Fox News Hourly Update – 5AM ET 12/26/2025

Overview:
This episode, hosted primarily by Debra Valentine and the FOX News reporting team, covers breaking headlines from Christmas Day and the early hours of December 26, 2025. The main themes include U.S. military action against ISIS in Nigeria, diplomatic efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine, Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas message, major weather events in California and New York, and the record-breaking Powerball jackpot.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Strikes ISIS in Nigeria

[00:03 – 00:57]

• Summary:
  The United States launched deadly airstrikes on ISIS sites in Nigeria on Christmas Day. This military response follows the ongoing persecution and killing of Christians in the country by ISIS.

• Presidential Actions & Statements:

  • President Trump acted after warning the terrorists to stop.
  • On Truth Social, he posted:

    “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay. And tonight there was.” (Donald J. Trump, [00:17])

  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed the administration’s resolve on X:

    “The president was clear last month, the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. The Department of War is always ready. So ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. More to come.” (Pete Hegseth, [00:28])

• Diplomatic Pressure:

  • The U.S. is discussing the situation with Nigerian officials and has threatened to cut off aid if the violence continues.

2. Ukraine Peace Negotiations

[00:57 – 01:36]

• Summary:
  On Christmas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held “a very good conversation” with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

• Key Points:

  • Peace plan discussions are active, with Zelensky stating there are “good ideas that can work toward a shared outcome and the lasting peace.” ([01:13])
  • President Trump has prioritized ending Russia’s invasion, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

3. Pope Leo XIV’s Christmas Plea for Ukraine

[01:36 – 01:55]

• Memorable Moment:
  During Christmas Mass, Pope Leo XIV issued an urgent call for peace in Ukraine:

  “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 of respectful dialogue.” (Pope Leo XIV, [01:42])

4. Severe Weather in the U.S.

• California Deluge
  [02:16 – 02:55]

  • Southern California was hit with intense rainfall causing at least three deaths, including a 64-year-old man in San Diego.
  • Firefighters performed several rescues, such as saving a man trapped in an RV in Sunland via helicopter.
  • Rain totals:
    • Over 2.5 inches downtown LA
    • 5+ inches in the San Fernando Valley
    • 12+ inches at San Gabriel Dam
  • Quote:

    “Fire crews affected several rescues in and around Los Angeles, including a man who was trapped in an RV in Sunland… lifted out of a creek by helicopter.” (Ainsley Earhart, [02:23])

• Northeast Snowstorm
  [02:55 – 03:29]

  • NYC is under a winter storm warning, expecting 5–8 inches of snow Friday night into Saturday morning.
  • Ice storm warnings extended in western Pennsylvania.
  • Travel disruptions anticipated for millions.
  • Quote:

    “We’re calling for 5 to 8 inches of snow… Ice storm warnings have been upgraded across parts of western PA… air travel will be a nightmare.” (Jane Menar, [03:05])

5. Record Powerball Jackpot Hit

[03:29 – 04:09]

• Summary:
  The Powerball had a record-breaking run of 46 drawings before a $1.8 billion jackpot was finally won on Christmas Eve.
  • The winning ticket was sold at a Murphy USA gas station in Cabot, Arkansas.
  • Winner faces the choice between $1.8 billion in annual payments over 29 years or a lump sum of $835.9 million.
  • Quote:

    “Whoa, Arkansas, what a winning night… jackpot ticket was sold at a Murphy USA gas station in the city of Cabot…” (Jeff Paul, [03:43])

Notable Quotes

• President Donald J. Trump ([00:17]):
  “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay. And tonight there was.”

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ([00:28]):
  “The president was clear last month, the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria must end. The Department of War is always ready. So ISIS found out tonight on Christmas. More to come.”

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ([01:13]):
  “There are good ideas that can work toward a shared outcome and the lasting peace.”

• Pope Leo XIV ([01:42]):
  “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 of respectful dialogue.”

• FOX Weather’s Jane Menar ([03:05]):
  “We’re calling for 5 to 8 inches of snow Friday night into early Saturday morning… Ice storm warnings have been upgraded… air travel will be a nightmare.”

• Jeff Paul ([03:43]):
  “Whoa, Arkansas, what a winning night… jackpot ticket was sold at a Murphy USA gas station in the city of Cabot…”

Episode Timeline

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:03–00:57 | U.S. Strikes ISIS in Nigeria | | 00:57–01:36 | Ukraine Peace Negotiations | | 01:36–01:55 | Pope’s Christmas Message for Peace | | 02:16–02:55 | California Deluge and Storm Response | | 02:55–03:29 | NYC/Northeast Snowstorm Alert | | 03:29–04:09 | Powerball Jackpot Winner in Arkansas |

This newscast delivers bracing headlines with a tone of urgency and gravitas, staying focused on global conflict, U.S. foreign policy, severe weather, and a dash of lottery excitement to round out the updates.