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All the news we couldn't fit anywhere else.

Bill Kurtis, filling in for Carl, reads three quotes from the week's news: Unconventional, Bubba Returns, and What's Eating You.

In a scene dominated by party music, Kenya's most popular band has created its own sound, and in the process sent a grown-up message to the country's young people.

Among the many sea changes enacted in one struggling school district is a mandate no one expected. All students, of all grade levels, are being enrolled in Chinese language classes. The superintendent says being familiar with Asian culture is crucial to students' future success.

Actor Stephen Tobolowsky's new book is made up of essays, anecdotes, stories and insights shuffled in and out of order, like cards in a deck. Everything in the book is true, Tobolowsky says: "True trumps clever any day of the week."

Last week, the French ended their rotation at the head of United Nations Security Council. France's permanent representative, Ambassador Gerard Araud, had one preeminently difficult issue on his agenda: what to do about Syria. Host Scott Simon talks with Araud about the political stalemate.

The French port city of Marseilles is in the grip of gang warfare, as young men fight for control of drug trafficking, often using sophisticated weapons left over from the Balkan wars. The gangs are pushing professional criminals and syndicates aside. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley describes the mood with host Scott Simon.

Canadian poet and folk troubadour Leonard Cohen is known for writing haunting, provocative songs, songs about religion and women and politics. His music struck one Bay Area artist with a vision: that there should be a community choir of men, singing a cappella, exclusively from the Leonard Cohen songbook. Lisa Morehouse spent some time with the group, called the Conspiracy of Beards.

Once again this week, European officials sat down and tried to figure out what to do about the debt crisis. Investors seem to like the plan they came up with, and stock prices rose. But the program still faces hurdles, including a major court ruling in Germany next week. Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Jim Zarroli.

Both presidential candidates were in New Hampshire Friday. Even though the state has weathered the recession relatively well, you might not know it from talking to voters. Josh Rogers of New Hampshire Public Radio reports.