Tuesday morning news: December 10, 2024

Syria » The reign of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is over. And Secretary of State Tony Blinken says … while questions remain, that is very good news.

BLINKEN: The end of this regime is a defeat for all who enabled his barbarity and his corruption. None more than Iran. Hezbollah. And Russia.

But with Assad now out of the country … who exactly is in charge?

Syria's prime minister on Monday agreed to hand over power to what's being called the Syrian Salvation Government.

We’ll have much more on leadership in Syria very shortly.

But Israel says it's taking no chances. The Israeli Defense Forces released a video that appears to show Israeli paratroopers entering Syria.

NETANYAHU: [Speaking Hebrew]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he ordered the Israeli military to seize a buffer zone between Israel and Syria. He says it's necessary to ensure Israel's security … with heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Zelenskyy open to Western troops in Ukraine » Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine … as part of a bigger effort to end the war. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

ZELENSKYY: [Speaking Ukrainian]

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Zelenskyy says he proposes that Western troops be posted in some territories to help guarantee the security of Ukraine … while Ukraine is not yet a part of NATO. But he said that should be with the clear understanding that Ukraine will be a part of NATO in the future.

If Western troops were stationed in Ukraine, that would likely be as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia. And the purpose of those troops would be to help keep the peace.

President-elect Trump recently met in Paris with Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss efforts to end the war. The Kremlin has said it’s open to negotiating.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Supreme Court rejects Wisconsin parents appeal » The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a case involving parental rights on Monday. Wisconsin parents brought that case, alleging that a local school district’s transgender policy instructs teachers to intentionally withhold information about students from their parents.

By turning away the case, the high court left in place an appellate ruling dismissing the parents’ lawsuit.

The court was one vote short of approving the case for review. But three conservative justices signaled willingness to revisit these topics down the road.

Lara Trump stepping down as RNC co-chair » President-elect Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump is stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee … less than a year after taking the job.

LARA: You know, I could continue to stay at the RNC, but I do think I completed what I came to the RNC to do.

And that was to help steer the party through the election.

She said she’s considering numerous opportunities, but there’s one in particular she appears to be eyeing.

LARA: I know my name has been floated as a potential replacement for Marco Rubio, assuming he’s confirmed as Secretary of State. Obviously that is ultimately up to Gov. DeSantis.

If Florida Senator Marco Rubio departs the Senate to lead the State Dept. Gov. Ron DeSantis would choose a replacement to fill his seat for now ahead of a special election in 2026.

AUDIO: [Penny verdict protests]

NY subway case verdict » Protestors gathered outside a New York City courthouse Monday … demonstrating after a jury acquitted Marine veteran Daniel Penny of a criminally negligent homicide charge.

Penny restrained a man who was reportedly threatening other passengers on a New York subway … leading to his death.

The man who died, Jordan Neely, had a history of mental illness. And Mayor Eric Adams called it an avoidable tragedy.

ADAMS:  Jordan should not have had, had to die. Um, and, uh, I strongly believe as I've been stating probably from day one, uh, we have a mental health system that is broken. Uh, when you have someone repeatedly going through that system, uh, that's a signature of failure.

He added, though, that the jury rendered its decision and he respects the process.

New York City CEO shooting suspect » Authorities say they’ve arrested a person of interest in connection to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in Midtown Manhattan.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania … after an employee recognized the man from surveillance footage the NYPD has shared online.

TISCH: Officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.

Tisch said police also found clothing that matched the suspect…and a fake ID that matched records at a hostel where the alleged shooter stayed… along with a handwritten manifesto.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: more on the situation in Syria. Plus, organizations and institutions reconsider DEI initiatives.

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