ACTUAL NEWS Briefing: June 9th 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- 3 days ago
- 13 min read
QUICK HITS
Tensions Flare in L.A. Over Trump Immigration Raids
Hundreds of National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles yesterday as protests erupted in response to President Trump’s immigration raids. Though mostly peaceful, parts of the city saw intense clashes between demonstrators and federal agents, resulting in burned cars, damaged property, and blocked freeways. Protesters targeted police with fireworks and stones, while officers responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Several driverless Waymo taxis were set on fire.
The LAPD declared downtown gatherings unlawful due to escalating violence. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the federal response and demanded the withdrawal of National Guard troops, calling it a violation of state sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration framed the protests as a “critical ideological battle”, with officials defending their actions as "necessary to uphold order and immigration enforcement".
FLASHBACK: During his first term, Trump asked Defense Secretary Mark Esper to shoot protesters. Esper refused. Now he has Pete Hegseth.
Upon his return to the White House from Camp David—where he claimed to have been meeting with “military generals and admirals discussing major things”—Trump endorsed the arrest of Governor Newsom over “possible obstruction of his administration's immigration enforcement measures amid protests in the state”.
NEW: the latest update on the additional military personnel in the Los Angeles Area
Watch this.
Trump Accused of Undermining Ukraine by Redirecting Military Aid
President Trump is facing sharp criticism for shifting from passive to active support of Russia’s war effort, according to opponents. Reports reveal that Trump diverted 20,000 missiles—originally intended for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression—to the Middle East, along with previously paid-for fuses for anti-drone missiles. Critics argue this move severely weakens Ukraine’s defense capabilities and signals a troubling alignment with Russian interests at a critical moment in the conflict.
Usyk Challenges Trump to Witness War in Ukraine Firsthand
Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk publicly invited President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and stay in his home to experience the reality of daily Russian attacks. The challenge comes amid growing outrage over Trump’s recent decisions to redirect military aid away from Ukraine. Usyk’s invitation underscores the frustration of many Ukrainians who feel abandoned by U.S. leadership and want international figures to see the human cost of the war up close.
Errol Musk in Moscow
Elon Musk’s father, Errol Musk, has arrived in Moscow to speak at a far-right forum organized by Russian ultranationalist Alexander Dugin.
Other featured speakers included Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and others.
Panel topics focused on:
“The fight for souls and minds: Ideology of sovereign Russia”
“Russian Space: Race for Mars”
And calls for Russian world domination.
TODAY IN HISTORY
68 AD – Roman Emperor Nero dies by suicide, marking the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His death led to a brief period of civil wars known as the Year of the Four Emperors.
1534 – Jacques Cartier sails into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, becoming the first European to describe and map parts of what is now Atlantic Canada.
1815 – The Congress of Vienna ends, redrawing the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and setting the stage for nearly a century of relative continental peace.
1954 – "Have you no sense of decency?" U.S. Army lawyer Joseph Welch confronts Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Army–McCarthy hearings, a turning point in the public's opinion on McCarthyism.
1973 – Secretariat wins the Triple Crown, becoming the first horse in 25 years to do so and setting a still-standing record in the Belmont Stakes.
1999 – NATO suspends its bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, following the withdrawal of Serbian forces from Kosovo.
2017 – Theresa May forms a minority government, days after the UK general election results in a hung parliament. She strikes a deal with Northern Ireland’s DUP to remain in power.
QUICK ACTUAL NEWS
NATIONAL
Democratic-Led States Sue Over Gun Modifications
Fifteen states filed a lawsuit to stop President Trump’s administration from returning thousands of previously confiscated devices known as bump stocks, which convert semi-automatic rifles to fire like machine guns. The move comes as part of a broader legal resistance to loosening firearm regulations.
Foreign Bribery Enforcement Shrinks
The Justice Department’s foreign bribery unit has reportedly thinned out amid internal Trump administration reviews of the decades-old Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Insiders say the shift reflects reduced federal commitment to policing international corporate corruption.
Regulatory Workforce Cuts Advance
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed it has made “substantial progress” toward downsizing, per President Trump and Elon Musk’s demands for leaner federal agencies. A planning document suggests this was achieved through voluntary workforce reductions.
Wrongful Deportation Case Persists
Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. after being wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March has not ended judicial scrutiny. His lawyers argue that Trump officials may still face contempt proceedings for violating a court order barring the deportation.
Public Broadcasting Board Dispute
A federal judge ruled that three board members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting may remain in place despite President Trump’s attempts to remove them. However, the court denied the nonprofit’s broader request for a preliminary injunction.
U.S.-Israel Dialogue Resumes
Trump planned a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss Gaza aid and nuclear negotiations with Iran. The administration is attempting to advance both humanitarian support and nuclear diplomacy in the region.
Markets React to U.S.-China Talks
Wall Street showed mixed performance Monday as markets monitored fresh trade negotiations between U.S. and Chinese officials in London. Investors remain jittery over the prolonged tariff standoff and supply chain disruptions.
Tax Cuts Over Fiscal Discipline
Trump and Republican lawmakers continue to push forward a sweeping tax cut and spending agenda—eschewing traditional GOP concerns about deficits. Critics warn it could significantly increase the national debt, a claim the administration disputes.
Solar Industry Faces Headwinds
New solar installations are projected to decline over the next five years due to federal policy shifts favoring fossil fuels, tariff complications, and regulatory uncertainty, according to a leading industry report.
Westinghouse Eyes Nuclear Expansion
Nuclear firm Westinghouse is in discussions with U.S. officials about deploying 10 new reactors in line with President Trump’s energy orders, the company’s CEO confirmed to The Financial Times.
Travel Ban Takes Effect
Trump’s order banning entry from 12 countries—citing terrorism concerns—went into effect early Monday morning. The policy has faced legal and human rights criticism but remains central to the administration’s immigration agenda.
New Sanctions on Cartel Faction
The U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on Los Chapitos, a notorious wing of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, officially designating the group as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. This expands Trump’s aggressive approach to combating cross-border drug trafficking.
DEFENSE
Nuclear Posture Update:
The U.S. Air Force is prepared to equip more nuclear warheads on bombers and underground missile silos once the New START arms control treaty expires in 2026. The announcement came from the top nuclear officer on June 5, signaling readiness amid rising global tensions.
Space Force Voices:
Col. Nick Hague, the first active-duty Space Force Guardian to launch into space, is urging more Guardians to train with NASA to deepen collaboration and strengthen U.S. space readiness. Retired Lt. Gen. John Shaw also reflected on the challenges of launching a new military branch and emphasized the need to secure satellites against growing threats.
Civil-Military Concerns at NASA:
The White House contacted Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for input on NASA’s next administrator. The unusual request raised eyebrows among experts concerned about maintaining NASA’s civilian leadership.
Veterans Honor D-Day:
Veterans and officials gathered in Normandy on June 6 to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings—an enduring symbol of Allied courage that helped defeat Nazi Germany.
Air Force Legacy & Warnings:
The Air Force honored the first flight of the Northrop YF-17—an aircraft that, while not selected for service, laid the foundation for the Navy's F/A-18 Hornet. Separately, an Air Force health study found Cold War-era missile crew members faced slightly higher cancer risks due to contaminants, prompting calls for tighter safety oversight.
Pentagon Developments:
The Pentagon's inspector general is investigating whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s aides deleted potentially sensitive Signal messages.
Officials are considering eliminating 14 advisory boards, including the historic committee on women in service.
A small Pentagon unit investigating UFO-related conspiracy theories found at least one was inadvertently fueled by the Pentagon itself.
Veteran Mental Health Gaps:
A survey of over 50,000 service members exiting the military in 2023 revealed that two-thirds showed signs of mental health concerns, but more than half declined help, highlighting critical gaps in transitional care.
Air Force One & SpaceX:
President Trump is pushing to fast-track a new Air Force One design but may face tradeoffs on security. Meanwhile, SpaceX is on track for more than two dozen national security launches over the coming years.
GLOBAL
U.S.–China trade talks target rare earths deal.
Top American and Chinese officials met in London on Monday to ease a mounting trade dispute that now includes not just tariffs but rare earth export restrictions—raising concerns over global supply chain disruptions and economic slowdown. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said U.S. negotiators are hoping to secure a “handshake” deal on rare earths, formalizing an agreement "reportedly reached" by Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
U.S. expects major Russian response to drone attack.
American intelligence officials believe Russia has not yet fully retaliated for Ukraine’s recent drone strike, warning that a broader, multi-pronged attack could still be imminent. The initial wave of threats from President Vladimir Putin has yet to materialize in a major military escalation, U.S. officials told Reuters.
NATO Secretary General visits UK for talks and speech.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte traveled to London on Monday, June 9, where he met with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. During his visit, Rutte also delivered a speech at Chatham House, addressing the future of transatlantic security and NATO’s evolving strategic priorities.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:
"Because of Russia, war has returned to Europe. We also face the threat of terrorism and fierce global competition. Russia has teamed up with China, North Korea and Iran. They are expanding their militaries and their capabilities. Putin's war machine is speeding up, not slowing down. Russia is reconstituting its forces with Chinese technology and producing more weapons faster than we thought. In terms of ammunition, Russia produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year. And its defense industrial base is expected to roll out 1,500 tanks, 3,000 armored vehicles and 200 Iskander missiles this year alone. Russia could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years.
China is also modernizing and expanding its military at breakneck speed. It already has the world's largest navy. And its battle force is expected to grow to 435 ships by 2030. China is also building up its nuclear arsenal. And it aims to have more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads also by 2030."
Colombian opposition figure shot at rally.
Opposition senator Miguel Uribe Turbay—who was expected to run for president in Colombia’s 2026 election—was shot in the head during a campaign rally in Bogotá on Saturday. He survived an emergency surgery and remains in recovery. Authorities have arrested a 15-year-old suspect and are investigating the incident. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from leaders across Latin America and beyond, with many denouncing political violence.
Rwanda exits regional bloc amid tensions.
Rwanda announced it is withdrawing from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) after the bloc barred it from assuming the rotating chairmanship. According to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), member states objected due to Rwanda’s alleged support of M23 rebels operating in eastern Congo—a claim Kigali denies. The decision marks a further escalation in regional diplomatic tensions.
India and UK deepen security ties.
India and the United Kingdom have agreed to enhance cooperation on counterterrorism, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Lammy is the most senior Western official to visit both India and Pakistan since April’s deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir and the subsequent rise in hostilities between the two neighbors.
Kazakhstan announces cabinet reshuffle.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed his ministers of defense and transportation on Friday, without giving specific reasons. However, Tokayev had recently criticized the transportation minister for delays in infrastructure development. The outgoing defense minister had been appointed in the aftermath of the 2022 unrest sparked by fuel price hikes.
Thailand and Cambodia ease border tensions.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to reduce their military presence along the border after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash on May 28. The skirmish prompted a temporary border closure by Thailand and increased military deployments. On June 6, Cambodia proposed taking the long-standing territorial disputes to the International Court of Justice. Both sides have since opened dialogue aimed at de-escalation.
Canada’s New Government Announces Major Boost to Armed Forces
In a decisive move to strengthen national security and sovereignty, Canada’s new government has unveiled a sweeping plan to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces. Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the urgency of the initiative amid a world marked by growing dangers and division.
“In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, Canada must assert its sovereignty. We will rapidly procure new equipment and technology, build our defence industrial capacity, and meet our NATO defence commitment this year. Canada will seize this opportunity with urgency and determination,” Carney stated.
The government’s plan aims to elevate Canada’s defense spending to meet NATO’s 2 percent GDP target by 2025—five years ahead of schedule—with investments exceeding $9 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year alone.
Beyond meeting this benchmark, the plan commits to accelerating defense investments in the years ahead, reflecting the country’s evolving security imperatives.
Key elements of the plan include:
Enhanced pay, recruitment, and retention efforts for Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
Procurement of new aircraft, armed vehicles, and ammunition, alongside support for ongoing projects.
Development of advanced drones and sensors to monitor critical areas like the seafloor and the Arctic.
Repair and maintenance of existing military ships, aircraft, and assets.
Increased healthcare funding and staffing dedicated to Armed Forces members.
Expansion of the Canadian Coast Guard’s capabilities and integration into NATO defense operations, strengthening maritime security.
Investments to boost Canadian defense industrial capacity.
Building expertise and infrastructure in artificial intelligence, cyber security, quantum technology, and space.
Modernizing and securing digital infrastructure to support defense operations.
The plan will bolster crucial capabilities such as the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar, Joint Counter-Drone Program, Joint Support Ships, long-range precision strike capacity, increased domestic ammunition production, and additional logistics and armored vehicles.
Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty highlighted the government’s commitment to both personnel and industry: “For generations, Canadians have served our country with honor, and today, we renew our promise to stand behind them. We are equipping our Armed Forces with the capabilities and support they need to protect Canadians and uphold our commitments around the world. This historic investment will strengthen our sovereignty and invest in the Canadian economy – growing a world-class defense industry that fuels innovation and job creation.”
Veterans will also benefit from the new initiative, with plans to modernize benefits for quicker access, streamline military trade credential recognition in civilian sectors, and improve health services tailored for women veterans.
As Canada strengthens its military readiness and sovereignty, the government is also committed to driving innovation and creating good jobs at home, ensuring that national defense supports broader economic growth and security.
With this ambitious reinvestment, Canada is positioning itself to face present and future challenges with resilience and leadership, safeguarding its people and values on the global stage.
TECH & BUSINESS HEADLINES
WWDC 2025: Apple Bets Big on AI, But Skepticism Remains
Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) kicked off in Cupertino with a clear theme: artificial intelligence. But despite an ambitious rollout of new features, the mood remains cautious—Apple is still battling skepticism after last year's underwhelming debut of “Apple Intelligence.”
At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled iOS 26 with a bold new “Liquid Glass” design, overhauled notifications, smarter Siri integrations, and major AI-powered updates across its apps. The new Apple Intelligence system, powered by in-house and third-party models (including OpenAI’s ChatGPT), will be tightly woven into core services like Mail, Messages, and Photos.
Apple also announced that its Foundation Models will now be accessible to third-party developers, opening the door to more powerful and personalized app experiences. An upgraded Translate app and AI-enhanced writing tools are also on the way.
Still, industry analysts point out that many features—including those revealed in last year’s event—are still not widely available, with rollouts limited to select devices and regions. The most advanced capabilities will be exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and M3-powered Macs and iPads, raising concerns about accessibility.
While Apple’s pivot toward AI is significant, it comes as the company trails rivals like Microsoft and Google, who have been faster to ship and scale generative AI tools. Apple remains the weakest stock performer among the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants in 2025, further stoking doubts about its long-term momentum.
Insiders now suggest Apple is already looking to WWDC 2026 for a true breakout moment—one that could determine whether it regains its footing as a leader in innovation or continues to play catch-up in the AI race.
IN SPORTS
In the NBA Finals, the Pacers and Thunder head to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Wednesday. Series are currently tied 1:1.
In the NHL Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers and Oilers are tied 1-1 ahead of Game 3 in Florida tonight (8pm ET). You can catch the entire Stanley Cup series on TNT and Max.
In tennis, Coco Gauff claimed her first French Open title on Saturday by beating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. On Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his men’s French Open crown after a grueling five-hour match against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
In golf, the U.S. Open begins on Thursday at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, one of the most challenging courses worldwide. Red-hot Scottie Scheffler is the player to watch as the world’s best face the ultimate test.
COMING UP
Monday:
The UN Ocean Conference—co-hosted by France and Costa Rica—kicks off in Nice.
Tuesday:
The UN Security Council will convene to discuss the status of its mission in Iraq.
Wednesday:
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report will be released. Expected to show a 2.9% year-over-year increase, down from 3.0% in June. Would mark the lowest inflation rate since March 2021.
Thursday:
The Producer Price Index (PPI) will be published. Forecasted to rise just 0.1% for the month, indicating cooling inflation.
Friday:
The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index will be updated. Expected to tick up to 66.4, slightly higher than July’s 66.0.
Saturday:
A large-scale military parade with tanks, jets, and nearly 7,000 soldiers in Washington D.C. commemorating major U.S. conflicts and military history. Coincides with Flag Day and President Trump’s birthday. Nationwide "No King" protests are planned to take place across the country.
Sunday:
Father’s Day is celebrated in countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Mexico, Hungary, Ireland, Peru, Colombia, and Botswana.
The G7 2025 Leaders Summit begins in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. Confirmed attendees also include the leaders of Ukraine, the European Union, NATO, and India.
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That's all for now. Thank you for reading. The next News Briefing will arrive on Wednesday.
