Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update — 3PM ET, December 25, 2025

Overview:
This Christmas Day newscast, anchored by Paul Stevens, delivers top global headlines including holiday messages from religious and royal leaders, US diplomatic moves regarding Venezuela, severe weather in California, acts of heroism in Australia, and new data on declining murder rates across the United States.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Messages from World Leaders

Pope Leo XIV’s First Christmas Address (00:02–00:27)

Pope Leo XIV, during his inaugural Christmas Eve and Day Masses in Rome, called for peace, especially addressing the Ukraine conflict and living conditions in Gaza for Palestinians.
Notable Quote (Pope Leo XIV, 00:14):

“May the clamor of weapons cease and may the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.”
The pontiff’s remarks expressed global solidarity and a direct call for diplomatic action.

King Charles III’s Christmas Speech (00:27–01:06)

King Charles III delivered his annual Christmas Day message from Westminster Abbey, focusing on themes of unity, peace, and shared human values among all faiths.
Notable Quote (King Charles III, 00:42):

“As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common: a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life. If we can find time in our journey through life to think on these virtues, we could all make the future more hopeful.”
Context: King's message comes two weeks after good news on his cancer treatment.

2. U.S. Response to Venezuelan Crisis (01:06–01:55)

The U.S. is intensifying pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, focusing on an oil quarantine for at least two months, prioritizing economic measures over military action.
Military options remain “on the table,” as ongoing U.S. operations include strikes on alleged cartel boats.
Notable points:
- Maduro is urged by President Trump to leave office.
- Venezuelan officials claim that the U.S., not Venezuela, poses the real threat.
Quote (Ryan Schmell, Washington, 01:17):

“The Trump administration is more interested in using economic pressure as opposed to military force, though military options remain on the table.”

3. California Storms Cause Damage and Fatalities (02:27–03:06)

California faces another storm on Christmas, following heavy rainfall in prior days.
At least three storm-related deaths are reported, including a San Diego man killed by a falling tree.
Emergency rescues occurred around Los Angeles, with flash flooding and heavy rainfall:
- Totals ranged: over 2.5 inches in downtown LA, 5+ inches in San Fernando Valley, and more than 12 inches at San Gabriel Dam.
Quote (Jessica Rosenthal, 02:33):

“Fire crews affected several rescues in and around Los Angeles, including a man who was trapped in an RV in Sunland. He had to be lifted out of a creek by helicopter.”

4. Sydney Hanukkah Attack and Acts of Bravery (03:06–03:52)

Following a Hanukkah jihadist attack at Bondi Beach killing 15 (including a child and two rabbis), Australian PM Anthony Albanese plans to award medals for bravery.
Both first responders and civilians, such as Ahmed Al Ahmed (who wrestled a rifle from a gunman despite being wounded), are being recognized.
Albanese faces criticism amid rising anti-Semitic sentiment and for recognizing a Palestinian state post–October 7 attacks.
Quote (Eben Brown, 03:15):

“Ahmed Al Ahmed, was seen on video wrestling away a rifle from one gunman, only to be shot and wounded himself.”

5. U.S. Murder Rate Sees Historic Drop (03:52–04:24)

The U.S. murder rate plummeted by nearly 20% in 2025, the steepest annual drop on record.
Statistics: ~5,900 murders (Jan–Oct 2025) versus ~7,300 (Jan–Oct 2024).
Drop attributed to the reversal of the pandemic-era spike in violence.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

Pope Leo XIV (00:14):
“May the clamor of weapons cease and may the parties involved with the support and commitment of the international community find courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.”
King Charles III (00:42):
“As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common, a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life…”
Jessica Rosenthal (02:33):
“Fire crews affected several rescues in and around Los Angeles, including a man who was trapped in an RV in Sunland. He had to be lifted out of a creek by helicopter.”
Eben Brown (03:15):
“Ahmed Al Ahmed, was seen on video wrestling away a rifle from one gunman, only to be shot and wounded himself.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

Pope Leo XIV’s Address & King Charles III — 00:02–01:06
US Action on Venezuelan Oil — 01:06–01:55
California Storm Updates — 02:27–03:06
Australia Hanukkah Attack & Bravery Awards — 03:06–03:52
US Murder Rate Decline — 03:52–04:24

Tone:
The reporting tone is urgent and factual, in line with Fox News Radio’s concise and direct hourly updates.

Summary Utility:
This summary encapsulates the global significance of Christmas 2025’s news—from spiritual appeals and humanitarian crises to dramatic statistics and stories of unusual heroism—for listeners who want a clear rundown of the day's events minus commercial breaks and promotionals.

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Transcript15 lines

[00:03]
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Christmas prayers. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. Pope Leo XIV delivering a message and blessing in Rome following his first Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses calling for peace in Ukraine.
[00:14]
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May the clamor of weapons cease and may the parties involved with the support and commitment of the international community find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue.
[00:28]
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The pontiff also lamenting living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza. King Charles III delivering his annual Christmas Day speech from Westminster Abbey. The monarch's annual pre recorded message watched by millions of folks in the UK and across the Commonwealth.
[00:43]
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As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common, a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life. If we can find time in our journey through life to think on these virtues, we could all make the future more hopeful.
[01:06]
A
This year's address coming just two weeks after Charles said he had good news when told by doctors he'd be able to scale back his ongoing treatment for cancer. The US Taking new action on Venezuelan.
[01:17]
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Oil Military forces are being told to focus on a quarantine of Venezuelan oil for the next two months minimum. That, according to Reuters, citing a US Official, says the Trump administration is more interested in using economic pressure as opposed to military force, though military options remain on the table. President Trump continued his pressure campaign this week on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying it would be smart for him to leave office while continuing military strikes on alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean. Venezuelan officials have said the US Government is the threat, not Venezuela. In Washington, Ryan Schmell's Fox News America.
[01:55]
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Is listening to Fox News.
[02:01]
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This episode is brought to you by. Jack Daniels Jack Daniels and music are made for each other. They share a rhythm in the craft of making something timeless while being a part of legendary nights. From backyard jams to sold out arenas, there's a song in every toast. Please drink responsibly. Responsibility.org, jack Daniels and Old no. 7 are registered trademarks. Tennessee Whiskey, 40% alcohol by volume. Jack Daniel Distillery Lynchburg, Tennessee.
[02:27]
A
California Bracing for Yet another storm on this Christmas day after getting hit with several inches of rain over the past two days.
[02:34]
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There have been reports of three storm related deaths including a 64 year old man in San Diego who was hit by a falling tree Wednesday morning. Fire crews affected several rescues in and around Los Angeles, including a man who was trapped in an RV in Sunland. He had to be lifted out of a creek by helicopter. Southern California Rainfall totals in the last two days have varied from just over two and a half inches downtown to more than five inches in the San Fernando Valley. That's in the northern part of the city of L. A, all the way up to over 12 inches at the San Gabriel Dam in the mountains northeast of Pasadena. Jessica Rosenthal, FOX News.
[03:07]
A
Australia's prime minister looking to give bravery awards to people who confronted a pair of jihadist gunmen who killed 15 people at a Hanukkah gathering on a Sydney beach.
[03:16]
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Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to give awards for bravery to both first responders and civilians who rush towards the gunfire, even fighting with the gunman during the Hanukkah jihadist attack at Bondi beach. Fifteen people, including a child and two rabbis were killed by those gunmen. One such civilian named Ahmed Al Ahmed, was seen on video wrestling away a rifle from one gunman, only to be shot and wounded himself. Albanese has come under heavy criticism for growing anti Semitic sentiment in Australia and for formally recognizing a Palestinian state after the October 7 attacks. Eben Brown, FOX News.
[03:53]
A
New numbers say the nationwide US murder rate fell dramatically in 2025 and what's likely the biggest single year drop ever recorded killings in the US plunged by nearly 20% compared to last year. That was following a Covid era spike in violence. According to the real time crime ind. There were a bit over 5,900 murders recorded in the US between January and October of this year, compared to about 7,300 during the same time period in 2024. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.
[04:24]
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This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[04:29]
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Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.