Fox News Hourly Update – 5PM ET 12/28/2025 Newscast

Date: December 28, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Overview:
This episode delivers a rapid, information-dense roundup of the day’s major international and domestic news, covering diplomatic developments, tragic incidents, celebrity obituaries, security concerns for the New Year, and a quirky human-interest crime story.

1. Ukraine Peace Talks & Mar-a-Lago Meeting

• [00:03] Carmen Roberts (Anchor):
  Announces breaking news on developing peace negotiations between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, meeting in Florida.

  • “He says they have the makings of a deal.” – Carmen Roberts

• [00:15] Reporter:
  Details the optimistic tone set by both leaders before talks at Mar-a-Lago.

  • Key Question: Would peace come at the cost of Ukraine’s territorial concessions?

• [00:30] President Zelensky (via translator/clip):
  “Yes, we will discuss this point. And there are great economic benefits for Ukraine also because, you know, there's a lot of rebuilding to do. There's a lot of wealth to be hacked.”

  • Notable for hinting at possible compromise and focus on reconstruction and economic opportunity.

• [00:40] Gernall Scott (FOX News):
  Reminds listeners that Putin seeks to retain Crimea and other occupied territories.

2. U.S.-Israel Relations & Iran's Tensions

• [00:52] Anchor:
  Preview of President Trump’s upcoming meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu, centering on Gaza ceasefire negotiations and rising tensions with Iran.
• [01:07] Report on Iran (Madeline Rivera):
  Iran’s President Massoud Bezechyan asserts his country is besieged on all sides by the U.S., Israel, and Europe.
  • Quoting Bezechyan: “They are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems in terms of livelihood culturally, politically and security wise.” [01:14]
    • Demonstrates Iran’s narrative of external pressure and hardship.

3. Major U.S. Headlines

Helicopter Collision in New Jersey

• [01:27] Anchor:
  Reports on a tragic mid-air helicopter collision over Hamilton Airport, NJ. One pilot killed, another critically injured. No passengers involved.

Obituary: Lou Gerstner

• [01:36] Anchor:
  Announces the passing of Lou Gerstner, former IBM CEO, aged 83, credited with turning the company around.

4. Human-Interest Segment: “Tipsy Thief”

• [02:16] Anchor introduces Paul Stevens
• [02:24] Paul Stevens (FOX News):
  Recaps an unusual theft where a “tipsy thief” stole two mandolins from a NJ store, then anonymously returned them days later with an apology note.
  • Apology note excerpt: “‘Sorry, I been drunk. Merry Christmas. You’re a good man.’” [02:42]
  • Store owner posted surveillance footage and the apology publicly, drawing attention to the case.

5. New Year’s Eve Security & Public Confidence

• [03:03] Anchor:
  Brief on heightened security for New Year's celebrations nationally, especially in NYC.
• [03:20] Tricia McLaughlin (DHS Asst. Secretary):
  Urges Americans not to be deterred by security threats:
  • “We’re not going to bend the knee to these cowards, these terrorists, as we’ve seen in the past. And so Americans should go out. They should celebrate this great year we’ve had. Be with friends and family, but just be aware of your surroundings.” [03:22]
• [03:32] Anchor:
  Recalls last year's New Orleans tragedy where a truck drove into a crowd, underlining the need for vigilance.

6. Obituary: Brigitte Bardot

• [03:38] Anchor:
  Announces the death of 1960s French film icon Brigitte Bardot at age 91.
  • Notable quote from Bardot’s earlier interviews: “I have to live as if every day were my last one. Something powerful in me that makes me behave foolishly.” [03:48]
  • Highlights her iconic status and contribution to cinema.

Notable Quotes

• Zelensky: “[P]eace will mean... there are great economic benefits for Ukraine also because, you know, there’s a lot of rebuilding to do.” [00:30]
• Iranian President Bezechyan: “They are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems in terms of livelihood culturally, politically and security wise.” [01:14]
• Mandolin thief’s note: “‘Sorry, I been drunk. Merry Christmas. You’re a good man.’” [02:42]
• Tricia McLaughlin (DHS): “We’re not going to bend the knee to these cowards, these terrorists, as we’ve seen in the past... just be aware of your surroundings.” [03:22]
• Brigitte Bardot: “I have to live as if every day were my last one. Something powerful in me that makes me behave foolishly.” [03:48]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine peace talks: 00:03 – 00:40
• US-Israel-Iran developments: 00:52 – 01:27
• NJ Helicopter crash/Lou Gerstner obituary: 01:27 – 01:36
• Mandolin theft/human-interest: 02:16 – 02:57
• New Year’s security/DHS statement: 03:03 – 03:32
• Brigitte Bardot obituary: 03:38 – 03:58

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is brisk, fact-packed, and features a straightforward, matter-of-fact delivery typical of hourly news updates.
• Listeners come away informed of major global diplomatic events, national security concerns, human-interest stories, and the loss of major cultural and business figures—all in under five minutes.