2PM ET 06/24/2025 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update: Detailed Summary of June 24, 2025, 2PM ET Newscast

1. Middle East Ceasefire Between Iran and Israel

The latest developments in the Middle East indicate a significant shift in the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel. Host Jack Callaghan reported that after two weeks of relative calm, the ceasefire between the two nations is holding firm. Israel has lifted restrictions on public gatherings, and the country's main airport has resumed normal operations. The Israeli military has stated its intent to refocus on Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas. Additionally, Iran's president has publicly congratulated his people, declaring it a "great victory" (00:02).

An unnamed high-ranking diplomatic source revealed critical behind-the-scenes efforts that facilitated the ceasefire. According to the source, President Trump engaged in discussions with Qatar's Amir, successfully persuading Israel to agree to the ceasefire alongside Iran. Vice President Vance collaborated closely with Qatar's Prime Minister to iron out the details, resulting in a deal orchestrated at the highest levels by both U.S. and Qatari leadership (00:32).

2. Postponement of US Airstrike Briefing Angers Senate Democrats

Fox's Trey Inkston in Tel Aviv reported that a highly anticipated classified briefing for members of Congress regarding U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites has been postponed. This sudden delay has sparked outrage among Senate Democrats, particularly Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Schumer expressed his frustration, stating, “This last minute postponement of our briefing is outrageous. It's evasive. It's derelict. They're bobbing and weaving and ducking. Senators deserve full transparency” (01:14). The administration has yet to provide an explanation for the postponement, escalating tensions between the legislative and executive branches.

3. Sean "Diddy" Combs' Sex Trafficking Trial Update

In legal news, Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial is nearing a critical point. After over six weeks of testimony from 34 witnesses, the prosecution has rested its case. Combs has entered a plea of not guilty, asserting that all activities in question were consensual. Defense attorneys have indicated that they do not plan to call any witnesses, potentially setting the stage for closing arguments soon (01:26).

4. Wall Street Surges Amid Economic Uncertainty

The stock market experienced significant gains today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring by 458 points and the Nasdaq rising by 280 points. Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, investor confidence appears robust, possibly influenced by recent political developments and corporate earnings reports (01:26).

5. Health and Human Services Budget Cuts Under Fire

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing intense scrutiny during a congressional hearing focused on the agency's budget. Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey criticized Kennedy's proposed budget cuts, arguing they would "harm the CDC and FDA." Similarly, Congresswoman Diana DeGette of Colorado highlighted a proposed 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stating it would severely impact critical health research (02:22).

Kennedy defended his position by questioning, “What are seed oils doing to our children? What are food dyes doing to our children? What is the packaging and microplastics doing to our children? What are pesticides doing to our children?” (02:47). Pallone countered, accusing Kennedy of accepting substantial funding from pharmaceutical companies and asserting, “People will die because of Kennedy” (02:58).

6. Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Decisions

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell addressed a congressional hearing to discuss the current stance on interest rates. Powell emphasized the strength of the U.S. economy, noting that “the economy is in a solid position. The unemployment rate remains low and the labor market is at or near maximum employment” (03:11). However, he acknowledged that while inflation has decreased significantly, it "has been running somewhat above our 2% longer run objective."

President Trump has publicly criticized the Federal Reserve's reluctance to lower interest rates, suggesting that this hesitation is hindering economic growth (03:27).

7. Major Heatwave Hits Eastern United States

A severe heatwave is currently affecting the eastern half of the United States, with triple-digit temperatures and oppressive humidity creating a "steamy mess." New York City recorded a temperature of 100 degrees for the first time since 2013. Over 150 million Americans woke up to heat warnings, and the National Weather Service anticipates that dozens of locations may tie or set new daily high-temperature records (03:27).

8. Death of Bobby Sherman

In entertainment news, the 81-year-old teen idol from the 60s and 70s, Bobby Sherman, has passed away. Known for his four top 10 hits, Sherman's death marks the end of an era for fans of his music and legacy (03:27).

9. Upcoming Events and Promotions

Looking ahead, Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy is expected to continue facing opposition in the congressional hearing on the agency's budget. Additionally, the podcast "Unsolved with James Patterson" encourages listeners to engage with real crime stories at FoxTrueCrime.com. As America prepares for its 249th birthday on July 4th, the "Fox News Podcast" will celebrate notable Americans, highlighting both well-known figures and everyday heroes at foxnewspodcasts.com (02:16; 04:13).

Conclusion

The Fox News Hourly Update on June 24, 2025, provided a comprehensive overview of significant international and domestic events, including the stabilization of the Middle East ceasefire, political tensions surrounding U.S. defense briefings, high-profile legal cases, economic indicators, contentious health budget discussions, central banking policies, extreme weather conditions, and notable deaths in the entertainment industry. The program effectively delivered key insights and direct quotes, ensuring listeners remain informed on the most pressing issues of the day.

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Timestamp References:

• Clickable timestamps have been omitted for brevity, but are based on the transcript provided.

Transcript

[Jack Callaghan]

It's still quiet. I'm Jack Callaghan. Fox News night has fallen in the Middle east and for the first time in two weeks, missiles and rockets are not. The ceasefire between Iran and Israel holding Israel lifting restrictions on public gatherings. The country's main airport returning to normal operations. And Israel's military says they are returning their focus to Gaza and dismantling Hamas. Iran's president has congratulated his people on what he calls a great victory. Fox News has now learned details about how the ceasefire came about.

[Unnamed Diplomatic Source]

A very high ranking diplomatic source speaking with Fox News says President Trump spoke with Qatar's Amir and informed him the US Got Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Iran. The president asked Qatar to help persuade Iran to do the same. Following that, Vice President Vance coordinated with Qatar's prime minister on the details. The source goes on to say this effort proved successful. In following discussions with the Qatari prime minister, the Iranians agreed that the deal was coordinated at the highest level by the president and vice president and the Qatari Amir and prime minister directly.

[Jack Callaghan]

Fox's Trey Inkston, Tel Aviv A classified briefing for members of Congress on the US Airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites was scheduled today, but it's been postponed, angering Senate Democrat leader Schumer.

[Chuck Schumer]

This last minute postponement of our briefing is outrageous. It's evasive. It's derelict. They're bobbing and weaving and ducking. Senators deserve full transparency.

[Jack Callaghan]

No explanation yet for the postponement. Air Force One touching down moments ago in the Netherlands, the president attending the two day NATO summit meeting. Prosecution resting its case in Sean Diddy Combs sex trafficking trial today after more than six weeks of testimony from 34 witnesses, Combs has pled not guilty, saying everything that happened at his freak ops was consensual. Defense attorneys say they don't plan on calling any witnesses. Wall street the Dow soaring again today up 458 points. Nasdaq ahead by 280. America is listening to FOX News.

[James Patterson]

FOX News Audio presents Unsolved with James Patterson. Every crime tells a story, but some stories are left unfinished. Somebody knows real cases, real people listen and follow [e-mail].

[Jack Callaghan]

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy taking heat from Democrats today in a congressional hearing on the agency's budget.

[Frank Pallone]

New Jersey Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone said RFK Jr. S proposed cuts to health and Human services would harm the CDC and FDA. Colorado Democratic Congresswoman Diana DeGette said he's proposing a 40% cut to NIH.

[Unnamed Diplomatic Source]

NIH funded research underpinned nearly every single.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Drug approval in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019.

[Frank Pallone]

But Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Said Americans are sicker than ever and the NIH should be studying other things.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

What are seed oils doing to our children? What are food dyes doing to our children? What is the packaging and microplastics doing to our children? What are pesticides doing to our children?

[Frank Pallone]

Cologne said. People will die because of Kennedy, Kennedy said. Colon has accepted quite a bit of money from pharmaceutical companies. Jessica Rosenthal Fox News Chairman Jerome Powell.

[Jack Callaghan]

Telling a congressional hearing today they are still not ready to lower interest rates.

[Jerome Powell]

But despite elevated uncertainty, the economy is in a solid position. The unemployment rate remains low and the labor market is at or near maximum employment. Inflation has come down a great deal, but has been running somewhat above our 2% longer run objective.

[Jack Callaghan]

President Trump has suggested a failure to lower interest rates is holding back economic growth. Triple digit heat broken, broken temperature records and oppressive humidity piling up into a steamy mess in the eastern half of the country. Today, New York city has hit 100 degrees for the first time since 2013. More than 150 million people woke up to heat warnings. Forecasters at the National Weather Service expect dozens of places to tie or set new daily high temperature records. Tuesday, A teen idol of the 60s and 70s has died. Star Bobby Sherman, who had four top 10 hits, was 81. I'm Jack Callahan. This is Fox News.

[James Patterson]

As America Prepares for its 249th birthday on July 4th. Fox News Podcast celebrates great Americans, highlighting well known and everyday folks who've made their mark on the country in their own special way. Listen and follow [e-mail].