3PM ET 12/13/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – 3PM ET Newscast (December 13, 2025)

Main Theme

This episode delivers a rapid-fire overview of the day’s top national and international news stories, highlighting breaking events in Syria, ongoing political debates in Washington, international oil tanker seizures, consumer trends in holiday returns, and local stories of resilience amid crisis.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Syria: U.S. Troops Ambushed by ISIS

• Incident Details
  • A lone ISIS gunman ambushed a US-Syrian joint patrol, resulting in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, with three more U.S. service members injured.
    • [00:03] Carmen Roberts: “The Pentagon says a lone ISIS gunman attacked and killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter and injured three U.S. service members.”
• Response and Context
  • The attacker was killed by partner forces; the ambush underscores ongoing dangers for U.S. troops in the region.
    • [00:15] Lucas Tomlinson: “The gunman was engaged and killed... It was a lone gunman who ambushed this patrol. This was a partnered patrol between American and Syrian forces.”
  • The U.S. maintains about 900 troops in Syria, citing continued strategic importance.
    • [00:31] Lucas Tomlinson: “It’s certainly a tragic day… and a reminder that there are still US troops in harm's way in the Middle East. Some 900 US service members have been based in Syria for years…”
• White House Statement
  • President Trump promises retaliation and reaffirms US interests in Syria.
    • [00:50] Carmen Roberts: “President Trump vows the U.S. will retaliate. He spoke to reporters at the White House before leaving for the Army Navy game today in Baltimore.”

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2. Middle East: Israel-Hamas Escalation

• New Developments
  • Israeli forces report killing a senior Hamas commander in Gaza following an explosive attack that wounded Israeli troops.
    • [00:50] Carmen Roberts: “Israel says it’s killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device wounded two soldiers.”
  • Hamas disputes the casualty, accuses Israel of breaking a ceasefire, which Israel denies, justifying the strike as anti-terrorism.
    • [00:56] Carmen Roberts: “Hamas did not confirm the death, but condemned the strike as a cease fire violation. But Israel says it is not because the person... was engaged in terrorist activities.”

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3. Congressional Health Care Gridlock

• Republican Health Care Plan
  • Speaker Mike Johnson introduces a GOP proposal ahead of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, but Democrats are skeptical.
    • [01:20] Ryan Schmelz: “House Speaker Mike Johnson is releasing a Republican health care plan before the Affordable Care act tax credits expire at the end of the year.”
  • Democratic response, focusing on potential negative impacts:
    • [01:31] Angelo Bavaro (quoting Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader): “As I understand, it is likely to be a disaster and actually not enhance the health care of the American people. It will take away from it.”
• Potential Compromise
  • Moderates suggest a bill to extend tax credits for two years, with added reforms such as income caps.
  • Risk outlined: Over 20 million Americans could see increased premiums without action.
    • [01:38] Ryan Schmelz: “Over 20 million Americans could see their Obamacare premiums increase if the credits aren’t extended.”

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4. International: U.S. Oil Tanker Seizure Near Venezuela

• Federal Action
  • DOJ partially unseals the seizure warrant for oil tanker “Skipper,” suspected of involvement in illicit networks supporting Hezbollah and the Iranian IRGC.
    • [02:32] Carmen Roberts: “We’re learning more about the oil tanker the US Seize near Venezuela.”
    • [02:36] Madeleine Rivera: “The DOJ says the vessel named the Skipper was being used in an oil shipping network supporting Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”
  • Plan for legal asset seizure and crew release reported.
    • [03:06] Madeleine Rivera: “NBC News now reporting… the crew will be released when the vessel docks.”

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5. Consumer Trends: Early Holiday Returns

• Shift in Shopping and Returns
  • Rising volume of holiday returns even before Christmas, due to earlier holiday purchases and shipping considerations.
    • [03:14] Carmen Roberts: “Retailers say return season is not waiting for Christmas anymore. It is already under.”
    • [03:23] Angelo Bavaro: “Retail Federation says more shoppers are starting returns in mid December, weeks before Christmas morning… clothing and shoes lead the way and online purchases are most likely to come back.”
  • Practical advice: Keep receipts and original packaging to expedite returns, as new barcode systems are in place.

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6. Human Interest: Wounded Guardsman’s Recovery

• Remarkable Recovery
  • Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf of the West Virginia National Guard, wounded in a Washington, D.C. ambush, is showing significant progress in recovery.
    • [03:55] Carmen Roberts: “Wolf’s family and medical team described the recovery as extraordinary. That attack killed fellow guardsmen, the specialist, Sarah Beckstrom.”

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7. Weather Emergency: Historic Flooding in Washington State

• Ongoing Crisis
  • State remains under emergency orders as severe flooding continues and more rain is forecasted.
    • [04:12] Carmen Roberts: “And Washington state remains under a state of emergency during historic flooding. More rain is on the way Monday.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s certainly a tragic day for US forces and a reminder that there are still US troops in harm's way in the Middle East.” — Lucas Tomlinson, [00:31]
• “As I understand, it is likely to be a disaster and actually not enhance the health care of the American people.” — Angelo Bavaro quoting Hakeem Jeffries, [01:31]
• “Retailers say return season is not waiting for Christmas anymore. It is already under.” — Carmen Roberts, [03:14]
• “Wolf’s family and medical team described the recovery as extraordinary.” — Carmen Roberts, [03:55]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Syria ISIS Ambush: 00:03 – 00:50
• Israel-Hamas Commander Strike: 00:50 – 01:20
• US Health Care Debate: 01:20 – 01:54
• Oil Tanker Seizure: 02:32 – 03:14
• Holiday Returns Trend: 03:14 – 03:55
• Guardsman’s Recovery: 03:55 – 04:12
• Flooding in Washington State: 04:12 – 04:33

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Summary Tone & Style

The update maintains the brisk, authoritative journalistic style characteristic of Fox News, delivering urgent headlines, concise context, and selected expert/political reactions. The language is direct and focused on immediacy, suitable for listeners seeking a swift rundown of current affairs.

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Transcript

[Carmen Roberts]

American troops ambushed in Syria. I'm Carmen Roberts, Fox News. The Pentagon says a lone ISIS gunman attacked and killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter and injured three U.S. service members.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

The gunman was engaged and killed. And we heard from Secretary Egseth who said that he was killed by partner forces. It was a lone gunman who ambushed this patrol. This was a partnered patrol between American and Syrian forces.

[Carmen Roberts]

Fox's Lucas Tomlinson at the White House.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

It's certainly a tragic day for US forces and a reminder that there are still US troops in harm's way in the Middle East. Some 900 US service members have been based in Syria for years across several bases. This is a country that the United States and the Trump administration still feels is very important and vital to U.S. interests.

[Carmen Roberts]

And President Trump vows the U.S. will retaliate. He spoke to reporters at the White House before leaving for the Army Navy game today in Baltimore. Israel says it's killed a top Hamas Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device wounded two soldiers. Hamas did not confirm the death, but condemned the strike as a cease fire violation. But Israel says it is not because the person that was killed was engaged in terrorist activities. Congress remains at a standstill on health care. Fox's Ryan Schmelz has the latest from Capitol Hill.

[Ryan Schmelz]

House Speaker Mike Johnson is releasing a Republican health care plan before the Affordable Care act tax credits expire at the end of the year. The House Minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries isn't holding his breath.

[Angelo Bavaro]

As I understand, it is likely to be a disaster and actually not enhance the health care of the American people. It will take away from it.

[Ryan Schmelz]

Some moderates are proposing a compromise bill that would extend the tax credits for two years. With reforms like income caps. Over 20 million Americans could see their Obamacare premiums increase if the credits aren't extended. On Capitol Hill, Ryan Schmelz, Fox News.

[Carmen Roberts]

America's listening to FOX News.

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[Carmen Roberts]

We're learning more about the oil tanker the US Seize near Venezuela.

[Madeleine Rivera]

The Justice Department partially unsealed the seizure warrant for that oil tanker. More than 20 pages of this 32 page document were completely redacted. But here's what we did learn. A federal judge signed off on the seizure warrant on November 26th. The Coast Guard seized the tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday. The DOJ says the vessel named the Skipper was being used in an oil shipping network supporting Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The administration says it will go through the legal channels to seize the oil on the tanker once it reaches a U.S. port. NBC News now reporting. Per two U.S. officials, the crew will be released when the vessel docks.

[Carmen Roberts]

Fox's Madeleine Rivera reporting. Retailers say return season is not waiting for Christmas anymore. It is already under.

[Angelo Bavaro]

Retail Federation says more shoppers are starting returns in mid December, weeks before Christmas morning, as people buy earlier to beat shipping deadlines. Wrong sizes and duplicate gifts are already piling up at return counters. Retailers say clothing and shoes lead the way and online purchases are most likely to come back. The NRF advises keeping receipts and original packaging since many stores now use barcodes to speed up those returns. With holiday shopping stretched earlier than ever, retailers say returns are following right behind. Angelo Bavaro, FOX News.

[Carmen Roberts]

A West Virginia National Guardsman wounded In a Washington, D.C. ambush is making remarkable progress. West Virginia Senator Jim justice tells the New York Post that Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf is showing continual, huge improvements. Wolf's family and medical team described the recovery as extraordinary. That attack killed fellow guardsmen, the specialist, Sarah Beckstrom. And Washington state remains under a state of emergency during historic flooding. More rain is on the way Monday. I'm Carmen Roberts. This is Fox News. This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[Angelo Bavaro]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.