Fox News Hourly Update – 8PM ET, October 21, 2025

Host: Lisa Licera

Date: October 22, 2025
Podcast: Fox News Hourly Update
Episode: 8PM ET 10/21/2025 Newscast

Overview

This Fox News Hourly Update focuses on several key global and national news developments: the U.S.-led efforts to rebuild Gaza, the ongoing government shutdown in Washington, a major art theft in Paris, new asylum policies with Belize, and high-profile cases involving immigration enforcement and alleged Chinese espionage in California.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. and Israeli Coordination in Rebuilding Gaza

[00:02–00:50]

• Vice President J.D. Vance is in Israel to oversee the creation of a civilian-military cooperation center focused on the Gaza rebuilding effort.
  • 200 American troops are stationed at the new center.
  • The current priorities: retrieving hostage bodies, enforcing disarmament of Hamas, and working toward stability.
  • Vance discusses the possibility of clemency for Hamas fighters, aiming to avoid further Palestinian-on-Palestinian violence.
  • Long-term governance will not include U.S. security forces, with aims to eventually turn peacekeeping over to independent, local authorities.

Notable Quote (J.D. Vance):

"I think once we've got to a point where both the Gazans and our Israeli friends can have some measure of security, then we'll worry about what the long term governance of Gaza is." [00:39]

2. Hostage Remains Exchange in Gaza

[00:50–01:08]

• Hamas hands over two more hostage remains to the Red Cross.
• In response, Israel agrees to release 15 Palestinian bodies for each returned hostage.
• This continues the ongoing negotiation and exchange dynamic in the aftermath of recent conflict.

3. U.S. Government Shutdown—Day 21

[01:08–01:32]

• The shutdown enters its third week with no agreement between Republicans and Democrats.
• Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer voices concerns about the impact on working families, stressing that decisions in the next 10 days will affect healthcare affordability.
• Schumer notes Democrats have made offers for normal appropriations and votes on expiring Obamacare subsidies, but these are stalled until Republicans agree to end the shutdown.

Notable Quotes:

• Chuck Schumer:

  "The decisions made or not in the next 10 days will determine whether working families can afford their health care next year." [01:08] "But that can't happen until they open up the government." [01:17]

• The Senate has failed for the 11th time to end the impasse. President Trump refuses to meet with Democrats until the government is reopened.

4. Presidential Nominee Withdrawal

[01:32–01:59]

• Pauline Gracia, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, pulls out after losing Republican support once controversial text messages were not released.

5. Crown Jewels Stolen from the Louvre

[03:12–03:30]

• The Paris prosecutor announces the weekend theft of crown jewels from the Louvre valued at an estimated $102 million, not accounting for historical value.
• The perpetrators are still at large.

6. U.S. Strikes Safe Third Country Deal with Belize

[03:30–04:07]

• Belize signs a safe third country agreement with the U.S., meaning some asylum seekers will now have to request protection in Belize rather than America.
• This mirrors deals with Paraguay, Panama, and Costa Rica, and is controversial among critics who argue it makes asylum harder to obtain.

Notable Quote (Jonathan Savage):

"Considered by critics to be a way of making it harder for migrants to seek asylum, the State Department says it’s all about ending abuse of the asylum system." [03:45]

7. Immigration Enforcement in Los Angeles

[04:07–04:33]

• During a federal operation in LA, DHS officers shoot a man after he tried to ram them with his car; a U.S. marshal is also injured. The man had entered the U.S. illegally and previously escaped custody.

8. California Man Pleads Guilty to Acting as Illegal Chinese Agent

[04:33–05:04]

• Yao Ning Mike Sun arrested for acting as an unregistered agent for China.
  • Worked as campaign aide to an Arcadia, CA city council member (who is not accused of wrongdoing).
  • Sun acted to influence U.S. politics and followed orders to post pro-China content; collaborated with another agent already convicted and sentenced.
• Sun’s court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Notable Quote (Unnamed News Reporter):

"Sun's accused of being part of China's long game operation to infiltrate and influence American politics." [04:44]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• J.D. Vance (on Gaza’s future):

  "The eventual goal is to ensure there are security forces not composed of Americans who can oversee maintaining peace in Gaza." [00:33]

• Chuck Schumer (on shutdown urgency):

  "The decisions made or not in the next 10 days will determine whether working families can afford their health care next year." [01:08]

• Jonathan Savage (on asylum policies):

  "Considered by critics to be a way of making it harder for migrants to seek asylum..." [03:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gaza Rebuilding/U.S.-Israel Operations: 00:02–00:50
• Hostage Exchange: 00:50–01:08
• Government Shutdown: 01:08–01:32
• Nominee Withdrawal: 01:32–01:59
• Louvre Jewel Theft: 03:12–03:30
• Belize Asylum Agreement: 03:30–04:07
• LA Immigration Operation: 04:07–04:33
• Chinese Agent Plea in California: 04:33–05:04

Tone & Language

• Authoritative, urgent, and concise, in classic Fox News radio style.
• Direct attributions and quotes maintain the newscast’s original voice.

This episode delivers updates on international conflict resolution, domestic political gridlock, crime, and evolving immigration and national security issues—offering listeners a snapshot of key events shaping both the U.S. and the world today.