Ahead of World Refugee Day, the United Nations refugee agency reported today that a record 800,000 people were forced to flee across borders last year, more than at any time since 2000.

The new refugees are part of a total of 4.3 million people who were newly displaced last year, owing to a string of major humanitarian crises that began in late 2010 in Côte d'Ivoire, and followed by others in Libya, Somalia, Sudan and elsewhere, according to Global Trends 2011, issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

ISLAMIST EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT? Presidential Race Ends With Military Rule.
There are confrontations ahead with the country's military as generals exercise control declaring martial law.

G 20 SUMMIT. Dissecting The European Financial Crisis.
A key point to be discussed by leaders will be the fate of Greece and the election as part of the Eurozone.

IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS. With Six World Powers.
With previous talks having gone nowhere, many hope today's meeting will move forward from the deadlocked negotiations.

RODNEY KING DEATH. Drowning Probe.

On this day and every day, especially on Fathers Day, I recall my dear old dad and how much he loved my mom, and his island in the sun. I have fond memories and wonderful recollections of living with my family in El Bosque de La Habana inside the Republic of Cuba.

One fateful day, my family decided to leave after Castro nationalized the banks. I was a a young boy then, and even though I had no idea what was happening, since then I have always wanted to return, but I have never been successful.

Over one hundred fans turned out today to Bartow-Pell Manion to celebrate Fathers Day with a 1864-style Baseball game. The New York Mutuals played the Mineola Washingtons with old time rules, balls, and uniforms, but definitely no helmets or gloves.

Following the game, participants joined the fun and played a game of rounders with team members. There were also free house tours and a raffle for the game ball.

Potography, courtessy: Richard Warren

Slot machines contain RNG a random number generator, which is a computer chip that constantly spits out numbers. The numbers correspond to positions on the reels in the slot machine. When you pull the handle, or push that spin button, you are telling the computer to select numbers. Then the slot machine moves the reels to correspond to the number you picked.

Rubén Díaz Senior and Junior.... Politically speaking, the two have not always agreed.

On this Fathers Day, City Island Images takes a quick look at a high profile father and son political duo, who don't always see eye to eye.

The father, Reverend Rubén Díaz was born in 1943 In Puerto Rico and was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2002 in the 32nd Senate District in South Bronx, Previously, Díaz was elected to the New York City Council in 2001, representing the 18th District in the Bronx.

This Week in History, Jun 17 - Jun 23

Jun 17, 1885
Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor. Lady Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America. She arrived in New York Harbor after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 cases. The copper and iron statue, which was reassembled and dedicated the following year in a ceremony presided over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, became known around the world as an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.

Jun 18, 1812

CRITICAL POLLING IN GREECE. Election Concerns Politics and Euro's Future.
From huge Athens to tiny islands, Greeks have turned out to vote in elections that once again are being seen as a referendum on the country’s membership in the European Union.

EGYPT VOTES AGAIN. Egyptian Returned To The Polls Today.
The lower voter turnout is the second day of the runoff election to choose a President since Hosni Mubarak was ousted. Low enthusiasm as the military tightens the reigns of government.

WILDFIRES HALF CONTAINED. Western Relief?