5PM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET Newscast

Date: January 4, 2026
Main Theme:
Breaking developments in global and domestic news, focusing heavily on the dramatic capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US military, subsequent political and legal fallout, international unrest, travel disruptions, and public health alerts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicolas Maduro in US Custody

• Arrest and Detention:

  • Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro captured by US military, now held in New York City.
  • Legal proceedings have just begun, with an arraignment scheduled for tomorrow at noon Eastern.
  • Quote:
    • Paul Stevens (00:03): “Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is in custody in New York City following his capture by the US Military. But his legal problems may just be starting.”

• Public Reaction in New York:

  • Both celebration and protest outside the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center.
  • Hundreds gathered, many waving Venezuelan flags—some cheering Maduro’s downfall, others chanting "release Maduro" and condemning the US military action.
  • Quote:
    • CB Cotton (00:13): “Since he's arrived here, we've seen both protest and celebration outside this prison...protesters chanting release Maduro right now and condemning the US Military action that got us to this point.”

2. Congressional Oversight and Debate

• Did Congress Need to Be Notified?
  • Split opinion among congressional leaders regarding prior notification for the military operation.
  • Rep. Rick Crawford, House Intelligence Committee Chair, defends non-disclosure, calling it a law enforcement action rather than a military one.
    • Quote:
      • Rick Crawford (01:07): “There was no congressional notification requirement here because this was a law enforcement action.”
  • Rep. Ami Berra (Democrat) insists Congress now needs a full plan and explanation, especially regarding future US involvement in Venezuela.
    • Quote:
      • Ami Berra (01:26): “You can't undo the past, so it really is about what comes next and how do you stabilize Venezuela.”

3. International Unrest: Unfolding Crisis in Iran

• Protests and Fatalities:
  • Deadly riots continue in Iran amid economic collapse; at least ten killed since Thursday, including new casualties from grenade explosions. Dozens arrested.
  • Key Stat: At least twelve fatalities so far due to overnight protests (01:39).

4. Global Impact: Travel Disruptions

• Caribbean Flight Chaos:
  • Many flights to and from the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico, Aruba, Virgin Islands) canceled or delayed after Maduro’s arrest.
  • Travelers stranded, including a Puerto Rican man worried about his mother’s access to medication.
    • Quote:
      • Puerto Rican Man (02:46): “The part that was worried me more was that my mother could run out of her...her medication.”
  • Airlines now reinstating service; hundreds of flights delayed, dozens canceled.

5. Other World News Highlights

• Nigeria Village Attack:
  • At least 30 villagers killed, several missing after a gunmen raid in Niger state's Borgul local area (03:08).
• Ukraine Diplomacy:
  • National security advisers from Europe and allied countries meet as part of a US-led push to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war; Zelensky says security guarantee plans have been shared with at least 18 countries.
• US Health Alert:
  • CDC warns of rapid spread of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris in US hospitals—7,000 cases last year.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is in custody in New York City following his capture by the US Military. But his legal problems may just be starting.”
  — Paul Stevens (00:03)

• “Since he's arrived here, we've seen both protest and celebration outside this prison...protesters chanting release Maduro right now and condemning the US Military action that got us to this point.”
  — CB Cotton (00:13)

• “There was no congressional notification requirement here because this was a law enforcement action.”
  — Rick Crawford (01:07)

• “You can't undo the past, so it really is about what comes next and how do you stabilize Venezuela.”
  — Ami Berra (01:26)

• “The part that was worried me more was that my mother could run out of her...her medication.”
  — Puerto Rican Man (02:46)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03: Maduro’s capture and custody update
• 00:13: Coverage of protests outside Brooklyn jail
• 00:47: Congressional debate on notification requirements
• 01:39: Deadly protests and unrest in Iran
• 02:16: Caribbean flight disruption aftermath
• 02:28: Stranded travelers and airline response
• 03:08: Nigeria village attack, Ukraine diplomacy, US health alert

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Episode Tone & Language

The reporting maintains a fast-paced, urgent tone, typical of breaking news coverage, with direct quotations and succinct analysis from both hosts and field correspondents. The focus is on factual updates, immediate consequences, and competing viewpoints from political figures, reflecting the real-time tension and complexity of the news events described.

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Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Now the courts. I'm Paul Stevens. Fox News. Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is in custody in New York City following his capture by the US Military. But his legal problems may just be starting.

[CB Cotton]

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro will be arraigned tomorrow in federal court at noon Eastern. He'll be driven there from this federal detention facility where he's currently behind bars. Since he's arrived here, we've seen both protest and celebration outside this prison. Hundreds last night waiting, waving Venezuelan flags and people cheering for Maduro's downfall as he arrived at the metropolitan detention center. But today, another gathering, protesters chanting release Maduro right now. And condemning the US Military action that got us to this point.

[Paul Stevens]

Foxes CB Cotton in Brooklyn, New York. So did Congress actually need to know about the Venezuelan operation before the first strike? There is some disagreement on that on Capitol Hill.

[Rick Crawford]

The chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Rick Crawford on fox's Sunday morning Future, said this operation in Caracas was not for hunting enemy combatants.

[Ami Berra]

There was no congressional notification requirement here because this was a law enforcement action.

[Rick Crawford]

Crawford said, that maintains operational security. But a Democratic member of the House Intel Committee, Ami Berra, said on Fox News Sunday now that the operation is done, the administration needs to explain the plan on Capitol Hill.

[Ami Berra]

You can't undo the past, so it really is about what comes next and how do you stabilize Venezuela.

[Rick Crawford]

Barra said that will be important if there are any plans for military, military troops on the ground. Grinal Scott, FOX News.

[Paul Stevens]

The number of dead now rising in Iran amid riots over the collapse of that regime's currency. State media say at least two more people were killed when a grenade exploded during overnight protests. At least 10 people have died since Thursday. Dozens of protesters arrested. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Podcast Narrator]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Paul Stevens]

Flights to the Caribbean canceled and or delayed Saturday after the US Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Fox's Madison Scarpino was at Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta.

[Madison Scarpino]

People are describing certain airports yesterday as pure chaos. Flights were canceled to and from places like Puerto Rico, Aruba, the Virgin Islands and more. And the Caribbean is a top destination this time of year according to Triple A. Here's one Puerto Rican man who is stranded out of Florida airport with his mom yesterday just trying to get home.

[Puerto Rican Man]

The part that was worried me more was that my mother could run out of her or her medication.

[Madison Scarpino]

Since the airspace has now reopened, major airlines like Southwest and United are working on adding additional flights in the coming days to help accommodate stranded travelers. And other airlines like Delta and JetBlue say they're expecting to operate its normal Caribbean schedule.

[Paul Stevens]

At least 743 flights are delayed, 26 canceled, according to FlightAware. At least 30 villagers reported killed, several others missing. This after gunmen raided a village in northern Nigeria's Niger state. The gunmen storming the village in the Borgul local government area on Saturday night and opening fire on residents. Meantime, national security advisers from Europe and other allied countries met in Saturday as a U. S led diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine intensifies. President Volodymyr Zelensky saying Ukraine has now shared all proposed documents including security guarantee plans with advisors from at least 18 other countries. And a deadly drug resistant fungus is spreading rapidly through U.S. hospitals and health care facilities. The CDC calls the Candida auris the urgent threat with about 7,000 cases ID'd nationwide last year and infections reported in at least 60 different countries. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.