AMERICA
UNITED STATES: Joe Biden chooses an African-American to lead the Pentagon

President-elect of the United States Joe Biden chose retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw American troops deployed in the Middle East during Barack Obama’s term as Secretary of Defense. If confirmed by the Senate, he would become the first African-American to lead the Pentagon.
According to several American media, Joe Biden chose Lloyd Austin to lead the Pentagon. The 67-year-old retired Army General fought in Iraq and Afghanistan before becoming the first man of colour to lead the US Army Central Command (Centcom).
Lloyd Austin succeeded Jim Mattis, who was Donald Trump’s Defence Minister from 2017 to 2019, as head of Centcom. He retired in 2016, before moving into the defence industry, like many of his predecessors. He sits on the board of directors of Raytheon Technologies.
However, Joe Biden’s decision is already being criticized. Congressional officials and national security experts disagreed with the appointment, noting that Lloyd Austin’s retirement was less than seven years old. The U.S. Congress, which is committed to civilian control of the military, has adopted regulations stipulating that a former military member must have been retired for more than seven years to become Minister of Defence. Since this deadline would not be respected with Lloyd Austin, the elected officials should however grant him a dispensation. They did it in 2016 for Jim Mattis, but in protest.
“His candidacy should not be considered, as well as Mattis’ candidacy should not have been considered,” tweeted Conservative Justin Amash on Monday. “The law prohibits recently retired military personnel from occupying this civilian position. Biden should not be the second consecutive president to violate this standard,’ he added.
“I have nothing but respect for Lloyd Austin, but choosing another retired general so recently that he will need a dispensation from Congress sends a very bad message,” Rosa Brooks also tweeted, a former head of the Pentagon who now teaches at Georgetown University.
Black parliamentarians and personalities had called on Biden to appoint more African Americans to key positions in his cabinet. The 78-year-old president-elect and his future vice-president Kamala Harris, 56, the first woman and the first black person to hold the post, promised a government that “looks like America” in all its diversity.
AMERICA
BRAZIL – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on a state visit to France on June 5 and 6, 2025

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be on a state visit to France on 5 and 6 June. He will be welcomed in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, accompanied by his wife Rosângela Lula da Silva.
This official trip comes as a follow-up to the renewed action plan between France and Brazil, sealed during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Brazil in March 2024. Objective: to strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as defense, economy, biodiversity, energy transition, culture and the fight against disinformation.
This high-level meeting is also part of a busy international agenda for both countries. It precedes by a few days the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be held in Nice from 9 to 13 June, as well as the COP30 of Belém next November. Two major events where France and Brazil plan to unite their voices to advance global environmental issues.
The visit will also be part of the 2025 Brazil-France Season, an exceptional cultural program that highlights the Brazilian artistic and intellectual scene throughout the country.
AMERICA
UNITED STATES – Donald Trump wants to restart negotiations between Russia and Ukraine

Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for the White House, reaffirmed on Monday, June 2, 2025, the willingness of US President Donald Trump to see Russia and Ukraine begin peace negotiations. During a press conference, she insisted on the importance of direct dialogue between the two parties to end a conflict that has already cost too many human lives.
Speaking to reporters, Leavitt recalled that President Trump strongly supports a return to the negotiating table, drawing in particular on previous talks held in Istanbul. “The president wants the two leaders, along with their delegations, to sit at the negotiating table. Today, we saw that this was possible thanks to his insistence,” she said, while specifying that only Trump will express himself in detail on his position.
Asked about a recent drone attack attributed to Ukraine and targeting Russian territory, Leavitt preferred to insist on the need for a de-escalation. “This war must now end. It has been merciless for both sides, and far too many lives have been lost,” she said.
These remarks, relayed by the Anadolu agency and translated from Turkish by Ayse Betul Akcesme, reflect a new direction in the communication of the White House, emphasizing the role that Washington wishes to play to encourage a diplomatic solution.
Although President Trump has not yet spoken personally about these recent developments, his spokesperson suggests that an initiative in favor of peace could take shape in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: White House
AMERICA
UNITED STATES – Elon Musk leaves the Trump ship

Elon Musk announced the end of his role as a special government employee in President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday, 29 May 2025, marking the conclusion of his involvement with the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk, who had been appointed to lead efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy and public spending, expressed his gratitude to President Trump for this opportunity to serve.
In a post on his social media platform X, Musk wrote, “Grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to serve. It was a difficult but rewarding experience.”
Shortly after his message, a White House official confirmed his departure and indicated that his resignation process “will begin this evening.”
Musk’s departure comes after his public criticism of President Trump’s “great and beautiful bill”, a legislative package that includes tax cuts and immigration control measures but significantly increases the federal deficit.
Musk described the bill as counterproductive to the DOGE’s mission and expressed disappointment.
During his tenure, Musk has implemented drastic cost-cutting measures through the DOGE, including mass layoffs and termination of federal contracts. These actions have led to strong criticism, protests – including against Tesla – and dozens of lawsuits, as well as concerns about attempts to access private government data.
A federal judge recently allowed a complaint filed by 14 American states against Musk and the DOGE to proceed.
This complaint accuses Musk and the DOGE of unconstitutional actions, including unauthorized access to government data systems, cancellation of federal contracts and dismissal of federal employees.
Musk plans to refocus on his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, and reduce his political contributions. Despite initial optimism, Musk admitted his frustration with bureaucratic resistance in Washington.
The White House plans to implement some of the reductions recommended by the DOGE through budget cancellations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bill will increase deficits by $3.8 trillion over a decade, while regulators remain skeptical of claims that it will be deficit-neutral.
Sources: AP
Photo credit: Elon Musk page
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