12PM ET 07/19/2026 Newscast - Fox News Hourly Update

Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update – 12PM ET, July 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update covers the latest major global headlines, focusing on escalating military tensions in the Middle East, political transitions in the UK, U.S. weather concerns, and the buildup to the World Cup final. The episode is informatively brisk, prioritizing key news events with on-the-ground updates and context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Middle East Crisis: U.S.–Iran Strikes and Regional Fallout

Air raid sirens in Israel as the U.S. continues its military operations in Iran following the deaths of two U.S. service members.
Iran launches missiles at Aqaba, Jordan; tensions rise due to the region's proximity to both Israel and Jordan.
On-site Reporting (Mike Tobin, Tel Aviv):
- “It's at the tip of the Red Sea, right where Israel and Jordan come together. So anything that threatens Aqaba threatens Israel as well.” [00:16]
- Iran has not directly fired on Israel in this round.
- The 8th round of U.S. airstrikes has concluded.
- Incident at Muafik Salti Air Base, Jordan: 2 U.S. killed, 1 missing, 4 wounded—a significant escalation, as these are the first U.S. troop deaths since a recent memorandum of understanding.
- Since U.S. operations began, 16 U.S. service members have been killed; latest strikes reportedly killed at least 50 in Iran.
Quote:

“These are the first US Troops killed since that memorandum of understanding was signed.”
— Mike Tobin (00:27)

2. Major Political Shift in the United Kingdom

Andy Burnham poised to become British Prime Minister on Monday, promising a shift to the left and increased public control of essential services. [01:00]
Burnham’s proposed policies include:
- More power for regional governments.
- Potential relocation of part of Downing Street’s operations to Manchester.
- Scrapping plans for a digital government ID.
- Possible new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Burnham notably criticized the legacy of Margaret Thatcher:

“Britain surrendered control of the essentials.”
— Stephanie Bennett reporting Burnham’s Friday speech (01:46)
Keir Starmer resigns after less than two years in office. [01:50]

3. U.S. Air Quality & Tropical Weather Threats

Wildfire smoke: Ongoing issues across the U.S., but recent storms along the East Coast have improved conditions in some areas.
- Smoke has settled back over Ontario and is drifting down into the Midwest (Wisconsin, Chicago). [02:30]
Tropical Storm Brewing: An 80% chance of storm development in the Gulf of Mexico, poised to be named Bertha, though not expected to reach hurricane strength. Threats of significant rainfall for Gulf Coast states. [02:40]
Severe storms are forecast for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast today. [03:05]

4. World Cup Final Preview: Argentina vs. Spain

Historic matchup: First final between reigning continental champions (Argentina: Copa America 2024, Spain: Euro 2024). [03:56]
Argentina aims for historic back-to-back win; Lionel Messi (39) faces off against Spanish phenom Lamina Molt (19). [03:22]
Debut of custom 18-karat gold championship rings: 30 for players, extra rings for fans; each ring features 89 diamonds, 36 sapphires, and commemorative engravings (2026 total rings). [03:44]
Kickoff at 3pm ET on Fox, with pregame underway.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Conflict in the Middle East:

"It's at the tip of the Red Sea, right where Israel and Jordan come together. So anything that threatens Aqaba threatens Israel as well."
— Mike Tobin (00:16)

"These are the first US Troops killed since that memorandum of understanding was signed."
— Mike Tobin (00:27)
On UK’s Political Transition:

"Burnham's office also says he wants to relocate part of number 10 Downing Street up to Manchester, scrap plans for a government issued digital ID that would have tackled illegal immigration..."
— Stephanie Bennett (01:36)

"...the 56 year old condemned the economic model established in the 1980s by Margaret Thatcher, saying Britain surrendered control of the essentials."
— Stephanie Bennett (01:46)
On Air Quality and Weather:

“Canadian wildfire smoke continues to be one of the big stories across the country… it's settled back over parts of where it's originating, closer Ontario, so it's spilled down into Wisconsin, down towards Chicago.”
— Adam Klotz (02:28)

"We've got an area in the Gulf of America where you see an 80% chance of developing a storm. This would be named Bertha. We're not expecting it to become a hurricane, but it could become a tropical storm..."
— Adam Klotz (02:40)
On the World Cup Final:

"...in just a few hours, the world's greatest soccer player, 39 year old Lionel Messi, will face off against Spain's 19 year old prodigy, Lamina Molt. And for the first time ever, the World cup champions will receive exclusive custom made championship rings."
— Brian Yanez (03:23)

"There are exactly 2026 rings made, 30 for the champions and the rest will be available for fans to purchase."
— Brian Yanez (03:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Middle East Conflict Update: 00:02 – 00:51
UK Political Transition & Burnham’s Agenda: 01:11 – 01:50
Weather & Air Quality: 02:16 – 03:04
World Cup Final Preview: 03:04 – 03:56

Episode Tone and Takeaways

Steady, urgent, and factual—typical of a midday newscast.
Prioritizes clarity and concise updates across global politics, security, and sports.
Notable for succinct on-the-ground analyses and timely context.

End of summary.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:02]
A
Air raid sirens are sounding in Israel as US Strikes continue in Iran after two US Service members are killed. I'm Ann Kerik, Fox News. Iran launching missiles at the city of Aqaba in Jordan. Foxes Mike Tobin with more from Tel Aviv.
[00:16]
B
It's at the tip of the Red Sea, right where Israel and Jordan come together. So anything that threatens Aqaba threatens Israel as well. To this point, the Iranians have not fired on Israel in this round of fighting. An eighth round of airstrikes has now concluded in Iran. US Strike in Iran, the military operation now amplified by the two US Servicemen killed, a third missing and four wounded. These are the first US Troops killed since that memorandum of understanding was signed. The casualties were at the Muafik Salti air base in Jordan and they're a result of Iran's repeated shots at U.S. bases in neighboring countries. At least one strike got through the defenses.
[00:52]
A
Sixteen U.S. service members have been killed since the U.S. began striking Iran. Iran says at least 50 people were killed in the latest round of strikes. UK Labour Party head Andy Burnham is touting his goals for his term once he becomes prime minister. British Prime Minister, that is Monday. Fox's Stephanie Bennett has details from London.
[01:12]
C
The former mayor of Greater Manchester aims for greater public control of essential services and new powers for regional governments, signaling a shift to the left from outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Berman's office also says he wants to relocate part of number 10 Downing street up to Manchester, scrap plans for a government issued digital ID that would have tackled illegal immigration but also eventually allow people to manage childcare tax returns. And there's also suggestions for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Well, during his speech Friday, the 56 year old condemned the economic model established in the 1980s by Margaret Thatcher, saying Britain surrendered control of the essentials.
[01:51]
A
Starmer resigning last month after serving less than two years in office. America's listening to Fox News.
[02:00]
D
Cheers to America's 250th birthday. Get 20% off your first purchase at foxnewswineshop.com with code FN Radio 2020% discount excludes wine club offers and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Expires July 31, 2026. Must be 21. Order to order. Please drink responsibly.
[02:16]
A
Millions of Americans continue to face air quality concerns and a potential tropical storm is brewing in the Gulf and it is hurricane season. Fox Weather's Adam Klotz has more details.
[02:27]
E
Canadian wildfire smoke continues to be one of the big stories across the country. Really a big change since yesterday, a lot of storms moving across the east coast knocked a lot of that smoke out of the air. So it's settled back over parts of where it's originating closer Ontario, so it's spill down into Wisconsin, down towards Chicago. That's going to be the trouble area as we continue through this Sunday. Now, the next weather story as we look into this upcoming week. We've got an area in the Gulf of America where you see an 80% chance of developing a storm. This would be named Bertha. We're not expecting it to become a hurricane, but it could become a tropical storm. Didn't meet a whole lot of rain falling in the Gulf. And then maybe along some of those Gulf coast states we could see fairly significant rain as we go into the middle of the week.
[03:04]
A
Severe storms also are expected to threaten parts of the mid Atlantic and southeast today. Argentina and Spain are facing off today to determine who will be this year's World cup champion. Fox's Brian Yanez has a preview from outside the New York New Jersey stadium where the final will be played.
[03:20]
F
Argentina looks to become the first team in 64 years to win back to back World Cups. And in just a few hours, the world's greatest soccer player, 39 year old Lionel Messi, will face off against Spain's 19 year old prodigy, Lamina Molt. And for the first time ever, the World cup champions will receive exclusive custom made championship rings. Alongside that trophy, they are reportedly handcrafted 18 karat gold rings featuring 89 diamonds and 36 sapphires. There are exactly 2026 rings made, 30 for the champions and the rest will be available for fans to purchase.
[03:57]
A
Today marks the first World cup final between the reigning champions of Europe and South America. Spain won Euro 2024 while Argentina captured the 2024 Copa America. The World cup matches at 3pm Eastern on Fox. Pregame coverage already underway. I'm Ann Kerik and this is FOX News.