Senegal political shakeup as president sacks prime minister

Senegal has experienced a dramatic political upheaval as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye terminated the mandate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko through an official decree issued on May 22. This decisive move comes amid escalating internal tensions and persistent power struggles within the executive branch.

The decision follows a high-stakes parliamentary session where Mr. Sonko, a prominent figure among Senegal’s youth, openly challenged the president’s authority. Addressing lawmakers, he asserted his autonomy, declaring his role as prime minister entailed making decisions without prior approval—a stance that further strained the already tense relationship with the head of state.

Mr. Sonko’s political influence remains significant despite his inability to run in the 2024 presidential election, where he had backed Mr. Faye’s candidacy. His public disagreements with the president had intensified over recent months, culminating in this abrupt termination.

In the United States, a sweeping change in immigration policy has sent shockwaves through the legal immigrant community. The Trump administration announced that applicants for permanent residency, commonly known as the green card, must now submit their requests from their country of origin. This reversal eliminates the previous pathway that allowed temporary visa holders to adjust their status while remaining in the U.S.

The new directive, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has drawn sharp criticism from advocates and lawmakers. Critics argue the policy is both impractical and inhumane, forcing legal immigrants—including spouses of U.S. citizens—to uproot their lives for weeks or months to complete the process abroad.

Democratic Representative Chuy García condemned the measure on social media, labeling it as “absurd and cruel”, and highlighting the disproportionate burden it places on families and livelihoods.

In a surprising turn in U.S. intelligence leadership, Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, resigned from her position effective June 30. Her departure follows a period marked by limited involvement in major national security decisions, including military operations in Iran and Venezuela. Ms. Gabbard, known for advocating a more restrained foreign policy, cited personal reasons—specifically, the need to support her husband, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer.

Her resignation underscores the shifting dynamics within the intelligence community and raises questions about the future direction of U.S. security strategies under the current administration.

The European Union and Mexico have strengthened their long-standing trade partnership, reinforcing a bilateral agreement that has been in place since 2000. The updated accord eliminates tariffs on nearly all Mexican food exports to Europe and expands cooperation across security, migration, clean energy, and digital trade.

In a global climate marked by rising protectionist measures, this collaboration sends a clear signal of commitment to free trade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and European Council President António Costa jointly emphasized the agreement’s role in fostering economic resilience and sustainable growth.

A fresh case of hantavirus has been confirmed aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, bringing the total number of infections to twelve. The latest case involves a crew member who disembarked in Tenerife before being transferred to the Netherlands for medical treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the death toll remains unchanged at three fatalities since the outbreak was first reported on May 2.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed no new deaths have been recorded since the initial alert, though health authorities continue monitoring the situation closely to prevent further spread.