11PM ET 12/24/2025 Newscast

Summary

FOX News Hourly Update – 11PM ET, December 24, 2025

Host: Debra Valentine
Date: December 25, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise recap of major global and national news stories, focusing on diplomatic developments in Ukraine, significant changes at the Vatican, U.S. military holiday bonuses, harsh winter weather impacting travel, and a quick update on the stock market. The reporting is fast-paced and covers both international and domestic issues, mirroring the Fox News Radio style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine War: Potential Breakthrough for Peace

• [00:03–00:51]
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky has made a counterproposal in response to a U.S. peace plan that requires Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.
  • Zelensky offers to withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine if Russia does the same, proposing that the region become a demilitarized zone.
  • Talks between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia took place over the weekend, with major sticking points remaining—especially over territorial control.
  • Russia's formal response is pending. Optimism exists within the Trump administration regarding a ceasefire within the next 90 days.
  • Notable quote:
    “When asked about a timeline for the potential end of war, Ambassador Whitaker says it could happen in the next 90 days.” (News Reporter, [00:43])

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2. Vatican: First American Pope Leads Christmas Eve Mass

• [01:02–01:31]
  • Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Christmas Eve Mass after succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away in the spring.
  • The Pope delivers a message focused on compassion and hope, emphasizing the suffering of the poor and the strength in defenselessness.
  • Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, has prioritized care for immigrants and marginalized communities in his early papacy.
  • Notable quote:
    “In the face of the suffering of the poor, God sends one who is defenseless to be the strength to rise again.” (Pope Leo XIV, paraphrased by Tom, [01:18])

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3. U.S. Military Bonuses: “Warrior Dividends”

• [01:31–01:51]
  • President Trump calls military members from Mar-a-Lago, reassuring them of a $1,776 tax-free “warrior dividend” as a holiday bonus.
  • The bonus distribution is nearly complete, intended to arrive before Christmas.
  • Notable quote:
    “It’s tax free and we’ve distributed just about all of it in time for Christmas and you’ve earned it. Nobody else is going to do that for you. That I can tell you.” (President Trump, [01:40])

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4. Holiday Travel Disruptions Amid Major Storms

• [02:59–04:35]
  • A record 122 million Americans are traveling during the Christmas season, primarily by car, with some using trains and planes.
  • Severe weather affects both coasts:
    • West Coast: 40 million people under flood watch; southern California faces heavy rains and winds, prompting mandatory evacuations in San Bernardino County.
    • East Coast: Winter storm alerts for 30 million across the Northeast and New England.
    • Over 3,200 flight delays and 130 cancellations (per FlightAware); busiest travel day expected December 28.
  • Memorable details:
    • Ventura County recorded 8 inches of rain.
    • Last time Los Angeles had over 2 inches of rain on Christmas: 1971.
  • Notable quote:
    “Some fast moving water ripping through San Bernardino County. Mandatory evacuations there... Ventura county has seen 8 inches in the foothills. Water rushing down the San Gabriel Mountains. Elsewhere, you have closed roads, flooded streets and downed power lines and trees.” (William Lajeunesse, [04:03])

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5. Financial Market Snapshot

• [04:35–04:56]
  • Shortened trading day due to the holiday.
  • Stocks finished in the green on Christmas Eve:
    • Dow: +289 points
    • NASDAQ: +51 points
    • S&P 500: +22 points

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Ambassador Whitaker on Ukraine War:
  “It could happen in the next 90 days.” ([00:43])
• Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas Message:
  “In the face of the suffering of the poor, God sends one who is defenseless to be the strength to rise again.” ([01:18])
• President Trump on Military Bonus:
  “Nobody else is going to do that for you. That I can tell you.” ([01:46])
• William Lajeunesse on California Flooding:
  “Some fast moving water ripping through San Bernardino County. Mandatory evacuations there...” ([04:03])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Proposal: [00:03–00:51]
• Vatican, First American Pope: [01:02–01:31]
• Trump’s Military Bonus Call: [01:31–01:51]
• Holiday Travel & Storms: [02:59–04:35]
• Financial Markets: [04:35–04:56]

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This summary omits advertisements and focuses solely on the essential news content of the Fox News Hourly Update at 11PM ET, December 24, 2025.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

A counter proposal from Ukraine, I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. Ukraine's president has a counter proposal as a US Peace plan that demands he cede territory to Russia in an effort.

[News Reporter]

To reach a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. President Zelensky revealed he is willing to withdraw his troops from the eastern part of his country if Russia does the same. Ukraine also wants to transform the territory into a demilitarized zone. The US Held talks with both Russia and Ukraine over the weekend to hammer out details on a peace plan plan but there are still major sticking points about territory and Russia is expected to formally respond in the coming days. Some in the Trump administration remain hopeful a deal can be reached to end the war now. When asked about a timeline for the potential end of war, Ambassador Whitaker says it could happen in the next 90 days.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Madison Scarpino the holidays bring about a change at the Vatican. Fox's Tom Regarding reports.

[Tom]

The first Noel and the first Christmas Eve Mass for Pope Leo XIV following his election this spring after the death of Pope Francis, referring to the birth of Jesus, the pontiff telling thousands of the faithful, in the face of the suffering of the poor, God sends one who is defenseless to be the strength to rise again. The first American born pope has emphasized care for immigrants and the marginalized as central themes of his early papacy. Tamra Gotti, Fox News President Trump called.

[Debra Valentine]

Members of the military from Mar a Lago and South Florida, assuring them they'll receive their warrior dividends of $1776.

[President Trump]

It's tax free and we've distributed just about all of it in time for Christmas and you've earned it. Nobody else is going to do that for you. That I can tell you.

[Debra Valentine]

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[Debra Valentine]

Safe. A record number of Americans are hitting the road this Christmas season. An estimated 122 million people are traveling, mostly by car, others by train or.

[Weather Reporter]

Plane. The holiday joy is in the air here, but some major storms from coast to coast causing delays and cancellations. On the West coast, nearly 40 million people are under a flood watch because of dangerous winds and heavy rain. And on the east coast, winter weather alerts are in place for 30 million people across the Northeast and New England. According to FlightAware. There are more than 3,200 delays and 130 cancellations. The busiest travel day expected to be the Sunday after Christmas. So December.

[Debra Valentine]

28Th. Fox's Brooke Taylor reporting from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. A state of emergency declared for several counties in California as the storm is underway, bringing heavy rain and flooding to southern Cal foxes. William lajeuness reports from Malibu.

[William Lajeunesse]

California. Some fast moving water ripping through San Bernardino County. Mandatory evacuations there. In the foothills, Louisiana gets about 14 inches of rain a year. We're expecting 4 to 8 inches over just two to three days and already Ventura county has seen 8 inches in the foothills. Water rushing down the San Gabriel Mountains. Elsewhere, you have closed roads, flooded streets and down power lines and trees. Last minute shoppers fighting the wind and the rain. The last time the LA received about 2 inches of rain or more on Christmas Day was.

[Debra Valentine]

1971. Residents are also at risk for potential mudslides and tornadoes. A shortened trading day on Wall Street. Christmas Eve stocks finishing in the green Wednesday. The Dow climbed 289 points. The NASDAQ added 51. The S&P 500 up 22. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX.

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