4AM ET 03/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update — 4AM ET 03/16/2026

Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Sue Guzman, FOX News Podcasts
Overview:
This hourly Fox News newscast delivers breaking updates on intensifying conflict in the Gulf region, widespread travel chaos due to a government shutdown and extreme weather, shifting oil prices, highlights from the 98th Academy Awards, and a world record-setting event in Mexico.

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Key Discussion Points

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Major Escalation in Gulf Conflicts

• Iran Strikes Neighbors

  • Explosions reported in Beirut as Israel strikes Lebanon; Israel also launches new attacks on Tehran.
  • Dubai International Airport briefly closed after an Iranian drone hits a fuel tank.
  • Sue Guzman (00:03): “Explosions echoing across Beirut early Monday as Israel struck the Lebanese capital. It also launched a new wave of attacks on Tehran. This as Dubai was forced to temporarily close its airport after an Iranian drone hit a fuel tank.”

• Missile and Drone Attacks on UAE

  • Ongoing bombardment reported by Lucas Tomlinson, FOX's UAE correspondent.
  • Past two weeks: Over 1600 Iranian drones and nearly 300 ballistic missiles launched (3x as many strikes as on Israel).
  • Iranian Foreign Minister claims American bases are the sole target; local residents dispute this after civilian buildings and hotels are hit.
  • Lucas Tomlinson (00:21): “That was a pretty quiet day here in the UAE. Just four ballistic missiles and six drones launched from Iran. For the past two weeks, Iran has launched over 1600 drones here and nearly 300 ballistic missiles... Now some residents here would like a word with Mr. Arachi. The other day a drone hit a building just two miles from where I'm standing.”

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Political and Economic Fallout

• NATO Response and Strait of Hormuz

  • President Trump presses NATO allies to deploy forces to keep crucial oil passage open.
  • NATO official highlights recent support for Ukraine and calls maintaining Strait openness a “very small endeavor.”
  • Unnamed NATO Official (01:02): “Be interesting to see what country wouldn't help us with a very small endeavor which is just keeping the strait up.”

• Oil Price Surge

  • Global oil prices climb as conflict enters its third week.
  • Sue Guzman (01:20): "Oil prices rising as the war with Iran moves into a third week."

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U.S. Travelers and Shutdown

• Airport Disrupted by Security Delays
  • Extended waits at airports countrywide, with some passengers waiting up to 90 minutes.
  • Ongoing partial government shutdown under scrutiny; major airline CEOs urge Congress to fund DHS to restore order and minimize disruptions.
  • Airlines offer accommodations: holding flights for late passengers, rebooking, but they urge a government solution.
  • Madison Scarpino (01:33): “We've been speaking to many people waiting in these lines who are frustrated, antsy and say this is all unfair. Major airline CEOs are sharing their open letter to Congress urging them to immediately find a way to fund DHS.”
  • Sue Guzman (01:58): "America's listening to fox."

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U.S. Extreme Weather Alert

• Winter Storms and Heat Waves
  • Major blizzards impact the Midwest and Great Lakes: 11 million under warnings, northern Michigan could see up to three feet of snow.
  • Simultaneously, the Southwest faces record heat with temperatures above 100°F.
  • Severe weather (winds, hail, tornadoes) pounds the South and Midwest; thousands without power, more travel delays and flight cancellations.
  • Ashley Strawmeier (02:43): “11 million people in the Midwest and Great Lakes are under blizzard warnings, with parts of northern Michigan expected to see up to three feet of snow... people in the Southwest are bracing for dangerous heat. Desert areas could see temperatures soaring past 100 degrees this week.”

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Culture & Events

• 98th Academy Awards

  • Ceremony themed around "battles."
  • Big Winner: “It Was One Battle After Another” takes best picture among six awards.
  • “Sinners” follows with four awards — Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor, thanks actors of color who paved the way:
    • Ashley Strawmeier (03:39): “Thanking those that paved the way, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx,”
    • Lucas Tomlinson (03:43): “Forest Whitaker, Will Smith.”
  • “Frankenstein” wins three awards, “K Pop Demon Hunters” highlighted in the In Memoriam segment.
  • Tributes to Rob Reiner by Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Kathy Bates; Barbra Streisand honors Robert Redford.
  • Oscar Awards Commentator (03:24–03:45)

• World Record: Largest Soccer Class in Mexico

  • 9,500 participants gather at Zócalo Square, Mexico City, ahead of the country's World Cup debut in June.
  • Sue Guzman (04:05): “Mexico setting the new Guinness world record for largest soccer class. 9,500 participants kicking the ball around in Mexico City's main square, Zocalo Square, on Sunday.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lucas Tomlinson, on the scale of attacks in UAE:
  • “For the past two weeks, Iran has launched over 1600 drones here and nearly 300 ballistic missiles... that's three times the number launched at Israel.” (00:28)
• Unnamed NATO official, on collective security:
  • “Be interesting to see what country wouldn't help us with a very small endeavor which is just keeping the strait up.” (01:12)
• Ashley Strawmeier, on weather extremes:
  • “Desert areas could see temperatures soaring past 100 degrees this week. The Midwest and South are being hammered by strong winds, hail and tornadoes.” (02:43)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gulf conflict escalation / Iran strikes & missile attacks: 00:03–00:53
• NATO and Strait of Hormuz / Oil prices: 00:53–01:20
• Airport delays, shutdown crisis: 01:20–01:58
• Extreme weather coverage: 02:32–03:18
• Oscars summary & tributes: 03:18–04:05
• Mexico soccer world record: 04:05–04:33

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This episode provides a fast-paced, comprehensive snapshot of ongoing geopolitical crises and their global ripple effects, severe domestic weather events, and uplifting cultural milestones — all in less than five minutes.

Transcript

[Sue Guzman]

Iran striking its Gulf neighbors. I'm Sue Guzman. FOX News. Explosions echoing across Beirut early Monday as Israel struck the Lebanese capital. It also launched a new wave of attacks on Tehran. This as Dubai was forced to temporarily close its airport after an Iranian drone hit a fuel tank.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

That was a pretty quiet day here in the UAE. Just four ballistic missiles and six drones launched from Iran. For the past two weeks, Iran has launched over 1600 drones here and nearly 300 ballistic missiles. That's three times the number launched at Israel. And Iran's foreign minister claims he's only targeting American bases here in the region. Now some residents here would like a word with Mr. Arachi. The other day a drone hit a building just two miles from where I'm standing. Many swank hotels that Tommy prefers and skyscrapers have also been hit.

[Sue Guzman]

Fox's Lucas Tomlinson. President Trump demanding NATO aligned countries provide forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz open so critical oil shipments can get through.

[Unnamed NATO Official]

We're always there for NATO. We're helping them. With Ukraine as many it's got a notion in between us, doesn't affect us, but we've helped them. And be interesting to see what country wouldn't help us with a very small endeavor which is just keeping the straight up.

[Sue Guzman]

Oil prices rising as the war with Iran moves into a third week. Travelers continuing to face long security lines at many area airports. Partial government shutdown continues. Fox's Madison Scarpino one point people were

[Madison Scarpino]

waiting for nearly an hour and a half and we've been speaking to many people waiting in these lines who are frustrated, antsy and say this is all unfair. Major airline CEOs are sharing their open letter to Congress urging them to immediately find a way to fund dhs. They say airlines are doing everything they can to mitigate disruptions by doing things like holding flights for late passengers, rebooking others. But they say it's still time for the government to step up.

[Sue Guzman]

America's listening to fox.

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[Sue Guzman]

Major winter storm bringing blizzard conditions, record snow, high winds and dangerous travel conditions to parts of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Fox's Ashley Strawmeier, American coast to coast

[Ashley Strawmeier]

are on high alert for extreme weather. 11 million people in the Midwest and Great Lakes are under blizzard warnings, with parts of northern Michigan expected to see up to three feet of snow. Arctic air will then sweep over the Central and Eastern U.S. meantime, people in the Southwest are bracing for dangerous heat. Desert areas could see temperatures soaring past 100 degrees this week. The Midwest and South are being hammered by strong winds, hail and tornadoes. That threat shifts to the east coast on Monday, all of this causing flights to be delayed or canceled, and thousands are also without power.

[Sue Guzman]

The Academy hosted its annual Oscar award ceremony highlighting achievements within the movie industry Sunday night.

[Oscar Awards Commentator]

It was one battle after another as the theme of the 98th annual Academy Awards and as the big winner with six wins, including best picture. Sinners follow with four wins, including Michael B. Jordan for best actor. Thanking those that paved the way, Sidney

[Ashley Strawmeier]

Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx,

[Lucas Tomlinson]

Forest Whitaker, Will Smith.

[Oscar Awards Commentator]

That clip courtesy of Amphis 2026. Frankenstein took home three awards. K Pop Demon Hunters to the In Memoriam segment saw Billy Crystal joined by Meg Ryan, Kathy Bates and others paying tribute to Rob Reiner and close with Barbra Streisand honoring her the Way We Were co star Robert Redford.

[Sue Guzman]

Michelle Paulino, Fox News, Mexico setting the new Guinness world record for largest soccer class. 9,500 participants kicking the ball around in Mexico City's main square, Zocalo Square, on Sunday. Mexico scoring the bragging rights ahead of the country hosting the opening match of the World cup in June. I'm Sue Guzman, this is this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of

[Lucas Tomlinson]

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.