US-based think tank says the Philippine elections of May 9, 2016, marked a “significant improvement” over previous ones, echoing earlier statements from poll watchdogs and the Commission on Elections itself. The Carter Center, however, noted persistent problems such as vote-buying and election-related violence.

Read more on Rappler.

Iraqi forces hunted down holdout jihadists in Fallujah Saturday, June 18, after retaking the city center and trained their sights on Mosul, the Islamic State’s (ISIS) last remaining major hub in the country.

While not fully under government control yet, Fallujah is the latest in a string of battlefield losses for ISIS, which has seen its two-year-old “caliphate” shrink significantly in recent months.

Agence France-Presse reports from Fallujah.

Under the federal government setup proposed by former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr, the seats of power of the major branches of government should be dispersed throughout the country instead of being concentrated only in Luzon.

He proposed that the executive department, legislative branch, and the judiciary should have their main offices dispersed across the 3 main island groups of the Philippines.

Read more on Rappler.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has issued an oratio imperata or obligatory prayer for government officials to be recited by Catholics before the new leaders assume office on June 30.

This oratio imperata comes as the Philippines prepares to usher in a new set of leaders on June 30. Leading the new set of public officials is President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Read more on Rappler.

The so-called “digital pivot” of the Philippines’ largest phone carrier PLDT, Incorporated is spilling over into Japan, as it rushes to serve a burgeoning overseas market for significant mobile content.

PLDT Global president and CEO Alejandro Caeg said it is partnering with Japan’s biggest telecommunications company, NTT Communications, to provide about 240,000 Filipinos in Japan a service that bundles mobile Internet with free calls and remittance services.

Rappler reports from Japan.

Cardinal Tagle issues ‘oratio imperata’ for gov’t officials

Malacañang on Saturday, June 18, urged Metro Manila residents to participate in the metro-wide earthquake drill happening on June 22, spearheaded by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

In a dzrRB interview on Saturday, June 18, Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the goal of the earthquake drill is to cultivate a culture of disaster preparedness in a country prone to different geological hazards.

Read more on Rappler.

Before entering the Tuloy foundation, Edmar Sumera and Benedict Sabularse never thought of dancing ballet before – they were street kids, whose families were struggling to put them through school.

Today, Edmar, 15, and Benedict, 16, have the opportunity to be scholars for the Royal Ballet School’s summer program in London this 2016. The two are joining the Royal Ballet School’s Covent Garden classes, a two-week non-residential course for 15 to 18 years olds in July.

Read this inspiring story on Rappler.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to force a seventh and deciding contest for all the marbles against the Golden State Warriors. With one game to determine which team wins it all, this much is clear: all previous statistics go out the window. 48 minutes – that’s all that matters now.

Before the biggest game of the season takes place in two days, let’s look back at the 5 greatest and most unforgettable Game 7s in NBA Finals history.

Read more on Rappler Sports.

Video game trailers and videos abound whenever the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) surfaces, with console makers and game developers trying to dazzle and increase the hype for their upcoming titles.

We’ve watched a ton of game trailers and E3-related videos released on YouTube during this time, and we’ve decided to choose 5 of our favorites. What makes these our favorites?

Watch and read on Rappler.

US entertainment giant Disney opens its newest theme park in Shanghai on Thursday, June 16, a massive $5.5 billion project aimed squarely at the mainland Chinese audience.

“This is by far the most creatively ambitious and technologically advanced destination that we have ever built,” said Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger.

Here’s what you visitors can expect at the newly opened theme park.