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Cretin is a word derived from an 18th century Swiss-French word meaning "Christian." The connection is basically pious, asserting that a mentally innocent person so-labeled is possessed of a Christian soul by way of baptism and is worthy of our mercy and pity.

Defense attorneys for former Enron executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling make passionate closing arguments on their clients' behalf, ridiculing the prosecution's case. The jury gets the case today.

Fans in France are left to ponder what might have been after a penalty-kick loss to Italy in the World Cup's championship game. The turning point may have been the ejection of the team's top player in overtime.

A growing demand for building projects that use environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials has spurred a green movement in the construction industry. An estimated $10 billion of "green buildings" are in the process of construction this year in the United States.

Germany, the World Cup host country, lost 2-0 to Italy in a semi-final match Tuesday. The Italians scored twice in the match's waning moments after 118 minutes of scoreless play. The defeat left some German fans in a philosophical mood, looking forward to the next World Cup.

When the World Cup begins in Germany next month, fans from England will be faced with the task of not being too rude to the host country. Part of the problem: a lingering bitterness about World War II. Comic actor and writer John Cleese has a song to help: "Don't Mention the War."

Nigerian author Wole Soyinka talks about his new memoir with Renee Montagne. It is an intimate look into Nigeria's political turmoil in the last half century.

Thom Yorke, lead singer of the band Radiohead, has just released his first solo record, The Eraser. Music critic Will Hermes says while the music may seem depressing, Yorke has actually written a soul-record for the 21st century.

After Angela Merkel became Germany's chancellor, she invited President Bush to visit the former East Germany. Merkel grew up in the region, which was once an independent communist nation. The two will have dinner in the small farming town of Trinwillershagen.

The space shuttle Discovery lands at the Kennedy Space Center after a successful visit to the International Space Station. NASA now turns its attention to the launch of Atlantis. That mission may go as early as Aug. 27 and will haul a major addition to the space station.