Ten Americans and a fugitive are released from Venezuelan custody as part of a prisoner exchange between the two countries. And two media giants begin talks about a potential merger. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

10 Americans, fugitive released from Venezuelan custody in prisoner swap

Ten Americans imprisoned in Venezuela have been released as part of a prisoner swap between the two countries on Wednesday, Dec. 20. The White House said six of the Americans were wrongfully detained, and they are now back on U.S. soil.

The deal also included the return of a fugitive known as “Fat Leonard.” Malaysian businessman Leonard Francis fled to Venezuela in 2022 while under house arrest in San Diego after pleading guilty to what is considered to be one of the biggest bribery scandals in U.S. Navy history.

Francis admitted he offered more than $500,000 in cash bribes to Navy officials so they could steer business to his company in Asia. Also, as part of the prisoner exchange, the U.S. freed Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, who was charged with money laundering in Florida in 2019.

The swap is the latest agreement between the two nations. In October, the U.S. lifted some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry after the country’s government promised to open its 2024 presidential election to opponents of Maduro.

“As we welcome home our fellow citizens, I must also remind all Americans of the long-standing warning against traveling to Venezuela,” President Biden said in a statement following the prisoner swap.” Americans should not travel there.”

Israel says 3 hostages can be heard on video days before accidental shooting

More evidence is being uncovered after three hostages were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops last week in Gaza. The Israeli military said late Wednesday, Dec. 20, that the voices of the three hostages could be heard on video that was recorded approximately five days before the shooting but recovered a few days after.

The military said the video, which has not been released, was captured on a GoPro camera attached to one of its dogs. The dog was sent into a building and was killed by Hamas militants, but the camera kept recording. Israel’s military said its soldiers killed the militants inside the building, and that allowed the hostages to escape. Days later, the three hostages were shot dead by Israeli troops after being mistaken as a threat. The military said it will soon release the results of its investigation into the accidental killing, which it said violated its rules of engagement.

The death of the three hostages prompted renewed calls for a pause in the fighting from many in Israel as well as nations like the United States. On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Hamas leaders arrived in Egypt to talk of another temporary cease-fire and a deal for Hamas to release more Israeli hostages in exchange for imprisoned Palestinians in Israel.

Judge blocks California law banning guns in public places

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, a federal judge blocked a California law that would ban carrying firearms in public places starting on Jan. 1. U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney wrote in his ruling that the law violates the Second Amendment and would “unconstitutionally deprive” people with concealed carry permits of their right to defend themselves and their families.

The law was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September and would have prohibited guns at places like public parks, playgrounds, zoos, churches, and banks. Judge Carney called the law “repugnant to the Second Amendment and openly defiant of the Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state will appeal the judge’s ruling, adding it “would endanger communities by allowing guns in places where families and children gather.”

Trump asks Supreme Court to stay out of immunity dispute for now

“Haste makes waste” is what former President Trump’s attorneys wrote to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Dec. 20, asking for SCOTUS to let the debate over presidential immunity play out in the lower courts first. The debate revolves around special counsel Jack Smith’s case against the former president, charged with a “criminal scheme” to overturn the 2020 election results.

Trump’s team argues he cannot be prosecuted for trying to overturn the election and that former presidents cannot face criminal charges for conduct related to their official responsibilities. Last week, Jack Smith urged the high court to rule on Trump’s claim in an expedited manner before lower courts have a chance to rule on it so as not to delay the trial; Smith said the issue is of high public importance.

“The United States recognizes that this is an extraordinary request,” Smith wrote. “This is an extraordinary case.”

Trump’s team contends this issue must play out in the lower courts first before the Supreme Court steps in. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a trial date is set for March 4th for now. If Trump is reelected on Nov. 5, he could seek to pardon himself of any federal crimes.

Warner Bros. Discovery in talks to merge with Paramount

According to multiple reports, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount are in talks of a potential merger. As first reported by Axios, sources say the CEOs of the two companies met over lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Paramount’s New York City headquarters for several hours, where they discussed the possible deal. The merger between the two media giants would mean combining their streaming services, Max and Paramount+, to compete better with Netflix and Disney+.

Paramount would bring its TV assets like CBS and Nickelodeon to join WBD’s operations, which include CNN and HBO. On the movie front, Warner Bros. Pictures has the DC Universe and Lord of the Ring film franchises. Paramount’s properties include Mission Impossible and Star Trek.

The deal could mean WBD buying Paramount or its Paramount company, National Amusements. Sources said both options are on the table.

‘2024’ display arrives in Times Square for New Year’s Eve ball drop

With only a few days left in the year, New York City is getting ready to ring in 2024, and on Wednesday, Dec. 20, one crucial part of the city’s tradition arrived in Times Square. The numerals “2024” were delivered after the lighted display took a coast-to-coast road trip from California that began earlier this month, covering more than 2,800 miles.

The numbers were tested, ensuring they’d light up the sky when the ball dropped and the clock hit midnight on New Year’s. Before being raised atop Times Square on Friday, Dec. 22, the numerals will remain on display for visitors to see up close.