1PM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 1PM ET, January 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major international and domestic news stories. Key topics include the dramatic U.S. military capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, diplomatic developments in Ukraine, deadly unrest in Iran, the spread of a drug-resistant fungus in the U.S., recent U.S. tariff decisions, and continued weapons ambitions in North Korea.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela

• Capture Mission: U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife after months of planning.
  • "Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife captured in a US Military operation that had been planned over the course of..."
    —Paul Stevens [00:02]
• Operation Details:
  • Over 150 aircraft launched from land and sea.
  • Aircraft flew with transponders off to avoid detection.
  • Delta Force operatives and Night Stalker pilots involved.
  • Launched from USS Iwo Jima.
  • Destruction of regime bases and air defenses to protect U.S. troops.
  • "Launched more than 150 aircraft from dozens of bases on land and sea with their transponders turned off to avoid detection... Delta Force operatives flown just 100ft above the sea by pilots from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment known as the Night Stalkers."
    —Ainsley Earhart [00:12]
• Aftermath:
  • Venezuelan Vice President sworn in as interim leader.
  • Maduro to be arraigned in New York City on narco-terrorism charges.
  • "The president says the Venezuelan vice president has been sworn in to lead the country. In the meantime, Nicolas Maduro is set to be arraigned in New York City on Monday facing narco terrorism charges."
    —Paul Stevens [00:48]

2. Ukraine Diplomatic Developments

• Allied Talks in Kyiv:
  • National security advisers from Europe and allied nations gathered for U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
  • President Zelensky confirms Ukraine has shared proposed documents and security guarantee plans with 18 countries.
  • "Zelensky saying work will now move quickly to allied capitals including those in Europe, Canada and Japan. The Ukrainian military says its due to meet tomorrow."
    —Paul Stevens [01:18]
• Next Steps:
  • Meetings in Paris planned, followed by European leaders’ summit aimed at finalizing security guarantees.

3. Iran: Deadly Protests over Economic Collapse

• Ongoing Unrest:
  • Rising fatalities amid riots over the collapse of the Iranian currency.
  • At least 10 dead since Thursday; two killed by grenade during overnight protests.
  • "State media saying at least two more people were killed when a grenade exploded during overnight protests. At least 10 people have died since Thursday."
    —Paul Stevens [01:38]

4. Health Crisis: Drug-Resistant Fungus

• Candida auris Outbreak:
  • CDC warns that a deadly, drug-resistant fungus is spreading rapidly.
  • About 7,000 U.S. cases last year; reported in 60+ countries.
  • Fungus survives on skin and equipment, resists treatment, and is often misdiagnosed.
  • Greatest risk to critically ill and ventilated patients.
  • "The CDC calling Candida auris an urgent threat with about 7,000 cases ID’d nationwide last year and infections racing reported in at least 60 countries."
    —Paul Stevens [02:16]

5. U.S. Trade Policy: Tariff Adjustments

• Delayed Tariff Increases:
  • President Trump postpones hikes on furniture, cabinets, and vanities.
  • Intention to keep trade negotiations ongoing.
  • Possible rollback on tariff hikes for Italian pasta; final decision in March.
  • Tariffs justified as tools for national security and trade leverage.
  • "A New Year’s Eve proclamation from President Trump tapped the brakes on planned tariff hikes..."
    —Jared Halpern [02:56]

6. North Korea: Missile Production Expansion

• Kim Jong Un’s Weapons Push:
  • Kim visits a tactical guided weapons facility—third such tour in three weeks.
  • Emphasis on short-range missiles targeting moving military assets.
  • Push to more than double current missile production rates.
  • “Kim has called for missile production to increase to about two and a half times of where it currently is in North Korea.”
    —Paul Stevens [03:37]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the scale of the Venezuela operation:
  • "Launched more than 150 aircraft from dozens of bases on land and sea with their transponders turned off to avoid detection."
    —Ainsley Earhart [00:12]
• Maduro's fate:
  • "Nicolas Maduro is set to be arraigned in New York City on Monday facing narco terrorism charges."
    —Paul Stevens [00:48]
• Ukraine’s urgency and inclusivity:
  • "Ukraine has now shared all proposed documents including plans for security guarantees with advisors from 18 different countries."
    —Paul Stevens [01:01]
• Fungus threat scope:
  • "The CDC calling Candida auris an urgent threat with about 7,000 cases ID’d nationwide last year."
    —Paul Stevens [02:16]
• International trade negotiations:
  • "The executive order leaves in place a 25% tariff on those goods imported to the US but delays an additional 30% tax... The deal is intended to keep trade talks going."
    —Jared Halpern [02:56]
• North Korea’s escalation:
  • "Kim has called for missile production to increase to about two and a half times of where it currently is in North Korea."
    —Paul Stevens [03:37]

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Venezuela Military Operation — [00:02] to [00:48]
• Ukraine Diplomacy — [00:48] to [01:38]
• Iran Unrest — [01:38] to [01:59]
• Public Health: Drug-resistant Fungus — [02:16] to [02:56]
• U.S. Tariff Policy — [02:56] to [03:37]
• North Korea Missile Production — [03:37] to episode end

---

This summary covers only the main news content and skips commercial messages and promotions outside of the news segments.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

A detailed operation. I'm Paul Stevens. Fox News. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife captured in a US Military operation that had been planned over the course of.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Months under the COVID of darkness late Friday night, the US military launched more than 150 aircraft from dozens of bases on land and sea with their transponders turned off to avoid detection. The mission capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The strike force launched from the USS Iwo Jima, composed of Delta Force operatives flown just 100ft above the sea by pilots from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment known as the Night Stalkers. Regime bases and air defense systems were destroyed to protect the Americans coming ashore.

[Paul Stevens]

And that's Fox's Lucas Tomlinson in West Palm Beach. The president says the Venezuelan vice president has been sworn in to lead the country. In the meantime, Nicolas Maduro is set to be a reigned in New York City on Monday facing narco terrorism charges. Meantime, national security advisers from Europe and other allied countries met in Kyiv Saturday as a U. S led diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine intensifies. President Volodymyr Zelensky saying Ukraine has now shared all proposed documents including plans for security guarantees with advisors from 18 different countries. Zelensky saying work will now move quickly to allied capitals including those in Europe, Canada and Japan. The Ukrainian military says its due to meet tomorrow. Officials Monday in Paris followed by talks among European leaders on Tuesday where Zelensky hopes security guarantees can in some way be finalized. The number of dead now rising in Iran amid riots over the collapse of that regime's currency. State media saying at least two more people were killed when a grenade exploded during overnight protests. At least 10 people have died since Thursday. America is listening to Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

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

[Jared Halpern]

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 podcasts.

[Paul Stevens]

A deadly drug resistant fungus is spreading rapidly through U.S. hospitals and health facilities along with according rather to new research. The CDC calling Candida auris an urgent threat with about 7,000 cases ID'd nationwide last year and infections racing reported in at least 60 countries. Doctors say the fungus survives on skin and medical equipment, resists multiple drugs and is often misdiagnosed delaying treatment. It's possible the greatest risk is to critically ill patients, especially those on ventilators. President Trump is holding off a bit on some tariffs as he tries pushing for more new trade deals.

[Jared Halpern]

A New Year's Eve proclamation from President Trump tapped the brakes on planned tariff hikes on furniture, cabinets and vanities. The executive order leaves in place a 25% tariff on those goods imported to the US but delays an additional 30% tax on upholstered furniture and 50% increase on cabinets and vanities. The deal is intended to keep trade talks going. The administration is also signaling it could backpedal on proposed tariff hikes on Italian pasta, but a final decision will come in March. President Trump has relied on tariffs to force trade agreements, arguing they are necessary for national security. In Washington, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Paul Stevens]

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pushing for more weapons production as he continues a series of factory visits. State media saying Kim toward a tactical guided weapons facility on Saturday, his third weapons planned visit in the past three weeks. The Korean Central News Agency, the kcna, saying the focus is on short range guided missiles designed to strike moving military targets. Kim has called for missile production to increase to about two and a half times of where it currently is in North Korea. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.