Looking Ahead

Wimbledon begins

While opening rounds commence for the tennis world's premier championship, Wimbledon, on June 25, the event this year could seem merely like an opening act. That's because later in July, the All England Club, which hosts Wimbledon, will also play host for the tennis portion of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Wimbledon, however, still boasts a prize pool of nearly $24 million.

Choir combo

For the first time in its over 500-year history, the Sistine Chapel Choir has agreed to share the stage. This year, for the celebration of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, the world-renowned Catholic choir has invited the Anglican Abbey choir to sing with them. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is expected to travel to Rome for the celebration.

Currency speculation

A decade ago on June 30, German marks, French francs, Italian liras, and several other European currencies were used as legal tender for the last time-at least it seemed that way. Now, 10 years later, the centralized monetary policy of the European Union-and its currency, the euro-seems in trouble. Many economists are predicting that Greece could soon return to the drachma.

Egypt deadline

Egyptian military leaders, who in essence took over the nation in 2011 by refusing to follow deposed president Hosni Mubarak's edicts, set a July 1 deadline for handing over power to an elected government. With presidential elections scheduled for mid-June, some are predicting that the ruling military council might hold onto power if it doesn't like the results.

Episcopal meeting

Episcopalians will convene their eight-day General Convention on July 5 in Indianapolis. At the forefront, church leaders will vote on a rite for the blessing of gay and lesbian relationships. Most insiders expect church leaders to vote favorably toward homosexual relationships, which could spark more defections from the denomination.