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Thousands of Moroccan migrants who entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta this week have begun returning home after their hopes of reaching mainland Europe faded. Many said they were driven back by hunger, exhaustion and difficult living conditions, while others claimed they faced hostility after arriving in the Spanish territory. Several returnees said they had decided to cross into Ceuta after watching viral social media videos and receiving messages from friends claiming the heavily guarded border could be breached. Believing they had a chance to build a better future in Europe, many left their jobs and travelled to the border. However, after reaching Ceuta, migrants discovered there was no clear route to mainland Spain. Many said they became stranded in the enclave with limited access to food, water and shelter. One migrant said he survived for three days by drinking only water because he could not afford food. He described the cost of basic meals as extremely high and said life in Ceuta was far more difficult than he had expected. Returning migrants also claimed that many supermarkets and shops remained closed, making it difficult to buy essential supplies. Some spent days in wet clothes after swimming across the border and struggled to find safe places to rest. Several migrants alleged they were forced to leave certain neighbourhoods by local residents, although those claims could not be independently verified. Spanish authorities confirmed that two people suffered minor injuries in separate knife attacks and said one suspect had been arrested. Officials added that no deaths linked to the incidents had been reported. The large influx also affected businesses on both sides of the border. In the Moroccan border city of Fnideq, hotels and restaurants faced staff shortages after several workers crossed into Ceuta. Some employers have already begun looking for replacement workers as many employees remain missing. Meanwhile, daily life in Ceuta has gradually started returning to normal. Cafes have reopened in parts of the city, while police continue to maintain a strong security presence. Many businesses, however, remain closed as authorities monitor the situation. Aid workers said migrant reception facilities are operating at full capacity, with thousands of people still believed to be inside the enclave awaiting assistance or decisions on their future. Local residents expressed mixed emotions over the crisis. While many admitted the sudden arrival of thousands of migrants created fear and uncertainty, others said they sympathised with the young people, arguing they had been misled by false hopes of an easier route into Europe.

The US Senate has taken the first major step toward approving a bipartisan sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on Russia by targeting its energy sector and financial network. The legislation advanced with strong support on Tuesday as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington to urge American lawmakers to strengthen measures against Moscow and continue backing Ukraine. Senators voted 86 to 12 to begin formal debate on the bill, allowing it to clear its first procedural stage. Although the proposal still requires further discussion and a final vote before becoming law, the overwhelming support highlighted broad agreement in the Senate on increasing economic pressure against Russia as the war in Ukraine continues. The proposed legislation would expand sanctions on Russian government officials, wealthy business figures, financial institutions and the network of ships often referred to as the shadow fleet. These vessels have been used to transport Russian oil while avoiding existing international restrictions. Lawmakers believe cutting off these channels would reduce Russia’s ability to earn revenue from energy exports. Another major feature of the bill would give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from countries that continue buying large amounts of Russian oil and natural gas. Nations such as China and India could be affected if the measure is implemented. Supporters argue that reducing demand for Russian energy is one of the most effective ways to weaken Moscow’s financial resources and limit its ability to fund military operations in Ukraine. The Senate vote came only hours after Zelensky met President Trump at the White House during his visit to the United States. The Ukrainian leader also attended the funeral of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington. Graham had been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in Congress and spent more than a year helping build bipartisan backing for the sanctions proposal before his death earlier this month. After meeting with lawmakers, Zelensky urged senators to maintain strong support for Ukraine and approve tougher sanctions against Russia as fighting on the battlefield continues and diplomatic efforts led by the United States remain at a standstill. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly argued that increasing economic pressure on Moscow is necessary to reduce Russia’s ability to continue the conflict. The legislation has been named in honor of Senator Graham, whose work played a key role in shaping the proposal. Shortly before his death, he reached an agreement with the White House on a revised version of the bill. In a joint statement, six Republican and Democratic senators said moving the legislation forward was the best way to recognize Graham’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening sanctions against Russia. The updated measure also includes provisions requested by President Trump to extend existing sanctions authority related to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors. Lawmakers said the changes broaden the scope of the legislation while maintaining its primary focus on increasing pressure on Russia. Despite receiving strong bipartisan backing, the proposal has faced some criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Some have expressed concern that allowing the president to impose high tariffs gives the White House too much authority. Others warned that such tariffs could increase costs for American consumers and create economic difficulties for European allies that maintain trade relationships with countries affected by the measure. Even if the Senate approves the bill, it will not become law immediately. The House of Representatives has already begun its summer recess and is not expected to return to Washington until September. As a result, final congressional action on the legislation is likely to be delayed for several weeks before lawmakers can decide whether to send it to the president for approval.