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Evening Brief: Russia Says Forces Surround Ukraine Cities, Israel Restores Gaza Ceasefire, Myanmar Rebels Sign China-Brokered Truce

BY Guy D. McCardle

Hurricane havoc, Gaza bloodshed, and political turmoil shake the globe today. Here’s what’s making headlines this Wednesday evening.

Israel Defense Forces troops operate amid rubble in Gaza. (Image grabbed via X)

Top stories this Wednesday evening, October 29, 2025.

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Illinois Congressional Candidate Indicted Over Protest at Federal Immigration Facility

Federal prosecutors have indicted Illinois Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh and five others for allegedly blocking a federal agent’s vehicle during a September 26 protest outside a federal immigration processing center near Chicago.

The indictment accuses the group of surrounding the car, damaging it, and obstructing its entry into the facility.

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Abughazaleh, who is running to replace retiring Representative Jan Schakowsky, called the case a political prosecution aimed at silencing dissent, saying the charges criminalize protest.

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The protests targeted federal immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area, which have led to more than 1,800 arrests and claims of excessive force.

A federal judge has since ordered nightly briefings from Border Patrol leadership amid growing scrutiny of the administration’s tactics.

 

CBO Says Ongoing Government Shutdown Could Cost US Economy Up to $14 Billion

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned Wednesday that the ongoing federal government shutdown could cost the US economy between $7 billion and $14 billion, cutting as much as two percent from fourth-quarter GDP.

The shutdown, now in its 29th day, stems from stalled negotiations between Senate Republicans, who want a short-term funding measure through November 21, and Democrats, who seek an agreement to extend health insurance tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed since funding lapsed on October 1, with some essential personnel working without pay.

CBO Director Phillip Swagel said most lost output would be recovered once operations resume, but $7-14 billion would be permanently lost if the shutdown lasts through late November.

 

White House Nominates Admiral Kevin Lunday to Lead US Coast Guard

The White House has formally nominated Admiral Kevin Lunday as the next commandant of the US Coast Guard, submitting the nomination to the Senate last week along with Vice Admiral Thomas Allan for vice commandant.

Lunday has served as acting commandant since January 21, following Admiral Linda Fagan’s removal, and previously led the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area and Cyber Command.

Allan, acting vice commandant since July, has held multiple senior operational and support roles.

The nominations, along with 10 others, were sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Additional nominees include Rear Admiral Douglas Schofield for chief of staff, Vice Admiral Nathan Moore for deputy commandant of operations, and Rear Admiral Jo-Ann Burdian and Rear Admiral Joseph Buzzella Jr. for promotion to vice admiral, alongside seven rear admiral promotions.

 

Congressional Defense Leaders Slam Pentagon Plan to Cut US Troop Presence in Romania

House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers and Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker criticized the Pentagon’s decision to end the rotational deployment of a US Army brigade in Romania, calling it unilateral and harmful to deterrence against Russia.

The 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade will not be replaced when its nine-month mission ends, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shifts focus toward domestic security and competition with China.

Rogers and Wicker said the move violates congressional oversight requirements and undermines US commitments to NATO allies. They warned the drawdown could embolden Russia, noting recent airspace incursions over Romania.

The lawmakers plan to seek guarantees that American armored brigades in Poland and other Eastern European deployments will remain intact.

Romania’s defense ministry said about 1,000 US troops will stay, framing the downsizing as part of the White House’s new strategic priorities.

 

Justice Department Deploys Military Attorneys as Temporary Immigration Judges

The Justice Department announced the appointment of nearly two dozen military attorneys as temporary immigration judges to address a growing backlog in immigration courts.

The move follows a Pentagon decision in September approving up to 600 military lawyers to assist in the system, part of President Donald Trump’s effort to expand deportations. The 36 new judges—11 permanent and 25 temporary—include 22 with military experience, at least 18 of whom are currently serving. They have been assigned to courts in 12 states, including California, Texas, and New York.

To enable the appointments, the Executive Office of Immigration Review revised job qualifications to no longer require prior immigration law experience.

The initiative adds to broader military involvement in immigration enforcement, including border patrol support and aid at detention facilities.

 

Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Death and Destruction Across the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, killed dozens and caused widespread destruction across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba after making landfall Tuesday as a Category 5 storm with winds of 185 mph (295 kph).

In Haiti, authorities reported 23 dead and 13 missing, mostly from flooding in the southern town of Petit-Goâve. Cuba faced collapsed buildings, blocked roads, and widespread power outages, with 735,000 people in shelters. In Jamaica, more than 25,000 residents took refuge as 77 percent of the island lost power.

Landslides cut off key routes, and local officials described the damage as catastrophic.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said rescue and recovery operations were underway, while the US pledged support with response teams.

By Wednesday, Melissa had weakened to a Category 2 hurricane as it moved toward the Bahamas, where evacuations were underway ahead of expected storm surges and heavy winds.

 

Putin Claims Russian Forces Encircled Key Ukrainian Cities, Kyiv Denies Reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russian troops had surrounded Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, two key cities in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, and offered safe passage for their surrender.

Ukrainian military officials rejected the claim, calling it false and saying fighting continues with conditions “hard but under control.”

Russia has intensified its offensive across the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) front line, deploying thousands of troops near Pokrovsk, where limited Russian infiltration was confirmed.

Independent analysts, including the Institute for the Study of War, said Russia has advanced near Pokrovsk but does not control the city.

The claims come as Putin pushes diplomatic efforts to portray Ukraine’s resistance as futile and highlight Russia’s military strength.

Meanwhile, Ukraine launched drone and missile strikes on Russian infrastructure, while Russia continued attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, injuring at least 13 people and disrupting civilian services.

 

UN Watchdog Reports Renewed Movement at Iran Nuclear Sites but No Active Enrichment

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that Iran is not currently enriching uranium but that inspectors have detected renewed movement at several nuclear sites.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told The Associated Press that Iran’s stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium remains in the country, enough to build up to 10 nuclear weapons if weaponized, though there is no evidence of such activity.

Grossi said inspectors lack full access to confirm the material’s status and have been relying on satellite imagery.

The renewed activity follows the US and Israeli strikes during the June war that damaged Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities.

Despite a recent Cairo agreement aimed at restoring IAEA cooperation, implementation has stalled amid rising tensions and reimposed UN sanctions.

Grossi said inspectors are back in Iran but face limited cooperation, describing the situation as neither full compliance nor total obstruction.

 

Israel Restores Gaza Ceasefire After Deadly Airstrikes Kill 104, Including Dozens of Women and Children

Israel’s military reinstated the Gaza ceasefire Wednesday after overnight airstrikes killed 104 people, including 66 women and children, in what local officials called the deadliest attack since the truce began on October 10.

Israel said the strikes targeted Hamas positions and commanders in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah and Hamas’ alleged failure to return hostage remains.

Hamas denied involvement in the shooting and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.

The bombardment, which hit tent camps and residential areas, drew sharp criticism and renewed US pressure to preserve the fragile truce.

US President Donald Trump defended Israel’s response but said he believed the ceasefire would hold.

Qatar, a key mediator, confirmed a ceasefire violation “by the Palestinian party” but expressed frustration over the escalation.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said over 68,500 people have been killed since the war began in 2023, while Israel attributed civilian casualties to Hamas using human shields.

 

Myanmar Rebel Group Signs China-Brokered Ceasefire with Military Ahead of Elections

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a major ethnic rebel group in Myanmar, has signed a ceasefire with the country’s military following China-mediated talks in Kunming, marking a pause in months of fighting near the Chinese border.

The deal, effective Wednesday, allows Myanmar’s army to regain key towns while the TNLA agrees to withdraw from additional areas, including the ruby-mining hub of Mogok.

In return, the military pledged to halt ground offensives and airstrikes.

The ceasefire strengthens the military government’s position ahead of December elections widely viewed as illegitimate. China, Myanmar’s main foreign ally, pushed for the deal to stabilize its border region.

The TNLA, part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance fighting for autonomy, had captured several towns since last year but has lost ground after a series of China-brokered truces earlier in 2024.

 

Sources: News Agencies

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