The Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS or the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq) is still capable fo conducting and inspiring attacks across the globe, Central Intelligence Agency chief John Brennan warned lawmakers. Speaking before the US Senate Intelligence Committee amid renewed fears about terrorism after a shooting rampage in Florida killed 49 people, Brennan said that despite progress made against ISIS, efforts “have not reduced the group’s terrorism capability and global reach.” He said they are “probably” exploring ways of sneaking operatives into the West, including refugee flows, smuggling, and regular travel.

Read more about the ISIS threat on Rappler.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) retracted a statement that warned China’s activities in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) could “undermine peace, security and stability” in the area. The retraction was attributed to Chinese pressure. Malaysia earlier released the document that specified “land reclamation” as a source of tension but hours later, Malaysia withdrew it for “urgent amendments” without offering any reason. An ASEAN diplomat said China exerted pressure on countries to get them to withdraw their support.

Read more about how ASEAN crumbled on Rappler.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales affirmed the filing of criminal charges against ex-Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas for the failed Mamasapano operation that left more than 60 dead. In a statement on Thursday, June 16, Morales ordered the filing of cases with the anti-graft Sandiganbayan for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and usurpation of authority or official function. The motions for reconsideration filed by the two police officers “deserve scant consideration”, Morales said.

Read more about the Ombudsman’s order on Rappler.

Last month was the hottest May in modern history. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it was also the 13^th consecutive month that global temperature records have been shattered. The agency said the heat streak is the longest since records were kept in 1880. The powerful El Niño phenomenon, which warms equatorial waters in the Pacific, is only partly to blame. World Climate Research director David Carlson said, “Abnormal is the new normal.”

Read more about rising temperatures on Rappler.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is taking his oath on June 30 before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes. The magistrate and Duterte both went to San Beda College in Manila for law school and belonged to the same Lex Talionis fraternity also of San Beda. Reyes was appointed by incumbent President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

Read more about Justice Reyes on Rappler.

US President Barack Obama traveled on June 16 to Orlando, site of the worst mass shooting in US history, to meet loved ones devastated by gunman Omar Mateen who went on a shooting rampage June 12. The US leader also took the opportunity to demand that the Republican-controlled Congress pass gun control. Congress has maintained that passing any gun legislation would infringe on the constitutional rights of gun owners. Democrats on June 15 pressed Republicans to accept legislation that would bar those on watch lists from purchasing firearms. Votes are set for next week.

Read more about what Obama had to say about gun control on Rappler.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is “open” to having a cordial working relationship with Vice President-elect Leni Robredo. Incoming presidential spokesman Ernie Abella said in an interview with ANC Thursday, June 16, the president-elect is “flexible” and open to ideas. There are no plans yet for the two highest officials of the land to meet, but according to Abella, Duterte is open to having “a more than cordial” working relationship with Robredo. He could not elaborate on the nature of the relationship, however, given Duterte’s earlier pronouncement that he would not give Robredo a Cabinet post. Duterte said there was no compelling reason to accommodate Robredo in his Cabinet as they belonged to opposing parties.

Read more about Abella’s description of Duterte on Rappler.

The Commission on Elections has extended from June 8 to June 30 the filing of the Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCEs) by political parties and candidates who ran in the May 9 elections. The Comelec en banc voted 4-3 in favor of the extension. Commissioners Al Parreño, Rowena Guanzon, Arthur Lim and Sheriff Abas voted for it, while Chairman Andres Bautista and Commissioners Christian Robert Lim and Tito Luie Guia opposed the extension. The Liberal Party, which missed the supposedly “non-extendible” deadline, sought a 14-day extension. Bautista opposed the extension but voted to allow late filing with imposed fines.

Read more about the reason for the extension on Rappler.

Social media platforms are facing new challenges on preventing the spread of gruesome and horrific content online. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have been pushing their new live video features but have been struggling to find ways to keep out content that promotes violence. In France, for instance, the killer of a policeman and his wife posted on Facebook a live video of himself with the victim’s child, urging fellow jihadists to follow in his footsteps. Twitter had been used too to show a suicide in France and a rape in the US. Both platforms are seeking to strike a balance between freedom of expression and safety.

Read more about the free speech concerns on Rappler.

Ignacio de Loyola, a Filipino-produced historical film based on the life of St Ignatius de Loyola, was screened at the Vatican on June 14. It was the first Filipino film to do so. Produced by Jesuit Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, the film features Spanish actors including Andreas Muñoz, who played the lead role and attended the Vatican screening too. Pope Francis, himself a Jesuit, was unable to attend the screening. The film will be shown in Philippine cinemas on July 27.

Read more about the film on Rappler.