Transcript of HTS Leader’s Bounty Lifted & Lively Baldoni Controversy | Afternoon Update | 12.24.24

I'm Georgia Howe with DailyWire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley. It's Tuesday, December 24th, and this is your MorningWire afternoon update.

The Biden administration has lifted a bounty on the rebel leader that overthrew Bachar al-Assad in Syria earlier this month. Daily Wire reporter Tim pierce has more.

The decision follows Hyatt Tareer Al-Sham's leader, Ahmed Al-Shara's, agreement to prevent terrorism groups in Syria from threatening the US for its neighbors. Hts, which was once linked to Al Qaeda, now controls much of Syria and is attempting to distance itself from its extremist roots. Us officials describe their first meeting with Al-Sharaa as productive, but stress the focus will remain on actions over services. Meanwhile, the US has ramped up its military presence in Syria to counter-ISIS threats amid the ongoing upheaval.

Feft and certain drug offenses can once again land you on the naughty list in California. As of last week, the Golden State's Opposition 36 took effect. The measure, approved by 69% of voters in November, makes retail thefts under $950 and drug possessions, including meth and fentanyl, felonies again, with convictions for these offenses up to three years in prison. Seale Beach PD posted a now viral Instagram video of two themes dejectedly discussing the new laws in the back of a cruiser, adding, This is Orange County. They don't play.

It's new laws. Stealing is a This is Orange County. They don't play. That's why I asked them, county is it. That's where I went to jail last year and got on probation for a year for still out of target.

Critics like Governor Gavin Newsom say such laws disproportionately harm minority communities, while supporters say it brings back accountability for repeat offenders. Here's new LA district attorney Nathan Hockman.

Too often, criminals understood that they could steal over and over and over again, and little to nothing would happen. That accountability starts today with Proposition 36. A seven-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being struck by a drone during a Christmas show in Orlando, Florida. According to his mother, the blade cut his mouth and there was an imprint of the drone on his chest from the collision. The blow to the chest was so substantial that the child had to be rushed into open heart surgery. He also suffered electrocution. Alexander, whose last name was not released, was expected to recover.

Actress Blake Lively filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Valdoni. Daily Wire reporter Megan Bascham breaks down the controversy.

According to Lively, Valdoni sexually harassed her on set and engaged in what she describes as a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation. Lively received an avalanche of bad press while promoting the film, which is about domestic violence, for her tone in interviews, as well as for a viral moment in which Lively snapped back at an interviewer for acknowledging her pregnancy bump.

First of all, congrats on your little bump. Congrats on your little bump. What about my bump?

The moment was so uncomfortable for the interview reviewer, who herself was not pregnant, despite Lively's insinuation that she had a bump, that she says she wanted to quit her job. Aldani's lawyer, Brian Friedmann, defended his client, telling the post, It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldonny, Wayfarer Studios, and its representatives as yet another desperate attempt to fix her reputation.

Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan announced plans to merge in 2026, with formal talks approved by their boards and Japan's government backing the move. The automakers aim to finalize the deal by mid-2025, creating a joint holding company to combine operations. Honda Canada's CEO said the merger builds on successful collaborations while Nissan hopes to boost profitability and recover market share. The move underscores Japan's effort to maintain leadership in car manufacturing amid rising competition from China.

Denzel Washington is now officially a Christian Minister. The actor was baptized and presented with a Minister license at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ, located in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on Saturday in a live streamed ceremony.

We you, my brother, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit.

The 69-year-old two-time Oscar winner called the step a bucket list item, adding, If God can do this for me, there's nothing he can't do for you. The sky is literally the limit. Before you go, we just wanted to give you a quick reminder about our schedule as we head into Christmas in the new year.

Over the next two weeks, we'll be taking a break from our regular schedule to switch things up a bit. But don't worry, we will be providing new content every single day in the form of excellent interviews and special episodes, so keep tuning in. Of course, in the event of any major news, we won't hesitate to drop an extra episode.

That's all the time we've got this afternoon. Tune in tomorrow for our special Christmas message.