Fox News Hourly Update – 12AM ET 10/21/2025 Newscast

Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Sue Guzman (and FOX News team)

Main Theme & Purpose

This hourly newscast delivers rapid-fire updates on breaking national and international news. Key headlines include a significant legal win for the Trump Administration regarding National Guard deployment to Portland, a major US-Australia deal on rare earth minerals, an ongoing government shutdown struggle in the Senate, escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, a milestone in containing the Ebola outbreak in Congo, and updates on Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac privatization and White House renovations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Legal Victory for Trump Administration: National Guard in Portland

• Summary:
  The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals granted the Trump Administration’s motion to allow 200 Oregon National Guard members to protect Portland’s ICE facility for 60 days, following months of violence at the location.

• Notable Quote:
  "A legal victory for the Trump Administration as the Ninth Circuit U.S. court of Appeals rules the president can send National Guard members to Portland."
  — Sue Guzman [00:03]

2. Major US-Australia Deal on Rare Earths & Security

• Summary:
  President Trump and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sign an $8.5 billion deal establishing a joint venture for rare earths, aimed at reducing US reliance on China for critical minerals. There's also movement to strengthen the Aukus trilateral security pact.

• Notable Quotes:
  "Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Trump signed a deal setting up a joint venture on rare earths and an $8.5 billion pipeline in Australia."
  — Jarrett Halpern [00:39]

  "About a year from now, we'll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won't know what to do with them. They'll be worth about $2."
  — President Trump [00:50]

  "The US is looking to reduce reliance on China for materials needed for electronics and defense systems."
  — Jarrett Halpern [00:57]

• Aukus Pact:
  The US and UK to provide Australia with American nuclear-powered submarines as part of Aukus. [01:13-01:22]

3. Government Shutdown: Senate Stalemate

• Summary:
  Senate Democrats, alongside Republican Rand Paul, block a House-passed funding bill for the 11th time. The vote was 50 to 43, falling short of the 60 votes required. Speaker Mike Johnson criticizes Democrats for allegedly capitulating to their progressive wing.

• Notable Quotes:
  "Senate Democrats along with Republican Rand Paul tonight blocking the House pass bill to fund the government for the 11th time. Latest vote 50 to 43. 60 votes are needed."
  — Sue Guzman [01:22]

  "Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats stood arm in arm, side by side with some of the most radical groups that have ever assembled on U.S. soil."
  — Speaker Mike Johnson on Fox’s Hannity [01:39]

• Policy Division:
  Democrats demand continuation of expiring Obamacare subsidies, which Republicans are open to discussing. [01:49]

4. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Fragility

• Summary:
  Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas breaks as Hamas attacks kill two Israeli soldiers; Israel launches strikes in retaliation. Both sides declare ongoing commitment to the ceasefire, and US Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to visit Israel.

• Notable Quotes:
  "Over the weekend, Hamas violated the ceasefire agreement, killing two Israeli soldiers... The event prompted Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip that killed dozens of Palestinians."
  — Trey Yingst [03:19]

  "Israeli officials say they are resuming the American led cease fire and Hamas leadership says they're committed to the agreement."
  — Trey Yingst [03:36]

5. Ebola Containment in Congo

• Summary:
  The World Health Organization declares the last Ebola patient in Congo has been discharged, starting the countdown to possibly end the outbreak—six weeks after it began.

• Notable Quote:
  "No new cases have been reported since September 25th. The announcement on Sunday starts a 42 day countdown to be able to declare the outbreak over if no further cases are confirmed."
  — John Saucier [03:58]

  "The recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak is remarkable and thanks to strong partnership, leadership, national expertise and determination."
  — John Saucier [04:21]

6. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Privatization Efforts

• Summary:
  The Trump Administration is evaluating a possible public offering for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by year’s end, aiming to end their government conservatorship since 2008.

• Notable Quote:
  "The Trump administration is opportunistically evaluating a public offering for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, possibly as soon as the end of the year."
  — Sue Guzman [04:31]

7. White House Renovation

• Summary:
  The East Wing is under construction for a new $250 million ballroom, funded entirely by private donors, according to President Trump.

• Notable Quote:
  "President Trump said the renovation will be paid for entirely by private donors."
  — Sue Guzman [04:56]

Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• President Trump (on rare earths):
  "About a year from now, we'll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won't know what to do with them. They'll be worth about $2." [00:50]
• Speaker Mike Johnson (on Senate Democrats):
  "They stood arm in arm, side by side with some of the most radical groups that have ever assembled on U.S. soil." [01:39]
• WHO Official (paraphrased by John Saucier):
  "The recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak is remarkable..." [04:21]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Legal victory for Trump in Portland: [00:02–00:39]
• US-Australia rare earths deal & Aukus: [00:39–01:22]
• Government shutdown update: [01:22–01:49]
• Israel-Gaza violence and ceasefire: [03:12–03:52]
• Ebola outbreak milestone: [03:52–04:31]
• Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac privatization: [04:31–04:56]
• White House ballroom renovation: [04:56–05:09]

Conclusion

This Fox News hourly newscast provides concise, up-to-the-minute coverage of critical domestic and international developments, highlighting big moves in US domestic policy, global security, major public health victories, and significant economic actions. The tone is urgent, factual, and occasionally charged, particularly in the political sections. For listeners seeking a rapid overview of the day's top news, this episode delivers key facts, direct quotes from newsmakers, and clear guidance on where major stories are developing next.