US State Dept. Demands Answers in Russian Lawyer’s Death

The name Sergei Magnitsky is not well known in this country. He was a Russian lawyer. And two years ago this week, he was found dead in his prison cell in Moscow. American officials believe Magnitsky’s death was the result of criminal conduct by a number of Russian officials. The BBC’s Daniel Sandford is in Moscow. He’s been following the story.

Jo’burg Is Safe/Not Safe (Delete One)

I’m in Johannesburg thanks to the International Reporting Project: There’ll be lots to say here and on the radio about South Africa and race, and race and religion, and religion and sexuality, and sexuality and HIV/AIDS. But for now, a few thoughts on public safety in Johannesburg.

The Mystery of Jack the Ripper

A serial killer named Jack the Ripper killed several prostitutes, but the mystery of his identity was never solved.

Japanese gangsters go good samaritan

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Japanese gangsters known as “yakuza” have been taking on an unfamiliar role – a humanitarian one. They have been handing out blankets, water, toiletries and food to disaster victims. Anchor Marco Werman talks to Tokyo-based author and journalist Jake Adelstein to find out more. Download MP3

Weapons shipment to Mexico seized

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Dallas-based Mexican journalist Francisco Trujillo, who’s been following the ongoing story of how small weapons shipments from the US are getting into Mexico and into the hands of drug cartel members.

Security at the soccer World Cup

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On a day when the State Department issued a travel warning about visiting South Africa during next month’s soccer World Cup, Marco Werman speaks with Johan Burger at the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa about what his country is doing to combat both potential external terrorist threats and the internal problem of crime. Download MP3 (photo: Laura Lynch)

• South Africa’s soccer burden
• BBC coverage of the World Cup
• FIFA homepage

China sends mob “godmother” to prison

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A Chinese woman known as the “Godmother of the underworld” was sentenced to 18 years in jail today for bribery, illegal gambling, and other gang activity. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad has been watching the trial in Beijing.

Arrests in multi-million dollar jewellery heist

Host Marco Werman speaks with reporter Agnes Poirier in Paris about the arrests of 25 suspects in what’s been described as the biggest heist in French history–a 120-million dollar jewellery store robbery last December. Listen

John Lennon remembered in Prague

Anchor Marco Werman introduces a Czech man with memories of the John Lennon wall in Prague. Listen

Fighting crime in Kenya (3:30)

Host Katy Clark speaks with New York Times reporter Jeffrey Gettleman about a Kenyan village that took the law into its own hands and fought back against a criminal gang.

Mexico journalists

Mexico’s Congress has passed a bill that treats murders of journalists as federal offenses. Advocates say is necessary to end rampant impunity at the state and local level, where crimes against journalists are seldom investigated.