3PM ET 12/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 3PM ET 12/21/2025 Newscast
Host: Debra Valentine
Release Date: December 21, 2025

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Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the top global and domestic news stories, focusing on U.S. foreign policy actions, a domestic event honoring a political leader, the aftermath of a deadly terror attack in Australia, U.S. military retaliation in Syria, potential tariff policy shifts, and a mass shooting in South Africa.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Pressures Venezuela Over Sanctioned Oil (00:02)

• The U.S. intercepted another vessel off Venezuela's coast following President Trump's announced blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers.
• Officials have withheld details about the intercepted vessel and its location.
• This represents an escalation in the U.S. stance toward Venezuela amidst ongoing sanctions.

2. Turning Point USA Event—Honoring Charlie Kirk (00:38)

• Vice President J.D. Vance appeared as a guest speaker at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Phoenix, the first annual meeting since the September assassination of founder Charlie Kirk.
• Vance emphasized honoring Kirk's legacy:
  • Quote: “The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life.” — J.D. Vance (00:38)
• The episode notes the organization's efforts to move forward after a significant loss.

3. Hanukkah Vigil in Sydney After Terror Attack (00:48–01:51)

• Thousands gathered at Bondi Beach, Australia, for a vigil marking one week since a terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration killed at least 15 and wounded over 40.
• Attendees engaged in remembrance rituals, including burning eucalyptus leaves and holding a moment of silence at 6:47 pm, precisely one week after the shooting began.
• The attack is highlighted as a national trauma for Australia.
• Notable moment: Australian PM Anthony Albanese attended but faced boos and heckling from the crowd.
  • Reporting: “Prime Minister Albanese arrived and attended the ceremony, but he did not speak. When he arrived, he was greeted by a chorus of boos.” — Steve Harrigan (01:37)
• The event underscored grief, solidarity, and tensions with national leadership.

4. U.S. Retaliatory Strikes Against ISIS in Syria (02:32–03:13)

• U.S. military launched airstrikes ordered by President Trump against ISIS in Syria after two Iowa National Guardsmen and their interpreter were killed in a recent attack.
• Quote: “In last weekend I ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week, two soldiers, one interpreter, all great people.” — President Trump (02:56)
• Unofficial reports indicate at least five casualties from the strikes.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to brief President Trump on potential future strikes against Iran’s missile program.

5. Tariff Policy and Economic Update (03:13–03:58)

• Discussions ongoing about potential changes to tariff policy at the start of 2026.
• Top economic adviser Kevin Hassett affirmed the effectiveness of recent tariffs:
  • Quote: “We’ve got a big government surplus actually running for a few months in a row. The deficit relative to last year is down by $600 billion.” — Unknown Economic Expert (03:38)
• Possible easing or exemptions for materials not feasible for U.S. production, especially due to climate constraints.
• Anticipation of a Supreme Court decision that could determine the ongoing legality of President Trump’s tariff policy (to be handed down in the new year).

6. Mass Shooting in South African Pub (04:10)

• A manhunt is underway after gunmen killed at least nine and wounded ten at a pub west of Johannesburg, South Africa, early Sunday morning.
• Police are continuing to pursue leads; details remain scarce.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• J.D. Vance on Charlie Kirk’s Legacy (00:38):
  “The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life.”

• Steve Harrigan on PM Albanese at the Vigil (01:37):
  “When he arrived, he was greeted by a chorus of boos. He was also heckled at several points, people telling him he’s not welcome, that he should leave.”

• President Trump on ISIS Retaliation (02:56):
  “In last weekend I ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week, two soldiers, one interpreter, all great people.”

• Economic Highlights (03:38):
  “We’ve got a big government surplus actually running for a few months in a row. The deficit relative to last year is down by $600 billion.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.-Venezuela Ship Interception: 00:02
• Turning Point USA Honors Charlie Kirk: 00:38
• Sydney Hanukkah Vigil Coverage: 01:09–01:51
• U.S. Strikes in Syria/ISIS Retaliation: 02:32
• Trump and Tariff Policy Discussion: 03:29–03:58
• South Africa Pub Shooting: 04:10

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Tone and Style

The reporting maintains a factual, urgent, and sober tone characteristic of Fox News Radio’s hourly updates, blending live field reports, official statements, and concise narration without editorializing.

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This summary captures all major news covered in the episode, key figures’ statements, and notable moments, offering a thorough briefing for anyone who missed the broadcast.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

Pressuring Venezuela. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News, Reuters reporting that the US has intercepted another vessel off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. The move comes days after President Trump announced a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Officials are not saying which vessel was intercepted and did not give a specific location for the operation. Vice President J.D. vance this afternoon's guest speaker at the Turning Point USA event America Fest in Phoenix, Arizona. He talked about honoring the late founder Charlie Kirk.

[J.D. Vance]

The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie's death that he himself refused to do in life.

[Debra Valentine]

The four day event is the first annual meeting since September's assassination of the Turning Point USA founder. As the final night of Hanukkah falls, thousands in Sydney, Australia hold a vigil one week after a horrific terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi beach left at least 15 dead.

[Steve Harrigan]

Thousands gathered here at Bondi beach one week after those deadly terrorist attacks left 15 dead, more than 40 wounded. They brought flowers, they burned eucalyptus leaves, they said prayers, they hugged each other. Some people were crying at the site as well. At 6:47, that's exactly the time one week ago when the first of 82 shots rang out. They observed a moment of silence for Jewish leaders in the tight knit community here in Australia. They say that this deadly terrorist attack changed the nation. Prime Minister Albanese arrived and attended the ceremony, but he did not speak. When he arrived, he was greeted by a chorus of boos. He was also heckled at several points, people telling him he's not welcome, that he should leave.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Steve Harrigan reporting from Sydney, Australia. America's listening to Fox News.

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[Debra Valentine]

The US is retaliating after two National Guardsmen were killed in Syria from an ISIS attack. Vox's Tray Yingst reports from Tel Aviv, Israel Friday evening.

[Tray Yingst]

President Trump ordered dozens of airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria. The bombing campaign was in direct response to an ISIS shooting attack that left two Iowa National Guardsmen and their interpreter dead. In Last weekend I ordered a massive.

[President Trump]

Strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week, two soldiers, one interpreter, all great people.

[Tray Yingst]

New information also says that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to brief President Trump later this month on possible strikes against Iran's expanding ballistic missile program.

[Debra Valentine]

The US Military did not say how many were killed in the strikes, but a UK Based war monitor says at least five people died in the strikes. Could there be changes in tariff policy once the the new year begins? The president's top economic adviser said there may be.

[Kevin Hassett]

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said on CBS Face the Nation he and the president both believe tariff policy has worked well.

[Unknown Economic Expert]

We've got a big government surplus actually running for a few months in a row. The deficit relative to last year is down by $600 billion.

[Kevin Hassett]

But he may have an idea where global tariffs may be eased.

[Unknown Economic Expert]

There's an appetite to exempt things if they're really not meant to be made in the US because of like climate or things like that.

[Kevin Hassett]

The administration also waits for a Supreme Court decision in the new year that could determine the legality of the Trump tariff policy. Granal Scott, FOX News.

[Debra Valentine]

A manhunt continues for gunmen responsible for killing at least nine people and wounding at least 10 others early Sunday at a pub in South Africa. Police say the shooting happened just before 1am in a town west of Johannesburg. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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