Esra Tekin
09 June 2025•Update: 09 June 2025
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday with, including Israeli forces kidnapping volunteers on the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, US President Donald Trump vowing a federal crackdown on "migrant riots" in Los Angeles, and a Ukrainian official saying that Kyiv and Moscow could exchange prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers as early as "next week."
TOP STORIES
- Israeli forces kidnap volunteers on Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
Israeli soldiers kidnapped the activists onboard the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
“SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces,” the international NGO, which organized the mission, said on Telegram.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was in phone contact with the ship’s captain, said: “At the time the boat was intercepted, no one is wounded — the captain asked me to record.”
She reported hearing Israeli soldiers speaking in the background before the line was cut off.
- Trump vows federal crackdown on ‘migrant riots’ in Los Angeles
US President Donald Trump called for a sweeping federal response to what he described as an “invasion” of undocumented immigrants and “migrant riots” in Los Angeles, directing key administration officials to restore order and remove those he labeled as “illegal aliens and criminals.”
Trump said on his Truth Social account that the city had been “invaded and occupied,” accusing violent mobs of attacking federal agents carrying out deportation operations.
“These lawless riots only strengthen our resolve,” he said.
Trump said he has directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi to coordinate with relevant agencies to “liberate Los Angeles from the migrant invasion.”
- Ukraine says swap of prisoners, soldiers' bodies could occur with Russia 'next week'
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's defense intelligence directorate, said Kyiv and Moscow could exchange prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers as early as "next week" under a deal reached during recent negotiations in Istanbul.
Budanov said on Telegram that Ukraine is “carefully adhering” to the terms agreed upon in talks with Russia in Istanbul.
“Who, when and how to exchange should not be someone's sole decision,” he said. “Careful preparation is ongoing. Pressure and manipulation are unacceptable here.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament (EP) aboard the Madleen, a Freedom Flotilla Coalition sailboat that set sail to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver aid to the region, called on President Emmanuel Macron to help ensure the sailboat's safe arrival in Gaza.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke by phone with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, sources at the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues.
- US Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to provide details on the administration's contingency plans in case Elon Musk violates his company's existing contracts with the US following the ongoing public schism between the business magnate and President Donald Trump.
- Vice Premier He Lifeng, China's top trade negotiator, will arrive in the UK on Sunday for a six-day visit, one day before China and the US begin a new round of trade talks in London, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced.
- Italians began voting in a two-day abrogative referendum on whether to reduce citizenship requirements and reverse labor market liberalization.
- US Vice President JD Vance reaffirmed his loyalty to President Donald Trump while also expressing gratitude to billionaire Elon Musk and an understanding of the American business magnate's criticism of Trump's expansive budget proposal.
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned a Saturday attack on right-wing opposition presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, who was shot in the capital, Bogota.
- A plane carrying up to 20 people crashed in Coffee County, Tennessee, authorities said.
- Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Los Angeles for a third straight day as the Trump administration continued its immigration raids in the US state of California.
- Ireland’s deputy prime minister and a former UK opposition leader called for the safe and peaceful passage of a civilian aid flotilla sailing toward Gaza.
SPORTS
- Portugal win 2025 UEFA Nations League title after defeating Spain on penalties
Portugal won the 2025 UEFA Nations League title after defeating Spain 5-3 on penalties in a match that ended 2-2 after regular time and extra time.
- Carlos Alcaraz wins men's title at French Open
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz beat Italy's Jannik Sinner 3-2 in the men's singles final of the 2025 French Open (Roland Garros) in the capital Paris.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Canada’s Carney lays out priorities for upcoming G7 Summit
As president of the G7 summit in Alberta on June 15, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has set out ambitious agenda items for world leaders to discuss and perhaps accomplish.
“Canada has what the world wants and the values to which others aspire,” Carney said. “The G7 leaders’ summit in Kananaskis is a moment for Canada to work with reliable partners to meet challenges with unity, purpose and force. Canada is ready to lead.”
Canada assumed the presidency of the G7 this year and will host the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. The G7 is an annual informal gathering of heads of state and government, this year from June 15-17.
