Fox News Hourly Update: 4AM ET 10/21/2025 Newscast

Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Sue Guzman (FOX News Podcasts)
Episode Theme: A concise update on breaking national and international news, significant government decisions, diplomatic developments, and notable global events.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers early-morning updates on major U.S. political, legal, and international stories. Coverage features a mix of Washington developments (National Guard rulings, government shutdown), international diplomacy, key security agreements, and unfolding events in the Middle East and Japan.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Court Ruling on National Guard Deployment in Oregon

[00:02 - 00:56]

• Federal Appeals Court Decision:

  • A divided three-judge panel ruled that President Trump may command the National Guard in Oregon but cannot deploy them at this time.
  • Panel reversed a lower court ruling that had blocked deployment.
  • The administration federalized 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard to counter threats near the ICE facility in Portland described by Trump as a "siege from antifa and domestic terrorists."
  • A separate court previously blocked deployment to Chicago, and that matter is now before the Supreme Court.

• Notable Quote:

  • “President Trump's assessment that federal personnel and property are threatened in Portland is within a range of honest judgment.”
    — Jarrett Halpern ([00:17])

2. U.S.-China Relations & Rare Earth Minerals Deal

[00:56 - 01:31]

• Deal with Australia:

  • President Trump signed an $8.5 billion agreement to expand rare earth mineral mining and processing, aiming to boost U.S. supplies ahead of his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
  • The meeting had been postponed due to rising tensions over China’s export controls but is now back on.
  • The deal strengthens the U.S.'s strategic resource independence and gives Trump leverage in U.S.-China discussions.
  • Markets rose on renewed optimism over potential easing of relations.

• Notable Quote:

  • “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.”
    — Fox’s Jackie Heinrich quoting President Trump ([01:05])

3. Immigration: Safe Third Country Agreement with Belize

[01:31 - 01:59]

• New Bilateral Agreement:

  • The U.S. and Belize signed an agreement making Belize a “safe third country” in the context of immigration policy.
  • This is part of a broader U.S. strategy to stem illegal immigration and follows similar arrangements with Panama, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Sudan, and Rwanda.
  • Belize asserts it will maintain control over admissions, with nationality and security vetting processes.

• Notable Moment:

  • U.S. State Department calls signing an "important milestone" in immigration reform.

4. Middle East: Gaza Ceasefire Breach & Hostage Return

[03:11 - 04:02]

• Ceasefire Developments:

  • Hamas returned the body of a deceased hostage taken during the October 7 terrorist attack.
  • Israel accuses Hamas of breaking the American-led ceasefire after militants killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded others near Rafah.
  • Israeli reprisals led to airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, reportedly killing dozens of Palestinians.
  • Israel now says it is resuming adherence to the ceasefire.

• Notable Quote:

  • “The body of one additional hostage was transferred to Israeli forces within the enclave and it will soon be identified. So many families still waiting for answers in the aftermath of this ceasefire that was broken by Hamas over the weekend...”
    — Fox’s correspondent in Tel Aviv ([03:24])

5. U.S. Political Updates

Government Shutdown Reaches Historic Milestone

[04:02 - 04:46]

• Stalemate Details:

  • The government shutdown has reached its 21st day, tying it for the second-longest in U.S. history.
  • Senate Republicans plan to meet President Trump as attempts to pass a short-term funding bill have repeatedly failed.
  • The deadlock hinges on Democrats’ demands related to healthcare and curbing the administration’s authority to cut already-approved spending.

• Notable Quote:

  • “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.”
    — Ryan Schmelz ([04:13])

Vice President Vance’s Visit to Israel

[04:02]

• VP J.D. Vance scheduled to meet with Israeli officials amid the ongoing ceasefire tensions. No further details provided.

6. Japan Elects First Female Prime Minister

[04:46 - 05:09]

• Political Milestone:
  • Parliament elects Sanae Takachi, the country's first female Prime Minister.
  • The 64-year-old, known for her super-conservative stance, secured power via a coalition with the right-wing Japan Innovation Project.
  • Takachi succeeds the more progressive Shigeru Ishiba.

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17 | Jarrett Halpern | “President Trump's assessment that federal personnel and property are threatened in Portland is within a range of honest judgment.” | | 01:05 | 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.” | | 03:24 | Fox Reporter (TLV)| “The body of one additional hostage was transferred to Israeli forces within the enclave and it will soon be identified. So many families still waiting for answers…” | | 04:13 | Ryan Schmelz | “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…” |

Conclusion

This newscast covers several fast-moving stories: a consequential federal court ruling on the Oregon National Guard, diplomatic maneuvering on rare earths and trade with China, new U.S. immigration agreements, developing violence and diplomacy in and around Gaza, a persisting government shutdown, and historic change in Japan’s leadership. The tone is urgent, informative, and focused on factual delivery with brief analysis.