Episode Summary: "A 'Spit in the Face' of Peace in Ukraine; ICE Raids Coast to Coast"

Podcast: Here's the Scoop (NBC News)
Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian
Guests: Keir Simmons (Chief International Correspondent), Morgan Chesky (NBC News Correspondent), Adam Reese (NBC News Reporter), Danielle Hamamjian (NBC News London Correspondent)

Overview

This episode of "Here’s the Scoop" covers two major developing stories:

1. Tensions escalating in Ukraine following deadly Russian strikes and a breakdown in peace talks.
2. Sweeping immigration enforcement actions (ICE raids) taking place in both Los Angeles and New York City, including a controversial incident involving a prominent citizen journalist.

Additional quick headlines include updates on President Trump and Justice Department claims, the withdrawal of a Special Counsel nominee, a high-profile Louvre heist, the arrival of mosquitoes in Iceland, and a looming Broadway musicians’ strike.

1. Ukraine: Shattered Peace Negotiations and Deadly Strikes

Breakdown of Events and Diplomatic Drama

[00:59–09:03]

• Backdrop: Ukraine suffers intense Russian overnight strikes, resulting in at least 13 deaths, including a devastating hit on a kindergarten. President Zelenskyy calls these attacks "a spit in the face of peace."

• Peace Talks Stall: Host Yasmin Vossoughian explains that, following Trump’s announcement of paused peace talks with Putin, the anticipated US-Russia summit in Budapest is off. The decision seems linked to a tense call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

• Diplomatic Timeline:

  • Face-to-face in Alaska: Trump and Putin meet; Trump frustrated by Putin’s unwillingness to stop fighting, cancels their lunch meeting.
  • Subsequent calls: Trump believes he’s persuaded Putin, schedules more talks, pressures Zelenskyy to compromise.
  • Final blow: In the Rubio-Lavrov call, Lavrov is described as “exercised” (diplomatic speak for “angry or strident”), and the summit is canceled.

• Different Stances:

  • The US, Ukraine, and Europe demand an immediate ceasefire as a precondition for further negotiation.
  • Russia’s position: Negotiate terms—like Ukrainian neutrality, limiting Ukraine’s military, and territorial concessions—before halting hostilities.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• On the mood of the Russian negotiator:
  • "Exercised. Was told to me by a Trump administration official that Lavrov was exercised on the call. I think that's diplomatic speak for strident in his language."
    —Keir Simmons [03:44]
• On ongoing misunderstandings:
  • "I think there continues to be misunderstandings between the Trump administration and the Kremlin where one side thinks one thing has been agreed, another side thinks another thing has been agreed."
    —Keir Simmons [05:56]
• On Russia’s intentions:
  • "I just came back from a war museum here in Moscow. ... What's that museum all about? That's about continuing to persuade the Russian people that this war is worth pursuing. ... This is not a country preparing for peace. This is a country Russia preparing to keep fighting."
    —Keir Simmons [08:10]

Key Segment Timestamps:

• Ukraine Strikes/Pause in Peace Talks: [00:59–02:22]
• Timeline of US–Russia Negotiations: [02:22–05:48]
• Analysis of Miscommunication and Russia’s View: [05:48–08:37]

2. ICE Raids: Los Angeles Shooting & New York Canal Street Sweep

Los Angeles – The Fashion District Shooting

[10:39–17:55]
Reporter: Morgan Chesky

• Incident Details:

  • A targeted ICE traffic stop on 44-year-old Carlito Ricardo Parias, known as “RichardLA” on TikTok (over 130,000 followers documenting immigration enforcement).
  • During the stop, Parias allegedly tries to flee, resulting in federal agents firing a shot—Parias is struck in the elbow, a ricochet injures a Deputy U.S. Marshal.
  • Both are hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

• Community Context:

  • The incident happened in LA’s busy Fashion District, underscoring the visibility and public concern.
  • Parias is widely recognized; social media and community protests erupt outside the hospital.

• Legal/Personal Background:

  • According to DHS, Parias is undocumented with an outstanding immigration warrant.
  • Parias’ attorney asserts he’s a “calm man, no prior criminal record, two US-born children, citizen journalist.”

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “He is known as a citizen journalist for his work on TikTok.”
  —Morgan Chesky [15:13]
• "The person targeted in this case is somewhat a public figure. And so it's gonna be interesting to see what comes to light today because we have asks out to federal officials to clarify how exactly did this handgun go off?"
  —Morgan Chesky [16:43]

New York City – Canal Street Vendor Raids

[17:59–23:05]
Reporter: Adam Reese

• Operation Summary:

  • A major law enforcement operation targets street vendors on Canal Street—famous for tourist trade and counterfeit goods.
  • Immigration officials, with various agencies, swarm the area and detain several individuals.

• Vendor Profile & Reaction:

  • Many vendors are immigrants, some from African countries like Senegal.
  • One detained man is heard shouting, “I'm American. You've Got nothing on me.”
  • Only a handful (5–6) were arrested, their immigration status unclear.

• Aftermath:

  • Protesters form outside the federal building, shouting at agents to leave and organizing a rally in Foley Square.
  • The operation occurs just before the NYC mayoral election, igniting political commentary.
  • Candidates Zohar Mamdani and Eric Adams (current mayor) both express opposition to the raids.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “It's a billion dollar business what they're doing. ... Dior and Gucci and Louis Vuitton and Apple, they're losing billions of dollars due to this illegal vending on Canal Street.”
  —Adam Reese [20:27]
• “These are real New Yorkers who do not want ICE in their streets. And they were screaming at them, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.”
  —Adam Reese [21:34]

Key Segment Timestamps:

• LA Raid and Shooting: [10:39–17:55]
• NYC Canal St. Raids: [17:59–23:05]

3. Headlines Roundup

[23:08–28:03]

• President Trump & DOJ Claims:
  • Trump seeking $230 million in compensation for damages from previous federal investigations; claims would be donated to charity.
    “Any decision would, quote, have to go across my desk. ... Not seeking the money for personal use.” [23:37]
• Withdrawal of Special Counsel Nominee:
  • Paul Ingrazia withdraws after exposure of racist, offensive texts; White House confirms he is no longer the nominee despite debate over text authenticity.
• Louvre Heist Update:
  • Museum reopens after jewel theft worth over $100 million; French President Macron calls for security review.
    “The biggest weakness in the security system is the perimeter around the museum.” —Danielle Hamamjian [25:54]
• Mosquitoes in Iceland:
  • Scientists detect first-ever mosquitoes, attributed to spring heat and climate change.
• Broadway Musicians’ Strike Threat:
  • Over 1,000 musicians may walk out, possibly shutting down 23 Broadway shows.
    "Let's face it, Broadway without musicians is like Times Square without power." [27:54]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the public face of immigration enforcement:
  "Everyone still knows that these ICE arrests are ongoing and they'll move in and they'll move out. But the one thing we haven't seen that we're seeing here ... is the fact that some of it was caught on video or in photographs. And the person targeted in this case is somewhat a public figure."
  —Morgan Chesky [16:43]

• On diplomatic strained language:
  "I've been told off by Sergei Lavrov for trying to ask him a question while he was walking from a... He's a tough character."
  —Keir Simmons [08:44]

• Politics and protests colliding in NYC:
  "You can be sure that this will be a topic of the debate tonight. ... If you elect Mamdani, Cuomo is saying not only will you not see that, I'll work with President Trump, but I'll add more police to the NYPD."
  —Adam Reese [22:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Crisis & Peace Talks Unravel: [00:59–09:03]
• ICE Raid and LA Citizen Journalist Shooting: [10:39–17:55]
• NYC Canal Street Vendor ICE Sweep: [17:59–23:05]
• Quick Headlines (Politics, Louvre Heist, Musicians’ Strike, etc.): [23:08–28:03]

Tone and Language

The reporting is brisk, direct, and occasionally wry—especially in quick headline segments. The dialogue remains grounded in gravitas during the segment on Ukraine and probing in the ICE raids coverage, reflecting the sensitivity and urgency of both issues.

For listeners seeking understanding on the high-stakes diplomacy over Ukraine, the domestic impact of escalated immigration enforcement, or a quick scan of key national and global headlines, this episode delivers in a sharp, accessible evening-news format.