One of China's most powerful political figures is facing allegations in a U.S. court that he directed a torture campaign against religious followers. The Bush administration is trying to get the case thrown out. Bo Xilai, the son of one of modern China's most influential leaders, has thus far led a life of privilege and entitlement. It's also been marked by controversy.

When South African police raided the warehouse of a company called Tradefin Engineering, a manufacturer of pipes and valves, in September 2004, they discovered stacks of shipping containers eleven stories hi

Officials in the U.S. military, from the Pentagon on down, tried to thwart L.A. Times reporters who uncovered deaths and possible torture of detainees in Afghanistan. One of the reporters, Craig Pyes, is now a CIR Senior Correspondent.