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Choosing five favorite recordings is a tall order for any music lover, but especially for Yo-Yo Ma. The musically omnivorous super-cellist picks his top five favorites.

Pakistani authorities say they believe their troops have cornered Osama bin Laden's top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, near the Afghan-Pakistan border. Pakistani forces are engaged in a fierce battle there with tribal leaders and al Qaeda fighters. U.S. officials say they cannot confirm the reports. Hear NPR's Mary Louise Kelly.

The Pentagon is expected to replace Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez as the top U.S. commander in Iraq. President Bush called Sanchez "exemplary," and officials say his transfer is part of a long-planned reorganization. Nevertheless, the move leaves the impression in some quarters that the administration is not satisfied with Sanchez's performance in Iraq. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

The nation's intelligence agencies have designated one person to be in charge of coordinating the government's efforts to identify threats to U.S. elections.

Also: Statue of Liberty reopens; Bolivia's president blasts "North American empire;" South Korea proposes talks with the North; Mandela's grandson ends battle over kin's graves; Boston Celtics hire Butler's Brad Stevens to be coach.

Also: Man arrested with firebombs in Seattle had maps of area colleges; at George Zimmerman's trial, mothers disagree about whose voice is on key recording; NBA's Dwight Howard opts to sign with the Houson Rockets.

Also: A winter storm is heading for the northeast region struck by Sandy; how astronauts vote in space; and a judge orders a woman who illegally passed a school bus to wear an 'Idiot' sign.

Songwriter Felice Bryant dies at age 77 at home in Gatlinburg, Tenn. She collaborated with her husband to pen some of the best-known tunes in country music and early rock 'n' roll. Her songs Bye Bye Love and Wake Up Little Susie were Everly Brothers standards, just as Rocky Top became a country standard. NPR's Melissa Block offers a remembrance.

Lana Del Rey balanced bleak beauty with real insight, Young Thug's So Much Fun culminated his influence and Bon Iver offered an album just in time for autumn.

Five out of these 10 records are debuts — a statistic that fits perfectly in the spirit of finding new music to fall in love with this year.