Iran 101: Understanding the unrest

For almost a week, tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in daily protests — handkerchiefs shielding their faces from the pungency of tear gas, fists punching the air, and chants of "Down with the dictator" echoing against buildings. The massive outpouring is a result of a disputed presidential election that the protesters think coronated the incumbent hard-liner, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, over their candidate, Mir Hossain Moussavi

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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.

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Sampras: Federer is the ‘best ever’

Former world number one, Pete Sampras, has described recently crowned French Open champion Roger Federer as the best player in history. The 37-year-old American, nicknamed ‘Pistol Pete’ for his bullet-like serves, won a record 14 grand slam men’s singles titles over a 15-year career, though never captured the trophy at Roland Garros.

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Amazon in gay writing censorship row

Online retailer Amazon has found itself at the center of a storm after it removed a number of gay and lesbian-themed books from its sales charts. On Sunday, a number of distinguished writers, including Gore Vidal, Annie Proulx and E.M. Forster, suddenly lost their best-seller ranking — which is the number that Amazon uses to show how well one title sells compared with another

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Criminal probe call over G-20 protest death

Video appearing to show police hitting a man who later died in protests over last week’s G-20 summit in London sparked anger Wednesday and calls for an immediate criminal investigation. One opposition politician described the “unprovoked attack” on Ian Tomlinson, a newspaper vendor who was not taking part in the protest, as “sickening” and urged the officer to come forward

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