9AM ET 12/21/2025 Newscast

Summary

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FOX News Hourly Update: 9AM ET, December 21, 2025

Episode Overview:
This newscast delivers concise breaking news and updates from around the globe, including a moving vigil in Sydney after a mass shooting, high political energy at Turning Point USA’s America Fest, escalating violence in South Africa, U.S. military action in the Middle East and Venezuela, and highlights about the winter solstice.

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1. Vigil for Bondi Beach Mass Shooting in Sydney

[00:02–00:57]

• Thousands attend vigil:
  In Sydney, Australia, thousands gathered at Bondi Beach one week after a mass shooting claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah event.
• Somber and tense moments:
  • The vigil started with a moment of silence at the site and time of the attack.
  • Leaders from the Jewish community and politicians addressed the crowd.
  • The introduction of the Australian Prime Minister was met with boos and accusations from the crowd regarding inadequate action against anti-Semitism.
    • Notable quote:
      "Blood on your hands," shouted by at least one attendee. (00:24)
• Powerful survivor testimony:
  A young survivor moved the audience by recalling her actions to help children during the attack.
  • Memorable moment:
    "A young injured survivor took the stage to explain why she jumped into action to help save young children from gunfire." (00:39)
• Symbol of peace:
  The event, lasting over two hours, was a demonstration of unity and resilience.
• Attackers’ background:
  • The suspects, a father and son, pledged allegiance to ISIS; the father was killed, the son critically injured.

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2. Turning Point USA’s America Fest Political Rally

[01:15–01:52]

• Major conservative gathering:
  America Fest in Phoenix concludes, with high-profile conservative figures set to speak.
  • Speakers include:
    Erica Kirk, Donald Trump Jr., Vice President J.D. Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, and border czar Tom Homan.
• Turnout and political message:
  • 31,000 registered attendees; a third are students (up 50% from last year).
  • Erica Kirk vows support for President Trump’s congressional control and hints at backing J.D. Vance for a potential 2028 presidential run.
    • Notable quote:
      "Turning Point will work to ensure President Trump has control of Congress for his entire term and then will put its political machine behind JD Vance should he decide to run in 2028." – Erica Kirk (01:31)

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3. Mass Shooting at South African Pub

[02:04–02:47]

• Tragic attack:
  Nine people killed, at least 10 wounded when gunmen opened fire in a pub near Johannesburg.
• Attack details:
  • Perpetrated by multiple suspects who arrived in vehicles, fired into the crowded tavern, and continued shooting while fleeing.
  • Marks the country’s second mass shooting in three weeks.
• Broader impact:
  Ongoing concerns with gun violence in South Africa.

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4. U.S. Military Actions: Venezuela and Syria

[02:47–03:30]

• Maritime seizures:
  U.S. Coast Guard seized a second oil tanker off Venezuela—second such action since December 10.
• Strike against ISIS:
  U.S. and allied forces destroyed 70 ISIS targets in Syria, following the deaths of two American troops and an interpreter.
  • Operation details:
    • Aircraft involved: F-15E Strike Eagles, A-10 Warthogs, Apache helicopters, and Himars rocket systems.
    • Mission included over 100 satellite-guided bombs and missile strikes.
  • Notable quote:
    “The secretary of war called (the strike) vengeance after the killing of three Americans in Syria last week.” – Lucas Tomlinson (02:58)
  • Jordanian forces also participated.

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5. Winter Solstice: Longest Night in the Northern Hemisphere

[03:37–04:04]

• Seasonal milestone:
  December 21 marks the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere.
  • Notable explanation:
    “Solstice in Latin essentially means sun standing still before the process reverses and days start getting longer.” – Chris Foster (03:54)
  • Sunlight ranges from 10.5 hours in Miami to none at the Arctic Circle.
• Southern Hemisphere:
  Celebrates the first day of summer and its longest day.

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6. Travel Update: Gas Prices

[04:04–end]

• Busy travel weekend:
  National average gas price is $2.86/gallon, according to AAA.

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Quotes At-a-Glance

• “Blood on your hands,” – Shouted by a member of the vigil crowd to the Australian Prime Minister (00:24)
• “A young injured survivor took the stage to explain why she jumped into action to help save young children from gunfire.” (00:39)
• “Turning Point will work to ensure President Trump has control of Congress for his entire term and then will put its political machine behind JD Vance should he decide to run in 2028.” – Erica Kirk (01:31)
• “The secretary of war called (the strike) vengeance after the killing of three Americans in Syria last week.” – Lucas Tomlinson (02:58)
• “Solstice in Latin essentially means sun standing still before the process reverses and days start getting longer.” – Chris Foster (03:54)

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For listeners:
This concise overview captures the major developments and memorable moments from the 9AM Fox News Hourly Update for December 21, 2025—offering a snapshot of pressing global events, domestic politics, and notable seasonal milestones.

Transcript

[A]

A message of light in the darkness. Angelo Bavaro, FOX News Thousands of people gathering for vigil Sunday night at Bondi beach in Sydney, Australia, one week after 15 people were shot and killed there at a Hanukkah event. Fox's Chanley Painter, the Light Over Darkness.

[B]

Vigil began with a moment of silence at the exact moment and location where two gunmen went on a shooting rampage at Bondi beach in Sydney, Australia. During today's memorial ceremony, several leaders of the Jewish community spoke, including politicians. But the introduction of the Australian prime minister, though, received a loud chorus of boos, including at least one member of the crowd shouting, quote, blood on your hands, all in reaction to perceived failures in combating anti Semitism. And in one of the most memorable and moving moments of the vigil, a young injured survivor took the stage to explain why she jumped into action to help save young children from gunfire. The more than two hour event was attended by thousands of people to symbolize.

[A]

Peace, a father and son suspected in that attack. The father was shot to death while the son was critically injured. They reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS before that attack. Some high profile conservative speakers are set to address Turning Point USA's America Fest in Phoenix today, the final day of AM Fest.

[C]

And there's going to be some major speakers back to back and that includes Erica Kirk, Donald Trump Jr. Vice President J.D. vance, Speaker Mike Johnson and border czar Tom Homan. Now ahead of Vice President Vance's speech today, Erica Kirk told the massive audience here that Turning Point will work to ensure President Trump has control of Congress for his entire term and then will put its political machine behind JD Vance should he decide to run in 2028. 31,000 people registered for the sold out America Fest this year. Turning Point says one third of attendees are students, a 50% increase from last year.

[A]

Fox's Matt Finn, America is listening to FOX News.

[B]

This is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for the 52 episode podcast series the Life of.

[A]

Jesus, a listening experience that will provide hope, comfort and understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts. Nine people are dead and at least 10 others injured after gunmen opened fire at a pub in South Africa. Police say the shoot happened just before 1am in a town west of Johannesburg. Multiple suspects arrived in vehicles, fired at people inside that tavern and then continued shooting as they fled. A manhunt is underway. This attack marks South Africa's second mass shooting in three weeks as gun violence continues to plague that country. The Trump administration is taking another shot at Venezuela. Fox's Lucas Tomlinson has the latest from the White House.

[D]

A U.S. official says a Coast Guard said special maritime reaction team seized a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela is the second time this has happened since one was seized earlier on December 10th. And this all comes hours after US forces destroyed 70 ISIS targets in Syria, which the secretary of war called vengeance after the killing of three Americans in Syria last week. US Air Force F15E Strike Eagles, A10 Warthogs, US Army Apache helicopter gunships launched to deliver over 100 satellite guided bombs and missile Himars rockets were also fired from American ground forces. The strike package took off from Jordan, and officials say King Abdullah's forces also participated.

[A]

The two soldiers in their 20s and an interpreter were killed last Saturday. Today is the first day of winter.

[E]

It's the darkest day of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere when we're tilted the furthest away from the sun. How much sunlight you get depends on how far you are from the equator. About 10 and a half hours in Miami, for example, when nine in Salt Lake City, eight in Seattle, three and a half in Fairbanks, Alaska, none at the Arctic Circle. Solstice in Latin essentially means sun standing still before the process reverses and days start getting longer. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the first day of summer with the most daylight of the year. Chris Foster, FOX News.

[A]

The national average for guests on this Busy Travel Weekend, 286 according to AAA. I'm Angelo Bavaro, and this is FOX NEWS.