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Evening Brief: US Expands Anti-Drug Strikes to Pacific, Putin Oversees Nuclear Drills, EU and Egypt Hold First Summit in Brussels

BY Guy D. McCardle

ICE raids spark protests in NYC as Putin flexes nukes and Ukraine unveils new drone. Here’s what’s making headlines this Wednesday evening.

RS-24 Yars ICBM launches from Plesetsk Cosmodrome during a nuclear drill overseen by Putin. (Screenshot/TASS)

Evening rundown for Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

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US Expands Anti-Drug Strikes to Pacific, Killing Two in Latest Attack

The US military carried out its eighth strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel Tuesday night in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.

The operation marks an expansion of the Trump administration’s campaign against South American drug cartels, which had previously focused on the Caribbean.

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Hegseth compared the effort to the post-9/11 war on terror, saying cartels “are waging war on our border and our people.”

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The strikes, which began last month, have killed at least 34 people. The administration has justified the use of force by declaring cartels “unlawful combatants.”

Critics note the US has avoided prosecuting survivors from earlier incidents, instead repatriating them to Ecuador and Colombia.

The campaign coincides with a buildup of US forces in the Caribbean and off Venezuela, a major transit zone for Colombian cocaine bound for global markets.

 

ICE Operation on Manhattan’s Canal Street Sparks Protests, 14 Arrested

Federal agents arrested 14 people during an immigration enforcement operation on Manhattan’s Canal Street that triggered spontaneous protests, authorities said Wednesday.

The sweep, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies, targeted street vendors accused of selling counterfeit goods. Nine people were detained in the initial operation, while five others were arrested for allegedly assaulting or obstructing agents during the ensuing protests.

Witnesses said tensions escalated as activists and bystanders confronted officers, who used force to clear the street.

Homeland Security officials said the raid was intelligence-driven and focused on criminal activity linked to counterfeiting and prior offenses.

The operation drew criticism from New York politicians, who accused the Trump administration of using fear tactics, while Mayor Eric Adams said city police were not involved.

 

Federal Agents Shoot Suspect After Car-Ramming Incident During Arrest in Los Angeles

Federal agents shot Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, in the elbow after he rammed his car into law enforcement vehicles while resisting arrest Tuesday morning in Los Angeles.

A deputy US Marshal was also injured by a ricochet bullet.

Authorities said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents fired “defensive shots” as Parias tried to flee.

Parias, a Mexican national living in the US illegally, faces charges of assault on a federal officer and is set to appear in court late Wednesday.

Officials said he had previously evaded capture.

Parias runs a TikTok account, Richard Noticias LA, where he reports on immigration enforcement. Supporters described him as a longtime community member with no criminal record.

The incident comes amid rising scrutiny of ICE’s use of force following several recent deadly encounters during immigration operations.

 

North Carolina GOP Passes New Congressional Map Aimed at Gaining Additional House Seat

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature approved new US House district maps Wednesday designed to add one more GOP seat ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The plan, which Democratic Governor Josh Stein cannot veto, is expected to weaken Democratic Representative Don Davis’s chances of reelection in the state’s 1st District. Republicans said the redrawn boundaries strengthen their position in eastern North Carolina and align with President Donald Trump’s push for GOP-led states to secure more congressional seats.

Democrats and voting rights advocates criticized the move as a racial gerrymander that dilutes Black voters’ influence, while Republicans said the redistricting was based on party data, not race.

The new map is expected to give Republicans control of 11 of North Carolina’s 14 congressional seats and will likely face legal challenges before candidate filing begins December 1.

 

Trump Administration Plans November Visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The Trump administration is preparing for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit the United States from November 17-19, which would mark the first state visit of Trump’s second term, according to US officials familiar with the plans.

The trip is expected to include the signing or announcement of several trade and security agreements under the US-Saudi Strategic Economic Partnership framework.

The visit would be the crown prince’s first to the US since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which strained relations between the two nations.

Officials said the visit is part of Trump’s broader effort to strengthen ties with Gulf allies and potentially revive Saudi participation in the Abraham Accords, following a Trump-brokered ceasefire in Gaza.

The White House and Saudi Embassy have not commented on the plans.

 

Ecuador’s Indigenous Alliance Ends Protests After Noboa Threatens Military Action

Ecuador’s main Indigenous alliance announced on Wednesday that it would end nationwide highway blockades after President Daniel Noboa threatened to deploy the military to clear them.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador organized the protests over Noboa’s decision to end a diesel subsidy, which raised prices from $1.80 to $2.80 per gallon and hit farmers, truckers, and low-income citizens hardest.

The demonstrations had disrupted transportation and caused significant economic losses.

Alliance president Marlon Vargas said the decision to end the strike was made “to protect the lives of our people,” but criticized the government for failing to engage in dialogue before implementing the fuel price hike.

Military leaders said troops were ready to restore order in affected provinces, including Imbabura.

 

Putin Oversees Nuclear Drills as Planned Summit with Trump on Ukraine Is Delayed

Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw strategic nuclear drills Wednesday involving intercontinental missile launches and bomber strikes, the Kremlin said.

The exercises, which tested the readiness of Russia’s nuclear command structure, included a Yars missile fired from the Plesetsk facility and a Sineva missile launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea.

Tu-95 bombers also launched long-range cruise missiles.

Putin, joined by top defense officials via video link, said the drills were preplanned.

The exercises occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump postponed a planned summit with Putin in Budapest, citing concerns it would be a “waste of time.” The delay followed talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who reiterated Moscow’s opposition to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

Kremlin officials said the meeting will proceed once both sides are fully prepared.

 

Ukraine Unveils Upgraded ‘Sea Baby’ Naval Drone with Extended Range and Heavier Payload

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) revealed an advanced version of its “sea baby” naval drone capable of operating over 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) and carrying up to 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds), double its previous payload.

The new model enhances Ukraine’s growing naval drone fleet, credited with crippling Russia’s Black Sea operations by destroying several warships and pushing the fleet away from the Crimean coast.

The SBU said its drones have struck 11 Russian ships since 2022 and were used in attacks on the bridge linking Crimea to Russia.

The updated drones can carry remote-controlled rocket launchers and guns, and include self-destruct mechanisms to prevent capture.

Ukrainian officials said the innovation aims to secure maritime trade routes and strengthen port defenses, while also inspiring international interest in naval drone warfare.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted Ukraine could sell part of its 4,000-strong drone production to foreign partners.

 

EU and Egypt Hold First Summit in Brussels to Deepen Ties on Trade, Security, and Gaza Stability

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and European leaders met Wednesday in Brussels for the first European Union-Egypt summit focused on security, trade, migration, and regional stability in Gaza.

The meeting is expected to produce increased European economic aid for Egypt and grant Cairo access to the EU’s 175 billion euro (about $202.7 billion) Horizons research and innovation program.

The summit is part of the EU’s broader Mediterranean Pact, aimed at strengthening partnerships with North African and Middle Eastern nations to bolster trade and curb migration.

Egypt, struggling with high inflation and reduced Suez Canal revenue due to Red Sea disruptions, relies heavily on EU economic support, including a 7.4 billion euros (about $8.6 billion) aid package announced last year. El-Sissi reiterated his call for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and urged greater EU involvement in Gaza.

Rights groups, meanwhile, pressed European leaders to address Egypt’s human rights record during the talks.

 

Pakistan Navy Seizes Nearly $1 Billion in Narcotics in Joint Operation with Saudi-Led Task Force

The Pakistan Navy announced Wednesday that it seized narcotics valued at about $972 million during an operation in the North Arabian Sea.

The interception was conducted by the naval ship YARMOOK in coordination with the Saudi-led Combined Task Force under the Combined Maritime Forces.

The navy said the operation was part of ongoing regional efforts to combat drug trafficking in international waters.

 

Taiwan to Deepen Defense Cooperation with US to Bolster Regional Stability

Taiwan’s defense ministry said Wednesday it plans to strengthen military cooperation with the United States through reciprocal visits, intelligence sharing, and participation in military exercises to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.

In a report to parliament, the ministry described the US as a key strategic partner and outlined efforts to expand multi-domain defense collaboration.

The announcement comes amid increased Chinese military activity around the island, including frequent “joint combat-readiness patrols” aimed at pressuring Taiwan and deterring foreign intervention.

Taiwan said closer cooperation with the US will enhance its ability to detect threats and respond swiftly to potential Chinese aggression.

The Pentagon has not yet commented on the report.

 

Sources: News Agencies

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