Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 11PM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast
Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Daria Albinger (FOX News Podcasts)
Duration (news content): ~4 minutes 36 seconds

Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers a concise roundup of major global and national events as of January 4, 2026. Key topics include the upcoming arraignment of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in New York City, air travel disruptions due to U.S. military action, responses to drone attacks involving Russia and Ukraine, severe flooding in California, and coordinated UK-France airstrikes on ISIS in Syria. The cast maintains its signature brisk, informative tone throughout the broadcast, emphasizing critical headlines and live reports from correspondents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maduro Arraignment and U.S. Military Action

[00:02]

• Nicolas Maduro, former Venezuelan leader, faces arraignment in NYC tomorrow for charges linked to narcotics trafficking and corruption.
• Political Responses:
  • New York City Mayor Zoram Mamdani called President Trump to criticize recent military action in Venezuela.
  • NY Attorney General Letitia James on X:

    “Maduro was a brutal dictator who caused pain and suffering, while adding that she also believes in the Constitution…‘I am deeply concerned with the administration's continued abuse of the rule of law’.”
    (CB Cotton quoting Letitia James @00:26)

• DOJ's four-count indictment alleges Maduro orchestrated a drug pipeline:

  "Turning Venezuela into a drug pipeline to flood the U.S. with 'thousands of tons of cocaine.'"
  (CB Cotton @00:48)

• Observations note that opposition to the federal case is unlikely to affect legal proceedings.

2. Air Travel Disruptions After Venezuela Strike

[01:08]

• Hundreds of flights canceled by major carriers after U.S. military action in Venezuelan airspace.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced plans to reopen Caribbean airspace, but delays expected as airlines recover.
• Affected carriers: American Airlines, Delta, United, Frontier, Spirit, and JetBlue.
• Impact includes a backlog of both flights and passengers.

3. Ukraine-Russia Drone Strike Claims

[01:36]

• President Trump disputes Kremlin claims:
  • U.S. national security officials confirm Ukraine did not target the Russian President’s residence in last week’s drone attack.
  • Trump reportedly expressed “deep concern” but stands by U.S. intelligence findings.

4. Severe Flooding in Marin County, California

[02:39]

• Marin County residents and businesses combat ongoing flooding, using sandbags and tarps.
• Testimony from a local gym employee:

  “We had the sandbag wall break yesterday and that got water into the lobby. So we'd have to refortify that, get some more sandbags. We have a lot of great employees, employees that came in and worked on their day off, members that came in and volunteered. So we got a lot of help, a lot of great people.” (02:55)

• Record-breaking tides reported in San Francisco Bay, Alameda, Redwood City, Martinez, and Richmond.
• National Weather Service warns rain to continue another day.

5. UK and French Airstrikes on ISIS in Syria

[03:32]

• UK Ministry of Defense confirms guided bomb strikes on an ISIS weapons facility north of Palmyra.
  • Targeted to avoid civilian areas; “all aircraft returned safely.”
  • French military participated, aiming to prevent ISIS resurgence.
  • Both countries part of the larger U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.
• Stephanie Bennett reports:

  "Careful intelligence analysis identified an underground facility in the mountains north of Palmyra... initial indications show it was a successful mission and all aircraft returned safely." (03:43)

6. Honoring Victims of Swiss Bar Fire

[04:19]

• In Krans, Montana, Switzerland, hundreds march in silence to honor the 40 victims of a tragic New Year's Eve bar fire.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Letitia James on the administration and rule of law:

  “I am deeply concerned with the administration's continued abuse of the rule of law.” (CB Cotton quoting @00:26)

• Gym employee on community response to flooding:

  “We have a lot of great employees, employees that came in and worked on their day off, members that came in and volunteered. So we got a lot of help, a lot of great people.” (02:55)

• Stephanie Bennett on UK/French airstrikes:

  "Initial indications show it was a successful mission and all aircraft returned safely." (03:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 — Arraignment expected for Nicolas Maduro
• 00:11 — Political reactions to Venezuela military action
• 01:08 — Airline disruptions following U.S. military action
• 01:36 — President Trump on Russia/Ukraine drone strike
• 02:39 — Flooding impacts in Marin County, California
• 03:32 — UK & French airstrikes on ISIS in Syria
• 04:19 — Swiss march honors victims of bar fire

Episode Tone & Language

The episode maintains a direct, succinct, and neutral news delivery. Field reports and interviews add local color, especially in coverage of the California floods and international military actions. Quotes from officials and affected individuals are incorporated to provide immediacy and credibility.

This update offers a snapshot of fast-moving global events, geared toward listeners tracking significant legal, political, and humanitarian developments.