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ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Even though Greece's finance minister says a deal with European creditors is near, that's not the view of the head of the eurozone finance minister's group. He says there aren't any talks taking place with the Greek government, and that Greece has chosen an "extremely risky route" with this weekend's vote on whether to accept creditors' demands for additional budget cuts. The eurozone official says no matter how the vote turns out, Greece will be facing "tough decisions" -- and he says any Greek politician who says otherwise is "deceiving his population."
PARIS (AP) — Stock markets around the world have mostly drifted lower today ahead of the weekend referendum in Greece. Stocks in France, Germany and Britain were down by as much as one percent. Investors are awaiting the outcome of Sunday's vote on whether to accept more budget cuts in exchange for new bailout loans. European officials say a rejection could lead to Greece's exit from the euro. In China, meanwhile, stocks plunged despite government efforts to restore investor confidence.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Records show Ohio obtained an overseas import license in its search for execution drugs. And that's a move that runs counter to warnings from the Food and Drug Administration that importing such drugs is illegal. Documents obtained by The Associated Press through a records request show the state prisons agency cited "law enforcement purpose" in its application to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for the import license last year. No executions are scheduled in Ohio this year as the state tries to find supplies of drugs to put inmates to death.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's health director has delivered a Bible reading at a gay wedding. Rick Hodges was the official whose refusal to list a gay man as the surviving spouse on a death certificate led to last week's landmark Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriages. He tells the Northeast Ohio Media Group that he's been friends with one of the grooms for 25 years. Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sihk) and his wife also attended yesterday's wedding. Kasich, who's preparing to launch a presidential campaign, says he believes marriage is between a man and a woman, but that the court's ruling must be respected.
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — The Dalai Lama is celebrating his 80th birthday this weekend and just about everybody is invited. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will host a three-day summit on global compassion starting Sunday in Orange County, California, with events in Anaheim and at the University of California, Irvine. The Dalai Lama's actual birthday is Monday. Thousands are expected to attend his talks on compassion, youth leadership and climate change.
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