Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern South Africa, dies  —  The evolution of Nelson Mandela  —  (CNN) — Freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression.  —  That was Nelson Mandela, who emerged from prison …

President Clinton Doodled Male Genitalia (We Think) and It Was Glorious  —  The image above comes from the hacker Guccifer, who reportedly got access to the Clinton Library and allegedly obtained unreleased doodles.  Guccifer famously broke into George W. Bush's emails and revealed that the former preisdent paints dogs.

Budget Deal?  Big Obstacles, New Year's Deadline  —  With hopes of a “grand bargain” long gone, congressional negotiators now are seeking a more modest deal before year-end to ease the automatic spending cuts that are squeezing both the Pentagon and domestic federal programs.  But the going is getting rougher.

Obama Approval Down Most Among Hispanics in Past Year  —  Hispanics' approval has fallen from 75% in December 2012 to 52% in November  —  PRINCETON, NJ — President Barack Obama's job approval rating averaged 41% in November, down 12 percentage points from 53% last December, his high-water mark since his first year in office.

President Obama acknowledges having lived with his uncle  —  President Obama acknowledged on Thursday that he lived with his Kenyan uncle for a brief period in the 1980s while preparing to attend Harvard Law School, contradicting a statement more than a year ago that the White House had no record of the two ever meeting.

Republican candidates shift their messages on Obama healthcare law  —  In a significant development, GOP candidates have embraced a concept that was unthinkable a year ago: fixing President Obama's landmark law.  Others, meanwhile, have offered replacement healthcare plans.

Stolen cobalt-60 found in Mexico; curious thieves likely doomed  —  MEXICO CITY — The day after a load of stolen radioactive material was found in a field, Mexican authorities had formed a perimeter around the area and were measuring for contamination as they planned the recovery process Thursday, according to Mexican news reports.

Cruz refers to controversial law as advice to conservative group  —  Washington (CNN) - Republican Sen. Ted Cruz's advice for a conservative group facing criticism and hardship: “Stand your ground.”  —  The choice of words appeared to be a reference to a string of negative press …

Obamacare's architects plugged their ears and misled public  —  BARACK OBAMA OBAMACARE SUPREME COURT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID  —  In 1970 the eccentric but insightful economist Albert Hirschman published a book called Exit, Voice and Loyalty.  It explored how people respond when a private firm's …

Jameis Winston not charged  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Nearly one year after Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston was accused of rape by a female FSU student, the state attorney has decided not to charge the Heisman Trophy favorite.  —  Thursday's decision clears the way for him to finish the season with the No. 1 Seminoles.

Obama plans new limits on NSA surveillance  —  President Barack Obama said Thursday that he'll be reining in some of the snooping conducted by the National Security Agency, but he did not detail what new limits he plans to impose on the embattled spy organization.  —  “I'll be proposing some self-restraint on the NSA.

ABC brass nixed Barbara Walters' pick of Edward Snowden as year's most fascinating person  —  Michael Bolton's happy to be backup at charity gala; Will Ferrell keeps Ron Burgundy at a distance  —  Barbara Walters wanted Edward Snowden to be at the top of her list of 10 most fascinating people of 2013.

A Roll of the Dice  —  President Obama is back selling his health-care law with the manic intensity of a late-night-infomercial pitchman who knows that if he doesn't move the product, it could be discontinued.  —  Here's Obama aiming his comments at young people this Wednesday: “The product is good.

Opinion: Hospitals close as GOP balks at Obamacare  —  Editor's note: Sally Kohn is a progressive activist, columnist and television commentator.  Follow her on Twitter at @sallykohn.  —  (CNN) — The Obamacare website is open for business.  But the Charlton Memorial Hospital in Folkston, Georgia, is closed.

Nigeria's Boko Haram strikes again in Cameroon  —  Missionary killed, churches torched around time of French priest's kidnapping  —  A missionary has been killed and several churches set ablaze in attacks by Nigeria's Islamist group Boko Haram in neighbouring Cameroon.

Polis melts down on House floor  —  Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) on Wednesday night lost his cool on the House floor over the issue of immigration, after the presiding officer warned another Democrat not to refer to people sitting in the House gallery.  —  Democrats were calling for House passage …

British soldier's alleged killer ‘told police he went for jugular as he was hacked to death in London street because that is how animals are killed in Islam’  — Michael Adebolajo told police in interview that he and Michael Adebowale waited at Woolwich Barracks to target a soldier