9AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 9AM ET 01/04/2026 Newscast
Date: January 4, 2026
Host: Paul Stevens

---

Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update provides breaking global news focused on dramatic geopolitical developments, domestic public health updates, and ongoing conflicts. The top story details the stunning arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a U.S. military operation, with subsequent U.S. intervention in Venezuela’s governance and oil infrastructure. The episode also covers widening protests in Iran, multilateral diplomatic moves regarding the war in Ukraine, a record-breaking flu surge in New York, and North Korea’s ramped-up weapons production.

---

Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Raid and Capture of Venezuelan President Maduro

[00:03 – 01:42]

• Main headline: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and detained in Brooklyn, NY, by U.S. authorities after a military raid in Caracas. They face serious federal charges.
• Charges: Narco-terrorism conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, among other infractions.
  • Madeleine Rivera ([00:20]): “They were charged with narco terrorism conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, among other things.”
• U.S. Motives and Actions:
  • The U.S. President cited varying justifications—from immigration to combating drug trafficking—but emphasized American interests in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector.
  • Madeleine Rivera ([00:20]): “…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.”
  • The U.S. will temporarily “run Venezuela” to ensure a safe transition of power.
  • Paul Stevens ([00:40]): “And the president says the US Will run Venezuela until what can be a safe transition of power being done.”
• Formation of Interim Leadership:
  • Unnamed Political Commentator ([00:47]): “Right now we're designating people… we're going to let you know who those people are.”
• International Law Concerns:
  • UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez expressed concern that international law may have been violated.
• Presidential commentary:
  • Unnamed Political Commentator ([01:13]): “…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 ([01:25]): “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.”

---

2. Protests in Iran

[01:42 – 02:00]

• There are widespread demonstrations in Iran, reportedly reaching over 170 locations in 25 out of Iran’s 31 provinces.
• Cause: Ongoing economic hardships in the Islamic Republic.
• Paul Stevens ([01:42]): “Human rights activists say widening protests in Iran sparked by the Islamic Republic's ailing economy have reportedly now reached over 170 locations in 25 of Iran's 31 provinces.”

---

3. Diplomatic Push for Peace in Ukraine

[02:32 – 03:27]

• National security advisers from Europe, the U.S., and other countries convened in Kyiv to discuss security guarantees and economic assistance.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky is planning talks in Paris and has shared all relevant peace documents with international partners.
• The coalition of support for Ukrainian peace efforts involves approximately 30 countries, including Canada and Japan.
• Unnamed Ukrainian Correspondent ([02:45]): “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…”

---

4. Public Health Crisis: Influenza Surge in New York

[03:27 – 03:59]

• New York State faces a record-high number of flu-related hospitalizations, the highest single-week total since records began two decades ago.
• Over 4,500 hospitalizations in the week ending December 27, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week.
• An influenza-related death was reported; authorities urge vaccination.
• Chris DeMaio ([03:33]): “...recorded the highest number of hospitalizations in a week since it started collecting data 20 years ago... the state saying it's still not too late to get a flu shot.”

---

5. North Korea’s Escalating Weapons Production

[03:59 – 04:29]

• Kim Jong Un intensified weapons manufacturing efforts, highlighted by three factory visits within three weeks.
• Focus: Short-range tactical guided missiles aimed at moving military targets.
• Missile production to increase by 2.5 times current levels.
• Paul Stevens ([03:59]): “Kim has called for missile production to increase to two and a half times its current level.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. intervention in Venezuela:
  Madeleine Rivera ([00:20]): “…they're going to be rebuilding the country's oil infrastructure.” Paul Stevens ([00:40]): “...US Will run Venezuela until what can be a safe transition of power being done.”
• On allegations against Maduro:
  Unnamed Political Commentator ([01:13]): “...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.”
• On Ukrainian diplomatic efforts:
  Unnamed Ukrainian Correspondent ([02:45]): “...work on the peace proposals could now accelerate as Ukraine has shared all documents under discussion with the 18 National Security Advisors, including those on security guarantees.”
• On public health in New York:
  Chris DeMaio ([03:33]): “...recorded the highest number of hospitalizations in a week since it started collecting data 20 years ago.”

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maduro’s Capture & U.S. Actions: [00:03 – 01:42]
• Iran Protests: [01:42 – 02:00]
• Ukraine Diplomatic Developments: [02:32 – 03:27]
• New York Flu Surge: [03:27 – 03:59]
• North Korean Weapons Escalation: [03:59 – 04:29]

---

This concise and authoritative newscast captures a world in flux, offering key facts, direct reportage, and impactful statements for listeners seeking a rapid yet thorough update on pressing international and domestic developments.

Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

Behind bars. I'm Paul Stevens, Fox News. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife now at a detention center in Brooklyn, New York, facing charges connected to their indictment on narco terrorism charges following their capture in a daring U.S. military raid. More from Fox's Madeleine Rivera.

[Madeleine Rivera]

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 drug trafficking. 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 the president says the US Will run Venezuela until what can be a safe transition of power being done.

[Unnamed Political Commentator]

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]

Now UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez says he's concerned that international law has not been respected. Meantime, more on the capture from fox's Jared Halpern at 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.

[Unnamed Political Commentator]

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]

Human rights activists say widening protests in Iran sparked by the Islamic Republic's ailing economy have reportedly now reached over 170 locations in 25 of Iran's 31 provinces. America is listening to FOX News.

[Mint Mobile Advertiser]

Well, the holidays have come and gone once again, but if you've forgotten to get that special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it an early present for next year. What do you have to lose? Give it a [e-mail] Switch limited time.

[Ainsley Earhardt]

50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy, see terms.

[Paul Stevens]

National security advisers from Europe and other countries met in Kyiv Saturday to talk about security guarantees and economic support as a U S led diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine intensifies.

[Unnamed Ukrainian Correspondent]

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 Advisors, 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.

[Paul Stevens]

Jane Fergus, Fox News Cases of the flu leading to record hospitalizations in New.

[Chris DeMaio]

York State 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 DeMaio, Fox News North Korean leader.

[Paul Stevens]

Kim Jong Un pushing for more weapons production and continues a series of factory visits. State media saying Kim toured a tactical guided weapons facility yesterday Saturday. That's his third weapons planned visit in three weeks. The news agency saying the focus is on short range guided missiles designed to hit moving military targets. Kim has called for missile production to increase to two and a half times 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 DeMaio]

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.