Manny Pacquiao boxing and running for office

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Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is defending his title on Friday. And he’s also running for Congress back home. Just part of the Philippines tradition of choosing heroes for elected officials. Sunshine de Leon reports from Manila. Download MP3 (Photo source Wikipedia: Bret Newton)

• Manny Pacquiao
• Wikipedia: Manny Pacquiao

Champion North Korean boxer

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Christian human rights activists say an American missionary has illegally crossed the Chinese border into North Korea. On Christmas day, Robert Park carried with him a letter demanding that the Kim Jong il regime free political prisoners and has not been heard from since. While few enter North Korea at own their risk, still many more escape. But not all flee for political or human rights. There’s at least one refugee who defected for the love of boxing. Champion Choi Hyun Mi (pictured right) is now making a big name for herself in South Korea. Jason Strother has the story from Seoul. Download MP3 (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

• BBC: A Guide to North Korea
• North Korea: Secretive state