Fox News Hourly Update: 3AM ET 01/01/2026 Newscast

Main Theme:
A fast-paced rundown of major news events at the dawn of 2026, including nationwide New Year’s celebrations (with a historic twist), political developments in New York, new U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuela, an extraordinary bank heist in Germany, and simmering diplomatic tensions with West Africa.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Year’s Eve Celebrations & America’s 250th Birthday

• Times Square Ball Drop:
  • Thousands gathered in Times Square, New York, for the annual ball drop.
  • This year, the event was extra special, marking the start of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
• Historic Double Drop:
  • Notable moment: For the first time, the Times Square ball will both rise now and drop again on July 4th, 2026, symbolizing the nation’s anniversary (00:18).
  • The ball was lit blue, with "2026" in red, white, and blue letters.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “It doesn’t get better than listening to some Frank Sinatra here... people from all over the world have come here to celebrate the new year. The first time ever that the ball is going to drop two times.”
    — Nate Foy, reporting from Times Square (00:18)
• Other Festivities:
  • In Washington, D.C., a New Year’s celebration included fireworks and a "birthday candle" projection onto the Washington Monument (00:50).

2. Political Turnover in New York City

• Swearing-In of Zoramdani:
  • Democratic Socialist Zoran Kwame Mamdani, having won a key city role, was officially sworn in just after midnight by NY Attorney General Letitia James (00:50).
• Oath Excerpt:
  • “Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States ... the Constitution of the state of New York ... and the charter of the city of New York.”
    — Letitia James and Zoran Kwame Mamdani, reciting the oath (01:25)
• Presidential Action:
  • President Trump announced an end to efforts to keep National Guard troops stationed in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland for now—warning they could return if crime levels surge (01:44).

3. Foreign Affairs & National Security

• Venezuela Sanctions:
  • The U.S. issued new sanctions against four companies tied to Venezuela’s oil sector, accusing the government of profiting from narcotics trafficking (02:40).
• US Southern Command Strikes:
  • Three more military strikes targeted alleged drug smuggling vessels, resulting in the death of three suspected “narco-terrorists” (02:40).
  • Notable Language: “The vessels were transiting along no narco trafficking routes and acted as a convoy transferring narcotics... three narco terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed.” (02:40)

4. Brazen Bank Heist in Germany

• Incident Overview:
  • Thieves drilled into a bank in Germany and ransacked more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes, affecting 2,700 customers.
  • Losses estimated between $11 million and $105 million; bank guarantees offered up to $12,000 per box, with suggestions that customers may have insured for more privately.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “At least 2,700 customers were impacted ... after more than 3,000 safety deposit boxes were broken into, making up more than 95% of the bank's inventory.”
    — Stephanie Bennett (03:28)
  • A fire alarm initially alerted police, but instead of a blaze, they discovered a massive hole and a gutted vault.
• No arrests have been made (04:10).

5. International Diplomatic Tensions

• West Africa Retaliates:
  • Mali and Burkina Faso simultaneously banned American citizens, a direct response to the U.S. expanding travel restrictions on over 20 nations, including themselves and Niger (04:10).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The first time ever that the ball is going to drop two times.”
  — Nate Foy (00:18)
• “Zoran Kwame Mamdani, do solemnly swear...”
  — Letitia James and Mamdani (01:25)
• “Three narco terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed.”
  — FOX News anchor (02:40)
• “...more than 3,000 safety deposit boxes were broken into, making up more than 95% of the bank’s inventory.”
  — Stephanie Bennett (03:28)

Key Timestamps

• 00:03 – Times Square New Year’s celebration coverage begins
• 00:18 – Historic double ball drop detailed; national celebrations
• 01:25 – Zoran Kwame Mamdani’s swearing-in ceremony
• 01:44 – President Trump on National Guard withdrawal
• 02:40 – New U.S. sanctions on Venezuela; military strikes
• 03:28 – German bank heist report
• 04:10 – West African nations ban American citizens; summary close

Tone: Direct, rapid-fire, with special attention paid to major headlines and national pride during anniversary celebrations.

This summary is meant to fully inform listeners about the significant news and events covered in the 3AM Fox News Hourly Update on January 1, 2026.