Fox News Hourly Update – 8AM ET 08/18/2025 Newscast

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Dave Anthony, FOX News Podcasts

Overview

This episode provides a fast-paced review of major global and U.S. news stories for the morning of August 18, 2025. Key topics include diplomatic developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East tensions, police-involved shootings in Utah and New York, the threat of Hurricane Aaron, and the resumption of Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine-Russia War and White House Meeting

• President Trump’s Statement
  • Before a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky at the White House, President Trump posts on Truth Social suggesting, "President Zelensky can end the war with Russia almost immediately." (00:02)
• Diplomatic Challenges Ahead
  • Jackie Heinrich reports that persuading Ukraine to agree to peace terms is a major hurdle, especially "without a ceasefire in place." (00:13)
  • Overnight, Russia shelled Ukrainian cities, adding urgency to the discussion.
  • Zelensky’s chief of staff emphasizes on X that "a cease fire is essential." (00:13)
• Putin-Trump Meeting Update
  • President Putin did not agree to a ceasefire in a recent meeting with Trump in Alaska. (00:30)
• High-stakes Multilateral Meeting
  • Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Trump and Vice President Vance one-on-one, followed by a group discussion including major NATO and EU leaders, as well as the presidents of Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, and Finland, to "discuss Russia’s territorial demands." (00:34)
• Prospective Security Agreements
  • U.S. and Europe are discussing a potential security agreement for Ukraine; however, Trump has stated, “no NATO membership for Ukraine.” (00:51)

Notable Moment

"Zelensky’s chief of staff writing on X that a cease fire is essential."
— Jackie Heinrich (00:13)

2. Middle East: Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon

• Gaza Ceasefire Protests
  • Israeli escalation in Gaza has sparked "massive protest across the country demanding a ceasefire deal to free the remaining hostages." (00:51)
• Lebanon: US Brokering Talks
  • U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is pushing for a long-term end to violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon supports a U.S.-backed plan for Hezbollah to disarm in exchange for economic aid to reconstruct the country. (01:11)
• Hezbollah Disarmament Details
  • The plan hinges on Hezbollah giving up arms, with economic reconstruction assistance from the U.S. as incentive.

Notable Quote

"Lebanon’s government has endorsed a US backed plan for Hezbollah to disarm. It involves economic help to reconstruct the country."
— Jonathan Savage (01:32)

3. Domestic News: Police-Involved Shootings

• Utah Shooting
  • Three police officers were wounded during a late-night disturbance in Tremont, Utah.
  • Intense moment captured by an officer:

    "Two officers down in the intersection. Not moving. I’m hit. I don’t know the head or my shoulder."
    — Police audio via Broadcastify (01:39)

  • After a lockdown, police apprehended the suspected gunman.
• New York Shooting
  • NYPD deputy chief reports an off-duty officer shot and killed an armed man who approached on a moped outside a residential building in New York.

    "One male got off the moped...displayed a firearm. Once seeing the firearm, the off duty officer drew his firearm, discharged multiple rounds, striking the male."
    — NYPD Deputy Chief Eric Pagan (03:24)

  • Second suspect remains at large.
  • Separate gang-related shooting at a Brooklyn lounge: three killed, nine wounded. (03:47)

4. Severe Weather: Hurricane Aaron

• Current Storm Threat
  • Hurricane Aaron, a Category 4 storm, is battering the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, but is not forecast to hit the US directly.
  • Fox meteorologist Adam Klotz warns:

    "We could see 40, 50 mile an hour winds that certainly will be enough to make the waves and the rip currents pretty intense...some of these forecast models getting up to 9 to 15 foot waves..." (04:08)

5. Transportation: Amtrak Restores Service

• Gulf Coast Rail Returns
  • Amtrak’s passenger train service resumes between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, for the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
  • The new "Mardi Gras service" offers twice-daily trains, fares from $15, and stops in Mississippi.
  • Connection is also available to the "City of New Orleans" route.

    "Service along the coast was suspended after Katrina devastated the region in August 2005. The Mardi Gras service offers twice daily trains..."
    — Tanya J. Powers (04:24)

6. Markets Update

• On Wall Street, modestly lower futures before the start of this week’s trading. (04:57)

Memorable Moments / Quotes

• On the Russia-Ukraine Standoff:
  "There are some indications that one challenge today could be getting Ukraine to top peace terms without a cease fire in place." — Jackie Heinrich (00:13)
• From the Utah Police Shooting:
  "Two officers down in the intersection. Not moving. I'm hit..." — Police audio via Broadcastify (01:39)
• About Hurricane Aaron:
  "We could see 40, 50 mile an hour winds...some of these forecast models getting up to 9 to 15 foot waves..." — Adam Klotz (04:08)
• On Amtrak’s Return to the Gulf Coast:
  "Service along the coast was suspended after Katrina devastated the region in August 2005. The Mardi Gras service offers twice daily trains..." — Tanya J. Powers (04:24)

Key Timestamps

• Ukraine-Russia/White House meeting updates: 00:02–00:51
• Middle East/Gaza/Hezbollah: 00:51–01:32
• Utah Police Shooting: 01:32–01:49
• New York Shootings: 03:10–03:47
• Hurricane Aaron Update: 03:47–04:21
• Amtrak Gulf Coast Service: 04:24–04:57
• Wall Street Market Update: 04:57

Summary

This concise but information-rich broadcast covers urgent diplomatic efforts around the Russia-Ukraine conflict, growing unrest and peace initiatives in the Middle East, multiple high-profile incidents of gun violence in the U.S., looming threats from Hurricane Aaron, and a significant milestone in regional recovery as Amtrak restores its Gulf Coast line. The episode features real-time reporting and direct quotes from officials and law enforcement, providing an up-to-the-minute snapshot of national and global affairs.