Nelson Mandela is released from the hospital: A spokesman for President Jacob Zuma of South Africa confirmed that Mandela, 94, was transported on Wednesday to his home in Johannesburg's Houghton neighborhood, according to the Telegraph. He underwent nearly three weeks of treatment for a lung infection and gallstones.
Michael Moore urges whites: Stop promoting the image of black men as "the bogeyman": In a blog entry at his website, the filmmaker essentially attributes mass shootings in the United States to poverty, fear and racism, saying, "I think it would be worth it to a) do our best to eradicate poverty and re-create the middle class we used to have, and b) stop promoting the image of the black man as the boogeyman out to hurt you. Calm down, white people, and put away your guns."
New York newspaper's handgun-permit map draws criticism: The Associated Press reports that a decision by the Journal News — a Gannett Co. newspaper that covers three counties in the Hudson Valley, north of New York City — to publish the names and addresses of handgun-permit owners has ignited a firestorm of controversy.
A new film will explore African Americans' relationship with soul food: Byron Hurt's Soul Food Junkies will premiere on Jan. 14 on PBS. Through interviews with food historians, scholars, cooks, doctors, activists and consumers, the film will explore the impact that soul food has had on the health and culture of African Americans through the years.