Fox News Hourly Update: 12PM ET | June 24, 2025

The latest episode of the Fox News Hourly Update delivered comprehensive coverage of critical international developments, U.S. political dynamics, economic insights, and local news. Hosted by Jack Callaghan, the update provided listeners with in-depth analysis and notable commentary on pressing issues of the day.

1. Middle East Ceasefire and U.S. Airstrikes on Iran

Ceasefire between Israel and Iran

The episode opens with a significant development in the Middle East, where a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been established after initial turbulence.

• Jack Callaghan reports at [00:02] that Israel has agreed to withdraw its warplanes from Iranian airspace following a pivotal phone conversation between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

• Iran's President has declared that the nation will adhere to the ceasefire unless Israel does the same, highlighting ongoing tensions and the precarious nature of the agreement.

U.S. Classified Briefing on Airstrikes

The discussion transitions to a classified briefing regarding recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran.

• General Dan Kaine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, alongside DNI Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, are set to brief Congress on the details of these strikes and their implications for Iran's nuclear capabilities [00:25].

• The episode delves into concerns about Iran's nuclear program, specifically the potential movement of 60% highly enriched uranium, which could be converted into weapons-grade material. Satellite imagery reveals suspicious activities, such as "at least 16 cargo trucks outside Fordo two days before the US B2 bombing strike," suggesting possible preparations for nuclear advancement [00:45].

2. President Trump's NATO Summit Agenda

NATO Submarine Summit in the Netherlands

President Trump is en route to the NATO submarine summit in The Hague, Netherlands, with a focused agenda aimed at strengthening the alliance.

• Peter Ducey reports at [00:59] that Trump intends to push NATO countries to revitalize their supply chains to ensure the uninterrupted production of weapons, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency within the alliance [01:05].

• Additionally, Trump is advocating for a significant increase in defense spending, proposing to elevate the contribution from the current 2% of GDP to 5% [01:14]. This move underscores his administration's commitment to bolstering NATO's collective defense capabilities.

• The host highlights potential changes to Article 5 of the NATO charter, suggesting that non-contributing countries may lose their mutual defense guarantees unless they meet the new defense spending requirements [01:24].

3. Federal Reserve and Economic Update

Federal Reserve's Stance on Interest Rates

Shifting focus to the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell addressed a congressional hearing regarding the nation's financial trajectory.

• Powell stated at [01:24] that despite external pressures from the White House, the Federal Reserve will continue to "wait and watch the economy before considering interest rate cuts."

• He emphasized the current economic stability, noting, "the U.S. Economy is currently in a solid position. No worries on Wall Street at midday," with the Dow up by 452 points, Nasdaq ahead by 267, and the S&P 500 increasing by 58 points [01:30].

4. Congressional Investigation into President Biden's Mental State

House Oversight Committee Interviews

A contentious political issue is unfolding as Neera Tanden, an adviser to President Biden, faces questioning in a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill.

• At [02:29], Jack Callaghan reports that Tanden is being interrogated by the House Oversight Committee regarding President Biden's mental condition and allegations of a White House cover-up.

• Neera Tanden declined to answer specific questions about whether Biden officials attempted to shield the president, prompting Committee Chairman James Comer to assert at [02:53], "I think the American people want to know. I think there's a huge level of curiosity in the press corps with respect to who was actually calling the shots in the Biden administration."

• The investigation is expanding, with former aides Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams, and Annie Tomasini slated for future interviews. Democrats critique the probe as "a waste of time," arguing it lacks substantive basis [03:03].

• Rich Edson reports that the White House counsel has informed Tanden she cannot invoke executive privilege to bypass the committee's inquiries [03:14].

5. New York City Mayoral Race

Democratic Primary Heats Up Amidst Controversy

New York City's Democratic mayoral primary is intensifying under extreme summer heat, with voters deliberating among 11 candidates [03:14].

• Andrew Cuomo, a former New York Governor seeking a political comeback, is emerging as a frontrunner. Positioned as the "moderate Democratic Choice," Cuomo aims to "restore normalcy and protect Jewish people in New York" after his resignation in 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal [03:37].

• Challenging him is Zoran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist. Mamdani, who would make history as the city's first Muslim mayor, faces allegations of anti-Semitism, adding a layer of complexity to the race [03:37].

• Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is also in the race, running for re-election in November as an independent, potentially splitting the vote and influencing the election's outcome [04:13].

6. Weather Update and Tropical Storm Andrea

Extreme Heat Across the East Coast and Midwest

Severe weather conditions are affecting large portions of the United States:

• Extended heat warnings are in place for much of the East Coast and parts of the Midwest, with cities like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston projected to experience temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit [03:14].

• New York City faces a slight relief with a forecast high of 99 degrees, amid the busy mayoral primary season [03:25].

Tropical Storm Andrea

The first named tropical storm of the season, Andrea, has formed in the Atlantic. However, current forecasts indicate that Andrea is not expected to make landfall, mitigating potential impacts on coastal regions [04:13].

Conclusion

The Fox News Hourly Update provided a thorough overview of global tensions in the Middle East, strategic military and economic moves by the U.S. administration, ongoing political investigations, local election dynamics in New York City, and significant weather events. Notable quotes and expert insights offered listeners a nuanced understanding of each topic, ensuring they remain informed on critical national and international issues.