Greeks go to the polls in vote that threatens to shake world economy
By msnbc.com staff and news services
As polls opened on Sunday in a Greek vote, the outcome of which could decide whether the heavily indebted country remains in the euro zone, the World Bank warned that the election of an anti-austerity government could spark a global economic crisis.
“Europe may be able to muddle through but the risk is rising. There could be a Lehmans moment if things are not properly handled,” the outgoing head of the World Bank Robert Zoellick told Britain’s Observer newspaper.
Aung San Suu Kyi: A lessonhttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/aung-san-suu-kyi-a-lesson-in-the-value-of-kindness-7856643.html in the value of kindness
After waiting 21 years to make this speech, the Burmese politician showed she walks in the footsteps of Gandhi and Luther King
Sunday 17 June 2012
Speaking to a packed, hushed hall in Oslo yesterday, Aung San Suu Kyi reminded us why her name is so often spoken in the same breath as Mahatma Gandhi’s and Martin Luther King’s. In a speech by turns personal and universal she spelled out her philosophy of non-violent political change, rooted in her Buddhist faith: how the value of kindness – “there can never be enough kindness in the world,” she said – can conquer suffering and isolation.
She explained how the Nobel Prize Committee’s decision to award her the coveted peace prize 21 years ago, when she had already endured more than two years of house arrest, made her feel real again
Egypt’s Copts back Shafiq as anti-Islamist bulwark
By AFP
As Egyptians voted for a new president on Saturday, many of the country’s Coptic Christians said they were backing Ahmed Shafiq, a former prime minister they believe can stem a rising Islamist tide.
In the working-class Cairo neighbourhood of Shobra, home to a large Christian community, 30-year-old Makram was proud to declare his support for Shafiq, the last premier to serve under ousted president Hosni Mubarak.
“We are backing the one who can ensure a measure of security for our community and the country,” the government employee said.
Rio+20 deal weakens on energy and water pledges
Governments are set to weaken pledges on boosting access to water and energy after a new draft negotiating text was issued at the Rio+20 meeting.
By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News, Rio de Janeiro
The text was issued by the Brazilian host government after it assumed leadership of the talks from the UN.
It affirms that nations must not slide back on prior pledges and names ending poverty as the “greatest challenge”.
Brazil wants the text signed off before 130 heads of government and other ministers arrive on Wednesday.
The new text was not officially distributed to journalists, despite pledges that the meeting here was “accessible”.
Saudi Arabian women risk arrest as they defy ban on driving
Women in Saudi Arabia have been arrested and jailed for defying a ban on driving. Now they want men to join them in the passenger seat as they get behind the wheel
In the past year, they have lost jobs, friends, social standing, reputations and they have been imprisoned, shunned and – in a few cases – even received death threats.
But women in Saudi Arabia were this weekend preparing once again to risk arrest and even flogging to drive cars in defiance of the country’s ban.
It was on 17 June last year that about 100 women took part in the first demonstration organised by underground civil disobedience campaigns Women2Drive and I Will Drive My Own Car.
New G.O.P. Help From Casino Mogul
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: June 16, 2012Sheldon Adelson, a wealthy casino owner, is committing to give at least an additional $10 million to conservative groups expected to play a major role in this year’s presidential and Congressional elections, cementing his growing role as one of the country’s leading political financiers.
Mr. Adelson – who has already donated more than $30 million this year to “super PACs” backing Newt Gingrich, who dropped out of the presidential race last month, and Mitt Romney, who is now the Republicans’ likely nominee – is quickly expanding his giving to a variety of Republican-leaning organizations, including tax-exempt issue advocacy groups that are expected to spend most of the outside money in this year’s campaigns
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