Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET, August 18, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute coverage of major global and national news stories at the top of the hour. Key topics include diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, Hurricane Erin’s impact in the Caribbean, a deadly shooting in Brooklyn, political maneuvering over congressional districts in California and Texas, and a charitable gesture by the Pope.

Major News Headlines and Discussion Points

Ongoing Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

[00:02–00:56]

• Host: Sue Guzman introduces the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

• President Trump is set to meet with Ukraine’s President Zelensky at the White House as part of renewed talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Lucas Tomlinson reports that Zelensky will be joined by leaders from the European Union, NATO, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain, signaling a heavily backed diplomatic push.

  • “The leaders of Ukraine, the European Union, NATO, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Britain will come here to the White House with the goal of ending the war.” — Lucas Tomlinson [00:18]

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscores the complexity of the discussions:

  • “These are hard issues that remain. You know, the conversation about where the territorial lines are going to be, questions about long term security guarantees and who Ukraine can have military alliances with, things like that. These are difficult things. But I do believe we made progress in narrowing down the issue set. But there's a lot of work that remains.” — Marco Rubio [00:32]

• In Brussels, Zelensky held further discussions with European leaders, some attending virtually.

• Key Insight: President Trump, via Truth Social, suggested Ukraine drop demands to join NATO and stop efforts to reclaim Crimea in exchange for peace.

  • Zelensky is weighing these options with international support and diplomatic back-and-forth intensify.
  • Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff stated Putin has agreed the US and EU could offer Ukraine NATO-style security guarantees.

Hurricane Erin Threatens the Caribbean and US Coast

[01:25–01:51]

• Ashley Stromer reports Hurricane Erin, a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds, is impacting the Caribbean, particularly east of Turks and Caicos.
  • “Erin's outer bands have already knocked out power to nearly 150,000 people in Puerto Rico. And while it's not forecast to make landfall, the storm is expected to double or even triple in size. That could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the east coast by midweek.” — Ashley Stromer [01:25]
• The storm has weakened slightly but is expected to bring dangerous surf along the US East Coast by midweek.

Brooklyn Nightclub Shooting Heightens Election Issues in NYC

[03:10–03:57]

• Police search for suspects after a deadly shooting at the Brooklyn Lounge nightclub, described as gang-related.
• CB Cotton provides updates, noting community crisis management teams have been mobilized to contain gang tensions.
  • The shooting re-emerges as a pivotal talking point in New York’s upcoming mayoral race.
  • Democratic candidate Zoram Mamdani walks back defunding police comments and proposes a new city agency for “violence interrupters,” while Republican Curtis Sliwa stakes out a law-and-order platform.
    • Sliwa: “I'm the only candidate with the courage to restore law and order in New York City.” — [03:52]

California and Texas Battle for Congressional Districts

[03:57–04:43]

• Coverage explains the political chess match: California Democrats counter efforts by Texas Republicans and former President Trump to gain more GOP seats in Texas by redrawing their own congressional maps to flip five Republican-held California districts.
• Christina Coleman (from Los Angeles) notes:
  • “California Democrats say they've launched this campaign to counter the ongoing effort by President Donald Trump and Texas Republicans to create up to five GOP friendly congressional seats in the Lone Star State. It's part of a bigger effort by Republicans to keep the House majority during the midterms next year. They have a razor thin majority right now.” — Christina Coleman [04:15]
• California lawmakers plan to approve new maps, subject to a special election in November.

Pope Leo XIV’s Outreach to the Poor

[04:43–05:07]

• The Pope ends his summer vacation by holding a special Mass and hosting refugees, the homeless, and poor at the Vatican’s lakeside estate.
• Guests were served lasagna, roast veal, and given a unique chance to dine with the pontiff.
  • “The leader of the world's Roman Catholics celebrating a special mass for them and he invited them to the Vatican's lakeside estate for a luncheon of lasagna and roast veal.” — Sue Guzman [04:43]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio [00:32]:
  “These are hard issues that remain … But I do believe we made progress in narrowing down the issue set. But there’s a lot of work that remains.”
• Ashley Stromer [01:25]:
  “The storm is expected to double or even triple in size. That could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the east coast by midweek.”
• Curtis Sliwa [03:52]:
  “I'm the only candidate with the courage to restore law and order in New York City.”
• Christina Coleman [04:15]:
  “California Democrats say they've launched this campaign to counter the ongoing effort by President Donald Trump and Texas Republicans…”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:02 – Russia-Ukraine war talks preview
• 00:18 – Zelensky’s White House meeting, international support
• 00:32 – Sec. Rubio on peace talks difficulty
• 00:49 – Zelensky meets European leaders
• 00:56 – Trump’s Truth Social statement, Ukraine’s options
• 01:25 – Hurricane Erin update
• 03:10 – Brooklyn nightclub shooting, impact on NYC mayoral race
• 03:57 – California vs. Texas congressional maps update
• 04:43 – Pope Leo XIV’s charity luncheon

Conclusion

This broadcast provides a comprehensive, fast-paced roundup of the day’s most consequential stories, touching on geopolitics, severe weather, local crime and politics, partisan maneuvering for congressional control, and a note of compassion from the Vatican. The tone remains straightforward and informative, offering listeners quick yet substantial insights into headlines driving national and global conversations.