**Summary:** El Malick Ndiaye, the president of Senegal's National Assembly, has resigned from his position following the recent dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The legislature is set to elect a successor on May 26, 2026.

**Key points:**
- The National Assembly has scheduled a plenary session for May 26, 2026, to address the leadership vacancy and the return of Ousmane Sonko to his parliamentary seat.
- El Malick Ndiaye, a 43-year-old ally of the former Prime Minister, cited the national interest as the motivation for his resignation.
- The political shift follows recent tensions between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko regarding government policy and economic direction.

**Why it matters:** The resignation of the National Assembly president and the return of Ousmane Sonko to parliament signal a significant institutional and political restructuring within Senegal's ruling movement.

leral.net - Assemblée nationale : la date fixée pour le retour de Sonko et l’élection du nouveau président

hespress.com - رئيس البرلمان يستقيل في السنغال

Senegal's National Assembly President Resigns Amid Political Realignment

**Summary:** Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz is managing widespread protests and road blockades that have disrupted essential supplies in La Paz and El Alto for four weeks. Former President Evo Morales has demanded early elections or the militarization of the country.

**Key points:**
- Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, leading to significant disruptions in the supply of food, fuel, and medical oxygen.
- The government has attempted to establish humanitarian corridors to clear routes, resulting in clashes between security forces and demonstrators.
- Evo Morales, currently facing a warrant for his arrest on human trafficking charges, has called for elections within 90 days to prevent further violence.
- President Rodrigo Paz stated that the ongoing crisis is testing the viability of Bolivia's democracy and its transition toward an open economy.

**Why it matters:** The persistent civil unrest and economic disruption in Bolivia threaten the stability of the current administration and the country's democratic transition.

df.cl - Rodrigo Paz: las protestas están poniendo a prueba la democracia de Bolivia

elcomercio.pe - Evo Morales dice que a Paz “solo le queda” militarizar Bolivia o llamar a elecciones

Bolivia faces ongoing unrest as President Rodrigo Paz addresses national stability

**Summary:** Nine Indonesian volunteers who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla have returned to Indonesia. Their safe return was facilitated through diplomatic efforts involving friendly nations.

**Key points:**
- The volunteers were part of an international maritime mission aimed at providing aid and support.
- Diplomatic channels were identified as the primary factor in securing the volunteers' return from Israel.
- The group arrived in Indonesia on May 24, 2026.

**Why it matters:** The return of these volunteers highlights the role of international diplomacy in resolving the status of citizens involved in contentious maritime aid missions.

tempo.co - Sembilan WNI Peserta Global Sumud Flotilla Tiba di Tanah Air

tribunnews.com - Sembilan WNI relawan Global Sumud Flotilla tiba di Indonesia

Nine Indonesian Volunteers Return Home Following Global Sumud Flotilla Mission

**Summary:** US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India to discuss deepening cooperation in defense, security, and technology, aiming to reset bilateral relations and enhance coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.

**Key points:**
- Rubio met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss the Transforming the Relationship Utilising Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative.
- The discussions covered counterterrorism, regional stability, and the upcoming Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) meeting.
- Rubio conveyed President Donald Trump's willingness to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
- The visit precedes a US trade delegation trip to India scheduled for June.

**Why it matters:** The visit marks a significant effort to repair the US-India relationship following recent diplomatic tensions and trade disputes, focusing on long-term strategic and technological alignment.

newkerala.com - US Secy Rubio Meets NSA Doval on Defence & TRUST

Worldnews.com - India is one of our most important strategic partners in world : US State Secy Rubio

Worldnews.com - From Looming US - India Trade Pact To Changing Hormuz Status Quo : Full Text Of Marco Rubio ...

Worldnews.com - Rubio Says U . S .- India Ties Are Strong , Despite Fury Over Trump Actions

deccanchronicle.com - DC Edit | Rubio Sets Ball Rolling On Reshaping India-US Ties

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Visits India to Strengthen Strategic Ties

**Summary:** China has successfully launched the Shenzhou-23 mission, carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The mission aims to test the feasibility of a one-year orbital stay, a critical step for future lunar and Martian exploration.

**Key points:**
- The crew includes Li Jiaying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong, alongside commander Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan.
- The mission will conduct scientific research in fields including life sciences, materials, and fluid physics.
- The one-year duration is intended to study human physiological responses to long-term microgravity, such as muscle atrophy and bone density loss.
- China aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030, competing with the U.S. Artemis program.

**Why it matters:** This mission represents a significant advancement in China's long-term space exploration capabilities, directly supporting its strategic goal of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.

RTBF - Décollage réussi pour la fusée chinoise de la mission Shenzhou-23

La Libre - Objectif Lune: la Chine envoie un astronaute dans l&#x27;espace pour un an, la fusée a décollé vers la station spatiale Tiangong (VIDEO)

La Presse - Objectif Lune | La Chine envoie un astronaute dans l’espace pour un an

China Launches Shenzhou-23 Mission with One-Year Orbital Stay Goal

**Summary:** Russia has deployed the Orechnik, a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile, during recent overnight strikes against Ukraine. The attacks, which targeted the capital, Kiev, resulted in at least four deaths and over one hundred injuries.

**Key points:**
- The Orechnik is a hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple independent warheads, with a range between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers.
- This marks the third reported use of the Orechnik in the conflict, following previous deployments in November 2024 and January 2026.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the use of the weapon, while Russian officials have previously described its impact as comparable to a meteorite.
- Military analysts note that while the missile is designed for deterrence, its effectiveness against modern air defense systems remains a subject of debate.

**Why it matters:** The use of the Orechnik missile represents a significant escalation in the conflict, highlighting Russia's reliance on advanced weaponry to exert psychological pressure and demonstrate military capabilities.

Le Nouvel Obs - Que sait - on du missile à capacité nucléaire Orechnik utilisé par la Russie en Ukraine cette nuit ?

ladepeche.fr - Guerre en Ukraine : "Il peut menacer la quasi-totalité de l’Europe"... pourquoi le missile russe à capacité nucléaire "Orechnik" inquiète autant Kiev ?

La Libre - Qu’est-ce que le missile Orechnik, l’engin à capacité nucléaire russe utilisé contre l’Ukraine ce dimanche ?

Russia Uses Orechnik Hypersonic Missile in Recent Attacks on Ukraine

**Summary:** United States officials have indicated that negotiations regarding a potential deal with Iran are showing progress, with the White House suggesting an agreement could be reached within days.

**Key points:**
- US officials have cited positive developments in ongoing discussions with Iran.
- Senator Marco Rubio suggested that favorable news regarding the situation could be announced shortly.
- The potential agreement follows a period of heightened tensions and diplomatic efforts.

**Why it matters:** A successful deal between the United States and Iran would represent a significant shift in regional security and international relations in the Middle East.

axios.com - White House says Iran deal could take days

mexicostar.com - Rubio : Good News On Iran Could Come Later Today

smdailyjournal.com - Details emerge of a potential Iran deal as US claims progress

5newsonline.com - Iran deal appears closer as US officials cite progress with negotiations

US Officials Signal Progress Toward Potential Deal with Iran

**Summary:** Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has arrived in China for a five-day state visit, marking his first such trip to the country to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.

**Key points:**
- The visit, scheduled from May 24 to May 28, 2026, follows an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Bilateral trade between China and Serbia reached $6.48 billion in 2025, reflecting a 13% year-on-year increase.
- Cooperation between the two nations includes infrastructure projects like the Hungary-Serbia railway and investments in the Smederevo steel plant.
- The two countries maintain a long-standing partnership, characterized by mutual support in core interests and humanitarian assistance during crises.

**Why it matters:** The visit underscores the deepening 'ironclad' friendship between China and Serbia, highlighting the expansion of economic and diplomatic cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Quarte Bot