Americans are increasingly turning against the war in Iran and the president that launched it. According to a survey conducted in April by US-based pollster, Pew International, 61% of people in the US disapprove of the war while only 37% approve. The US president’s overall approval rating, meanwhile, has slipped to 34%.

In many other countries, however, this disenchantment looms larger. Pew’s spring 2025 survey revealed 12 months ago a strong lack of confidence in Donald Trump across much of the world. The survey was conducted in 24 mostly European countries, but also countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Respondents were asked a question about the confidence they had in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

Confidence in President Trump to do the right thing

The country with the lowest levels of confidence was Mexico with Canada, Sweden and Germany not far behind. Interestingly, proximity to the United States appears to boost a lack of confidence in the president, with Canada and Mexico much less confident than other countries.

Respondents in the UK were more likely to be confident than those in other European countries such as France, Spain and Italy. But even then, only 37% of UK respondents were confident, compared with 63% who were not. The UK score is rather similar to Japan which has also been a longstanding ally of the US.

There were five countries in which the president enjoyed a positive net level of confidence: Hungary, Kenya, India, Israel and Nigeria. These are all classified as hybrid authoritarian regimes or flawed democracies by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It shows that citizens of weak democracies or authoritarian states quite like him.

Is Trump dangerous?

This lack of confidence in the president is only part of the story. The survey asked what respondents thought about various traits that could be associated with Trump as president. It asked if they thought he was he was “well qualified”, “strong”, “honest” or “diplomatic”. It also asked if he was “arrogant” or “dangerous”.

The second chart shows the percentage of respondents who thought that he was “dangerous”. It makes sober reading. More than 50% of the respondents in 21 of the countries thought this. It seems likely that the US and Israel’s attack on Iran, which took place after the survey was in the field, will have reinforced these perceptions. The war is stalled and the economic repercussions are likely to increase its unpopularity both in the US and around the world.

Perceptions that President Trump is ‘dangerous’

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The prospects for post-Trump America

The US can, of course, recover from the Trump era. Unlike Russia, where periods of democracy have been an aberration in its history, the US has been a democracy for 250 years. That said, it is currently classified as a “flawed democracy” in the Economist Intelligence Unit database.

But if, as seems likely, the Democrats outperform the Republicans in the midterm elections in November this year, they will regain control of either the House or the Senate, or both. This would be a severe blow to Trumpism.

If Congress is controlled by the Democrats, they can veto any of Trump’s legislative proposals, hamstring his policies by withholding funding and at the same time initiate impeachment proceedings against him. Such actions will very likely make him a lame duck, leading to a loss of support for Republicans in the presidential elections in 2028.

Favourable and unfavourable views of the United States in 2025

The survey also shows that America’s reputation as a reliable ally and supporter of democracy has been seriously damaged across the world in his two terms in the White House. The third chart shows the percentage of survey respondents who have a favourable or unfavourable view of the US.

It is striking that many of America’s traditional allies such as Australia, Canada, Germany and France now have a very unfavourable view of the US. This contrasts with the flawed democracies or hybrid authoritarian states who like him. Although, to be fair, attitudes to the US overall are much more favourable than attitudes to Trump.

How might the US regain the international respect it has clearly lost under Trump as president? In the realm of foreign policy, actions speak louder than words – and America’s Nato allies will need to see some kind of concrete assurance that Washington is prepared to resume the leadership and security roles it is apparently abandoning under the current administration.

Perhaps what it also needs is some kind of “truth and reconciliation commission”, along the lines of the one set up by Nelson Mandela following the collapse of apartheid in South Africa. Once Trump has left office, America needs to understand clearly what has happened so that it can avoid this in the future. It is a cliché – but nonetheless true – that people who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.   

Tim Martin, Founder and Chairman at JD Wetherspoon, said: “The West End is one of the world’s great hospitality destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year, and we believe this site is exceptionally well suited to the Wetherspoon model of offering good-quality food and drink at reasonable prices in well-managed and historically interesting buildings.

The winners of the latest series of the BBC’s Race Across the World have been crowned

Race Across the World has revealed its 2026 winners.

Best friends Jo and Kush claimed victory at the final checkpoint following a frantic last-minute sprint, screaming “oh my God” as they became the first pair to cross the finish line at Lake Khövsgöl in northern Mongolia.

“I can’t put it into words!” said Kush. “We’ve done it!”

“It’s hard to get my head around it,” Jo admitted. “First win for Liverpool!”

Five teams had embarked on the latest series of the popular BBC programme, which challenges contestants to race vast distances without mobile phones or bank cards, carrying only the equivalent of what their flights would have cost, reports the Mirror.

Jo and Kush, cousins Puja and Roshni, siblings Katie and Harrison, father and daughter Molly and Andrew, and in-laws Mark and Margo were challenged to travel from Europe “to the uncharted edges of Mongolia” in what the BBC described as “the toughest journey yet”.

Andrew and Molly finished in second place, with Katie and Harrison close behind. Mark and Margo arrived last, more than a day later, visibly emotional as they paid tribute to Julia, Mark’s late wife and Margo’s sister, whose last wish had been for the pair to forge a friendship.

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The teams had departed from the sun-drenched streets of Palermo, covering more than 11,000km across Europe and Asia. Their route wound through Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, before concluding on the banks of Lake Khövsgöl in northern Mongolia. In the most demanding race to date, conditions shifted from 30 degree Mediterranean warmth to subarctic temperatures of –20°C, which the teams had to traverse on less than £26 per person per day.

The contestants all encountered various obstacles during the journey.

Katie and Harrison were initial frontrunners, succeeding in reaching checkpoints hours before the remainder of the field, but they failed to maintain their advantage. Meanwhile, cousins Puja and Roshni were knocked out early after placing last in one leg, leaving the other four vying for the £20,000 prize.

In the concluding leg, the remaining contenders had to cover a distance of 950km to reach the finish line in Hatgal.

The final leg proved emotional for Andrew and Molly, who became tearful after they realised that they had taken a wrong turn that could eliminate them from contention.

And Margo and Mark – who were competing together in an attempt to forge a friendship following the death of Mark’s wife and Margo’s sister Julia – encountered financial difficulties, with their budget diminishing rapidly.

Race Across the World first premiered in 2019 and has now aired six series, alongside a celebrity spin-off edition.

Race Across the World is available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Tobias Sampson, 35, is alleged to have committed some of the offences in York.

Sampson, who joined the Army when he was 17-and-a-half, now of Harrowby Street, Stafford, denies seven charges of rape, two of sexual assault and four charges of voyeurism.

The 12 jurors started their deliberations at midday today (Thursday, May 21) after an eight-day trial and were sent home at 4.30pm. They will return to York Crown Court tomorrow.

All eyes will be on the SpaceX Starship V3 as it blasts off from the launch facility in Texas. This will be the 12th test flight of the massive craft, but previous attempts have not been without incident.

During two separate test flights of Starship V2 in January and March 2025 the rocket exploded near populated areas east of Florida, with debris hitting roadways in the Turks and Caicos islands.

Then in May 2025 the Starship spacecraft spun out of control as it descended toward its landing site in the Indian Ocean. In that mission the Super Heavy booster also exploded as it attempted to land early in the mission.

A Starship spacecraft also exploded during a ground test last June sparking an emergency response from authorities in nearby Brownsville, Texas. During another ground test in November another explosion occurred as a Starship V3 rocket underwent a fueling test.

SpaceX has previously said that its process of “rapid iterative development” means building and deploying prototypes quickly and accepting added risks during tests.

“I’m over the moon that the Education Authority has given the Weatherbies the opportunity for my books to reach all schools in Northern Ireland”

A Co Derry author is “over the moon” that her book series will be available in all primary schools across Northern Ireland.

Maghera-based author, Yvonne Fleming of the much-loved children’s series ‘The Weatherbies’ has achieved a major milestone after securing a four-year contract to be available through the Education Authority’s iProcurement system for primary schools.

The development means that all NI primary students can now directly access The Weatherbies educational resources as part of classroom learning, bringing the “engaging characters and curriculum-linked content to pupils on a wider scale than ever before”.

Speaking about the announcement, Yvonne said: “I’m over the moon that the Education Authority has given the Weatherbies the opportunity for my books to reach all schools in Northern Ireland.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to continuing the Weatherbies’ journey with the EA”

The Weatherbies focuses on themes of friendship, family and nature that, through thoughtful storytelling and positive messaging, support cognitive, social and emotional development for young readers and audiences.

The Weatherbies book series now comprises eight magical children’s picture books in English or Irish.

The inclusion within the Education Authority procurement framework marks a significant endorsement of the educational value of the series and streamlines access for schools seeking literacy and learning resources, with a core focus on climate awareness, while also supporting teachers with ready-made classroom materials and activities.

Over recent years, The Weatherbies has continued to expand its educational reach through partnerships with Eco-Schools NI, Twinkl NI, literacy initiatives and curriculum-based learning projects.

The series has also received support from a range of educational organisations and bodies for its creative approach to children’s learning.

The latest development further strengthens The Weatherbies’ growing presence within classrooms across Northern Ireland and highlights the increasing demand for engaging educational resources that combine storytelling with meaningful learning experiences.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter.

Inos, a Greek restaurant in Piccadilly in York city centre which opened its doors for the first time last spring, has been commended in the May edition of the Michelin Guide.

In their listing, the Michelin inspectors dubbed the restaurant ‘a simple, cheerful place with an informal bistro vibe and friendly service’ and said that the cooking offers great value for money.

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They praised the cooking as ‘well-executed versions of classic dishes’ – highlighting the pita, dips, ‘keftedakia’ meatballs, moussaka, and ‘Portakalopia’ – Cretan cake with orange syrup, alongside authentic wines and spirits.

In a post on Instagram, Inos said that they were ‘very happy’ to share their selection, adding: “Achieving this recognition in our first year of operation makes us incredibly proud. A huge thank you to the whole INOS team for everyone’s hard work, passion, and dedication.

“We are also grateful to every customer who supported us, recommended us, and celebrated with us. We can’t wait to welcome you again.”

Speaking to The Press at the time of opening last year, director Martin Tsatsas – who is part of the Hull-based SASA Group – said that he had hoped to expand on the success of SASA Greek street food stand at Spark in York’s city centre.

Some of the tasty food at INOS (Image: Pic supplied)

He said: “INOS is not replacing SASA, it’s expanding on the story, offering a different experience altogether.”

“At Inos, we’re focusing on simple, ingredient-led Greek dishes, that are deeply rooted in tradition, prepared with care and minimal intervention.

“While SASA is all about bold, accessible street food, INOS will showcase the quieter elegance of Greek cuisine. It will be honest and genuine because you can’t cheat Greek food! It relies on simplicity, so every ingredient shines.

“What sets us apart is our focus on simplicity and authenticity. We let the ingredients speak, and we cook the way it’s done in Greece. We aim to create a harmonious experience that activates all the senses.

Fresh Greek Salad (Image: Pic supplied)

“Through food, drink, atmosphere, and warm, attentive service, we want to offer something more than a meal, we want to offer true Greek hospitality in its most genuine form. Inos will feel like stepping into a quiet island taverna—natural, warm, and unpretentious.”

He added that the group wanted to ‘express our heartfelt gratitude to York, to Spark York, and to all our loyal customers for helping make this next chapter possible’.

Also new to the guide is The General Tarleton at Ferrensby, near Knaresborough – a gastropub owned by Tommy Banks, which also opened last year.

An Arizona gym owner with a taste for exotic supercars posed as a high-flying arms dealer holding juicy foreign military contracts, allegedly fleecing investors who loaned him more than $10 million to manufacture a proprietary weapons system that never actually existed.

Instead, Brandon Aaron Kreutz, who placed fifth or better in a half-dozen McLaren Trophy America Pro-Am championship events last year, as well as a first-place finish in the Papaya Cup, spent the money on a race car, membership in a racing club, a million-dollar home, luxury travel, an extensive gun collection and “dozens” of luxury vehicles, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed Tuesday.

The affidavit, which is attached to a criminal complaint filed in Tucson federal court and reviewed by The Independent, says Kreutz, 40, also “concealed some of the victims’ funds in health-and-wellness business ventures and bank accounts owned by close associates,” resulting in dual wire fraud and money laundering charges.

Kreutz was arrested Wednesday and released the next day on a personal recognizance bond. He was called out several years ago by a veteran’s group for purportedly impersonating a Navy SEAL, and went by at least two aliases, including Brandon Aaron Moushey and Brandon Moushey-Kreutz.

Calls on Thursday to Kreutz’s cell phone went straight to voicemail.

Attorney Ryan Moore, a public defender assigned to represent Kreutz at his initial court appearance on Wednesday, did not respond to a request for comment.

In 2025, Kreutz – who maintains a relatively thin online presence – was featured on the Instagram page of a McLaren dealership in Scottsdale, introducing him as one of two drivers competing on behalf of the supercar manufacturer.

“With a background deeply rooted in motorsports and a relentless drive for improvement, Brandon brings skill, dedication, and a passion for competition to the team,” the post read. “… For Brandon, McLaren represents the ultimate driver’s car – raw, violent, and built for pure performance. That visceral connection to the machine fuels his excitement for competing in the McLaren Trophy Series and pushing the limits of both car and driver.”

Kreutz competed as a so-called “privateer,” meaning he self-financed his track outings, rather than being officially sponsored. He was additionally affiliated with Flying Lizard Motorsports, a California-based team that offers a “customer racing program” for deep-pocketed enthusiasts. A McLaren 620R, a “street-legal track car” which Kreutz used to compete, can cost upward of $300,000.

Neither organization is accused of any wrongdoing, and neither responded to requests for comment on Kreutz’s arrest.

Beginning in 2023, Kreutz, who held himself out as the owner of various companies in the firearms and fitness industries, embarked on a “scheme to obtain loans from Victims J, C.G., and P through the presentation of fraudulent pretenses and statements,” according to the FBI affidavit in his case.

“Kreutz falsely presented himself as a former subcontractor of the United States Government, the holder of a patent-pending firearms device… with contracts to produce the device, and a party to lucrative multi-million-dollar contracts with foreign governments for the purchase of the device.”

The loans would be used to fund the production and sales of the supposed product, with the investors receiving high returns in addition to repayment of their principal, Kreutz claimed, the affidavit continues.

“In reality, Kreutz did not apply for or obtain a patent on the device, controls no equipment capable of manufacturing the device, is not a party to any manufacturing contracts for the device, or a party to any international firearms contracts, and does not conduct any of the business activities he represented to the victims,” the affidavit states.

Kreutz took in $10,917,822.13 from at least three victims, and spent the money on himself, the affidavit goes on. It cites one example, in which “Victim P,” a Virginia resident, sent Kreutz $2.5 million to help fulfill the alleged military contracts he claimed to have.

On July 15, 2024, about one month after Kreutz received the money from Victim P, he wired $1,150,517.96 to an Arizona title company for the purchase of a home in Oro Valley, a Tucson suburb, according to the affidavit.

Kreutz has faced previous accusations of fraud, but none that resulted in criminal charges until now. In 2018, he was the subject of a video exposé by Don Shipley, a former Navy SEAL who now spends his retirement years tracking down instances of stolen valor.

According to Kreutz’s official service record, which The Independent reviewed, he did serve five years as an E-3 in the U.S. Navy, from September 2004 to September 2009. However, Kreutz, who claimed to be part of the non-existent “SEAL Team 9,” never was a SEAL, his separation papers show.

“I’m still getting s**t on him,” Shipley told The Independent. “When you’re telling someone you’re a SEAL and you weren’t, it’s fraud. You’re defrauding people.”

Under the terms of Kreutz’s pre-trial release, he is forbidden from owning any firearms, must participate in mental health counseling and cannot travel out of state without permission.

If convicted of wire fraud Kreutz faces up to 20 years in prison; the money laundering count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.