3PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast - Fox News Hourly Update

Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Host: John Saucier (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode provides a rapid-fire newscast covering major global and domestic stories: high-stakes diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and rebuild Gaza, judicial transparency in a high-profile Utah murder case, China’s escalating military posture toward Taiwan, and severe weather disrupting U.S. holiday travel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diplomatic Overtures: Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

[00:02 – 01:14]

President Trump met Ukrainian President Zelensky at his Palm Beach resort to work toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Their meeting yielded “major progress,” with a 20-point peace plan discussed, addressing territory, ceasefire terms, and requiring Ukrainian approval.
President Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss how the U.S. and Russia might “find an end to this war,” emphasizing the need for “disarmament.”

“There has to be a disarmament, you know, that we have to disarm with.”
— President Trump (as quoted by John Saucier) [00:17]
U.S. reportedly offering Ukraine security guarantees for 15 years. Ukraine prefers a 50-year commitment for stronger deterrence against potential future Russian attacks.
President Trump and President Zelensky express confidence a deal can be reached.

2. Gaza Peace Plan: Second Phase Negotiations

[00:43 – 00:56]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with President Trump to discuss phase two of a Gaza peace deal.
- Talks have so far focused on rebuilding Gaza with international volunteers.

3. Utah Murder Case: Push for Judicial Transparency

[01:14 – 01:51]

Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer (Tyler Robinson) attended a Utah County motion hearing.
- Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruled that the public has a presumptive right to court transcripts and audio recordings from previous closed hearings, though with redactions for security/the court’s safety.
- Media request for advance notification of sealed or closed proceedings was denied—the notification will only go to prosecution and defense.
- Next court date for the accused: January 16.
“Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruling the public has a presumptive right to access court records… that transcripts of previous closed hearings… can be released with some redactions.”
— Jeff Manasso, Fox News [01:19]

4. China-Taiwan Tensions: Massive Chinese Military Drills

[02:04 – 03:08]

China launches "Justice Mission 2025," a major round of military drills around Taiwan.
- Comes days after the U.S. approved an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan (includes drones and missile systems).
- China’s actions described as a “stern warning against external interference,” involving air, navy, and rocket troops.
- Drills expected to continue into Tuesday.
- Taiwan places forces on high alert, labeling China as “the biggest destroyer of peace.”
- China also sanctioned 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives.
- Japan signals it might intervene if China attacks Taiwan.
"Taiwan said it’s placing its forces on high alert and called the Chinese government the biggest destroyer of peace."
— Stephanie Bennett, Fox News, reporting from London [02:51]

5. Holiday Travel Chaos: Weather Disrupts Flights Nationwide

[03:08 – 03:52]

3,600+ cancellations over the weekend, with severe weather (winds, freezing) impacting the Midwest and Northeast.
Airports most affected: Minneapolis, Buffalo, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago.
- Over 2,400 delays and 500+ cancellations as of report.
TSA screening numbers haven’t yet broken holiday records.
AAA predicts 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over the holidays (Dec 20 – Jan 1).
Chicago O’Hare is leading the “misery map” for flight disruptions.

“If you’re flying out of Minneapolis, Buffalo, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, these airports have the most delays and cancellations right now across the country.”
— Kelly Saberry, Fox Business Network [03:27]

“Looking at that, FlightAware.com misery map says Chicago O’Hare has the most delays and cancellations, and please double check your travel plans.”
— John Saucier [03:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“President Trump and President Zelensky say they are confident a deal can be reached to end the war with Russia.” — John Saucier [00:37]
“Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruling the public has a presumptive right to access court records…” — Jeff Manasso [01:19]
“China conducted military drills around Taiwan Monday, calling it a stern warning against external interference forces.” — Stephanie Bennett [02:35]
“3,600 cancellations across the country just over this weekend.” — Kelly Saberry [03:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[00:02] — Ukraine-Russia & Gaza peace developments
[01:14] — Utah County court transparency ruling
[02:04] — Chinese military drills near Taiwan
[03:08] — Holiday travel disruptions & weather impact

Tone:
The delivery remains crisp, serious, and urgent, reflecting the gravity of world events but keeping a fast-paced, informative tone suitable for breaking radio news.

Conclusion:
The episode covers urgent news items from high-level diplomacy and courtroom decisions to regional military tensions and domestic travel headaches—distilling a packed news hour into easily digestible, high-impact headlines and soundbites.

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Transcript9 lines

[00:03]
A
High stakes over the holidays. I'm John Saucier, FOX News. After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida, President Trump called up Russian President Vladimir Putin for a possible chance to try and find an end to this war between Russia and Ukraine. The president discussing how that call went with the Russian leader as quickly as we can, but there has to be a disarmament, you know, that we have to disarm with. During the meeting between President Trump and Zelenskyy, the world leaders explained they made major progress, that is in a 20 point peace plan while discussing issues of our territory, cease fire terms and Ukrainian approval. Today, it is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is meeting with President Trump as those two discuss the second phase of this peace deal in Gaza. It's held up so far, but they're getting onto the part where they rebuild Gaza with the international volunteers back to Ukraine. President Trump and President Zelensky say they are confident a deal can be reached to and the war with Russia. The United States reportedly has offered security guarantees to Ukraine for a 15 year period, although Ukraine prefers a commitment of up to 50 years from the United States to deter another potential Russian invasion. Charlie Kirk's alleged killer back in court Monday for a motion hearing in Utah County. Here's fox's Jeff Manasso.
[01:15]
B
In a motion hearing in Utah County, Judge Tony Graf Jr. Ruling the public has a presumptive right to access court records that transcripts of previous closed hearings in the Tyler Robinson case can be released with some redactions on issues that include court security. That audio of the closed hearings will also be released. The judge ruling that a media request to entitle press to notification of future closed court proceedings or sealed documents is denied, saying only the prosecution and defense are parties in the case. Charlie Kirk's alleged assassin is back in court January 16th.
[01:52]
A
Jeff Manasso, Fox News America is listening to FOX News.
[02:00]
C
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[02:05]
A
Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. China's military staging a massive drill called Justice Mission 2025. Is the island of Taiwan prepared to repel a potential attack? Fox's Stephanie Bennett has the latest.
[02:26]
D
Codenamed Justice Mission 2025. The drills are taking place days after the US approved a $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which includes drones HIMARS and ATACMS similar to what the US has provided to Ukraine. China conducted military drills around Taiwan Monday, calling it a stern warning against external interference forces. They dispatched air, navy and rocket troops to take part, with drills likely to continue. Tuesday, Taiwan said it's placing its forces on high alert and called the Chinese government the biggest destroyer of peace. On Friday, China's Communist Party imposed San against 20 US defense related companies and 10 executives. Japan says its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan. In London, Stephanie Bennett, Fox News.
[03:08]
A
Stephanie, thank you. Thousands of flights have been canceled because of the winter weather, including severe winds and freezing conditions across parts of the Midwest and into the northeast. Fox Business Network's Kelly Saberry is at Chicago O' Hare International Airport with the.
[03:20]
C
Latest 3,600 cancellations across the country just over this weekend. If you're flying out of Minneapolis, Buffalo, Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicag, these airports have the most delays and cancellations right now across the country. That's totaling to over 2400 delays and over 500 cancellations. TSA thought they may break records for the number of passengers screened in one single day this holiday week, but so far they have not. The Sunday after Thanksgiving was when we broke a record that was 3.1 million passengers screened in one single day.
[03:53]
A
According to Triple a, more than 122 million Americans expected to travel at least 50 miles away from home between December 20 and January 1. Looking at that, FlightAware.com misery map says Chicago O' Hare has the most delays and cancellations. And please double check your travel plans. I'm John Saucier and this is FOX News.