizmos that have been created in the past six years since the release of the first model. The new ergonomic design will more driver-oriented. The outdated infotainment system will be swapped with a new one, that will be based on a large touchscreen and will offer support for Apple CarPlay phone mirroring. The standard safety system will also be included, like pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection, reverse automatic braking, road sign assist, blind spot detection, lane tracing assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Img Source: autoevolution.com

One thing that vexed a lot of people in the original 86 was the lack of a turbocharged engine in the options. Even though the naturally aspirated boxer four performed great, delivering 197 horsepower to rear wheels, there was some clamor demanding turbocharged version as well.

As it happens, Subaru has developed a new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that could be an option, next to the standard 2.0 liter naturally aspired version. Subaru uses it in Subaru’s Ascent large SUV and the all-new Legacy, where it performs excellently, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Compared to the standard version, that would be a significant upgrade in performance.

Img Source: gunaxin.com

The reason why the original 86 didn’t have a turbocharged version is that the platform it was built on couldn’t handle it, according to the chief engineer of the 86 and Supra, Tetsuya Tada. The platform is being co-developed between Toyota and Subaru and hopefully, it will be able to take the strain of powerful turbocharged engine, like the BMW’s one Toyota is using for the new Supra.

The new GT86 will have a lot of competition. Its main rivals will be Ford’s 2.3-litre Ecoboost Mustang, Audi TT, Mazda MX5, Nissan 370Z, and even Toyota’s own Supra. The Supra version with 2.0-litre, JDM-only format sounds especially dangerous, but Toyota won’t be selling that version in North America., so at least GT86 will have one less competitor there.

Img Source:
motor1.com

Neither Toyota nor Subaru have announced a date for the release of the new 86 or BTZ but it sounds reasonable that we will get to see both cars somewhere in the late 2020 or early 2021. Until then, we are eagerly awaiting any news for either company about the look and specs of the new model.

Top 12 Technologically Advanced Countries of the World

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We can thank technology for the many amazing benefits we get to experience, from everyday things like staying in touch with our loved ones to those more extraordinary achievements, like traveling to space. Seeing as how every nation is different, it’s normal to have different needs, which is why every country has used technology in its own way to improve the life of its citizens. Some were more successful than others and therefore, in no particular order, here are some of the most technologically advanced countries.

The Netherlands

Are you aware that the Dutch are credited with a lot of things we take for granted? For example, the telescope and the microscope, as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, all originated in the Netherlands. They have taken their innovativeness to a whole new level with all sorts of medical and scientific instruments among other things. Moreover, the Netherlands is also considered to be the “new Silicon Valley” due to a huge number of booming tech hubs all over the country.

source: innovationorigins.com

Finland

While Nokia might be the first thing that comes to mind, this Scandinavian country has so much more to offer. Finland is definitely a pioneer in the field of mobile communication as well as bioscience and environmental science. One thing that makes the citizens of Finland very happy is the fact that they have one of the best healthcare systems in the world.

source: zora.fi

Germany

Germany being on this list is no surprise. You might be aware of the fact that their research and development efforts have contributed to nanotechnology and space travel. They are leaders in the field of medicine, engineering, infrastructure and military technology. The government supports various universities and organizations which focus on preparing new generations of scientists.

Canada

Many people tend to neglect Canada’s technological advancements, but the boom this country experienced in the past decade tells us that they are a force to be reckoned with. Almost 2% of the GDP goes to research and development, which presents an amazing opportunity for growth in all fields. Vancouver has become a great city for mobile tech startups, while Ontario and Montreal are thriving when it comes to tech and R&D.

source: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

India

India is full of skilled workers so it’s no wonder that it has become the center for all kinds of outsourcing work, from customer support to accounting. More and more companies are investing in India, including Microsoft and Apple, and this boom is expected to continue. Luckily, India is more than prepared to take on more work as its real estate sector is booming and providing more investment opportunities for all.

source: ruchirmodi.com

Japan

It is well-known that Japan is one of the giants in the technological field. Plenty of companies that are dominant on the world stage are from Japan, such as Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nintendo, Sony and Canon. In recent years, we have also started associating Japan with bullet trains, smart toilets and robotic technology, but this Asian country is unstoppable when it comes to making our lives much easier (and more fun).

source: japantimes.co.jp

Singapore

According to opencompanysingapore.com , Singapore has established itself as a major tech hotspot as many big companies from all over the world are opening their offices there. The IT industry is in full bloom and venture capitalists are constantly investing in new startups. Moreover, having the fastest fixed broadband speed in the world is certainly a huge plus.

South Korea

Another giant of technological advancements that comes from Asia is South Korea. This country is well-versed in all fields and has greatly contributed to making everyday activities much easier. For instance, they make everything from phones and computers through trains and planes to robots. South Korea also has incredible internet speed that is three times faster than that of the US. The biggest South Korean companies include Samsung, LG and Hyundai, which can all go toe to toe with their counterparts in the US or Europe.

source: pcworld.com

Russia

These space pioneers still have an interest in developing the best technologies for space exploration. Moreover, they are also famous for their advanced defense system with their inventive military equipment. Russia puts great emphasis on education and supports new generations as they are expected to continue the development of nuclear energy, medicine and different kinds of technology. And, of course, we cannot forget about their very talented hackers who have also appeared in the news in recent times.

The United States

Alongside Russia, the United States is also known for its space technology, which keeps improving. With companies such as SpaceX constantly developing, this field should be closely watched. Furthermore, the US is home to Silicon Valley which inspires up-and-coming software engineers to give this career a go. Many of today’s biggest tech companies started as a small startup in the Valley and plenty of new ones are launched every day. Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Google and Uber are just some of those that made it. These businesses keep reaching new heights and developing new products, whether it’s a variety of AI assistants or introducing AirPods.

source: spacex.com

China

When you think of China, what is the first thing that comes to mind? It probably isn’t space exploration. However, China is the first country to land a probe on the dark side of the moon. They also launched the Hongyun Project, where they sent a satellite into space in order to provide stable internet access to the rural regions of the country. Furthermore, they are utilizing solar power to the fullest by building solar expressways and floating solar power plants. And we cannot forget to mention the company that creates 3D-printed buildings!

Israel

Finally, another country that is amazing at space science – Israel. In addition to that, they have also developed quite an innovative defense industry and the first drone with real-time surveillance. The agriculture industry is another thing Israel can be proud of as they have managed to maximize the crop’s growth in a naturally arid area of the world.

source: agfundernews.com

Plenty of other countries are achieving outstanding results as well. For example, France is even offering incentives to people to move there and open their own tech startups. With all the recent developments, our future is looking quite interesting.

US Secretary of State Visits North Korea Prior Trump-Kim Meeting

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Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, is paying an unexpected visit to North Korea. It is speculated that the reason behind his surprising visit is three Americans jailed in NK. Pompeo is looking to bring them home.

His visit will prepare the turf for the impending meeting between the president of the United States Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In addition to rescuing American civilians, Pompeo is expected to finalize the details of the meeting between Trump and Kim. The subject of the talks between two presidents will be denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, but at the moment the release of three prisoners is the priority.

During a press conference in South Korea, officials of this country stated that the release of prisoners will happen as a sign of goodwill from NK and that it’s the right thing to do.

Talking to reporters before his visit to NK, Pompeo said: “We’ve been asking for the release of these detainees for 17 months.”

Source: www.bbc.com

One of the detainees was imprisoned since 2015 while the other two joined him last year. The world convicted the imprisonment of these men as it breaks the human rights. Through its history, North Korea often used foreign prisoners as leverage in diplomatic talks.

Otto Warmbier is the last American who was released by NK after he was imprisoned for stealing propaganda poster from a hotel. He died shortly after his release because of brain damage that couldn’t be explained. The cause of his death was never fully uncovered.

Mr. Pompeo is visiting Pyongyang second time after it was announced that Trump and Kim would meet. The relations between two countries improved in recent months after the two nations didn’t have diplomatic contacts in more than 15 years.

Source: www.bbc.com

When President Trump announced the meeting between him and Kim world public was in shock because this will be the first time that presidents of two countries are meeting head to head.

Talking about the upcoming talks with Kim, POTUS said: “We think relationships are building with North Korea. We have our meeting set. The location is picked. The time and date, everything is picked. We will see how it all works out. Maybe it won’t. But it can be a great thing for North Korea, South Korea, and the entire world.”

Prior to meeting with Trump, Kim Jong Un also visited China and had talks with President Xi Jinping. This is their second meeting in less than six weeks. Two men met in Dalian and were pictured walking along the shore together.

Source: www.bbc.com

Talking about denuclearization of Korea’s, Kim said that he’s hoping that it’s going to be “phased and synchronized.”

One of the questions that will arise during the meeting between Trump and Kim will be the continuous test of ballistic missiles by NK which threatened Japan. Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan, said that he is ready to normalize relations with Pyongyang if they decide to denuclearize and stop ballistic missiles test. Next move is on North Korea and Kim Jong Un.

Source: www.bbc.com

Trump’s plans for troop reduction in Korea

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As the summit with Kim Jong Un approaches, President Trump has asked for information on how to reduce the number of US military personnel currently stationed in Korea, according to the New York Times.

Trump has tried that once before, in January last year, but gave up on the idea after a heated argument with his chief of staff.

Several sources, including National security adviser John Bolton, have denied Times’ report, calling it “utter nonsense.” Yet, after the historic meeting between the leaders of North and South Korea last month and the prospects of signing a permanent peace deal, it is hard to see why US troops would remain on the peninsula, at least in numbers they are present today.

Even South Korea has admitted that in case of an official peace that would finally end the Korean War, there would have to be a reduction.

The North Korean side has been silent on the notion. Traditionally, Pyongyang has insisted on US army complete withdrawal from the peninsula before even entertaining the notion of denuclearization, but such demands were suspiciously absent from the Panmunjom Declaration, signed after the historic meeting between Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae-in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwbiP7UcH-4

North Korea currently has approximately 1,2 million troops under arms, more than 400 warplanes, and 3,500 tanks. Most of its equipment and armament is hopelessly obsolete and after years of sanctions, probably not very functional. The US, on the other hand, has 28,000 troops in South Korea. Their mission is to “deter aggression and if necessary, defend the Republic of Korea to maintain stability in Northeast Asia.” This huge number of troops has caused Mr. Trump to complain about the cost, often stating that South Korea shouldn’t be getting a free ride, despite the fact that most of the expenses were footed by the Seoul government. US Army Gen. Vincent Brooks even went on record to say that it is cheaper to station troops in Korea than it is in the United States.

The issue that has caused some concern is the deployment of US THAAD missile defense system. Critics say that the system isn’t designed to defend South Korea from Pyongyang’s missile, but its sole purpose is to decrease Chinese military power. Still, the system remains, despite strong protests from Beijing.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Trump Orders Pentagon to Consider Reducing U.S. Army Presence in South Korea

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According to an order that President Donald Trump issued to Pentagon, they will start the preparation to extract American troops from South Korea. This order was given only a few weeks before the leader of the United States meets with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un.

This action has nothing to do with the meeting of two presidents. But if the negotiations between Trump and Kim go in the right direction, the need for 28,500 US soldiers on the South Korean soil will diminish.

The reason why POTUS wants to pull the troops from the south part of the peninsula is that the US has no benefits of having an army stationed there; that they spend more time protecting Japan than US interests; and that despite their presence there, North Korea managed to develop a nuclear arsenal.

This decision comes at the time when America and South Korea are negotiating on the subject of sharing the cost of US military presence in the SK. The talks are filled with tension as the expiration date of the current deal approaches. At the moment South Korea pays half of the cost which amasses up to $800 million a year. Trump’s administration demands that South Korea starts paying full price for US presence in their country.

Source: foreignpolicy.com

The Pentagon and White House officials are worried that if the United States lower the number of their troops in South Korea, they could cause frictions between them and Seoul. They are also concerned about the Japanese reaction as they are also another country threatened by North Korean nuclear potential.

At the moment we can’t tell how much of the troops will be withdrawn as it is highly unlikely that they will remove all of the 28,500 military personnel. Leaving South Korea entirely would be unwise regardless of the fact that current negotiations with NK are going smoothly.

Donald Trump wants to denuclearize North Korea, and officials in South are worried that he could offer Kim troops withdrawal as the part of the deal. Jim Mattis, the Defense Secretary, stated that the future of US military presence in the SK is on the table: “That’s part of the issues that we’ll be discussing in negotiations with our allies first, and of course with North Korea. For right now, we just have to go along with the process, have the negotiations and not try to make preconditions or presumptions about how it’s going to go.”

Source: www.si.com

The one who would benefit from the troop withdrawal the most is Donald Trump according to Victor D. Cha, a Korea scholar at Georgetown University. He bases his opinion on the fact that this move would save money for the US and it would be a valuable chip on the table with Kim. But what about its effect on South Korea? Mr. Cha said: “But from the perspective of the U.S.-South Korea alliance it would represent a major retrenchment.”

South Korea Government doesn’t want US troops withdrawn even if they sign a peace treaty with North Korea. On the other hand, if they do sign it, how would they justify US presence anymore? Talking about his subject Moon Chung-in, an adviser to the president said: “What will happen to U.S. forces in South Korea if a peace treaty is signed? It will be difficult to justify their continuing presence.”

After a meeting between North and South Korean presidents, Kim declared that he would stop insisting on the removal of the US troops as he wants focus turned to the economic matters of his country. But this no longer interests Donald Trump, as his goal is to reduce America’s spending. Since US presence started in SK, the nation has developed itself both economically and militarily. Same goes for Japan. Trump believes that these two countries should take care of their business by themselves as the US has more pressing needs for both their money and their army.

With his own words: “We’ve got our soldiers sitting there watching missiles go up. You say to yourself, ‘Well, what are we getting out of this?’ ”

Apparently, President Trump has made up his mind.

Source: nytimes.com

Donald Trump Should Win Nobel Prize According To Moon

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Donald Trump’s effort to end hostilities between two Korea’s should be rewarded with a Nobel Prize according to South Korean president Moon Jae-In. Trump has been instrumental in trying to persuade North Korea to denuclearize.

His efforts to end NK nuclear program didn’t go unnoticed in the south part of the peninsula. The Chief of State in South Korea said: “President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace.”

Moon made these statements during the meetings with senior secretaries. The media was briefed by Blue House officials.

The first inter-Korean summit in more than ten years was held on Friday. The SK president met with his NK counterpart Kim Jong Un, and both men have pledged to make “complete denuclearization” a Korea’s a reality. The President of The United States is currently gearing up for his summit with Kim Jong Un. This meeting should occur in next two or three weeks.

Source:CNN.com

According to reports coming from South Korea, the meeting between Trump and Kim was the main subject of the private conversation Moon had with Jong Un during their private walk on the border.

A few months ago while talking about the US president, Moon said: “Donald Trump deserves big credit for bringing about the inter-Korean talks. It could be a resulting work of the U.S.-led sanctions and pressure.”

Source: atlanticsentinel.com

Moon Jae-In received a message of congratulations from Lee Hee-ho, who is a widow of former chief of state Kim Dae-Jung, in which she stated that Moon is deserving of a Nobel Prize. The current South Korea president responded that Trump is the one who deserves it.

Dae-Jung is remembered as the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize winner for his efforts in starting peace talks between the two Korea’s. His meeting with NK president at the time Kim Jong II was the first of its kind prior to the one which happened on Friday.

The goal of a dialog between two Korea’s is to start making plans for economic cooperation which could begin after the sanctions to North Korea are lifted. The sanctions on NK were imposed after they refused to end their nuclear program and continued with testing of ballistic missiles.

Trump and Kim’s Deal Can be Good for the World

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US President Donald Trump will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, and we are not certain why this meeting is happening now. Yes, they will talk about denuclearization, but this could have happened a decade ago as well. Either way, as we are closing to what is going to be the historic summit, the political analysts are skeptic about the talks. Usually, two countries discuss the matters before the agreement is signed, but this time the future of North Korea and the United States lies in the hands of two men, both of which have questionable nature. In other words, anything can happen.

The two leaders cannot be trusted at all. Kim Jong-Un has a long history of lies and broken promises, and the same goes for Trump as he often tends to change his mind. And now, these two personas should meet and talk truthfully about the things that are of paramount importance. Neither has any reason to believe a word that rolls off the tongue of the other leader, so these talks are going to be interesting.

We have to pay respects to the young leader of North Korea. He is going to meet face-to-face with the American President, which is something neither his father Kim Jong II nor his grandfather Kim II Sung managed to do. Kim Jong-Un will finally be perceived as an equal member of the world stage, and he should be treated as such. With this in mind, Kim is entering the talks with a slight edge.

Source:newsweek.com

Since Trump has agreed to meet with Kim, he is expected to do something significant. He keeps complaining about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed with Teheran, and now he has a chance to create and shape the deal which will be more successful than that one. Bear in mind that North Korea already has nukes, which means that arranging an agreement which is beneficial to the United States will be a lot harder than it seems. Whatever happens, it is always good to see the two sides talking, and this is an improvement on the status quo. We are not expecting much from the first summit, but opening such talks is important not only for the sides involved in the meeting but for everyone in the world.

Will the agreement reduce the danger of nuclear war?

Source:voanews.com

Two indirect participants of the meeting will be China and South Korea. The goal is to prevent a new war on the Korean Peninsula and to see two sides striving to achieve that is much better than name calling. However, we need to acknowledge the fact that instead of reaching the deal, the talks can go the other way around and the tensions might increase. If Trump asks too much, the North Korean leader might refuse and offer fewer than he intended at first, which could force the US president to revisit the military option. We hope that this will not happen.

Will the agreement last?

For this deal to last, the two sides need to be satisfied. Otherwise, if the agreement favors one signatory, the other one will search for opportunities to either renegotiate the terms or evade the ones that are reached. Trump needs to be aware that Kim Jong-Un is not going to give up on the nuclear program and the already existent nuclear missiles lightly. They will probably ask for diplomatic recognition, the lifting of economic sanctions and for the US to withdraw its forces from South Korea. Perhaps Kim demands all three.

Both US and North Korea need to respect the terms, but to do so, America needs a formal treaty, duly ratified by the US Senate. North Korea will be sure that the US will do their part, but the same goes the other way around. The US needs confirmation that Kim will disband the nuclear weaponry and someone would have to oversee the process. If the deal is equal and not favoring any party, be sure that hawks in the US will call Trump a sellout.

The US in Asia

In a long-term, Trump needs to think more about his relationship with China and the position of the United States in these parts of Asia. Signing a deal at all costs is not an option, and the US needs to prevent China from becoming a dominant power. That would be a major blow for the US and its allies in the Pacific region. America has already left the Trans-Pacific Partnership which harmed them more than Trump thought it would, strengthening China’s position in the region. One more mistake and US would weaken significantly allowing China to grow.

Source: foreignpolicy.com

Trump and Kim Meeting Marks Tipping Point

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un announced that he is putting the nuclear tests to halt ahead of the meeting with US President Donald Trump, thus shocking the entire world. Even Trump’s biggest critics might have to acknowledge that its tactics work. His “speak loudly and wave a big stick” foreign policy is definitely something to be feared off because it is backed by the US military as the Syrian airstrikes confirm.

Can Kim Jong-Un be trusted? He announced the suspension of the nuclear program before, however, he did something which has given us the reason to hope for an agreement. Even though it went largely unnoticed in the media, he withdrew one of his requests, which is to remove the US troops from the Korean peninsula before the discussion takes place. In other words, the US military presence in South Korean may be separated from the denuclearization talks, which is a good thing. This is important for several reasons and the best possible outcome for America is too keep the troops in South Korea and maintain its strategic role in the region while they persuade North Koreans to give up on their nuclear program. But this is easier said than done.

Source:nationalreview.com

The way Trump approaches foreign policy and the way America treats other countries differs widely from his two predecessors – George W. Bush and Barack Obama. These talks could represent a revolution in America’s relations towards the rest of the world. Both Bush and Obama had similar ideas of what the US should do on the world stage. They agreed that America’s role is to lead the world to peace and prosperity through the process of building a coalition in Bush’s case, or via “strategic patience” and “leading from behind” in Obama’s case.

Woodrow Wilson had the idea that America should be the one that will make the world a safer place and introduce the democracy and freedom. Back then, America was combating communism, but after the 9/11 attacks, they have been in constant state of war against terror. Bush and Obama appeared to be the last two presidents who represented such ideas, but everything changes with Trump.

Instead of focusing on the entire world, Trump asked himself “How do I make America strong and influential again?” And this clarified the goal this country has in front of it. Trump is sharp towards its opponents and keeps threatening with military power as we have seen in Syria, which is a revolution itself. Such threats have brought the situation in North Korea to a tipping point, and everything can change at the summit.

America needs to be careful in the talks with North Korea because they have to watch China’s every move as well. China would be delighted if the US troops were to leave the Peninsula because that would give them access to control two Koreas. The US troops have guarded this perimeter since 1950, and it would be unthinkable for them to leave the area. No matter what happens with the deal between the United States and North Korea, the US troops need to remain on the peninsula at all costs. That way, America would be able to control Pyongyang and limit Beijing’s influence in the region.

Source:yournewswire.com

America also needs to install a ballistic-missile-defense shield which includes a system for using drones armed with hyperkinetic interceptor missiles which would facilitate the defense against Korea’s missile launches. Should the negotiations fail, this will be an important measure, and such system is having an increased number of supporters in Capitol Hill and Pentagon. Either way, Trump’s foreign policy revolution is happening. It may not be visible just yet, but the things are changing!

Source: nationalreview.com

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