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In China's Crime Crackdown, Claims Of Abuse

Credit Louisa Lim / NPR

Lawyer Li Zhuang spent more than a year in prison on charges of fabricating evidence and inciting witnesses, after trying to defend an alleged gangster. Li's case became a national cause celebre.

Credit Ng Han Guan / AP

Bo Xilai was thought to be on his way to the highest levels of Chinese politics before he was sacked abruptly earlier this month. His dismissal has led to scrutiny of one of this signature initiatives, a crackdown on organized crime in Chongqing, where he served as party chief.

By Louisa Lim

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The swift downfall of ambitious Chinese politician Bo Xilai exposed a bitter power struggle in the highest echelons of government. Now his victims are telling their stories, exposing a darker side to Bo's signature clampdown on organized crime.

Charismatic and outspoken, Bo seemed headed for the country's top leadership body, the Politburo Standing Committee, before he was removed abruptly from his post — as party secretary of the major southern city of Chongqing — earlier this month.

1:21 pm

Tue March 27, 2012

Baloji: Finding A Home In His Music

Credit Nicolas Karakatsanis

Baloji's new album, Kinshasa Succursale, was released in the U.S. on March 6.

By Banning Eyre

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Rapper Baloji was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but raised in Belgium. He's built a reputation for incorporating Congolese music into his mix, though he mostly raps in French, his deep voice full of cocky brashness. You can catch his vibe without translation, but it's worth reading the liner notes to get his messages, as well. Baloji raps with brazen ease about the indignities of life as an African in Belgium, but also the tragic, bloody history of his homeland on his second album, Kinshasa Succursale.

1:15 pm

Tue March 27, 2012

2 U.S. Servicemen Arrested In Drug Cartel Murder-For-Hire Plot

Credit Justice Department

1st Lt. Kevin Corley.

By Eyder Peralta

An Army officer and a soldier were arrested earlier this month for allegedly plotting a murder-for-hire scheme, the Justice Department said.

1st Lt. Kevin Corley, 29, and Sgt. Samuel Walker, 28, were arrested after police said they cut a deal with federal officials posing as members of a drug cartel to raid a Texas ranch were they believed 20 kilograms of stolen cocaine were being kept by members of a rival cartel. Police said Corley, who took the lead in striking the deal, also agreed to kill the rivals using a small team in exchange for $50,000 and five kilograms of cocaine.

1:10 pm

Tue March 27, 2012

Scary Moments Aboard JetBlue Flight When Captain Has 'Medical Situation'

By Mark Memmott

1:00 pm

Tue March 27, 2012

Former Sen. Specter Turns To Stand-Up

By editor

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Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Some former members of Congress run for president. Others shift gears to stand-up comedy. Take former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, please.

ARLEN SPECTER: So, I've been in the Senate for 30 years practicing comedy.

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:

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1:36 pm

Tue March 27, 2012