News Wrap: Putin apologizes after deadly Azerbaijani airliner crash

Ali Rogin:

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a rare apology today following the deadly plane crash of an Azerbaijani airliner earlier this week. Putin spoke with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to send his condolences following the crash that killed at least 38 people. But he stopped short of taking responsibility.

The flight was en route to the Chechen capital of Grozny when it crash landed Wednesday. The Kremlin said Ukrainian drones were attacking the area and Russian air defense systems were firing near the airport, but did not say those systems hit the plane.

White House officials said this week early indications point to the possibility that the Russian air defense system brought down the plane. The investigation is ongoing.

The head of one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza is now in the custody of the Israeli military. The Gaza Health Ministry says the director was forcibly arrested by the IDF one day after troops stormed the hospital. The IDF says Hamas used the hospital to conduct operations but provided no evidence.

In central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike hit a home overnight, killing nine people. Witnesses say four children were among those killed. There are fears more victims could be stuck beneath the rubble.

One lucky person in California will be going into the new year as a Mega Millions jackpot winner. A winning ticket was sold at a convenience store in Cottonwood, California. That's about 130 miles north of Sacramento. The ticket is worth an estimated $1.2 billion, or a cash payout of 549 million before taxes.

And Olivia Hussey, the star of the 1963 film Romeo and Juliet, has died. Hussey was 15 when she was cast as Juliet opposite 16 year old British actor Leonard Whiting. She won a Golden Globe for best new actress and the film won two Oscars. Decades later, Hussey and Whiting sued Paramount Pictures, alleging they were forced to act in the nude as minors. The suit was dismissed. Hussey also starred in several horror films, including Black Christmas. Hussey was 73 years old.

Up next on PBS News Weekend, remembering the victims and survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami 20 years ago this week and the chart toppers and breakthrough artists that had us tuning in this year in music.