June 27  

Call it bad timing. Just as the European Council today opens a two-day summit to debate the merits of Turkey’s membership in the pan-continent government, the mostly Muslim country has been accused of stifling dissent. Early-June protests across the country were met violently by riot police who injured at least 4,000 (see "Turkish spring?").

June 29

The Rolling Stones will appear at a British pop festival for the first time in more than 35 years when they take the main stage of the Glastonbury Festival today. Frontman Mick Jagger said he plans to camp out in a tent at the Woodstock-style event during the three-day festival in Somerset, U.K. Headline shows are usually attended by 250,000 or more people, but the Stones could draw even more.

June 29

As Zimbabwean elections approach, many fear the national plebiscite will produce an identical result to elections of the past three decades: a violent victory for despot Robert Mugabe. Writing in The Guardian, human-rights lawyer Dewa Mavhinga said, “There is little point in holding elections that, in essence, will be without choice, and that can only result in another round of bloodshed and destruction.”

July 4

Battered by Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 29, Liberty Island—home of the Statue of Liberty—will reopen to tourists just in time for Independence Day. The hurricane left the famed statue intact, but the island’s infrastructure was badly damaged by the consequent storm surge.

July 6

When cyclists hit the first true mountain stage of the 100th Tour de France today, the question may not be “Who will win?” but “Will it matter?” From 1998 until 2010, only one Tour de France champion has been free of doping accusations, and eight titles were vacated. British cyclist Bradley Wiggins—who has never been charged with doping—will attempt to defend his title in the 2,161.7 mile cycling race.