7AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update – 7AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Host: FOX News Podcasts
Date: January 4, 2026
Summary by: [Expert Summarizer]

---

Overview

This episode of Fox News Hourly Update delivers a fast-paced briefing on significant global and national news: the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on narco-terrorism charges, escalating unrest in Iran, heightened diplomatic activity surrounding Ukraine, record flu hospitalizations in New York, and rising weapons production in North Korea. Each segment features on-the-ground reporting and direct quotes from major figures, painting a clear picture of the global security landscape as 2026 begins.

---

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. US Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro

• [00:03–01:45]
• Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured in Caracas by US military forces, now held in a Brooklyn detention center, facing narco-terrorism and weapons charges.
  • “Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife now incarcerated at a detention center in Brooklyn, New York facing charges connected to their indictment on narco terrorism charges following their capture in a daring Saturday US Military raid.” — Paul Stevens [00:03]
  • “...charged with narco terrorism conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices…” — Ainsley Earhardt [00:20]
• The US President (Donald Trump) tied the operation to broader American interests, including oil and immigration.
  • “The president has cited different reasons for the pressure campaign from immigration to fighting, fighting drug trafficking. But the president today making it clear there is a US Interest in oil as well, saying that they're going to be rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure.” — Ainsley Earhardt [00:20]
  • “President Trump says the US Will run Venezuela until a safe transition of power.” — Paul Stevens [00:42]
  • Trump confirmed the US is preparing Venezuelan transition governance.
    • “It's all being done right now. We're designating people, we're talking to people...and we're going to let you know who those people are.” — Donald Trump [00:49]
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Maduro was the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States.” — Donald Trump [01:16]
• International pushback noted by UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez regarding concerns for adherence to international law.
  • “UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez though saying he's concerned that international law has not been respected.” — Paul Stevens [00:56]

2. Widespread Iranian Protests

• [01:45–02:00]
• Economic unrest has triggered protests in more than 170 locations across 25 of 31 Iranian provinces.
  • “Widening protests in Iran sparked by the Islamic Republic's ailing economy have reportedly reached over 170 locations in 25 of the 31 Iranian provinces.” — Paul Stevens [01:45]

3. Diplomatic Moves in Ukraine

• [02:39–03:37]
• National security advisors from Europe, Canada, Japan, and others met in Kyiv to discuss security guarantees and economic support for Ukraine, intensifying efforts to end the war with Russia.
  • “National security advisors from Europe and other countries meeting in Kyiv on Saturday to discuss security guarantees and economic support As a U. S led diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine intensifies.” — Paul Stevens [02:39]
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky headed to Paris for further talks.
    • “Zelensky said he now expects further work will take place in the capitals of European countries as well as Canada, Japan and other representatives of the Coalition of the Willing, referring to the approximately 30 countries who support Ukraine's effort to end the nearly four year war with Russia.” — Jane Fergus [03:13]

4. Record Flu Hospitalizations in New York State

• [03:37–04:06]
• New York State saw record weekly flu hospitalizations, surpassing a 20-year high, with health officials urging vaccination.
  • “The state health department reporting ...the highest number of hospitalizations in a week since it started collecting data 20 years ago. There are more than 4,500 hospitalizations during the week ending December 27, up by a thousand from the week before.” — Chris DiMaio [03:41]
  • Officials emphasized it’s not too late for a flu shot.
    • “The state saying it's still not too late to get a flu shot.” — Chris DiMaio [04:04]

5. North Korea Increases Weapons Production

• [04:06–04:36]
• Kim Jong Un is ramping up weapons production, having visited several military factories in recent weeks with a focus on missile output.
  • “North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pushing for more weapons production as he continues a series of factory visits… Kim has called for missile production to increase to two and a half times of its current level.” — Paul Stevens [04:06]

---

Notable Quotes

• “President Trump says the US Will run Venezuela until a safe transition of power.” — Paul Stevens [00:42]
• “It's all being done right now. We're designating people, we're talking to people...and we're going to let you know who those people are.” — Donald Trump [00:49]
• “Maduro was the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States.” — Donald Trump [01:16]
• “UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez though saying he's concerned that international law has not been respected.” — Paul Stevens [00:56]
• “Zelensky said he now expects further work will take place in the capitals of European countries as well as Canada, Japan and other representatives of the Coalition of the Willing…” — Jane Fergus [03:13]
• "The state saying it's still not too late to get a flu shot." — Chris DiMaio [04:04]

---

Timeline of Key Segments

• [00:03–01:45] Venezuela raid, Maduro’s capture, US/UN positions
• [01:45–02:00] Iran protests update
• [02:39–03:37] Ukraine global security meetings, Zelensky’s diplomacy
• [03:37–04:06] NY flu hospitalizations, health update
• [04:06–04:36] North Korea arms production escalation

---

Tone & Style

The news delivery is brisk and focused, with a sense of urgency about breaking global and national events, maintaining a formal yet accessible tone typical of major broadcast news updates.

---

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

The next step. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife now incarcerated at a detention center in Brooklyn, New York facing charges connected to their indictment on narco terrorism charges following their capture in a daring Saturday US Military raid.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

They were charged with narco terrorism conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, among other things. The president has cited different reasons for the pressure campaign from immigration to fighting, fighting drug trafficking. But the president today making it clear there is a US Interest in oil as well, saying that they're going to be rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure.

[Paul Stevens]

And that is Fox's Madeleine Rivera. President Trump says the US Will run Venezuela until a safe transition of power.

[Donald Trump]

It's all being done right now. We're designating people, we're talking to people, we're designating various people and we're going to let you know who those people are.

[Paul Stevens]

UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez though saying he's concerned that international law has not been respected. More on the US Cap capture of the Maduro's Fox's Jared Halpern of the White House.

[Jared Halpern]

The US Military launched an assault in the early morning hours in Caracas as part of an operation for the Justice Department to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

[Donald Trump]

And his wife, the illegitimate dictator. Maduro was the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States.

[Jared Halpern]

President Trump says Maduro will face federal narco terror charges in New York. He also says the US Will now run Venezuela and rebuild the country's oil infrastructure until a proper transition of power can take place. At the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[Paul Stevens]

Meantime, widening protests in Iran sparked by the Islamic Republic's ailing economy have reportedly reached over 170 locations in 25 of the 31 Iranian provinces. America is listening to Fox News.

[NetSuite Oracle Advertiser]

Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work. Today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter and helping you make fast decisions. Right now, get the business guide demystifying AI free at netsuite.com fox.

[Paul Stevens]

National security advisors from Europe and other countries meeting in Kyiv on Saturday to discuss security guarantees and economic support As a U. S led diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine intensifies.

[Jane Fergus]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, preparing to travel to Paris for a meeting with partners, said work on the peace proposals could now accelerate as Ukraine has shared all documents under discussion with the 18 national security advisers, including those on security guarantees. Zelensky said he now expects further work will take place in the capitals of European countries as well as Canada, Japan and other representatives of the Coalition of the Willing, referring to the approximately 30 countries who support Ukraine's effort to end the nearly four year war with Russia. Jane Fergus, Fox News.

[Paul Stevens]

Cases of the flu leading to record hospitalizations in New York State.

[Chris DiMaio]

The state health department reporting the season continues to break records as it recorded the highest number of hospitalizations in a week since it started collecting data 20 years ago. There are more than 4,500 hospitalizations during the week ending December 27, up by a thousand from the week before. The state also reported an influenza related death on Friday, the state saying it's still not too late to get a flu shot. Chris DiMaio, Fox News.

[Paul Stevens]

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pushing for more weapons production as he continues a series of factory visits. State media saying Kim toured a tactical guided weapons facility on Saturday, his third weapons planned visit in three weeks. The focus on short range guided missiles designed to hit moving military targets. Experts say Kim has called for missile production to increase to two and a half times of its current level. I'm Paul Stevens. This is Fox News.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

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

[Chris DiMaio]

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