Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET Newscast (October 20, 2025)

Main Theme

This episode delivers the most pressing national and international headlines, featuring major developments in U.S.-Australia relations, U.S.-China trade tensions, legal actions regarding the National Guard in Oregon, a high-profile art heist in Paris, a Supreme Court case impacting Second Amendment rights, and a unique fine dining trend. The rapid-fire format gives listeners clear, concise updates from FOX News correspondents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Partnership

[00:02–00:27]

• Deal Announcement: The U.S. and Australia formalized a joint venture on critical minerals, focusing on rare earth elements essential for electronics and defense.
  • The partnership includes an $8.5 billion pipeline hosted in Australia.
• Presidential Commentary:
  • President Trump projects a major increase in critical mineral reserves:

    “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. They’ll be worth about $2.”
    — President Trump [00:19]

• Geopolitical Implications: The deal aims to reduce U.S. dependence on China for key materials and expands cooperation via the AUKUS pact, notably providing Australia with U.S. nuclear-powered submarines.

U.S.-China Trade Relations

[00:49–01:04]

• Tariff Threat and Trade Talks: President Trump threatens additional tariffs on Chinese goods if no trade deal is reached by November 1st.
  • Direct Quote:

    “If we don’t make a deal, I’m putting on an additional hundred percent on November 1st. I think we’ll make a deal.”
    — President Trump [00:56]

• Upcoming Meeting: President Trump is planning to meet with President Xi Jinping at an Asia-Pacific conference in South Korea to negotiate further.

Federal Court: National Guard in Portland, Oregon

[01:04–01:29]

• Ruling Details: A federal court upholds President Trump’s authority to deploy the National Guard to Portland, citing the President’s prerogative when regular forces are insufficient.
  • Legal Language:

    “…authorizes the federalization of the National Guard when the president is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States…”
    — News Reporter quoting court opinion [01:16]

• Context: The deployment involved 200 Oregon National Guard members in response to what the administration describes as a “siege from antifa and domestic terrorists.”

International News: Nepali Student Hostage in Gaza

[01:29–02:01]

• The body of Bipin Joossi, a Nepali student taken hostage in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, is returned to Kathmandu. He was among 17 Nepali students in Israel at the time.

Paris Art Heist: Louvre Museum

[03:00–03:42]

• Incident Details: Thieves executed a daring heist at the Louvre Museum, stealing eight pieces of jewelry (18th century or older) using an elevating platform and disc cutter — all in just seven minutes.
• Political Fallout: The event is described as a “national humiliation” and the highest-profile museum theft since the 1911 Mona Lisa theft.
  • Standout Quote:

    “The crime casts his country in a deplorable light.”
    — French Justice Minister, as relayed by Jonathan Savage [03:20]

Supreme Court: Gun Ownership & Marijuana Use

[03:42–04:13]

• Key Question: Should regular marijuana users be barred from gun ownership?
• Case Details: The Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court to revisit a Texas case after an appeals court challenged the law banning gun ownership by illegal drug users, citing a broader Second Amendment interpretation.

Fine Dining Trend: Bottled Water Menus

[04:13–04:55]

• Shift in Service: Select U.S. restaurants are introducing premium water menus, treating water like wine with a wide selection, origins, and tasting notes.
• Examples: The Inn at Little Washington (VA) and Michelin-starred Gwen (Los Angeles) feature water sommeliers and choices ranging from New Zealand aquifers to Louisiana tap.
  • Quirk: The priciest bottled waters go for $11-$13 a bottle; tap water remains free.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “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. They’ll be worth about $2.”
  — President Donald Trump on minerals supply [00:19]

• “If we don’t make a deal, I’m putting on an additional hundred percent on November 1st. I think we’ll make a deal.”
  — President Donald Trump on trade tariffs [00:56]

• “…authorizes the federalization of the National Guard when the president is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States…”
  — U.S. Federal Court ruling, quoted by News Reporter [01:16]

• “The crime casts his country in a deplorable light.”
  — French Justice Minister, via Jonathan Savage [03:20]

Important Timestamps

• 00:02: Episode begins, U.S.-Australia partnership announced
• 00:19: President Trump comments on critical minerals
• 00:56: President Trump threatens China tariffs
• 01:16: Details on National Guard federalization ruling
• 03:05: Report on the Louvre Museum heist
• 03:42: Supreme Court considers gun rights for marijuana users
• 04:13: Fine water menus trend in U.S. restaurants

This concise update provides a brisk overview of significant political events, international incidents, legal challenges, and cultural trends in under five minutes, giving listeners an efficient snapshot of the day’s news.