Police raid on Oakland, Calif., was nothing new: ColorLines' Ali Winston says the sort of violent overreaction and the tactics associated with it that occurred during Occupy Oakland are all too familiar in the city, where police have repeatedly responded to public protest with violence and have faced intense scrutiny for shooting unarmed suspects in black neighborhoods, in some cases fatally.
Chinese activists use Twitter in human rights cases: NPR reports that in China, microblogs are transforming the way activists draw attention to human rights cases. Despite strict Internet controls, Chinese Twitter has become a powerful tool.
U.S. playing greater role in African battles: The Associated Press reports that while putting few U.S. troops at risk, the United States is playing a growing role in Africa's military battles, using Special Forces advisers, drones and tens of millions of dollars in military aid to combat a growing and multifaceted security threat.
Obamas inspire NBC sitcom 1600 Pen: President Barack Obama's former speechwriter is one of the men behind a new NBC comedy loosely based on the first family.
In other news: Carlina White, Kidnapped at Birth, Tells All.
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