Senegal faces political turbulence as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye abruptly terminates the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, effective immediately. The decision, announced through a presidential decree on May 22, marks the end of months of simmering tensions within the executive branch, observers note. Hours before the dismissal, Sonko had publicly challenged the president during a parliamentary session, asserting his authority as a premier who makes decisions independently, according to local media accounts.

Sonko, a prominent figure among Senegal’s youth, was barred from running in the 2024 presidential election and had previously endorsed Faye as his replacement in the race. His removal comes as a seismic shift in Senegal’s political landscape, raising questions about the future direction of the government.

Meanwhile, U.S. immigration policy takes a restrictive turn as the Trump administration enforces a sweeping change: green card applicants must now apply from their home countries. Previously, temporary visa holders could adjust their status within the U.S. while awaiting approval—a process now halted under the new directive from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Critics argue the move will force legal immigrants, including spouses of American citizens, to leave the country for weeks or months to complete their applications, disrupting lives and livelihoods.

Intelligence leadership shift in Washington as Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, resigns from her post, citing personal reasons. Gabbard, known for advocating a more restrained foreign policy, will step down on June 30 to support her husband, who is battling a rare bone cancer. Her departure follows a period marked by limited involvement in major national security decisions, including military operations in Iran and Venezuela, despite her high-profile role overseeing 18 U.S. intelligence agencies.

EU-Mexico trade alliance strengthens as leaders from both blocs finalize an updated agreement to deepen economic ties. Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, and António Costa of the European Council unveiled revisions that eliminate tariffs on nearly all Mexican food exports to Europe. The renewed partnership also expands cooperation in security, migration, clean energy, and digital trade, sending a strong signal against rising protectionist trends.

Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship worsens with a new confirmed case onboard the MV Hondius. The infected crew member, who had disembarked in Tenerife before being transferred to the Netherlands, brings the total infections to twelve. The death toll remains at three, with no new fatalities reported since the outbreak was first declared to the World Health Organization on May 2, according to the WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.