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Commentary: Iran’s hardliners are the real losers

With an apparent political coup in Iran by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his supporters over the weekend, the ruling mullahs have dispensed with all democratic pretense and joined the ranks of traditional dictators in the Middle East. (CNN) — With an apparent political coup in Iran by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his supporters over the weekend, the ruling mullahs have dispensed with all democratic pretense and joined the ranks of traditional dictators in the Middle East. The hardliners in Tehran, led by the Revolutionary Guards and ultra-conservatives, have won the first round against reformist conservatives but at an extravagant cost — loss of public support.

Seven Civil War stories your teacher never told you

Perhaps your history teachers failed to alert you to these Civil War facts: Jefferson Davis nearly got mugged by an angry female mob; Abraham Lincoln loved the Confederate anthem "Dixie," and Paul Revere was a Civil War casualty.

China exports slide a reality check on recovery

Hopes for a China-led recovery to the world economy got a reality check Thursday, as government data showed the country’s exports in May fell a record 26.4 percent compared to last year. With recent disappointing trade figures from South Korea, Taiwan and Germany, the numbers out of China suggests no light yet in sight at the end of the recessionary tunnel.

United accept record $130M offer for Ronaldo

Manchester United have accepted a world-record $130 million offer for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. The English champions have given the big-spending Spanish giants permission to talk to the World Player of the Year, according to the United Web site. United said on Thursday that the Portugal winger had again expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford, and the club now expect the deal to be concluded by June 30.

First Gitmo detainee arrives in U.S. for trial

A Guantanamo Bay detainee indicted in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa arrived in New York on Tuesday to face criminal charges

Kaka has medical ahead of $100M Real deal

Kaka moved closer to a reported $100 million move to Real Madrid on Monday when the AC Milan star had a medical in Brazil at the request of the Spanish Primera Liga giants, his Federation said. The 27-year-old midfielder is currently on international duty ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Wednesday but was released for the medical tests in the north-eastern city of Recife. Kaka is set to become the first of the new wave of ‘galacticos’ brought together under the leadership of returning club president Florentino Perez.

Shooting at Thai mosque kills 10, police say

Gunmen believed to be linked to an Islamic militant group opened fire Monday in a mosque in Thailand, killing 10 people, a police official said. The 27-year-old midfielder is currently on international duty ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Wednesday but was released for the medical tests in the north-eastern city of Recife

Commentary: World’s biggest fish are dying

Today, Monday, June 8, we recognize the first U.N.-sanctioned World Oceans Day. The event comes after years of pressure from conservation groups and thousands of activists who clamored for everyone to know and understand what’s happening in our oceans

Button dominance continues with Turkey win

Jenson Button continued his domination of the current Formula One season by taking the Turkish GP in Istanbul, his sixth victory in seven races, to move a step closer to clinching his maiden world title. A mistake from Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello and an error from pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull allowed the Briton to cruise to the line for a comfortable success

Tickle Me Obama: Lessons from Sesame Street

Most presidents are easy to pin down on our cultural maps. Ronald Reagan was raised in Dixon, Ill., but we placed him in Hollywood, telling America’s story on the big screen. Bill Clinton may have been the Man from Hope, Ark., but the mischief of nearby Hot Springs was in his blood.