transition to a more targeted campaign in gaza to reduce civilian casualties. the defense chief said he discussed pathways after hamas. the pentagon chief is also taking up houthi rebels on red sea shipping which he says must stop and he is urging other countries to publicly condemn the aggression. lloyd austin is attending a red sea security summit in bahrain which is one of the countries taking part in a new u.s.-led initiative to keep the waterway safe. houthi sources took responsibility for attacks monday on two commercial vessels they claim are linked to israel. all countries have the right to move freely and lawfully in international waters. but that foundational global right is under new threat today from the totally unacceptable attacks on merchant vessels by the houthis in yemen. that is endangering our common prosperity and the lives of innocent mariners. and these reckless houthi attacks are a serious international problem and they demand a firm international
blitzer in the situation room. happening now, a judge in manhattan just scheduled donald trump s criminal trial for next year right in the middle of the republican primary season. we ll share all the latest details from the former president s court appearance earlier this afternoon. also tonight, governor ron desantis is about to official. the florida republican is poised to launch his white house campaign tomorrow during a conversation with elon musk on twitter. we have new details on the announcement and how his gop rivals plan to respond. plus, we re learning new information right now about the driver who slammed a u haul truck into a white house barricade, what a court filing is revealing about the threats he allegedly made about president biden and his praise for adolph hitler. welcome to our viewers in the united states and around the world. i m wolf blitzer, you re in the situation room. . let s get straight to the news on former president trump s criminal trial
you re probably not easily persuaded to switch mobile providers for your business. but what if we told you it s possible that comcast business mobile can save you up to 75% a year on your wireless bill versus the big three carriers? did we peak your interest? you can get two unlimited lines for just $30 each a month. there are no term contracts or line activation fees. and you can bring your own device. oh, and all on the most reliable 5g mobile network nationwide. wireless that works for you. it s not just possible, it s happening. new tonight, take a look at this. massive plumes of lava in iceland as a volcano eruption begins. experts have warned that the activity could threaten nearby homes as well as local power plants. the area has been evacuated for a month in preparation for this moment and no flights have been disrupted yet, but iceland s government says right now there is no threat to life. laura coates, pretty amazing, but i m glad we are both here and not there t
building as ceasefire talks may be resuming. s israeli officials said to be meeting in norway today to discuss another a pause in the war with the release of more hostages a day after israel admitted it mistakenly killed 3 israeli hostages several days after learning israelis are not taking too kindly to the strong arming they re getting from the white house. prime minister benjamin netanyahu s spokesperson is here. then, from the legal battles that could drag presidential hopefuls down to stocks and the economy that have the white house saying things are looking up. voters considering both as key endorsements are coming in fast and furious. we ve got new hampshire governor chris sununu on why he s all in on nikki haley and teamster union boss sean o brien on why he is open to backing a republican. he s here. and if to arizona where a democratic governor is sending the national guard to the border. and to the east coast where a pre-christmas storm and it could be a doozy
breaking news this hour on the 2024 race. the gop field is about to get more crowded. florida governor ron desantis set to announce his candidacy. we have new details on exactly how he plans to do it and with whom. plus a teenager now charged with threatening to kill or harm a president. the suspect set to make his first appearance in front of a judge. we ll take you live outside the courthouse. and texas lawmakers scheduled to vote today on a bill that would require the ten commandments be posted in every classroom in the state. it s all part of a national effort to insert religion into public life. we are following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to cnn news central. well, the race to become the next republican presidential nominee is about to get more crowded, heated, and interesting. after months of speculation, we now know that florida governor ron desantis will announce his 2024 white house campaign on twitter with elon musk