Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 8AM ET 10/23/2025 Newscast
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: FOX News Podcasts
Duration Covered: ~4 minutes of continuous news

Overview

This news update covers rapid-fire headlines from the morning of October 23, 2025, with a focus on U.S. military action against suspected drug traffickers, escalating sanctions against Russia, tension in the Middle East, the heated New York City mayoral race, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, a historic royal visit to the Vatican, a legal ruling on animal rights, and the state of the financial markets. The episode features soundbites from FOX correspondents and political figures, capturing the urgency and tone of the day's most pressing stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Strikes Against Narco-Trafficking Boats

• Context: An eighth and ninth boat believed to be used for drug trafficking were destroyed off the South American coast, at the order of President Trump.
• Key Details:

  • President Trump claims each boat destroyed "is saving 25,000 American lives."

  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed a total of nine boats hit and 37 deaths (claimed as "narco terrorists").

  • The administration has provided minimal transparency on the operations—limited or no public details on intercepted drug volumes or specific evidence.

    "Every one of those boats that gets knocked out is saving 25,000 American lives."
    — President Trump (as quoted by Tom Graham, 00:08)

    "[The Trump administration has] provided few details about ... how much alleged drugs the targeted vessels were carrying or what specific evidence there is to suggest they were carrying drugs in the first place."
    — Jill NATO, 00:29

2. U.S./EU Sanctions on Russia

• Context: New sanctions following Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and a cancelled second Trump-Putin summit.
• Key Developments:

  • President Trump increases sanctions targeting Russian oil exports; the EU joins the move.

  • More than half of Russia's oil exports now affected.

    "If the president Russians are not ready to have a serious summit with President Trump and President Putin about ending the war in Ukraine, then it is time for some new economic punishment."
    — Pete Hegseth, 00:54

3. Middle East Diplomacy and Israeli Politics

• Context: Ongoing efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire and issues around potential annexation of the West Bank.
• Key Highlights:

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Israel; Vice President Vance departs after encouraging ceasefire stability.

  • Vance bluntly opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank, reacting to a symbolic vote in Israel's parliament.

    "The West Bank is not going to be annexed."
    — Vice President Vance, 01:20

    "[Calling the Israeli vote] a very stupid political stunt."
    — Dave Anthony summarizing Vance's comments, 01:22

4. NYC Mayoral Race Debate

• Context: The final debate draws national attention, marked by sharp exchanges.
• Key Figures:
  • Andrew Cuomo (former governor), Democratic Socialist frontrunner Zoran Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa (trailing in polls).
• Memorable Exchange:

  • Cuomo criticizes state handling of city interests; Mamdani points out Cuomo was himself the state's leader.

    "We just had a former governor say in his own words that the city has been getting screwed by the state."
    — Zoran Mamdani, 01:44

    "Who was leading the state?"
    — Pete Hegseth, 01:51
    "It was you."
    — Zoran Mamdani, 01:53

5. U.S. Government Shutdown Continues

• Context: 23rd day of a government funding standoff; new Senate vote fails.
• Key Reactions:

  • Speaker Mike Johnson keeps the House out of session, awaiting a deal from Democrats.

  • Congresswoman Beth Van Dyne expresses concern over leadership messaging and legislative paralysis.

  • Democrats insist on healthcare negotiations as a condition for their support.

    "Frustrating for those of us who do have introduced bills that want them to be passed and want them to move forward."
    — Rep. Beth Van Dyne (via Jill NATO), 02:56

6. Royal Visit to the Vatican

• Context: Britain's King Charles meets Pope Leo in Rome, making history as the first British monarch to pray with a pope in over 500 years.

  "Britain's King Charles is at the Vatican for a state visit, and he sat with Pope Leo during a service at the Sistine Chapel."
  — Dave Anthony, 03:21

7. Legal Ruling on Animal Rights in Michigan

• Context: The Michigan Court of Appeals rules that chimps are not entitled to human legal protections after an advocacy group challenged a family zoo's animal treatment.

• Court Decision: Chimps do not have legal personhood, reaffirming earlier rulings.

  "The Michigan Court of Appeals rules chimpanzees are not considered humans and therefore the DeYoung family zoo ... will not have to defend the confinement of seven chimps."
  — Tom Graham, 03:39

8. Financial Markets Update

• Context: U.S. stock futures open down following a major sell-off impacting both the Dow and Nasdaq.

  "Stock futures are down almost 100 points for the Dow the day after a big sell off ..."
  — Dave Anthony, 04:12

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:08 | Tom Graham | "Every one of those boats that gets knocked out is saving 25,000 American lives." | | 00:29 | Jill NATO | "[Trump admin has] provided few details about ... [the boats destroyed/drugs seized]." | | 00:54 | Pete Hegseth| "...it is time for some new economic punishment..." | | 01:20 | V.P. Vance | "The West Bank is not going to be annexed." | | 01:44 | Z. Mamdani | "We just had a former governor say ... the city has been getting screwed by the state." | | 01:53 | Z. Mamdani | "It was you." (to Cuomo regarding the state's leadership) | | 02:56 | Beth Van Dyne| "Frustrating for those of us who do have introduced bills that want them to be passed..." | | 03:21 | Dave Anthony| "Britain's King Charles is at the Vatican for a state visit ..." | | 03:39 | Tom Graham | "The Michigan Court of Appeals rules chimpanzees are not considered humans..." | | 04:12 | Dave Anthony| "Stock futures are down almost 100 points for the Dow..." |

Important Segment Timestamps

• U.S. anti-drug operations: 00:03–00:29
• Sanctions on Russia: 00:43–01:08
• Middle East diplomacy: 01:08–01:22
• NYC Mayoral debate: 01:22–01:54
• Gov't shutdown coverage: 02:26–03:14
• Royal visit & animal rights: 03:14–04:12
• Stock market update: 04:12–04:23

Tone & Style

The broadcast maintains Fox News’s brisk, punchy, and unsparing tone—delivering developments with urgency, occasional skepticism (notably around Trump’s anti-narcotics campaign), and a focus on contentious or dramatic moments. Exchanges are often clipped, giving listeners quick but vivid snapshots into conflict, crisis, and contest.

This summary distills the episode’s essential coverage—informative for listeners who want a thorough yet concise briefing.