So many grumpy, terrified Greeks are voting today

GlobalPost

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Need to know

It's confusing. Even for the Greeks.

Greeks are currently casting their ballots in the much talked about referendum. They are voting on whether or not to accept conditions that the euro zone and the IMF had demanded in return for further bailout financing. But since Greece defaulted on its debts to these creditors last week, these conditions are no longer technically even on the table.

Let's not focus on that fact. Greek premier Alexis Tsipras certainly isn't. He and his radical left-wing government have heavily endorsed a "No" vote to the referendum, saying that such a stance would strengthen Greece's hand at the negotiation table — which, again, no longer technically exists. It might, but that depends on how his creditors receive the "No" vote and not necessarily on the vote itself. Confusing. 

European and opposition leaders have tried to frame the vote in terms of a "Yes" or "No" to Greece staying in the euro zone. But that's not even clearly at stake. A "Yes" vote could mean that Greece's creditors reopen talks, but even that won't solve Greece's massive financial problems. What a "Yes" vote will probably mean for Greece is a government fail and an early election. Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said he will resign if "Yes" wins.

In either scenario, uncertainty will certainly prevail. Greece's debt isn't going anywhere fast. The EU may provide emergency loans after all. At this point, polls show a pretty even split. Solid numbers of grumpy, terrified Greeks are headed to the polls. If they can afford the trip

Want to know

Bangkok is like a brick sitting on top of a birthday cake. It's sinking. No, really. The Thai capital is sinking as much as four inches per year, according to current estimates. The predictions for 2100 are even more dire. By then, Bangkok will be fully submerged and unlivable.

What to do? Experts tend to offer two solutions. The first is to erect a massive seawall that could cost nearly $3 billion — about half of Thailand’s current GDP.

The second option? Giving up entirely and moving the capital to higher ground.

Strange but true

It’s been more than 18 months since the tiny South American country of Uruguay legalized the cultivation, taxation and sale of recreational marijuana. Yet, the Uruguayan government has yet to even announce the companies that will be growing its weed. A change of guard in the government could mean that the most radical part of Uruguay’s pioneering pot plan is in trouble.

GlobalPost's Will Carless went on The Cannabist Show to discuss Uruguay's pot progress — or lack thereof. Watch him around minute 8:40.

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