7AM ET 01/03/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 01/03/2026 Newscast

Overview

This episode delivers major breaking news and rapid updates on global and domestic security events. The highlight is the dramatic US military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, coupled with escalating developments in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Other major stories include a thwarted terrorism plot in North Carolina and updates on US federal contract reductions and a blocked semiconductor deal with Chinese links.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Military Operation Captures Venezuelan Leader

• Host Paul Stevens opens with breaking news:
  "The leader of Venezuela has been captured in a US Military operation in West Palm Beach, Florida..." (00:03)
• Lucas Tomlinson reports via President Trump’s Truth Social post:
  • Trump confirms a "large scale strike against Venezuela" and the "capture" of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
  • "This operation was done in conjunction with US Law enforcement..." (00:13–00:31)
  • News conference scheduled for 11am at Mar-a-Lago.
  • Airstrikes began around 1 AM ET (2 AM Caracas time), targeting major military bases and coastal ports.
  • Quote: “Major military bases from Maduro’s forces were hit in the capital as well as Venezuela’s large port on the coast.” (00:42)

2. Aftermath and International Reaction

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to Fox News:
  • Announces Maduro’s arrest by US personnel and forthcoming US trial.
• Chantley Painter offers scene reporting from Caracas:
  • “Explosions have been heard in Caracas, Venezuela... a military base is without electricity. Airplanes are also reportedly heard in the skies... columns of smoke can be seen in several areas.” (01:11–01:23)
  • Associated Press notes at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft.
• Venezuelan Government's Response:
  • Official statement denounces the operation:
    • "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates and denounces to the international community the very serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against the Venezuelan territory." (01:34)

3. Domestic Security: Foiled Terror Attack in North Carolina

• Paul Stevens updates:
  • Arrest of 18-year-old Christian Sturtevant in connection with a planned New Year’s Eve attack at a grocery store. (02:41)
• Fox’s David Spund in DC:
  • Sturtevant pledged support to ISIS online, but all contacts were undercover law enforcement.
  • He had been monitored since January 2022 and received court-ordered psychological care.
  • Now charged with attempting to provide material to a foreign terrorist organization; faces up to 20 years.
  • Quote: “Sturtevant allegedly planned to use butcher knives and hammers in the attack.” (03:29)

4. Federal Contracts & Security Measures

• Chris DiMaio details US government savings and contract changes:
  • Federal agencies reduced 55 contracts, saving $542 million out of $1.6 billion in three days.
  • Department of Defense (DOGE) listing includes deals pertaining to Somalia and US support for Somali forces.
  • Quote: "Much of the framework of DOGE remains active despite the high profile involvement of Elon Musk early on in President Trump's second term." (03:41–04:02)

5. US Blocks Semiconductor Deal With Chinese Connection

• Paul Stevens reports executive order:
  • President Trump blocks HiFO Corp.—owned by a PRC citizen—from acquiring semiconductor assets from EMCOR Corp., citing national security concerns. (04:12)
  • Quote: “Ordering the unraveling of a $2.9 million computer chip deal that he concluded threatened US security interests.” (04:12)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s Statement via Lucas Tomlinson:

  • “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country...” (00:13–00:25)

• Venezuelan Government’s Official Statement:

  • “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates and denounces to the international community the very serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America...” (01:34)

• Chantley Painter, live update from Caracas:

  • “Airplanes are also reportedly heard in the skies over the Venezuelan capital and columns of smoke can be seen in several areas.” (01:17)

• On the North Carolina terror plot:

  • “He received psychological care ordered by a state judge in North Carolina. Four years later, though, he’s charged with attempting to provide materials to a foreign terrorist organization.” (02:51–03:13)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 — Breaking: Venezuelan President Maduro captured by US military.
• 00:13 — Trump statement on operation, details on airstrikes.
• 00:56 — Secretary Marco Rubio: Maduro will stand trial in US.
• 01:11–01:34 — Reports from Caracas following military strike.
• 01:34 — Venezuelan government’s condemnation.
• 02:41–03:29 — Arrest and background of NC terrorism suspect.
• 03:41 — US government contract reductions, DOGE update.
• 04:12 — Trump executive order blocking semiconductor deal.

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Overall Tone

The newscast delivers information in the concise, rapid-fire style characteristic of Fox News’ hourly updates. The language is direct, with emphasis on official statements and urgent breaking details, reflecting the gravity and immediacy of international and domestic events.

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Transcript

[A]

This is a FOX News alert. I'm Paul Stevens. The leader of Venezuela has been captured in a US Military operation in West Palm Beach, Florida with the President Fox's Lucas Tomlinson.

[B]

President Trump posting on Truth Social. The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This operation was done in conjunction with US Law enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a news conference today at 11am at Mar A Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. Trump these airstrikes began, we saw it on social media at about one in the morning east coast time, two in the morning local In Caracas, major military bases from Maduro's forces were hit in the capital as well as Venezuela's large port on the coast.

[A]

Meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling Fox News that Nicolas Maduro has been arrested by US Personnel. He'll stand trial on criminal charges in the US Our Chantley Painter here now with the latest on the military strikes inside Venezuela.

[C]

Explosions have been heard in Caracas, Venezuela. According to eyewitnesses of the southern area of that city of Caracas near a military base is without electricity. Airplanes are also reportedly heard in the skies over the Venezuelan capital and columns of smoke can be seen in several areas. According to the Associated Press, at least seven explosions and low flying aircraft have also been heard.

[A]

Meantime, a statement from the Venezuelan government reading in part the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates and denounces to the international community the very serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against the Venezuelan territory. America is listening to Fox News.

[D]

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[A]

Year old Christian Sturtevant, a US citizen in connection with what they say would have been a potential New Year's Eve attack at a grocery store in North Carolina.

[E]

According to the FBI, Sturtevant pledged his support to ISIS online with someone who he thought was an ISIS member. Turns out that was an undercover officer working with the New York Police Department. He then talked with another person online who he thought was an ISIS member, but in fact it was an undercover FBI agent. Authorities had him on the radar since January 2022, four years ago, when he was on social media with an unidentified ISIS member overseas, but at that time no charges were filed. He received psychological care ordered by a state judge in North Carolina. Four years later, though, he's charged with attempting to provide materials to a foreign terrorist organization.

[A]

And that's Fox's David Spund in D.C. sturtevant allegedly planned to use butcher knives and hammers in the attack. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail. If he thought Doge was done, think again.

[F]

Doge says federal agencies have slashed or reduced 55 contracts over the last three days with a combined value of $1.6 billion, claiming $542 million in savings. In a post on X, the department listed deals with Somalia and referred to support armored personnel carriers and Somalia national army crews. Much of the framework of DOGE remains active despite the high profile involvement of Elon Musk early on in President Trump's second term. Chris DiMaio, Fox News and President Trump.

[A]

Ordering the unraveling of a $2.9 million computer chip deal that he concluded threatened US security interests. The president issuing an executive order Friday blocking HiFO Corporation from getting semiconductor related assets from Emcor Corporation. The current owner of hi Fo Corp. Is a citizen of the People's Republic of China. I'm Paul Stevens.

[C]

This this is Ainsley Earhart.

[B]

Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[F]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told.

[E]

Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.