There’s a new sign that Iran might consider freeing American journalist Jason Rezaian. CBSN’s Elaine Quijano and Vladimir Duthiers have the details. Source

A droid named BB-8 steals the show in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – and it’s based on tech from a real-world robotics start-up called Sphero. CNET’s Brian Tong reports. Source

The author’s new novel, “Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights,” offers a way to see the threats the world faces and he has confronted. Rushdie explores those conflicts through ancient themes and spectacular magical events. Reviews call it “a swirling tale of genies and geniuses” and “tremendously inventive and timely.” When you do the math, the title adds up to 1,001 nights, inspired by Rushdie’s favorite childhood fables. Rushdie joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss his book and current events. Source

Nick Dietz compiles some of the latest and greatest viral videos, including a horse named Levi insisting upon a neck rub and TV host Jason Silva blowing a baby’s mind. To see these videos in their entirety, click HERE. Source

Vice President Joe Biden continues to fuel speculation he’ll been making a run for the presidency. He has not made an official announcement, but he’s heading to Atlanta Thursday, one day after attending a fundraiser in Florida. Biden is not tipping his hand, but new poll numbers show 46 percent of Americans have a favorable impression of him and an equal number don’t. Nancy Cordes reports. Source

The mission of U.S. forces in Iraq has shifted to training and advisory roles, allowing for redeployment of combat forces remaining in the country, U.S. and Iraq delegates said Wednesday. Source

Donald Trump is the only candidate who has threatened to mount a third party campaign. CBS News political director and host of “Face the Nation” John Dickerson joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the documents sent by the Republican National Committee to all the GOP candidates. Source

Traffic in the San Francisco Bay area was gridlocked, as cars approached the major bridge that looked more like a barnyard on Wednesday. John Blackstone reports on how drivers dodged a hen on the highway. Source

Kentucky senator and Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul joins “CBS This Morning” to address the controversy surrounding Kim Davis, a Kentucky court clerk who is defying the Supreme Court and refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump. Source

The movie stars Will Smith as a doctor who discovered a brain disease that football players could develop from head injuries. “Concussions” suggests the NFL went to great lengths to silence the doctor and protect its profits, even at the expense of the health and well-being of its players. Sony reportedly softened the film in an effort to keep the NFL happy, but the film’s director told CBS News that it did not compromise the integrity of the story. Jim Axelrod reports. Source