9PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 9PM ET 12/29/2025 Newscast

Host: John Saucier (FOX News Podcasts)
Date: December 30, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode presents a concise roundup of major national and international news headlines from December 29, 2025, focusing on U.S. military actions, ongoing geopolitical developments, domestic legal cases, fraud allegations in social services, and entertainment news. The tone is brisk and urgent, aimed at keeping listeners quickly informed on the biggest stories of the hour.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

U.S. Military Strike in International Waters

• Reported Strike:
  The U.S. military conducted another "lethal kinetic strike" against a vessel identified as part of a narco-terrorism route in the eastern Pacific.
• Details:
  • Two individuals aboard the targeted boat were killed; no U.S. personnel were harmed.
  • This was the 30th strike in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters since the start of Operation Southern Spear.
  • Over 100 people have been killed in these operations.
• Context:
  The strikes were ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and conducted under the Trump administration, which emphasizes aggressive tactics against narcotics trafficking by sea.
• Notable quote:
  • "The U.S. Southern Command in a post on X shared details of what it called a lethal kinetic strike, the term meaning direct use of artillery to destroy a target..." — Grinal Scott ([00:15])

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Trump, Netanyahu, and Gaza Ceasefire

• Ceasefire Phase:
  President Trump warns Hamas to disarm rapidly or face "severe consequences."
• Diplomacy:
  Announcement comes after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
• West Bank Settlements:
  Trump acknowledges disagreements between the U.S. and Israel on West Bank settlements, which are facing objections from Western allies.
• Notable quotes:
  • "Hamas will be given a very short time to disarm." — President Trump ([00:56])
  • "If they don't disarm—as they agreed to do, they agreed to it—then they'll be held." — President Trump ([00:59])
  • "A lot of good things are happening in the Middle East. We have peace in the Middle East, and we're going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way." — President Trump ([01:16])

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Ukraine-Russia Negotiations

• Presidential Meeting:
  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Trump in Mar-a-Lago to discuss prospects for ending the war with Russia.
• Progress:
  Zelenskyy, on Fox News's Special Report, called the talks "productive" and noted that 90% of a proposed 20-point plan is agreed upon, with only two issues outstanding.
• Notable quote:
  • "20 points planned, and when I said 90%, it's true because there are questions with only with two points." — President Zelenskyy ([01:46])

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Legal and Crime News

• Charlie Kirk Assassination Case:
  • A judge in Utah ruled that the transcript and audio of a closed hearing in the high-profile case can be released in redacted forms.
  • The suspect, a 22-year-old male, is accused of fatally shooting conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September.
  • Ongoing debate centers on public access to proceedings as this capital case develops. ([03:01])

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Minnesota Childcare Fraud Allegations

• Federal Investigation:
  • A video from conservative influencer Nick Shirley alleging fraud at Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota has triggered a federal probe.
  • One center in Minneapolis, the “Quality Learning Center,” is under scrutiny for over 120 violations but still received $1.5 million in public funding last year.
  • The state’s Department of Human Services and Governor Tim Walz's office defend their oversight, asserting ongoing reforms, but face calls for resignation from Republican lawmakers.
  • The scope of alleged fraud is significant, with some estimates stating as much as $9 billion may be involved; officials are investigating possible links to Somali terror groups.
• Notable quote:
  • "One child care business that's now under the microscope of federal investigators is Quality Learning center in Minneapolis. Despite not spelling learning correctly on its sign and state inspectors finding more than 120 violations over the past three years, the business was still able to receive nearly one and a half million taxpayer dollars last year..." — Garrett Tenney ([03:35])

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Entertainment: Mariah Carey's Chart Record

• Billboard News:
  • Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" breaks its own record, leading the Billboard Hot 100 for a 22nd week.
  • Seasonal songs now claim the top 24 positions on the Hot 100, surpassing last year's record of 16.
• Notable quote:
  • "Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is you is shimmering atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a record extending 22nd week..." — Michelle Paulino ([04:30])

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Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• U.S. Military Strike:
  "The U.S. southern Command in a post on X shared details of what it called a lethal kinetic strike, the term meaning direct use of artillery to destroy a target..." — Grinal Scott ([00:15])

• Trump on Hamas:
  "Hamas will be given a very short time to disarm." — President Trump ([00:56])

• Trump on Middle East Peace:
  "We have peace in the Middle East, and we're going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way." — President Trump ([01:16])

• Zelenskyy on Ukraine Talks:
  "20 points planned, and when I said 90%, it's true because there are questions with only with two points." — President Zelenskyy ([01:46])

• Minnesota Childcare Fraud:
  "Despite not spelling learning correctly on its sign and state inspectors finding more than 120 violations over the past three years, the business was still able to receive nearly one and a half million taxpayer dollars last year..." — Garrett Tenney ([03:35])

• Mariah Carey Record:
  "Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is you is shimmering atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a record extending 22nd week..." — Michelle Paulino ([04:30])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• US Military Strike: 00:02–00:51
• Trump & Netanyahu on Gaza Ceasefire: 00:51–01:24
• Ukraine Peace Negotiations: 01:36–01:54
• Charlie Kirk Case Update: 03:01–03:35
• Minnesota Childcare Fraud: 03:35–04:14
• Mariah Carey/Entertainment: 04:30–04:51

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Conclusion

This Fox News Hourly Update delivers fast-paced coverage of pressing stories, from global security operations and Middle East diplomacy to U.S. political tensions and cultural milestones. Quotable moments from world leaders and focused investigative reporting create an informative and engaging newscast for listeners seeking real-time news updates.

Transcript

[A]

The US Military strikes another boat. I'm John Saucier, Fox News. The latest US Boat strike in international waters ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reported by military officials tonight. Here's Fox's Grinal Scott with details.

[B]

The U.S. southern Command in a post on X shared details of what it called a lethal kinetic strike, the term meaning direct use of artillery to destroy a target as part of Operation Southern Spear. The vessel, according to intelligence received, was identified and spotted trapped traveling along a known eastern Pacific narco terrorism route. According to Southern Command, two men were killed in the strike. No military personnel were hurt. According to the Trump administration, the strike is the 30th such action in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters, killing more than 100 people. Grinul Scott, FOX News.

[A]

President Trump says Hamas must disarm soon or face severe consequences.

[C]

Hamas will be given a very short time to disarm.

[D]

President Trump says if they don't disarm as as they agreed to do, they agreed to it, then they'll be held.

[C]

To pay the president offering. That morning, following a meeting at Mar a Lago with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on implementing the second phase of the Gaza cease fire.

[D]

A lot of good things are happening in the Middle East. We have peace in the Middle east and we're going to try and keep it that way. I think we will be very successful in keeping it that way.

[C]

President Trump did note one area of disagreement with Netanyahu, the West bank where Israel has approved additional settlements with over the objections of Western allies. Jared Halpern, FOX News.

[A]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met President Trump in Mar a Lago on Sunday, talked about trying to end the war with Russia. President Zelenskyy on Special Report on the Fox News Channel calling the talks productive.

[C]

20 points planned and when I said 90%, it's true because there are questions with only with two points.

[A]

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[E]

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[A]

A judge has ruled that the transcript and an audio recording of a closed door hearing involving the accused assassin of Charlie Kirk can be released in redacted forms. This ruling came during a hearing on how much access the public should have as this suspect's capitol case proceeds. In Provo, Utah, the 22 year old male is accused of fatally shooting Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in September. Federal agents are investigating after conservative influencer Nick Shirley's video recently went viral. He claimed daycare centers run by Somali immigrants were stealing from Minnesota's welfare system. Here's fox's Garrett Tenney with more.

[F]

One child care business that's now under the microscope of federal investigators is Quality Learning center in Minneapolis. Despite not spelling learning correctly on its sign and state inspectors finding more than 120 violations over the past three years, the business was still able to receive nearly one and a half million taxpayer dollars last year, according to the state's Department of Human Services. Tim Walz's office is defending his handling of the growing fraud scandal, telling Fox News the governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and asked the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action. He has strengthened oversight. State Republican lawmakers say they've been sounding the alarm over fraud in Minnesota's childcare space for years.

[A]

Some Republican state lawmakers are calling on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to resign. They say as much as $9 billion may have lost their abroad. The treasury is investigating possible links to a Somalian terror group. And another record for a Christmas, pop icon.

[G]

Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is you is shimmering atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a record extending 22nd week, leading a record parade of holiday heads from the top of the chart on down. This year, seasonal songs claimed the top 24 positions on the survey, surging past the prior mark of the top 16 songs at this time last year.

[A]

Fox's Michelle Paulino reporting. I'm John Saucier and this is FOX News.

[G]

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

[A]

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