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

Summary4 min read

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.

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Transcript14 lines

[00:03]
A
This is a FOX News alert. He says they have the makings of a deal. I'm Carmen Roberts, FOX news that's what President Trump told reporters this afternoon before beginning talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky in Florida.
[00:15]
B
Before going into their meeting at Mar A Lago, Presidents Trump and Zelensky expressed optimism that a peace deal can be done, but what shape will it take? Both men answered when Zelensky was asked if peace will mean Ukraine giving up territory to Russia.
[00:30]
C
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.
[00:41]
B
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said he wants to hang on to the Crimean Peninsula as well as territory taken during this conflict. Gernall scott, FOX News.
[00:52]
A
And President Trump will host another world leader tomorrow. He and Israeli President Netanyahu will discuss the next stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire. And the prime minister and he are likely to talk about Iran's statement that it is at war with the West.
[01:08]
D
Iran's President Massoud Bezechyan says his country is being besieged at all sides by the U.S. israel and Europe. In an interview published on Saturday by Iranian state media, Possesh Kian says, they are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems in terms of livelihood culturally, politically and security wise.
[01:27]
A
Fox's Madeline Rivera reporting. The FAA says two helicopters collided midair today over southern New Jersey, killing one pilot and critically injuring the. No one else was on board. No word why. The instrum F28A and C80C crashed over Hamilton Airport. And Lou Gerstner, the former CEO of IBM who led the company through a turnaround has died. He was 83. America's listening the fox News.
[02:00]
E
This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.
[02:05]
B
Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow now@foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
[02:17]
A
A thief is plagued by a guilty conscience and alcohol. Fox's Paul Stevens explains a tipsy thief.
[02:24]
F
Stealing two mandolins from a New Jersey music store and then returning them days later with a written apology note after the store's owner took to social media to find the crook. The New York Post saying the alleged band had casually dropped off the instruments at Lark Street Music and Teaneck on Friday afternoon. Four days earlier, he allegedly swiped them from a store wall and stuffed them in his coat. That apology note shared by the owner on Facebook reading in part, quote, sorry, I been drunk. Merry Christmas. You're a good man. The owner sharing surveillance video online, hoping to find the alleged culprit. Paul Stevens, FOX NEWS Millions are expected.
[03:04]
A
To gather and help ring in the new year in New York City as well as other places in the country. Insecurity is going to be tight. DHS assist Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin says the possibility of an attack on large crowds should not deter anyone, though, from celebrating.
[03:20]
E
You know, 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.
[03:33]
A
McLaughlin on Fox's Sunday briefing. Last year, New Year's celebration in New Orleans was marred by a man driving a truck into a crowd, killing 14 people. It was before he was shot, killed by police. French 1960s sex symbol and movie star Brigitte Bardot died today. She became an international celebrity as a sexualized teen Bride in the 1956 movie and God created woman. I have to live as if every day were my last one. Something powerful in me that makes me behave foolishly. And she became one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century. She was 91. I'm Carmen Roberts. This is FOX News.