Dear Rappler readers,

In a spectacular closing ceremony, Rio passes the Olympic flame to Tokyo, host of the 2020 games. Peace talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines in Oslo, Norway, starts today. Meanwhile, as the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs continues, the President’s word war with human rights representatives of the United Nations also rages on. In a news briefing held at dawn, on Sunday, the President challenged UN experts to a debate and even contemplated “leaving” the world body claiming the latter has not done anything for the Philippines. Finally, economists remain upbeat on Philippine prospects for 2016, with forecasts saying the country is on track to hit the government’s target of 6% to 7% growth.

#WarOnDrugs: Is President Duterte serious about UN exit?

Is the Philippines seriously considering leaving the United Nations due to differences in approach with respect to the illegal drug trade or was President Rodrigo Duterte just joking when he talked about it during his early morning press conference on Sunday? Palace Communications Secretary Martin Andanar was asked about this in an interview on state-run Radyo ng Bayan. His answer: he will ask. 

Tugade: DOTr ‘will comply’ with Duterte’s call to remove presidential appointees

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said his department will comply with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to remove presidential appointees once the president issues a formal directive. The president on Sunday said he will declare over a thousand positions vacant today given continued prevalence of corruption in government, particularly in regulatory agencies like the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Oslo peace talks begins, reunite Joma Sison and Tiamzons after 30 years

Peace talks between the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines starts today, Monday, August 22. Is a settlement finally on the horizon for one of the world’s longest running insurgencies?

PH on track to hit target 6% to 7% target growth

It’s supposed to be a tricky year given the elections, but the country’s economy has so far surpassed all but the most wide-eyed expectations. Economists say the Philippines is on track to hit the government’s target of 6% to 7% growth for the full year.

Rio Olympics close. Next stop: Tokyo

As the Rio Olympics drew to a spectacular close, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a comical cameo as Nintendo video game character Super Mario. Tokyo is set to host the 2020 Olympic games.  

Singapore PM faints in televised speech

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong caused a scare when he fainted briefly while delivering a long televised speech on Sunday, August 21. He resumed speaking after resting.

Iraq hangs 36 perpetrators of 2014 Speicher massacre

Iraq on Sunday, August 21, hanged 36 men convicted over the 2014 massacre by Sunni jihadists and allied militants of up to 1,700 military recruits. The Speicher massacre is considered one of ISIS’ worst crimes since it took over large parts of the country in 2014.

Watch our live coverage of the Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings, 22 August 2016.  

 Also watch the Rappler Talk with Robin Padilla, scheduled later today, Monday, August 22: