Fox News Hourly Update - July 18, 2025
Release Date: July 18, 2025
1. International Prisoner Swap Between the U.S., El Salvador, and Venezuela [00:02 - 00:42]
Lisa LaCasera opened the newscast with significant news regarding international relations:
"A prisoner swap. I'm Lisa LaCasera, Fox News. Ten Americans jailed in Venezuela are released as part of a deal that includes migrants deported to El Salvador."
[00:02]
Jared Halpern provided further details on the agreement:
"El Salvador has agreed to send more than 250 Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration back home as part of a deal that is also freeing 10 Americans held in Venezuela. The Venezuelans accused of gang membership were jailed in El Salvador's notorious mega prison known as the Terrorism Confinement center."
[00:12]
He continued to explain the broader implications of the deal:
"This is part of an agreement with the US. Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele says the exchange also includes a considerable number of Venezuelan political prisoners held by the regime for years."
[00:32]
2. Jeffrey Epstein Case and Explosion in East Los Angeles [00:42 - 01:12]
Lisa LaCasera shifted focus to national security and law enforcement issues:
"The Justice Department has asked the federal court in Manhattan to unseal grand jury transcripts in sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's case a day after President Trump directed the Justice Department to do so. Three Los Angeles deputies have died after an explosion at about 7:30 this morning at a training facility in East LA."
[00:42]
Robert Luna provided an update on the tragic incident:
"At this time we do not know the cause of the explosion. However, this specific area has been closed off due to the ongoing investigation."
[01:03]
Lisa LaCasera emphasized the severity of the loss:
"Louisiana County Sheriff Robert Luna describes the deputies as highly trained experts. The FBI and ATF are assisting in the investigation. This is the department's worst loss of life since 1857."
[01:12]
3. Cryptocurrency Legislation: The Genius Act [01:12 - 02:28]
Lisa LaCasera reported on groundbreaking financial legislation:
"President Trump has signed the first of its kind legislation regulating cryptocurrency. The bipartisan measure called the Genius Act puts consumer protections in place for stablecoins, which are digital assets tied to the US Dollar. Just as I promised last year, the Genius Act creates a clear and simple regulatory framework to establish and unleash the immense promise of dollar-backed stablecoins."
[01:12]
She added information on related legislative actions:
"Earlier this week, the House passed other crypto bills. They still need Senate approval. America is listening to Fox News."
[01:55]
4. U.S. Delegation to Japan at the 2025 World Expo [02:28 - 03:07]
Lisa LaCasera updated on international trade and diplomatic efforts:
"Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is leading a US Delegation to Japan."
[02:28]
Scott Besant elaborated on the purpose of the delegation:
"Secretary Besant is representing the United States at the 2025 World Expo where he is also holding a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The World Expo lasts six months and takes place every five years. It's a showcase for technological advancement and a forum for business relationships to grow."
[02:32]
The ongoing trade discussions were highlighted:
"All the while, the minds of many will be on the ongoing trade talks between Japan and the US and the prospect of seeing steep tariffs if no deal is agreed."
[03:00]
5. U.S. Rejection of the World Health Organization's Efforts [03:07 - 03:55]
Lisa LaCasera reported on international health policy tensions:
"The U.S. rejects the World Health Organization's efforts to fight international health emergencies."
[03:07]
Robert Luna recounted the administration's stance:
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are putting out a joint statement rejecting 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations. That's a legally binding agreement between nearly 200 countries to detect and report public health events."
[03:13]
Kennedy criticized the proposed changes:
"Kennedy alleges the changes approved by the World Health Organization to better respond to severe disease outbreaks threaten US sovereignty and fail to adequately address what he calls the WHO's susceptibility to political influence and censorship, most notably from China during outbreaks."
[03:30]
Lisa LaCasera concluded with expert opinions:
"Critics warn the US move could hamper global cooperation for future health crises."
[03:55]
6. Obituary: Alan Bergman [03:55 - 04:25]
Lisa LaCasera paid tribute to a notable figure in the music industry:
"Lillian Wu, FOX News. Oscar-winning lyricist Alan Bergman has died. Bergman, along with his wife Marilyn, wrote the words for hundreds of songs such as 'The Windmills of Your Mind,' 'Don't Bring Me Flowers,' and this classic sung by Barbra Streisand, 'Memory.'"
[03:55]
She highlighted their legacy:
"The Bergmans were among the most successful and prolific writing teams of their time. They also wrote the worst for many movie and TV themes. Alan Bergman was 99."
[04:15]
Note: Advertisements and fundraising segments have been excluded from this summary as per editorial guidelines.