11PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 11PM ET, December 29, 2025

Main Theme:
This broadcast delivers a concise update on major U.S. and global news, including U.S. military action overseas, Middle East diplomacy, the ongoing Ukraine war, a developing fraud investigation in Minnesota, and a record-breaking holiday music achievement.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strike in the Pacific (00:02 – 00:51)

• Incident:
  The U.S. carried out a "lethal kinetic strike" on a boat traveling a known narco-terrorism route in the eastern Pacific, as part of Operation Southern Spear.
• Details:
  • Ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
  • The Southern Command reports two men killed, no U.S. military casualties.
  • This marks the 30th strike of its kind in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific under the Trump administration, resulting in over 100 deaths.
• Notable Quote:
  • Grinal Scott (00:17): “The term meaning direct use of artillery to destroy a target as part of Operation Southern Spear...”
  • Grinal Scott (00:45): “According to the Trump administration, the strike is the 30th such action in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters, killing more than 100 people.”

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2. President Trump’s Warning to Hamas (00:51 – 01:24)

• Situation:
  President Trump warns Hamas to disarm immediately, with threats of serious consequences if they fail to comply.
• Context:
  Following a meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussions focused on implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
• Peace in the Middle East:
  Trump expresses optimism about sustaining peace but highlights disagreement over new Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
• Notable Quotes:
  • President Trump (00:59): “If they don't disarm as, as they agreed to, they agreed to it and then they'll be held to pay.”
  • President Trump (01:15): “We have peace in the Middle east and we're going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way.”

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3. Ukraine Conflict & U.S. Diplomacy (01:35 – 01:53)

• Event:
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Trump to discuss ending the war with Russia. Zelensky described the talks as productive, referencing a "20 points plan."
• Clarity:
  Zelensky claims 90% agreement on the plan, with only two points remaining unresolved.
• Notable Quote:
  • Zelensky (01:46): “And when I said 90%, it's true because there are questions with only with two points.”

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4. Legal Update: Accused Assassin of Charlie Kirk (02:58 – 03:34)

• Ruling:
  A Utah judge ruled that transcripts and audio of a closed-door court hearing regarding the Charlie Kirk assassination case can be released in redacted form.
• Background:
  The accused, a 22-year-old male, allegedly shot Kirk on Utah Valley University’s campus in September.

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5. Minnesota Daycare Fraud Investigation (03:34 – 04:14)

• Development:
  Federal agents are probing daycare centers run by Somali immigrants after allegations of large-scale welfare fraud.
• Spotlighted Facility:
  • Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis received nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer funds, despite over 120 state violations.
• Political Response:
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is defending his administration’s anti-fraud efforts, while state Republican lawmakers demand his resignation amidst claims of up to $9 billion lost to fraud.
  • Potential ties between the fraud and a Somalian terror group are being considered.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Garrett Tenney (03:38): “Despite not spelling learning correctly on its sign and state inspectors finding more than 120 violations over the past three years, the business was still able to receive nearly one and a half million taxpayer dollars last year...”

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6. Mariah Carey Sets Holiday Chart Record (04:27 – 04:51)

• Achievement:
  Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” tops the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-extending 22nd week.
• Broader Trend:
  Holiday songs occupy the top 24 positions—a new all-time high for seasonal domination of the charts.
• Notable Quote:
  • Michelle Palino (04:27): “Icon Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is you is shimmering at top the Billboard Hot 100 for a record extending 22nd week, leading a record parade of holiday hits...”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. Military Strike:
  Grinal Scott (00:17): “The U.S. Southern Command...called a lethal kinetic strike, the term meaning direct use of artillery to destroy a target as part of Operation Southern Spear.”
• On Hamas Warning:
  President Trump (00:59): “If they don't disarm as, as they agreed to, they agreed to it and then they'll be held to pay.”
• On Middle East Peace:
  President Trump (01:15): “A lot of good things are happening in the Middle East. We have peace in the Middle east and we're going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way.”
• On Ukraine Talks:
  Zelensky (01:46): “And when I said 90%, it's true because there are questions with only with two points.”
• On Minnesota Daycare Fraud:
  Garrett Tenney (03:38): “Despite not spelling learning correctly on its sign...received nearly one and a half million taxpayer dollars last year...over 120 violations.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02–00:51: U.S. Military boat strike in the eastern Pacific
• 00:51–01:24: Trump warns Hamas; Middle East peace talks
• 01:35–01:53: Zelensky-Trump Mar-a-Lago diplomatic summit
• 02:58–03:34: Charlie Kirk assassination case courtroom ruling
• 03:34–04:14: Minnesota daycare fraud investigation
• 04:27–04:51: Mariah Carey tops holiday music charts

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Tone:
Direct, urgent, and news-focused reporting, with succinct quotations and limited editorializing.

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For listeners:
This summary covers all substantive news from the 11PM ET newscast, omitting advertisements and promotional content. For further details or coverage updates, visit FOX News online or tune in to future hourly newscasts.

Transcript

[John Saucier]

The US Military strikes another boat. I'm John Saucier, Fox News. The latest US Boat strike in international waters ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported by military officials tonight. Here's Fox's Grinal Scott with details.

[Grinal Scott]

The U.S. southern Command in a post on X shared details of what it called a lethal kinetic strike, the term meaning direct use of artillery to destroy a target as part of Operation Southern Spear. The vessel, according to intelligence received, was identified and spotted traveling along a known eastern Pacific narco terrorism route. According to Southern Command, two men were killed in the strike. No military personnel were hurt. According to the Trump administration, the strike is the 30th such action in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters, killing more than 100 people. Grinul Scott, Fox News.

[John Saucier]

President Trump says Hamas must disarm soon or face severe consequences.

[Jared Halpert]

Hamas will be given a very short time to disarm.

[President Donald Trump]

President Trump says if they don't disarm as, as they agreed to, they agreed to it and then they'll be held to pay.

[Jared Halpert]

The president offering that warning following a meeting at Mar a Lago with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.

[President Donald Trump]

A lot of good things are happening in the Middle East. We have peace in the Middle east and we're going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way.

[Jared Halpert]

President Trump did note one area of disagreement with Netanyahu, the West bank where Israel has approved additional settlements over the objections of Western allies. Jared Halpert, FOX News.

[John Saucier]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met President Trump in Mar a Lago on Sunday, talked about trying to end the war with Russia. President Zelensky on Special Report on the Fox News Channel calling the talks productive 20 points plan.

[Jared Halpert]

And when I said 90%, it's true because there are questions with only with two points.

[John Saucier]

America is listening to Fox News.

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[John Saucier]

SimpliSafe. A judge has ruled that the transcript and an audio recording of a closed door hearing involving the accused assassin of Charlie Kirk can be released in redacted forms. This ruling came during a hearing on how much access the public should have as this suspect's capitol case proceeds. In Provo, Utah. The 22 year old male is accused of fatally shooting Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in September. Federal agents are investigating after conservative influencer Nick Shirley's video recently went viral. He claimed daycare centers run by Somali immigrants were stealing from Minnesota's welfare system. Here's fox's Garrett Tenney with.

[Garrett Tenney]

More. One child care business that's now under the microscope of federal investigators is Quality Learning center in Minneapolis. Despite not spelling learning correctly on its sign and state inspectors finding more than 120 violations over the past three years, the business was still able to receive nearly one and a half million taxpayer dollars last year, according to the state's Department of Human Services. Tim Walz's office is defending his handling of the growing fraud scandal, telling Fox News the governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and asked the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action. He has strengthened oversight. State Republican lawmakers say they've been sounding the alarm over fraud in Minnesota's childcare space for.

[John Saucier]

Years. Some Republican state lawmakers are calling on Minnesota Governor Tim Wallace to resign. They say as much as $9 billion may have lost their fraud. The treasury is investigating possible links to a Somalian terror group. And another record for a Christmas, pop.

[Michelle Palino / Ainsley Earhart]

Icon Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is you is shimmering at top the Billboard Hot 100 for a record extending 22nd week, leading a record parade of holiday hits from the top of the chart on down. This year, seasonal songs claim the top 24 positions on the survey, surging past the prior mark of the top 16 songs at this time last.

[John Saucier]

Year. Fox's Michelle Palino reporting. I'm John Saucier and this is FOX.

[Michelle Palino / Ainsley Earhart]

News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life.

[John Saucier]

Of Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to.