The political landscape in Senegal faced a dramatic shift as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko through a presidential decree issued on May 22.
This unexpected move follows months of simmering tensions within the executive branch, culminating in a high-stakes parliamentary session where Sonko publicly asserted his independence from the head of state. Addressing legislators, the former prime minister boldly declared that he made decisions autonomously, without seeking prior approval—a stance that underscored deepening divisions at the top tier of government.
Sonko, a charismatic figure with strong youth support, had been barred from contesting the 2024 presidential election. Instead, he endorsed Faye’s candidacy, who went on to win the presidency. The dismissal marks a decisive break from a partnership forged during a pivotal electoral campaign.
In the United States, immigration policies took a restrictive turn as the Trump administration announced that foreign nationals applying for a green card must now submit their applications from their countries of origin. Previously, individuals holding temporary residency visas could initiate the process while residing in the U.S. through an adjustment-of-status procedure.
Under the revised guidelines from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applicants—including legal immigrants married to American citizens—will be required to leave the country for weeks or months to complete their paperwork. Critics have condemned the measure as both impractical and punitive, warning it will disrupt lives and separate families.
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence under President Trump, announced her resignation effective June 30. In a statement, she cited personal reasons, revealing that she is stepping down to support her husband, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer. Gabbard, known for advocating a more restrained foreign policy, has been notably sidelined from major national security decisions, including military operations in Iran and Venezuela, during her tenure leading 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.
The European Union and Mexico solidified their trade alliance on Friday, strengthening an agreement first enacted in 2000. The updated pact eliminates tariffs on nearly all Mexican food exports to Europe while expanding cooperation in security, migration, clean energy, and digital trade.
In a global climate marked by rising protectionist measures, the renewed accord sends a clear message of commitment to open commerce, according to European Commission officials. Both parties emphasized the importance of maintaining liberalized trade channels amid shifting economic policies worldwide.
A fresh case of hantavirus infection was confirmed among a crew member of the MV Hondius cruise ship. The individual, who had disembarked in Tenerife before being transferred to the Netherlands, brings the total number of confirmed cases to twelve. The death toll remains unchanged at three, as confirmed by the World Health Organization, with no new fatalities reported since May 2.