Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update: 2AM ET 10/21/2025 Newscast

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

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers concise updates on major national and international events as of October 21, 2025. Key topics include a federal court’s ruling on National Guard deployments in Oregon, U.S.-China relations following a rare earths deal with Australia, new immigration measures involving Belize, fresh developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the U.S. government shutdown, and Japan's historic election of a female prime minister.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ruling on National Guard Deployment in Oregon

[00:02–00:55]

Federal Appeals Court Ruling: A federal appeals court affirmed that President Trump has the authority to command Oregon’s National Guard in response to unrest, but blocked immediate deployment.
- Quote (Jarrett Halpern): "Three judge panel says President Trump's assessment that federal personnel and property are threatened in Portland is within a range of honest judgment." [00:16]
Background: The Trump administration federalized 200 National Guard troops last month due to ongoing protests and concerns over the security of federal property (specifically the ICE facility in Portland).
- Quote (Jarrett Halpern): "The Trump administration federalized 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard last month to respond to what President Trump described as a siege from antifa and domestic terrorists." [00:24]
Related Ruling in Chicago: A separate appeals court blocked similar deployment in Chicago, a decision now appealed to the Supreme Court.

2. U.S.-China Relations & Rare Earths Deal

[00:55–01:30]

Rare Earth Minerals Deal: President Trump signed an $8.5 billion agreement with Australia to boost U.S. rare earth mineral mining and processing.
- Quote (President Trump): "In 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." [01:02]
Looking Ahead: The deal strengthens the U.S. position for upcoming talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi, after earlier tensions over China’s export controls.
- Quote (Jackie Heinrich): "That summit back on after a series of fiery statements over China's new aggressive export controls derailed the plans. Stocks climbed at the prospect of easing relations." [01:15]

3. U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement with Belize

[01:30–01:59]

Immigration Policy Update: The U.S. signed a safe third country agreement with Belize, touted as a milestone in ending illegal immigration and advancing President Trump’s policies.
- Quote (Sue Guzman): "The United States State Department calling it an important milestone in ending illegal immigration." [01:30]
Belize's Stance: Belize retains full control over admissions, including strict caps and security checks. This agreement follows similar arrangements with other countries in Central America and Africa.

4. Israel-Hamas Conflict Update

[03:12–04:02]

Hostage Remains Returned: Hamas returned the remains of another hostage taken during the October 7 attacks.
Ceasefire Violations: Israel accuses Hamas of breaking the ceasefire; Israeli Defense Forces report two Israeli soldiers killed and others wounded in recent incidents, prompting Israeli strikes in Gaza.
- Quote (FOX correspondent in Tel Aviv): "So many families still waiting for answers...the ceasefire that was broken by Hamas over the weekend when they killed two Israeli soldiers." [03:27]
Ceasefire Status: Israeli officials indicate efforts to resume the American-led ceasefire.

5. U.S. Government Shutdown

[04:02–04:47]

Shutdown Update: The government shutdown reached day 21, tying for the second-longest in U.S. history.
- Quote (Ryan Schmelz): "Ties the record for the second longest government shutdown in U.S. history." [04:13]
Negotiations: Senate Republicans are scheduled to meet President Trump amid a standoff with Democrats. A stopgap funding measure has repeatedly failed in the Senate, with Democrats holding firm on demands for healthcare provisions and limits on certain spending cuts.

6. Japan Elects First Female Prime Minister

[04:47–05:09]

Historic Election: Japan’s parliament elected conservative Sanae Takaichi as the country's first female PM, following a last-minute coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She succeeds the more progressive Chigero Ishiba.
- Quote (Sue Guzman): "Japan’s parliament has just elected the country’s first female prime minister, super conservative Sanae Takaichi." [04:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On National Guard Authority:
- "President Trump's assessment that federal personnel and property are threatened in Portland is within a range of honest judgment."
  — Jarrett Halpern [00:16]
On Rare Earth Minerals:
- "In 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."
  — President Trump (reported by Jackie Heinrich) [01:02]
On Government Shutdown:
- "Ties the record for the second longest government shutdown in U.S. history."
  — Ryan Schmelz [04:13]
On Hostage Remains and Ceasefire:
- "So many families still waiting for answers in the aftermath of this ceasefire that was broken by Hamas."
  — FOX correspondent in Tel Aviv [03:27]
On Historic Leadership:
- "Japan’s parliament has just elected the country’s first female prime minister, super conservative Sanae Takaichi."
  — Sue Guzman [04:47]

Segment Timestamps

National Guard in Oregon: 00:02–00:55
Rare Earths Deal & China Talks: 00:55–01:30
U.S.–Belize Immigration Agreement: 01:30–01:59
Israel-Hamas Hostage & Ceasefire: 03:12–04:02
Government Shutdown Update: 04:02–04:47
Japan’s New PM Election: 04:47–05:09

Tone and Style

The newscast is brisk, factual, and direct, reflecting FOX News’ concise broadcast style—delivering rapid updates with minimal analysis or editorializing.

This summary provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of the key headlines reported in the Fox News Hourly Update at 2AM ET on October 21, 2025.

Loading summary

Transcript15 lines

[00:02]
Sue Guzman
A ruling on National Guard troops in Oregon. I'm Sue Guzman. Fox News. Federal appeals court says President Trump can command the National Guard in Oregon but not deploy them for now. Fox's Jarrett Halpern with the story divided.
[00:16]
Jarrett Halpern
Three judge panels as President Trump's assessment that federal personnel and property are threatened in Portland is within a range of honest judgment. Reversing a lower court ruling that had blocked the deployment of National Guard troops, the Trump administration federalized 200 members of Oregon's National Guard last month to respond to what President Trump described as a siege from antifa and domestic terrorists. The administration says the National Guard is needed to protect the ICE facility in the city. Earlier this month, a separate appeals court blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. That challenge has been appealed to the US Supreme Court. @ the White House, Jared Halpern, FOX News.
[00:55]
Sue Guzman
President Trump is planning new talks with China after signing a rare earth minerals deal with Australia. And details from Fox's Jackie Heinrich.
[01:03]
Jackie Heinrich
In 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.
[01:09]
SimpliSafe Customer/Testimonial
The $8.5 billion agreement to scale up rare earth mineral mining and processing strengthens President Trump's position as he heads into a meeting with Chinese President Xi next week. That summit back on after a series of fiery statements over China's new aggressive export controls derailed the plans. Stocks climbed the prospect of easing relations.
[01:30]
Sue Guzman
And the United States State Department calling it an important milestone in ending illegal immigration. The United States signing a safe third country agreement with Belize is part of Washington's push to carry out President Trump's immigration agenda. Belize says it'll retain full control over who's accepted with strict caps, nationality limits and security checks. MOO follows similar arrangements with Panama, Paraguay, Costa Rica, South Sudan and Rwanda. America is listening to Fox News.
[01:59]
SimpliSafe Advertisement Voice
SimpliSafe is real security that stops crime before it starts. Traditional security systems only react and take action once someone has already broken in. SimpliSafe stops crime before it even starts by confronting potential threats the moment they appear. SimpliSafe is different with AI powered cameras that detect threats while they're still outside your home and alert real security agents. There are no long term contracts or hidden fees and you can cancel anytime. Name best home security systems by U.S. news and World Report for five years running. Right now, listeners can save 50% off on a SimpliSafe home security system at SimpliSafe.com FNC that's SimpliSafe.com FNC I love.
[02:48]
SimpliSafe Customer/Testimonial
My new security system, Simplisafe is peel and stick easy. I set it up myself in minutes. I love I can customize it by adding new sensors whenever I want. It's not as hard as I thought it would be. The app is simple, the hardware is solid and the professional monitoring gives me peace of mind. It just works.
[03:06]
SimpliSafe Advertisement Voice
That's simplisafe.com FNC.
[03:12]
Sue Guzman
Hamas has returned the remains of another deceased hostage taken in the October 7 terrorist attack. It comes as Israel accuses Hamas of breaking the ceasefire. Foxes join Yanks in Tel Aviv with the latest.
[03:25]
Fox Correspondent in Tel Aviv
The body of one additional hostage was transferred to Israeli forces within the enclave and it will soon soon be identified. So many families still waiting for answers in the aftermath of this ceasefire that was broken by Hamas over the weekend when they killed two Israeli soldiers. According to the idf, Hamas militants popped out of a tunnel in southern Gaza before firing RPGs at an excavator working near the city of Rafah. In another incident nearby, Israeli soldiers were wounded by Hamas sniper fire. The event prompted Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip that killed dozens of Palestinians. Israeli officials say they are resuming the American led ceasefire.
[04:03]
Sue Guzman
Vice President J.D. vance slated to visit Israel on Tuesday. It is day number 21 of the government shutdown with no apparent end in sight. The latest from Fox's Ryan Schmelz today.
[04:14]
Ryan Schmelz
Ties the record for the second longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Senate Republicans will make their way to the White House today for lunch with President Trump as the standoff with Democrats continues. A GOP backed stopgap measure to extend government funding until mid to late November has failed almost a dozen times to reach the 60 vote threshold to break the Senate filibuster. Democrats have remained firm on wanting health care provisions included and restrictions on the GOP and Trump administration's ability to cut spending already approved by Congress in Washington. Ryan Schmell's Fox News Japan's parliament has.
[04:48]
Sue Guzman
Just elected the country's first female prime minister, super conservative Sanae Takaichi. This election of the 64 year old politician held by a last minute coalition with the right wing Japan Innovation Party, Sanai Takachi, replacing the more progressive incumbent Japane PM Chigero Ishiba. I'm Sue Guzman. This is Fox News.
[05:09]
Will Kane
It's Will Kane Country. Watch it live at noon Eastern Monday through Thursday@foxnews.com or on the Fox News YouTube channel. And don't miss the show. Listen and follow the podcast five days a week at foxnewspodcasts.com or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.