CBS Headline

If you didn’t quite get Christmas or Hanukkah gifts wrapped and shipped ahead of the holidays, don’t worry — researchers say it’s the thought that counts.
source

The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to an estimated $1 billion for the drawing on Christmas Eve. It’s only the seventh time in the game’s history the jackpot has hit that mark. Dave Malkoff has more.
source

A body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight after it flew from Chicago to Maui on Christmas Eve. Authorities are trying to determine how the victim was able to access the wheel well of the Boeing plane.
source

Authorities in Mississippi say a “desperate” and “very dangerous” convicted murderer, Drew Johnson, is back in custody after escaping from prison Tuesday.
source

A passenger airliner crashed this morning in Kazakhstan after a bird strike caused an emergency. Dramatic video shows the plane plummeting before bursting into flames, but officials say more than 30 of the 67 people on board survived.
source

For a second straight year, the war raging in Gaza has kept pilgrims and tourists away from Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, where Christmas tourism makes up about 70% of the city’s economy. Imtiaz Tyab has more.
source

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges.
source

At least one person was killed and six others injured when a boat exploded in a marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Three people suffered traumatic injuries. Cristian Benavides reports.
source

An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people on board crashed in the western Kazakhstani city of Aktau but at least 32 people survived, according to officials.
source

Among the new laws signed by President Biden are Paris Hilton’s bill to protect institutionalized teenagers and a bill to address hazing on college campuses.
source