10 things you need to know today: June 18, 2012

1. MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD DECLARES VICTORY IN EGYPT

Late Sunday, the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi claimed victory in Egypt's presidential run-off election, just as the country's military rulers moved to strip the presidential position of power. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has controlled the country since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted, issued a decree saying that it would retain legislative and budgetary powers until a new parliament is elected and a new constitution is written. Meanwhile, Morsi's opponent in the run-off, Ahmed Shafik, a former prime minister under Mubarak, has refused to concede, saying votes are still being counted. Both sides have alleged election fraud and called for an investigation. In his victory speech, Morsi made no mention of the military rulers' power grab. A spokesman for the military council says that while the new president will not have the power to make laws and budget-related decisions until a new parliament is elected, he will get to set the date for the parliamentary elections and have the power to pardon and appoint government officials. [CNN]

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2. PRO-EURO PARTY NARROWLY WINS GREEK VOTE

New Democracy, a conservative, pro-Europe party that has generally been in favor of the bailout deal, won the most votes in Greece's elections Sunday, as voters turned their backs on a leftist, anti-bailout coalition. On Monday, New Democracy will attempt to form a coalition government, as it didn't win enough votes to govern alone; the Socialist PASOK party, which came in third place, has indicated that it will offer New Democracy support in some form. International markets were up on New Democracy's win, but analysts say that while immediate catastrophe has been averted, the eurozone's financial problems remain and will take many years to fix. [USA Today, Reuters]

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3. REPORT: RUSSIA TO SEND NAVY SHIPS TO SYRIA

According to the Interfax news agency, Russia is planning to send two navy ships to Syria to protect Russian citizens and its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus. Russian officials have declined to comment on the report. Russia has continued to provide the Syrian regime with weapons and has blocked the U.N. from taking action against it. [Associated Press]

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4. CHINA'S SPACE MISSION ACHIEVES DOCKING

China became the third country to complete a manned space docking Monday when its Shenzou-9 spacecraft successfully docked with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab. The historic mission also includes China's first female astronaut to go into space. [CNN]

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5. NEW ROUND OF IRAN-NUKE TALKS BEGINS

Iran and six world powers — the U.S, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany — are meeting in Moscow Monday in an attempt to reach an elusive compromise on Tehran's nuclear activities. Diplomats say this could be the last of such talks, and if no compromise is reached, it's unclear how things will proceed. Tehran insists its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only and has asked that sanctions against it be eased. Diplomats says the six powers are unlikely to lift existing sanctions but are willing to compromise in other ways. [Associated Press]

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6. FAMED POLICE BRUTALITY VICTIM RODNEY KING DIES

Rodney King was found dead in a swimming pool on Sunday. Police are conducting an investigation but say thus far there are no signs that the 47-year-old was intoxicated or that foul play was involved. In 1991, King's vicious beating by Los Angeles police was caught on video. When the officers that beat him were acquitted the next year, violent riots broke out across the city, leaving more than 50 people dead. [CNN]

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7. MICROSOFT LIKELY TO ANNOUNCE A TABLET

Tech analysts are predicting that Microsoft will introduce a tablet of its own on Monday, marking the first time the 37-year-old software giant will offer a computer it has made itself. Those in the tech industry say the move would be "a major turning point for the company." [New York Times]

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8. WEBB SIMPSON WINS U.S. OPEN

Webb Simpson, 25, won golf's U.S. Open Sunday, continuing a tradition of underdogs beating out big names to win at Olympic Club. Tiger Woods shared the lead at the tournament's midway point, but miserable rounds followed. He ultimately finished 7 over par in a tie for 21st place. [Associated Press]

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9. WIND HAMPERS COLORADO FIREFIGHTERS

Strong winds fanned the flames of Colorado's record wildfire on Sunday, thwarting efforts by firefighters to contain it and grounding air support. The fire was sparked by lightning more than a week ago and has burned more than 85 square miles and destroyed 181 homes. [Reuters]

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10. DALE EARNHARDT JR. GETS FIRST WIN IN 4 YEARS

Dale Earnhardt Jr. ended a 143-race winless streak on Sunday with his first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory in four years. He finished more than 5 seconds ahead of the next car in a decisive victory at Michigan International Speedway. [Associated Press]