Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about Thursday:

1. A FORMER PRESIDENT IS AILING

George H.W. Bush is in intensive care at a Houston hospital, where his fever has worsened and doctors have put him on a liquid diet.

2. AND A SOUTH AFRICAN LEADER IS BETTER

Nelson Mandela, 94, was released from the hospital after nearly a month of treatment for a lung infection and gallstones.

3. TWO SIGNS OF A WEAKENING ASSAD REGIME

Syria's chief of military police defects to the opposition and a wounded interior minister returns from Beirut.

4. HOLIDAY STORM MOVES NORTH AS DEATH TOLL RISES

At least six died after the storm brought tornadoes, heavy snow and cancelled hundreds of flights.

5. A $1B-PLUS SETTLEMENT FOR TOYOTA DRIVERS

The agreement over acceleration problems with the Prius is one of the largest in U.S. history.

6. OBAMA RETURNS TO TALK 'FISCAL CLIFF'

But no new negotiations are scheduled to avert the end-of-the-week economy-threatening deadline. Continued...