3AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Host: Debra Valentine, Fox News
Air Date: January 4, 2026

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Episode Overview

This newscast delivers breaking news on the dramatic U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who are now held in New York on narco-terrorism charges. The operation’s international fallout, including U.N. controversy and U.S. policy for Venezuela’s interim governance led by President Trump, features heavily. The report then turns to a tragic fire in Switzerland resulting in multiple deaths and ongoing criminal investigations.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Operation Captures Maduro

• Daring Operation in Venezuela

  • U.S. forces executed a coordinated air, land, and sea assault overnight to capture Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife.
  • "[The operation] led to their capture by air, land and sea. US Forces took out military targets in Venezuela overnight." (General Dan Kane, 00:15)

• Months of Planning and Intelligence

  • The raid on Maduro’s home was preceded by detailed, months-long intelligence gathering.
  • "Find Maduro and understand how he moved, where he lived, where he traveled, what he ate, what he wore, what were his pets." (Military Analyst, 00:38)

• Charges Against Maduro

  • Maduro and his wife face multi-count indictments for narco-terrorism conspiracy in the Southern District of New York.
  • "[Maduro] is facing narco terrorism charges out of southern New York." (Debra Valentine, 00:58)

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2. International Response and U.N. Debate

• Skepticism Over Legality

  • U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns about potential violations of international law during the U.S. operation.
  • Venezuela requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting; China and Russia are expected to support Venezuela.

• Dueling Narratives at the U.N.

  • Russia calls Maduro "legitimately elected"; U.S. Ambassador Mike Walsh rejects that, framing the operation as justice, not regime change:
    • "This is not regime change, this is justice. Maduro was an indicted illegitimate dictator that led a declared narco terrorism organization responsible for killing American citizens." (Mike Walsh on X, quoted by UN Correspondent, 01:25)

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3. U.S. Plans for Interim Governance in Venezuela

• President Trump's Announcement

  • The U.S. will "run Venezuela for now," with U.S. oil companies expected to help rebuild the country's oil reserves.
    • "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world. Go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure and start making money for the country." (Military Analyst, 02:46)

• Political Transition and Opposition

  • Trump dismisses Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, claiming she lacks necessary support.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in talks with the vice president installed by Maduro—a move supposedly aligning Venezuela’s new interim administration closely with U.S. interests.
  • "[The vice president] is effectively willing to do whatever it takes, whatever the US believes is necessary to make Venezuela great again." (White House Correspondent, 03:34)

• Promise of "Proper and Judicious" Power Transfer

  • "The president said the US will be taking control of Venezuela until a proper and judicious transfer of power." (Debra Valentine, 03:41)

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4. International News – Swiss Nightclub Tragedy

• Fatal Fire in Alpine Resort
  • Swiss prosecutors launch a criminal investigation after 40 deaths and over 100 injuries in a bar fire on New Year’s Eve.
  • The fire began when decorative candles atop champagne bottles ignited the ceiling in a crowded bar.
  • Investigators are examining safety regulation compliance and the use of combustibles.
  • "Prosecutors say the two bar managers are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire." (Swiss Fire Incident Reporter, 03:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This was an audacious operation that only the United States could do."
  — Military Analyst, 00:22

• "Find Maduro and understand how he moved, where he lived, where he traveled, what he ate, what he wore, what were his pets."
  — Military Analyst, 00:38

• "This is not regime change, this is justice. Maduro was an indicted illegitimate dictator…"
  — U.S. Ambassador Mike Walsh, 01:35

• "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies... go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure... and start making money for the country."
  — Military Analyst on U.S. plans for Venezuela, 02:46

• "[The vice president] is effectively willing to do whatever it takes, whatever the US believes is necessary to make Venezuela great again."
  — White House Correspondent, 03:34

• "Prosecutors say the two bar managers are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire."
  — Swiss Fire Incident Reporter, 03:54

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Important Timestamps

• 00:03–00:58: Breaking: U.S. captures Maduro; details on operation & charges
• 01:04–01:51: U.N. and international reaction; U.S. and Russia clash at Security Council
• 02:39–03:41: Trump administration's plans for Venezuela, including oil infrastructure and political transition
• 03:54–04:28: Reports on deadly Swiss nightclub fire and investigation

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Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

The Maduro is held. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are held at the Manhattan Detention center in New York following a daring US Military operation in Venezuela overnight Saturday that.

[General Dan Kane]

Led to their capture by air, land and sea. US Forces took out military targets in Venezuela overnight.

[Military Analyst]

This was an audacious operation that only the United States could do.

[General Dan Kane]

General Dan Kane, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says the operation that included a raid of the home of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife took months of intelligence work to.

[Military Analyst]

Find Maduro and understand how he moved, where he lived, where he traveled, what he ate, what he wore, what were his pets.

[General Dan Kane]

Maduro and his wife are facing multi count indictments accused of narco terrorism conspiracy. At the White House, Jared Halpern, Fox News.

[Debra Valentine]

The Maduro is facing narco terrorism charges out of southern New York. The international community reacting to the capture.

[UN Correspondent]

Of the Maduro, Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern that international law may not have been followed. And we know Venezuela for its part has asked for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Permanent Security Council members, China, Russia are expected to support that. Russia also doubled down calling Nicolas Maduro a legitimately elected leader. But U.S. ambassador to the U.N. mike Walsh saying Maduro is anything but waltz wrote on X this is not regime change, this is justice. Maduro was an indicted illegitimate dictator that led a declared narco terrorism organization responsible for killing American citizens. I commend our brilliant military and law enforcement operators.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's CB Cotton reporting from New York City. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

President Trump says the US will run Venezuela for now, including the rebuilding of the country's oil reserves.

[Military Analyst]

We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world. Go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure and start making money for the country.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Jackie Heinrich reports from the White House with additional details on control of Venezuela following the Maduro's capture.

[White House Correspondent]

The president was asked what about the opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado? And President Trump said that he does not believe that she has the support or respect within the country to show up as its leader, and also revealed that Secretary of State, State Marco Rubio is in active talks with the sitting vice president of the country, who Maduro hand picked and installed, but said that she is effectively willing to do whatever it takes, whatever the US Believes is necessary to make Venezuela great again.

[Debra Valentine]

The president said the US Will be taking control of Venezuela until a proper and judicious transfer of power. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bar where a deadly New Year's Eve fire killed at least 40 people.

[Swiss Fire Incident Reporter]

Prosecutors say the two bar managers are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire. Forty people died and more than 100 others were injured in that fire that broke out early Thursday. Investigators believe sparkling candles on top of champagne bottles ignited that fire when they came too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar in an Alpine resort town. Authorities will look into whether sound dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether candles were permitted for use, among other safety measures.

[Debra Valentine]

Angelo Bavaro, FOX News the investigation into the fatal fire is continuing. I'm Deborah Dellent on this. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Swiss Fire Incident Reporter]

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 podcast.