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.