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World News

Fresh news brought to you daily from around the world. Hot news, breaking stories as they happen.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Investigation Expands

British police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have appealed for further witnesses to come forward as detectives examine allegations that could include sexual misconduct linked to his time as a UK trade envoy.

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In an update on Friday, Thames Valley Police said investigators believed more people may hold relevant information as part of the force’s ongoing inquiry into alleged misconduct in public office by the former prince.
The force confirmed it had contacted lawyers representing a woman who previously claimed she was taken to an address in Windsor for sexual purposes in 2010.
The allegation, first reported by the BBC earlier this year, relates to an alleged encounter at Royal Lodge, Mountbatten-Windsor’s former residence.
Contact With Alleged Victim
The woman’s lawyer, Brad Edwards of US law firm Edwards Henderson, told the BBC that his client had been sent to Britain by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while she was in her 20s.
He said the woman later spent a night with Mountbatten-Windsor and was given a tour of Buckingham Palace.
Police said they had not yet spoken directly to the alleged victim but stressed that any future complaint would be handled carefully and confidentially.
“We have engaged with the woman’s legal representative to confirm that, should she wish to report this to police, it will be taken seriously and handled with care, sensitivity and respect for her privacy and her right for anonymity,” the force said.
Investigators added that any contact with police would proceed according to the woman’s wishes.
Broad Misconduct Inquiry
The statement marked the first public update since Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February at his home in Sandringham, Norfolk, over allegations linked to misconduct in public office.
He was released under investigation later the same day.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied all wrongdoing connected to Epstein and has rejected accusations that he benefited personally from his role as Britain’s trade envoy.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said investigators continued to examine “a number of aspects of alleged misconduct” following the release of US government files related to Epstein.
“Our misconduct in public office investigation is continuing,” Wright said. “Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation.”
Focus Beyond Confidential Information
The update came after the British government published documents relating to Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy in 2001.
The papers suggested there was no evidence he had undergone formal vetting before taking the role and showed that the late Queen Elizabeth II had supported his appointment.
Previously released documents from the US Department of Justice appeared to indicate Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential material with Epstein while serving as a trade envoy. Officials in such positions are barred from disclosing sensitive commercial or political information.
However, Britain’s PA Media news agency reported that detectives were concerned the public may wrongly believe the investigation only concerns alleged information-sharing.
Under British law, misconduct in public office can cover a wide range of alleged behaviour, including corruption, conflicts of interest, financial misconduct, wilful neglect of duty and sexual misconduct.
Police said they continued to support other UK forces contacting victims and survivors connected to Epstein investigations.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 23 May 2026
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Marco Rubio Seeks to Calm Nato Allies on Troops

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to reassure Nato allies over shifting American troop deployments in Europe, following a series of announcements by President Donald Trump that have unsettled members of the alliance.

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Rubio spoke after a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Helsingborg, where concerns were raised over recent US decisions involving troop movements in Poland and Germany.
Troop changes spark uncertainty
Trump announced on Thursday that the US would deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland.
The move came only a week after the Pentagon cancelled a planned deployment of 4,000 troops to the country and days after Washington confirmed plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
The sequence of announcements has caused confusion among Nato members, many of whom are already uneasy about Washington’s long-term commitment to European security.
Rubio addresses Nato concerns
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Rubio said the US was continually reviewing its military posture abroad in light of wider global obligations, including ongoing tensions in the Middle East linked to the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
“Allies understand that the United States troop presence in Europe is going to be adjusted,” Rubio said, adding that consultations with Nato partners had already taken place.
US says allies were informed
While acknowledging concerns among allies, Rubio said they were aware changes were under discussion even if they were not fully satisfied with them.
Rubio also said troop deployments were being reassessed as part of broader global military commitments, including operations outside Europe.
Trump links move to Polish ties
Trump announced the new deployment to Poland while Nato ministers were meeting in Sweden.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, he linked the decision to Washington’s relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, whom Trump supported during Poland’s presidential election campaign.
Uncertainty over deployment plans
The US president did not clarify whether the extra troops were connected to the previously cancelled deployment or represented a separate operation altogether.
Questions have also been raised about whether the troops leaving Germany could instead be redirected to Poland.
Germany withdrawal adds to confusion
Earlier this month, Washington confirmed plans to reduce its military presence in Germany after tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the conflict involving Iran.
The overlapping announcements have left several allies uncertain about the direction of US military planning in Europe.
Sweden highlights allied unease
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the mixed signals from Washington had been difficult for allies to interpret.
“It is confusing indeed, and not always easy to navigate,” she said while hosting the Nato talks.
US remains central to Nato defence
The US remains Nato’s largest military power and has stationed troops across Europe for decades as part of the alliance’s collective defence structure.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European allies have repeatedly urged Washington to maintain a strong military presence on the continent.
Large US military presence in Europe
Germany hosts the largest number of US troops in Europe, with more than 36,000 personnel stationed there.
Poland and the UK each host around 10,000 US troops, while Italy has roughly 12,000.
Trump presses Nato on spending
Trump has long criticised Nato members for relying too heavily on the US and failing to spend enough on defence.
He has repeatedly argued that European allies should contribute more financially to the alliance.
Europe moves toward self-reliance
Several Nato countries have since pledged increases in defence spending, though tensions remain over Washington’s broader “America First” foreign policy approach.
The White House has recently indicated that it plans to reduce overall US troop numbers in Europe as part of that strategy.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said Europe would continue moving towards greater military self-reliance.
Rubio stresses value of alliance
Rubio also acknowledged longstanding debate within the US over the value of Nato, saying the alliance must remain beneficial not only for Europe but also for the United States.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 23 May 2026
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Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as US Intelligence Chief

Tulsi Gabbard will resign as US director of national intelligence at the end of June, citing her husband's recent bone cancer diagnosis as the reason for leaving the Trump administration.

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In a resignation letter obtained by CBS News, Gabbard said she could not continue in such a demanding role while her husband, Abraham, faces serious health challenges.
“His strength and love have sustained me through every challenge,” she wrote. “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.”
US President Donald Trump praised Gabbard in a social media post, saying she had “done an incredible job” and would be missed. He added that she wanted to focus on supporting her husband during his treatment.
Her resignation takes effect on 30 June. Aaron Lukas, the principal deputy director of national intelligence, will serve as acting director, Trump said.
Tensions Over Iran Policy
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, became one of Trump’s most prominent intelligence officials after being confirmed in early 2025. However, she has maintained a lower public profile in recent months as the administration intensified its foreign policy actions involving Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.
Known for her long-standing opposition to US military intervention abroad, Gabbard faced scrutiny after the United States joined Israeli strikes on Iran. She stopped short of fully endorsing the decision and avoided directly answering questions during a congressional hearing in March about whether the administration understood the potential consequences of the conflict.
She also came under pressure from Democrats over what they viewed as inconsistencies between intelligence assessments and White House statements regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Last year, Trump publicly dismissed Gabbard’s testimony to Congress that Iran was not actively seeking to build a nuclear weapon.
“I don’t care what she said,” Trump told reporters at the time. “I think they were very close to having a weapon.”
The president has repeatedly cited Iran’s nuclear capabilities as justification for US military action.
Senior Departures From Administration
Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet-level official to leave the Trump administration this year. Former labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer departed in April, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi also stepped down earlier in 2026.
Her resignation follows the earlier departure of her top aide, former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, who left over disagreements concerning US policy toward Iran. Kent had urged Trump to “reverse course” on the conflict.
After Kent resigned, Gabbard publicly defended the president’s approach, saying the commander-in-chief was responsible for deciding what constituted an imminent threat to the United States.
From Democrat to Trump Ally
A military veteran who served in Iraq with a medical unit, Gabbard first entered politics in 2002 when she was elected to the Hawaii Legislature at the age of 21, becoming the youngest person ever elected in the state.
She later served in Congress as a Democrat from 2013 to 2021 and became the first Hindu member of the US House of Representatives.
Gabbard ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020 on an anti-interventionist platform. Two years later, she left the Democratic Party, accusing it of being controlled by what she called an “elitist cabal of warmongers”.
After becoming a political commentator on Fox News, she increasingly aligned herself with Trump, endorsing him during the 2024 presidential campaign and joining his transition team after the election.
Trump later nominated her to lead the US intelligence community, a role that oversees coordination among multiple intelligence agencies and advises the president on national security matters.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 23 May 2026
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Trump Orders 5,000 Troops Sent to Poland

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will deploy an additional 5,000 troops to Poland, days after his administration paused a planned military deployment there and confirmed plans to reduce the American troop presence in Germany.

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The move marks a sharp shift in U.S. military positioning in Europe and comes amid growing tensions within NATO over support for the recent U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
Trump revealed the decision in a social media post on Thursday, linking the deployment directly to his relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist leader elected last year with backing from Poland’s Law and Justice party.
“Based on the successful Election of the now President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, who I was proud to Endorse, and our relationship with him, I am pleased to announce that the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 Troops to Poland,” Trump wrote.
Allies caught off guard
The announcement followed confusion over a previously planned U.S. military exercise in Poland involving around 4,000 troops. Polish officials had earlier been informed that the deployment was being canceled, according to prior reports, before Vice President JD Vance later said the exercise had merely been delayed.
A Polish official and a NATO representative said allies had not been consulted in advance about the latest troop announcement. Both spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of internal discussions.
The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately provide further details about the deployment or its timeline.
The decision also comes after Washington confirmed plans earlier this month to withdraw 5,000 troops from bases in Germany. Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO allies over defence spending and has expressed frustration with countries that declined to support U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.
Poland seeks larger U.S. presence
Poland has long sought a stronger American military presence on its territory, viewing the U.S. as a key security guarantor on NATO’s eastern flank.
Nawrocki said earlier this month that he would ask Trump to redirect troops leaving Germany to Poland. Other eastern European countries, including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Romania, have also pushed for increased U.S. deployments following the proposed reductions in Germany.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk previously said Warsaw would welcome opportunities to expand the U.S. presence but cautioned against transferring forces away from other European allies.
Polish officials also held discussions with Trump administration representatives in Washington this week regarding U.S. troop deployments, according to a Polish government summary of the meeting.
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said at a defence conference in Warsaw that additional American troops would be “welcome in Poland” regardless of where they had previously been stationed.
Germany drawdown sparks concern
Trump’s decision to reduce forces in Germany reportedly surprised Pentagon officials, particularly because it appeared to diverge from an ongoing Pentagon review of the U.S. global military footprint.
The reductions followed a public dispute between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran conflict. Merz had said that Washington was “being humiliated by the Iranian leadership.”
Trump later suggested the cuts in Germany could deepen further, telling reporters: “We’re cutting a lot further than 5,000” troops.
The latest troop shift is likely to intensify debate within NATO over U.S. commitments in Europe and the future balance of American forces across the continent.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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Rubio Says Cuba Poses National Security Threat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Cuba poses a “national security threat” to the United States and warned that the chances of reaching a peaceful agreement with Havana were “not high”.

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The remarks came a day after the US charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro with murder over the 1996 downing of two aircraft that killed US nationals.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rubio said Washington still preferred diplomacy but suggested relations with Cuba’s leadership were unlikely to improve soon.
“Diplomacy remains our preference with Cuba,” Rubio said. “I’m just being honest with you, the likelihood of that happening, given who we’re dealing with right now, is not high.”
Rubio also accused Cuba of being “one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the entire region”, a claim strongly rejected by Havana.
Cuban response
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accused Rubio of spreading “lies” and denied that Cuba had ever threatened US security.
In a post on X, Rodríguez said Rubio was attempting to “instigate a military aggression” against the island and accused Washington of “ruthlessly and systematically” attacking Cuba.
The exchange marked a further escalation in tensions between the two countries as the Trump administration increases pressure on Cuba’s communist government.
Pressure on Havana
Cuba is facing a severe economic crisis, with fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts and food scarcity affecting much of the population.
Rubio said Cuba had accepted a US offer of $100m (£74.4m) in humanitarian assistance, although the Cuban government has continued to blame US sanctions and economic restrictions for worsening conditions on the island.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly tightened pressure on Havana and has openly discussed the possibility of ending the communist system established after the 1959 revolution.
On Wednesday, the US Justice Department announced charges against Castro and several others linked to the 1996 shooting down of two planes operated by the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue. Prosecutors allege Castro, then Cuba’s defence minister, ordered the attack.
Asked whether the US intended to bring Castro to America to face trial, Rubio declined to discuss possible plans.
“I’m not going to talk about how we’re going to get him here,” he said.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the US expected Castro to appear in court “by his own will or another way”.
Trump hints at further action
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described Cuba as a “failed country” and said his administration was attempting to help the Cuban people “on a humanitarian basis”.
He also suggested he could succeed where previous US presidents had failed.
“Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years doing something and it looks like I’ll be the one that does it,” Trump said.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 202
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German Chancellor Backs EU Associate Membership for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged the European Union to consider granting Ukraine an “associate membership” status while also reviving diplomatic efforts with Russia to help end the war, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

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The proposal comes as the EU debates whether it should take a more active role in negotiations with Moscow, amid stalled U.S.-brokered talks and Washington’s growing focus on the conflict involving Iran.
Associate membership proposal
Under Merz’s plan, Ukraine would be allowed to participate in EU meetings without voting rights. Kyiv would also gain non-voting representation within the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Merz argued that the arrangement would go beyond the current EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and should not be viewed as a diluted form of membership. He also suggested introducing a “snap-back mechanism” that could suspend the arrangement if Ukraine failed to maintain democratic standards.
Last month, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen said formal accession talks with Ukraine should begin “without delay.” Merz also backed the opening of those negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed signs of progress this week, saying Kyiv had fulfilled all necessary conditions for advancement in the accession process.
Obstacles to EU accession
Countries seeking EU membership must align their laws with the bloc’s standards across 35 policy chapters, covering areas from judicial reform to agriculture and fisheries. Every stage of the process requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states.
Hungary has so far blocked the start of negotiations with Ukraine, although that position could shift following the formation of a new government in Budapest earlier this month.
Some EU officials are expected to resist Merz’s proposal, arguing that membership should remain strictly merit-based and only be granted once all conditions are fully met.
However, the German leader said the associate membership model could also apply to other countries seeking EU entry, particularly states in the Western Balkans. EU leaders are due to discuss enlargement issues at a summit next month.
Renewed debate over Russia talks
Merz said closer EU integration for Ukraine could support efforts to reach a negotiated settlement with Russia, describing such diplomacy as vital for European security.
Ukraine views EU membership as an important long-term security guarantee after the war. Kyiv still considers NATO membership its strongest possible safeguard, but the Trump administration has ruled out that option for now, while some allies remain reluctant to admit a country still engaged in active conflict.
As U.S.-led mediation efforts struggle to make progress, European officials have increasingly discussed whether the EU should launch its own parallel diplomatic initiative with Russia.
Earlier this month, Costa said Europe would eventually need direct talks with Moscow to address broader security concerns, while stressing that such efforts should not undermine American negotiations.
Speculation has since grown over who could represent Europe in potential talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Names mentioned in European media include former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi.
Putin has reportedly suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a possible interlocutor, though the idea has received little support in Germany due to Schröder’s longstanding ties to Russia’s energy sector and his relationship with Putin.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas dismissed the suggestion, saying it would be unwise to let Putin effectively choose Europe’s negotiator.
Zelenskyy has also called for a stronger European presence in any peace process, saying Europe must have “a strong voice and presence” in negotiations.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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Supreme Court Narrowly Spares Alabama Killer From Execution

The US Supreme Court has narrowly spared an Alabama death row inmate from execution, leaving in place a lower court ruling that found he is intellectually disabled and therefore protected from capital punishment under the Constitution.

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In a 5-4 decision on Thursday, the justices dismissed an appeal from Alabama officials seeking to reinstate the death sentence of Joseph Clifton Smith, who was convicted of first-degree murder in a 1997 robbery killing.
The court did not provide a full explanation for its ruling.
Dispute over IQ scores
The case centred on whether Smith met the legal standard for intellectual disability, which the Supreme Court ruled more than two decades ago bars the execution of people convicted of capital crimes under the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual” punishment.
Smith had taken five IQ tests over nearly 40 years, recording scores of 75 in 1979, 74 in 1982, 72 in 1998, 78 in 2014 and 74 in 2017.
Alabama argued that only scores of 70 or below should qualify someone as intellectually disabled and said Smith’s results did not meet that threshold. State lawyers maintained that the Constitution did not prevent his execution for the murder of Durk Van Dam.

Medical groups, however, have long advised courts to assess intellectual disability using a broader evaluation that includes practical and social functioning, rather than relying solely on IQ test scores. They also note that such tests include margins of error, meaning Smith’s 72 score could effectively fall below 70.
Two lower federal courts concluded that Smith’s intellectual functioning, combined with school records and behavioural history, showed he was intellectually disabled.
Court documents said Smith had been classified at school as “Educable Mentally Retarded” in seventh grade and consistently performed below his expected grade level before later dropping out. He also alleged he suffered physical and verbal abuse during childhood.
Split among the justices
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote separately to say the court was not in a position to establish a broader legal standard for weighing multiple IQ scores.
She said courts should continue to assess such cases individually, guided by precedent and medical expertise.
“If a conflict among the states or lower courts emerges and a case properly presents the issue, it may be appropriate for this court to weigh in with more specific guidance,” Sotomayor wrote.
Four conservative justices dissented from the decision. Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts, criticised the majority for declining to clarify the law.
“The court shies away from its obligation to provide workable rules for capital cases,” Alito wrote.
Thomas separately argued that the constitutional ban on executing intellectually disabled offenders should be reconsidered.
Broader death penalty debate
The ruling leaves unresolved how courts should interpret differing IQ test results in death penalty cases, an issue that continues to divide states and lower courts.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, as many as 20% of the roughly 2,100 people on death row in the United States may have some degree of intellectual disability.
Smith’s death sentence will now remain blocked, and he is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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US Intelligence Sees Rapid Iran Military Rebuild

Iran has restarted parts of its drone production network during the six-week ceasefire that began in April, according to US intelligence assessments cited by multiple sources familiar with the findings. The assessments suggest Tehran is rebuilding sections of its military-industrial base more quickly than US officials had initially expected after sustained US and Israeli strikes.

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Several sources told CNN that Iran is already restoring damaged weapons production capabilities, including missile launchers, launch sites and manufacturing systems tied to drones and ballistic missiles. US intelligence estimates reportedly indicate Iran could fully restore its drone attack capability within six months.
One US official said Iranian efforts had surpassed previous expectations for how quickly the country could recover from the damage caused during the conflict.
Drone production resumes
US intelligence believes Iran resumed some drone manufacturing activity during the ceasefire period that followed weeks of fighting earlier this year. Drones are viewed as a continuing threat to both Israel and Gulf states because they can supplement Iran’s weakened missile arsenal if hostilities resume.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the US could restart military operations if negotiations with Tehran fail. He said earlier this week that he had come close to authorising renewed strikes.
According to sources familiar with the intelligence, Iran’s rapid recovery has been helped by several factors, including external support and the limited effectiveness of some strikes against critical infrastructure. One source said Russia and China had contributed to Iran’s ability to rebuild.
Two sources said China had continued supplying components that could be used in missile production during the conflict, although those deliveries may have slowed because of a US blockade.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently alleged that China was providing Iran with missile-manufacturing components. China rejected the accusation, with foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun saying the claims were unfounded.
Missile and drone capabilities remain
Recent intelligence assessments indicate Iran still retains significant ballistic missile, drone and air defence capabilities despite the damage caused by US-Israeli operations.
CNN previously reported that roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers were believed to have survived the strikes. More recent assessments reportedly place that figure closer to two-thirds, partly because the ceasefire allowed Iran time to recover launchers buried beneath rubble.
The intelligence also suggests around half of Iran’s drone capability remains intact, with thousands of drones still available.
Sources said a large proportion of Iran’s coastal defence cruise missiles also survived because US air operations largely avoided coastal military infrastructure. Those systems are considered central to Iran’s ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pentagon claims questioned
US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper told lawmakers this week that “Operation Epic Fury” had destroyed 90% of Iran’s defence industrial base and severely weakened its missile and drone forces.
Cooper said the operation had damaged Iran’s military capacity to such an extent that it would take years to recover.
However, intelligence assessments reviewed by CNN appear to contradict that timeline. Two sources familiar with the findings said the damage was more likely to delay Iran’s recovery by months rather than years.
Some parts of Iran’s military-industrial infrastructure remain operational, according to the intelligence, potentially accelerating reconstruction efforts for key weapons systems.
A spokesperson for US Central Command declined to comment on intelligence matters. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the US military retained the capability to carry out further operations whenever ordered by the president.
The intelligence assessments overall suggest the conflict significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities but did not eliminate them. Officials believe Tehran is now attempting to limit the long-term impact of the strikes through a rapid rebuilding campaign.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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UK Confirms Biological Sex Rules for Toilets

Single-sex spaces such as toilets and changing rooms should be used according to biological sex, new guidance from Britain’s equality watchdog has confirmed.

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The updated code of practice, produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and approved by ministers, states that a transgender woman should not use female toilets or changing facilities because she is biologically male.
Instead, the guidance says transgender people should be offered alternative facilities, including gender-neutral or third spaces where possible.
The guidance follows last year’s landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, which found that the definition of a woman under the Equality Act is based on biological sex.
New rules for public services
The code of practice outlines how businesses, associations and public services should organise facilities ranging from gyms and shopping centres to hospitals and restaurants.
It also states that denying transgender people access to all facilities would likely be disproportionate and could amount to discrimination.
The guidance recommends that gender-neutral toilets and changing rooms should include self-contained lockable cubicles with floor-to-ceiling walls and wash basins. The EHRC said organisations could also choose to allow transgender people to use disabled toilets.
Where premises only have separate male and female toilets, the guidance says they could instead be redesignated as unisex facilities.
The code, which runs to more than 300 pages, has now been placed before parliament. MPs and peers have 40 days to object before it becomes statutory guidance.
The EHRC first submitted the draft guidance to the government in September 2025. Ministers initially said the issue would be handled “thoroughly and carefully” before releasing the document eight months later.
Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson said the government’s aim was to ensure people could live free from discrimination and harassment.
“Our focus has always been making sure organisations have clear, accessible guidance on how to implement the law,” she said.
Debate over impact on trans people
EHRC chair Mary-Ann Stephenson said she hoped the public would approach the code “with an open mind”.
“I think we do need to broaden out the debates, and we need to start from a point of saying, how do we make sure that everyone has access to the services they need,” she said.
At the Watershed arts cinema in Bristol, chief executive Clare Reddington said delays to the guidance had caused confusion and misinformation.
The venue, which has gender-neutral toilets alongside separate male and female facilities, won a Loo of the Year award in 2024.
Reddington described the impact on transgender people as “toxic” and said many had been waiting for clarity on what the guidance would mean for “their ability to live a full public life”.
“I would say that designing toilets for everyone is great for business,” she added.

Clare Reddington
Campaign groups divided
Gender-critical campaign group Sex Matters welcomed the guidance.
Its co-founder Maya Forstater said organisations could no longer claim they were waiting for official clarification before changing policies.
“The new guidance is long and detailed, but at its heart is a simple principle: ‘sex’ means what it says – male and female,” she said.
However, transgender rights group TransActual said the guidance reduced protections for transgender people and the wider LGBT community.
The group said it would continue campaigning for equal access to public life and would publish a fuller response after reviewing the code in detail.
Employment lawyer Joanne Moseley of Irwin Mitchell said businesses were increasingly seeking legal advice on how to respond to the changes.
She said clear signage and the availability of gender-neutral facilities would be important, but warned that organisations could still face discrimination claims even before the guidance formally comes into force.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026


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Europe Reports Record Levels of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis

Sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhoea and syphilis reached record levels across Europe in 2024, according to new figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

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The agency said both infections had climbed to their highest levels in more than a decade, warning that gaps in testing, prevention and awareness were contributing to the rise.
Gonorrhoea cases surged to 106,331 across participating European countries last year, marking a 303% increase since 2015. Syphilis cases also more than doubled over the same period, reaching 45,557.
Health officials warned that untreated infections can lead to serious long-term health problems, including infertility, chronic pain and damage to the heart or nervous system.
Sharp rise in infections
Bruno Ciancio, head of the ECDC’s Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases unit, said the increase in congenital syphilis cases was especially concerning.
Congenital syphilis occurs when the infection passes from a pregnant person to a newborn baby and can lead to lifelong complications.
The ECDC said congenital syphilis cases nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024.
Ciancio urged people to take simple preventive measures, including using condoms with new or multiple partners and getting tested if symptoms appear.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea can include pain, unusual discharge and inflammation of the genitals, although some people may show no symptoms at all.
Syphilis symptoms may include sores around the mouth or genitals, rashes on the hands, hair loss and flu-like illness. The symptoms can appear and disappear over time, making the infection difficult to detect in its early stages.
Spain reports highest totals
Among participating European countries, Spain recorded the highest number of confirmed cases for both infections in 2024.
The country reported 37,169 gonorrhoea cases and 11,556 syphilis infections.
The ECDC said men who have sex with men continued to be the group most disproportionately affected, showing the steepest long-term increases in both diseases.
However, the agency also noted significant rises in syphilis cases among heterosexual women of reproductive age.
While gonorrhoea and syphilis rose sharply, chlamydia remained the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection overall.
A total of 213,443 chlamydia cases were recorded in 2024, although this represented a 6% decline compared with 2015.
UK figures remain separate
The UK has not contributed data to the ECDC study since leaving the European Union, but British health authorities publish separate annual statistics for United Kingdom.
According to figures released by the UK Health Security Agency in December, England recorded 71,802 gonorrhoea cases and 9,535 syphilis cases in 2024.
There were also 168,889 chlamydia diagnoses during the same period.
The UK introduced a gonorrhoea vaccination programme in 2025 after cases in England hit a record 85,000 in 2023.
The NHS advises that both gonorrhoea and syphilis can be prevented through consistent condom use and treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026

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US Weighs Cuba’s Future After Castro Charges

The US indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro has intensified speculation over Washington’s next steps towards Havana, as the Trump administration increases pressure on the island’s Communist government.

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Castro, 94, has been charged with murder over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft by Cuban fighter jets, an incident that killed four people. The move comes amid severe economic hardship in Cuba, where fuel shortages, blackouts and food scarcity have deepened public frustration.
President Donald Trump has said he does not believe “escalation” will be necessary, but senior US officials have continued to warn against the presence of a hostile government close to US territory.
Analysts say three broad scenarios could emerge as tensions rise between Washington and Havana.
Capture of Raúl Castro
One possibility is a direct US operation targeting Castro himself.
The indictment immediately prompted comparisons with recent US action in Venezuela, where American forces captured President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year and transferred him to New York to face criminal charges. Observers have also pointed to the 1989 US invasion of Panama, which led to the arrest of former ruler Manuel Noriega.
Several Republican lawmakers have publicly suggested similar action could be taken against Castro. Florida Senator Rick Scott said Washington should not rule out such a mission.
Security analysts say an operation to detain Castro would likely be possible from a military standpoint, despite the extensive protection surrounding him. However, they warn that the political consequences could be far more complicated.
Experts also question how much impact Castro’s removal would have on Cuba’s current leadership. Since stepping down as president in 2018, he has largely been viewed as a symbolic revolutionary figure rather than a central decision-maker.
Negotiated leadership change
Another possible outcome is a negotiated political transition involving elements of Cuba’s existing leadership.
Trump has repeatedly hinted that some Cuban officials are seeking US assistance as economic conditions worsen on the island. In a post on Truth Social earlier this month, he said Cuba was “asking for help”.
Shortly afterwards, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials including Castro’s grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, and Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said Washington preferred a “negotiated agreement” with Havana rather than a violent confrontation.
Analysts say the administration may be looking for reforms that stop short of dismantling the Cuban state entirely. Possible US demands could include economic liberalisation, increased foreign investment and reduced Russian or Chinese influence on the island.
However, experts note that Cuba lacks a clear alternative figure capable of taking over leadership in the way Venezuelan officials emerged during that country’s crisis. Cuba’s political system is also viewed as more centralised and tightly controlled.
Economic collapse and migration
A third scenario is that Cuba’s worsening economic crisis could place further strain on the government and trigger wider instability.
The island has faced prolonged power cuts, fuel shortages and shortages of basic goods as economic conditions deteriorate. Trump recently described Cuba as “falling apart” and suggested authorities were struggling to maintain control.
Even so, specialists on Cuba argue that the country’s security structures remain intact despite the economic turmoil. They say there is an important distinction between the weakness of the economy and the continued functioning of the state.
Analysts also warn that any broader collapse could lead to a major migration crisis, with large numbers of Cubans attempting to leave the island.
Florida would likely be the main destination because of its proximity to Cuba, although some migrants could also head towards Mexico. Experts say the worsening shortages of food and healthcare would normally be expected to drive even larger numbers of people to flee.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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Russia, China Condemn US Charges Against Castro

Russia and China have criticised the United States after federal prosecutors charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro with murder over the 1996 downing of two aircraft operated by a Cuban-American dissident group.

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The case has intensified tensions between Washington and Havana as US President Donald Trump continues to increase pressure on Cuba’s communist government through sanctions and diplomatic threats.
Moscow and Beijing denounce indictment
China’s foreign ministry accused the US of using its legal system and sanctions as tools of coercion against Cuba, one of Beijing’s long-standing allies.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Washington should stop “threatening force at every turn” and abandon efforts to pressure Havana “under any pretext”.
Russia also condemned the move. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media that US actions against Cuba “cannot be condoned”, describing the pressure campaign as methods that “border on violence”.
He said such measures should never be used against current or former heads of state.
Charges linked to 1996 plane shootdown
US prosecutors announced the indictment on Wednesday, accusing Castro and five others of involvement in the destruction of two planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue.
The aircraft were travelling between Cuba and Florida in 1996 when they were shot down, killing four people, including three US citizens.
At the time, Castro was serving as head of Cuba’s armed forces. He stepped down as president in 2018 after nearly a decade in office following the rule of his brother, Fidel Castro.

US officials say the offences carry possible penalties ranging from life imprisonment to death.
The incident has remained a major source of dispute between Cuba and the United States for decades, particularly among Cuban exiles living in Florida.
Cuba’s current president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, rejected the charges, calling them “a political manoeuvre” lacking any legal basis.
Trump increases pressure on Havana
The indictment comes amid a broader escalation in US pressure on Cuba under the Trump administration.
Washington has imposed new sanctions targeting Cuba’s energy, defence, financial and security sectors. The US has also tightened restrictions on oil shipments to the island, worsening fuel shortages, blackouts and food supply problems.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Cuba’s government could collapse under growing pressure. Since the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, he has publicly stated that Cuba was “ready to fall”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to say whether the administration planned to bring Castro to the United States for trial.
Speaking in Florida, Rubio said Castro had “openly admits and brags about” ordering the planes to be shot down. Asked about possible US-backed regime change in Cuba, he said Washington preferred a negotiated solution but added the president could act if national security was threatened.
Rubio also issued a message in Spanish to Cubans, portraying US actions as an opportunity for political change and greater freedoms similar to those enjoyed by Cuban-Americans.
Oil shortages deepen crisis
Cuban and US officials have reportedly held talks for several months aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.
However, Washington has continued to increase pressure while Cuba faces worsening economic conditions. A recent Russian oil shipment that reached the island earlier this year has already been exhausted.
Before Maduro’s removal from power in Venezuela, his government was believed to supply Cuba with around 35,000 barrels of oil per day, helping Havana withstand years of Western sanctions.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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UK Net Migration Falls as Asylum Claims Stay High

Migration added 171,000 people to the UK’s population in 2025, almost half the level recorded the previous year, according to new Home Office figures.

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The total marks the lowest level since 2012 outside the Covid pandemic period, though Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was still “more to do” to reduce numbers further.
The data also showed that 93,525 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year to March 2026, down 12% from the previous year but still more than double pre-pandemic levels.
Work Migration Continues to Decline
The Office for National Statistics said net migration had fallen to levels last seen in early 2021, when Britain introduced its post-Brexit immigration system and Covid travel restrictions were in place.
Sarah Crofts, deputy director at the ONS, said the decline was largely driven by fewer arrivals from outside the European Union, particularly for work-related visas.
Policy changes introduced in 2024 under the previous Conservative government are believed to have played a major role in the decline. The current Labour government has kept those measures and expanded some of them.
Restrictions included preventing most overseas students from bringing family members to the UK and limiting care workers from bringing dependants.
The salary threshold for skilled worker visas was also raised from £26,200 to £38,700, while the income requirement for sponsoring family visas increased by more than £10,000.
After Brexit, immigration rose sharply as Conservative ministers relaxed some visa rules for health and social care workers to address labour shortages. Critics referred to the increase as the “Boriswave”.
The government has since announced further measures, including requiring migrants to speak English to A-level standard and increasing the skilled worker salary threshold again to £41,700.
Asylum Numbers Remain High
Home Office figures showed asylum applications fell by 12% in the year to March 2026, although levels remain significantly above those seen before the pandemic.
There were 43,806 detected arrivals through illegal routes during the same period, with small boat crossings accounting for 90% of cases.
The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels while awaiting decisions fell to 20,885 by March 2026. That compares with 30,657 in December 2025 and a peak of 56,000 recorded in September 2023.
Asylum hotels became a major political issue last year, triggering protests in places including Norwich, Epping and Mold.
In October, Starmer pledged to close all asylum hotels, saying he had inherited a “mess” from the Conservatives.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the latest figures showed “real progress” had been made in restoring control over Britain’s borders.
Political Parties Clash Over Migration
The ONS said just over 800,000 people immigrated to the UK in 2025, down 20% compared with the previous year.
Meanwhile, an estimated 642,000 people left the UK for long-term residence abroad in the year to December 2025.
Ben Brindle of the Migration Observatory said the economic impact of migration depended on who was arriving and leaving. He noted that migration among groups with broadly positive economic impacts had declined, while asylum-related migration remained comparatively high.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp argued that immigration levels were still too high and called for stricter controls, including a binding annual cap on migration.
Meanwhile, Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick described the departure of British nationals from the UK as “the Starmer Exodus”, although the ONS said emigration among British citizens had remained broadly stable in recent years.
The Liberal Democrats blamed Brexit for the number of Britons leaving the country and urged the government to strengthen cooperation with European allies.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 2026
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Ex-Cop Wins $835K After Jail Over Charlie Kirk Post

A Tennessee county has agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a retired police officer who spent 37 days in jail over a Facebook post linked to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

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Larry Bushart, 61, was arrested in September after refusing to remove memes and comments about Kirk’s assassination from his Facebook page. Authorities in Perry County charged him with a felony, though prosecutors later dropped the case in October.
Bushart filed a federal lawsuit in December against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems and the investigator who secured the arrest warrant. He argued that his constitutional right to free speech had been violated.
“I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart said in a statement announcing the settlement on Wednesday. He added that freedom of expression and public debate were essential in a democracy and said he wanted to focus on spending time with his family.
Arrest followed controversial meme
The case drew national attention because criminal prosecutions over social media comments are uncommon, even when online posts lead to public backlash or employment consequences.
Bushart’s arrest stemmed from a meme featuring President Donald Trump alongside the quote “We have to get over it.” The image referred to remarks Trump made after a January 2025 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, which killed two people and injured six others.
Bushart shared the meme with the caption: “This seems relevant today…”
Some residents interpreted the post as a threat directed at Perry County High School in Linden, Tennessee. Sheriff Weems later said investigators believed Bushart intended to provoke fear in the local community, although the sheriff acknowledged that the meme itself referred to the Iowa school shooting.
Perry County had recently held a candlelight vigil following Kirk’s death, reflecting strong local sympathy for the conservative commentator.
Time in jail and fallout
Bushart remained in custody for more than a month after his bail was initially set at $2 million. During that time, he lost a post-retirement job and missed both his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter, according to the lawsuit.
The case became a focal point in debates over free speech and the limits of online expression, particularly when public officials view social media content as potentially threatening.
Bushart was represented in part by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a civil liberties group focused on free speech issues.
Free speech concerns highlighted
Cary Davis, an attorney involved in the case, said the settlement underscored constitutional protections for speech during periods of public tension.
“It’s in times of turmoil and heightened tensions that our national commitment to free speech is tested the most,” Davis said. He added that the settlement should serve as a warning to law enforcement agencies about the consequences of violating First Amendment protections.
The settlement resolves the lawsuit without a trial and closes one of the more prominent legal disputes arising from online reactions to Kirk’s killing.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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US Declares Refugee Emergency for White South Africans

The United States plans to admit 10,000 additional white South Africans as refugees this year, with the Trump administration describing the move as a response to what it called an “emergency refugee situation” in South Africa.

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The decision raises the planned intake of mostly white Afrikaner refugees from about 7,500 to 17,500 for the fiscal year ending in September.
Since returning to office last year, President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that white Afrikaners in South Africa are being racially targeted and face a “white genocide”. South Africa’s government has strongly rejected those accusations.
Claims of discrimination
The administration has also taken several diplomatic steps against South Africa, including cutting aid, boycotting last year’s G20 summit in Johannesburg and excluding the country from this year’s G20 gathering, which is due to take place at one of Trump’s resorts in Miami.
The US began accepting white South Africans as refugees in May 2025, even as it suspended refugee admissions for people fleeing conflicts and persecution in countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In the fiscal year ending September 2024, before Trump returned to office, the US admitted more than 100,000 refugees overall.
Emergency notice to Congress
On Monday, the US state department sent Congress an emergency notification outlining the expanded refugee programme.
According to the Associated Press, which reviewed the document, the cost of resettling the additional 10,000 Afrikaners is estimated at around $100m (£75m).
The notice said “unforeseen developments in South Africa created an emergency refugee situation” and accused South African officials and political parties of undermining the US refugee programme.
It also referred to a December raid by South African authorities on a US refugee processing centre. At the time, Washington described the action as “unacceptable”.
South Africa’s government said the operation targeted seven Kenyan nationals who were allegedly working in the country illegally without permits.
The state department argued that growing hostility toward the programme increased risks for Afrikaners, whom it described as facing “government-sponsored race-based discrimination”.
South Africa’s inequality debate
Afrikaners are descendants of mainly Dutch and French settlers who dominated South Africa during apartheid, the system of racial segregation that ended in the early 1990s.
Under apartheid, the white minority held political and economic power while the black majority faced severe restrictions and widespread poverty.
Since the election of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s first black president, governments have introduced affirmative action and “black economic empowerment” policies aimed at addressing historic inequalities.
Despite those reforms, South Africa remains one of the world’s most unequal societies.
Official figures show unemployment among white South Africans stands at about 12%, compared with roughly 48% among black South Africans.
Some white South Africans argue that affirmative action policies now unfairly disadvantage them, while high crime levels have contributed to feelings of insecurity across communities.
Far-right conspiracy theory
Claims of a “white genocide” in South Africa have long circulated among far-right groups internationally, often focusing on attacks against white farmers.
The theory has repeatedly been dismissed by experts and South African authorities, who say there is no evidence of a coordinated campaign targeting white citizens.
In recent years, the narrative has also been promoted by South Africa-born billionaire Elon Musk and conservative media figure Tucker Carlson.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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Israeli Minister Faces Fury Over Flotilla Abuse Clip

Allied governments condemn footage shared by Israeli minister showing detained Gaza flotilla activists being mocked and restrained

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Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has triggered a wave of international condemnation after publishing footage showing Israeli security forces detaining and mocking foreign activists intercepted while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
The video, shared online by Ben-Gvir, shows dozens of detainees kneeling in rows with their hands zip-tied behind their backs and their heads lowered to the ground. In one scene, the minister waves an Israeli flag while taunting a restrained activist and shouting slogans in Hebrew.
The footage prompted sharp criticism from several governments whose citizens were among those detained, including the UK, Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described Ben-Gvir’s conduct as “despicable”, saying the minister had “betrayed the dignity of his nation”.
European leaders condemn treatment
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the images “unacceptable” and demanded the immediate release of Italian nationals held by Israel, along with an apology over what she described as degrading treatment.
“It is inadmissible that these demonstrators, including many Italian citizens, are subjected to this treatment that violates human dignity,” Meloni said in a statement posted on social media.
Spain’s foreign minister condemned the scenes as “monstrous, disgraceful and inhumane”, while UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “truly appalled” by the footage and had been in contact with the families of British citizens detained by Israeli authorities.
More than 400 activists from 40 countries were taking part in the flotilla mission, according to organisers. The group travelled aboard 50 vessels carrying food and humanitarian supplies in an attempt to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday and transported those onboard to Israel.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung also criticised the operation, questioning the legal basis for arrests carried out outside Israeli territorial waters.
Netanyahu distances himself from minister
The backlash quickly spread داخل Israel’s own government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly distancing himself from Ben-Gvir’s actions within hours of the video appearing online.
“The way that minister Ben-Gvir dealt with the flotilla activists is not in line with Israel’s values and norms,” Netanyahu said, adding that he had instructed authorities to deport the detainees “as soon as possible”.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued an even stronger rebuke, accusing Ben-Gvir of damaging Israel’s international standing.
“You knowingly caused harm to our state in this disgraceful display – and not for the first time,” Saar wrote on X. “You are not the face of Israel.”
Rights groups warn of broader abuse
Human rights organisations said the incident reflected wider concerns over the treatment of detainees during the Gaza conflict.
Public Committee Against Torture in Israel said the video demonstrated a culture of impunity surrounding abuse in Israeli detention facilities.
Sari Bashi, the group’s director, said the public nature of the footage sent a dangerous message to prison staff and security personnel.
Legal advocacy group Adalah, which represents some of the detained activists, said similar allegations had emerged during previous flotilla operations without accountability.
The controversy came a day after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to remove residents from the Palestinian village of Khan al-Ahmar in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported this week that prosecutors at the International Criminal Court were seeking arrest warrants for several Israeli officials, including Ben-Gvir and Smotrich.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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Russian Fighters Force RAF Plane Emergency

Two Russian fighter jets carried out what the UK has described as dangerous interceptions of an unarmed Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea last month, according to the Ministry of Defence.

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The incident involved a British RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence aircraft operating in international airspace as part of a routine mission supporting NATO’s eastern flank.
British officials said a Russian Su-35 fighter jet approached the aircraft closely enough to trigger its emergency safety systems, temporarily disabling the plane’s autopilot. A second aircraft, a Su-27, reportedly made six separate passes directly in front of the RAF aircraft, at one point coming within six metres of its nose.
Rising tensions over the Black Sea
UK Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the manoeuvres as “dangerous and unacceptable”, praising the RAF crew for what he described as their professionalism during the encounter.
Healey said the incident highlighted the risks posed by Russian military activity near NATO operations.
“These actions create a serious risk of accidents and potential escalation,” he said.
The Ministry of Defence described the interceptions as the most serious Russian aerial encounter involving the RAF since 2022, when a Russian pilot fired a missile near another Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea.
British and foreign office officials have since summoned representatives from the Russian embassy and called on Moscow to condemn the conduct of its pilots.
Concerns over Russian military activity
The latest confrontation comes amid broader concerns in London and among NATO allies over increased Russian military activity around Europe’s borders.
The MoD pointed to recent Russian submarine operations near critical underwater infrastructure in the North Sea as further evidence of heightened aggression.
Officials stressed that the RAF aircraft involved in the Black Sea incident was unarmed and flying legally in international airspace.
Despite the encounter, the UK said it would continue surveillance and support operations alongside NATO allies.
“We remain committed to defending NATO, our allies and our interests from Russian aggression,” Healey said.
Echoes of the 2022 missile incident
The encounter has drawn comparisons with a September 2022 incident involving another RAF Rivet Joint aircraft over the Black Sea.
At the time, a Russian pilot fired two missiles towards the British aircraft. Russia initially claimed the launch resulted from a technical malfunction.
However, later reports citing Western defence sources said the missile firing followed confusion over instructions received from a Russian ground station, suggesting the pilot may have misunderstood an order.
The UK government publicly accepted Moscow’s explanation at the time in an effort to avoid escalation.
The RAF’s RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, operated by No. 51 Squadron from Lincolnshire, is used for signals intelligence missions. According to the RAF, the aircraft collects and analyses electronic signals to provide strategic and tactical intelligence in real time.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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Iran Seeks Reparations and US Withdrawal in Peace Proposal

Iran has outlined new conditions for ending hostilities with the United States and Israel, including reparations for war damage, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas near Iran and an end to attacks on Tehran and its allied group in Lebanon.

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According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the proposal also calls for sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian funds and the removal of what Tehran describes as a U.S. blockade through the Strait of Hormuz.
The demands represent Tehran’s first public comments on its latest peace offer. Reports indicate the proposal remains largely unchanged from an earlier version rejected by President Donald Trump last week.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
The revised plan was reportedly passed to Washington through Pakistan in recent days as regional mediation efforts intensified.
The proposal emerged as Trump announced on Monday that he would delay planned renewed military strikes against Iran. The president said the decision followed requests from leaders in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who are seeking to prevent further escalation in the conflict.
Trump said “serious negotiations are now taking place” to find a diplomatic solution to the war.
Despite the delay, Trump signalled that military action remains under consideration. He is expected to meet senior national security officials on Tuesday to discuss possible next steps, according to sources cited by Axios.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was “an hour away from making the decision” on whether to launch strikes.
“The attacks would have been happening right now,” he said, adding that military assets were fully prepared.
He also warned that Iran had “two or three days” to show progress in negotiations, though he suggested he could extend the timeframe to a week.
Stalemate Over Talks
Efforts to reach a settlement have repeatedly stalled in recent weeks, with both Washington and Tehran rejecting proposals from the other side.
Last week, Trump dismissed an Iranian request to separate nuclear negotiations from broader peace discussions, calling the idea “totally unacceptable.”
Iran has continued to insist that any agreement must address the wider conflict and economic restrictions imposed on the country.
Economic Pressure Builds
The conflict has also created mounting economic concerns for the United States and its allies, particularly over disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Rising energy prices and fears of prolonged instability in the region have increased pressure on the Trump administration to avoid a wider war and secure a negotiated settlement.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy markets, with a significant share of the world’s oil exports passing through the narrow waterway.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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Xi Showcases Global Clout With Putin Visit

China’s leader Xi Jinping has hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing just days after receiving US President Donald Trump, staging two high-profile meetings that underline China’s ambition to position itself at the centre of global diplomacy.

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Putin’s arrival outside the Great Hall of the People followed a carefully choreographed welcome: cheering schoolchildren, a military honour guard, cannon fire and a marching band. The ceremony closely resembled the reception given to Trump during his own visit the previous week.
Two major presidential visits in such quick succession highlight the image Beijing appears keen to project — a global power able to engage with rival leaders while remaining aligned with none.
For Chinese officials, the visits demonstrate the country’s growing economic weight and diplomatic reach.
“The new era of world affairs is less centered around the West,” said Samir Puri of King’s College London, noting that China often uses its influence gradually rather than directly intervening in conflicts.
Russia leans on Beijing
Despite the similar ceremonial treatment, the political context surrounding Putin’s visit differed significantly from Trump’s.
Putin has travelled to China more than 20 times and is widely seen as having a close personal relationship with Xi. Yet Russia’s war in Ukraine and sweeping Western sanctions have pushed Moscow into greater dependence on Beijing.
China is now Russia’s largest trading partner and its biggest customer for oil and gas, strengthening what analysts describe as an already uneven relationship.
Talks between the two leaders concluded with more than 20 agreements covering trade and technology. However, there was no approval for a long-delayed Russian gas pipeline project that Moscow has sought for years. A lengthy joint statement issued afterwards also produced few major breakthroughs.
“Both China and Russia need each other, but Russia clearly needs China more than before on the global stage,” said Zheng Runyu of the Centre for Russian Studies at East China Normal University in Shanghai.
China’s shifting diplomatic approach
Xi also appeared to negotiate from a position of strength in meetings with Trump.
China’s expanding trade links worldwide, alongside its dominance in rare earth minerals and advanced manufacturing, have given Beijing greater leverage in its dealings with Washington.
Both Trump and Putin also face ongoing military conflicts that have proved costly and prolonged. The war in the Middle East has become a global crisis affecting Trump politically at home, while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year and left Moscow increasingly isolated internationally.
Against that backdrop, analysts say Beijing has been able to set the tone for its engagements with both leaders.
The situation marks a notable shift from just a few years ago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China closed its borders and faced rising tensions with Western governments. Relations deteriorated further amid confrontational “wolf warrior” diplomacy and criticism over human rights concerns in Xinjiang and Beijing’s tightening control over Hong Kong.
Western countries imposed sanctions and export controls, while China responded with countermeasures.
Diplomatic ambitions and limits
Five years later, China has sought to reposition itself as an indispensable centre for diplomacy and trade.
Beijing has moderated its diplomatic tone and worked to repair ties with countries such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Leaders from several Western nations have visited Beijing to strengthen economic cooperation with the world’s second-largest economy.
Xi has long promised what he calls the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, and the recent sequence of state visits provides a powerful domestic image of China as a country courted by global leaders.
Yet the meetings have also highlighted limits to Beijing’s influence.
During discussions with Putin, Xi urged an end to the conflict involving Iran, describing a halt to the war as “of utmost urgency”. However, he made no mention of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China has attempted to maintain a neutral position on the war in Ukraine, though the United States and European governments have repeatedly urged Beijing to cut the economic support they say is helping sustain Russia’s war effort.
Analysts say China faces a difficult balancing act. While calling for peace in some conflicts, its reluctance to criticise Moscow risks undermining its claim to act as a neutral global broker.
At the same time, instability in Iran and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz directly affect Chinese economic interests, particularly energy supplies.
Xi’s diplomatic push therefore comes with challenges, especially in Europe, where governments remain wary of China’s intentions and its close ties with Moscow.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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UK Committee Calls Digital ID Launch a ‘Fiasco’

A parliamentary committee has sharply criticised the British government’s handling of plans to introduce digital identification, describing the initial rollout as “nothing short of a fiasco”.

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In a report examining the policy, the UK Home Affairs Select Committee said ministers failed to properly explain their intentions when the scheme was first announced, sparking public concern and political backlash.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled plans in September last year to introduce compulsory digital identification for workers. The proposal was designed in part to combat illegal employment by making identity checks easier for employers.
However, the government reversed course three months later after strong criticism from opposition politicians and civil liberties groups.
Sudden announcement sparks backlash
According to the committee’s findings, the initial announcement came as a surprise to the public and lacked sufficient detail.
Committee chair Karen Bradley said the government’s communication had created unnecessary alarm about the scope of the programme.
“The government’s early attempts to set out its plans for digital ID were nothing short of a fiasco,” she said in the report.
Bradley said the proposal appeared suddenly and left ministers unable to answer key questions about how the system would operate or how personal data would be protected. As a result, many people feared the policy could represent excessive government intrusion into private life.
She added that public opinion had previously been broadly supportive of moving away from paper documents toward digital identification but that the poorly explained rollout had unsettled voters.
Shift from mandatory to voluntary system
The government has since abandoned the idea of compulsory digital identification.
Instead, it is continuing with plans to offer a voluntary digital ID that people can store on their smartphones, similar to digital payment cards.
The app-based identification would include basic personal information such as name, nationality, date of birth, photograph and residency status. It could be used to confirm a person’s age or their right to live and work in the United Kingdom.
Ministers initially argued that digital verification could help reduce the use of fraudulent documents or borrowed National Insurance numbers by people working illegally.
But the proposal quickly attracted criticism from privacy advocates. Campaign group Big Brother Watch warned that digital identification systems could raise serious privacy concerns.
A petition submitted to UK Parliament opposing digital ID gathered around three million signatures, with critics arguing the policy risked enabling mass surveillance.
By January, the government dropped the requirement that digital IDs be mandatory.
Effort to rebuild trust
The policy was relaunched in March as a voluntary programme, with ministers presenting it as a tool to simplify access to government services.
Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones opened an eight-week public consultation and established a “people’s panel” of 100 individuals from across the country to help shape the scheme.
Bradley welcomed the decision to remove the mandatory element but said consultation should have taken place earlier rather than after the policy was relaunched.
She also welcomed assurances that the government would not create a centralised database for the digital identification system.
However, the committee warned that public trust would be crucial for the project’s success.
Bradley said digital ID could only gain widespread use if people believed their information was secure, stressing the need for strong privacy protections and cyber security standards.
“Digital ID will not achieve widespread adoption unless the majority of people can trust that their data is secure,” she said.
She added that rebuilding confidence would take time and warned that further mistakes could seriously damage public support for the programme.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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US Indicts Cuba's Raul Castro Over 1996 Plane Attack

The administration of US President Donald Trump has indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro over the 1996 shooting down of two aircraft operated by the Miami-based exile organisation Brothers to the Rescue, escalating tensions between Washington and Havana.

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Federal prosecutors unsealed the indictment on Wednesday, accusing Castro, who was Cuba’s defence minister at the time, of helping direct the attack in which Cuban fighter jets destroyed two civilian planes on February 24, 1996.
US authorities charged Castro with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destroying an aircraft. Five additional defendants were also named in the case.
Four men were killed in the attack: Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr, Mario de la Pena and Pablo Morales.
US frames charges as long-awaited justice
Announcing the indictment at Miami’s Freedom Tower, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the families of the victims had waited nearly three decades for accountability.
Blanche described the victims as “unarmed civilians” carrying out humanitarian missions aimed at helping Cuban migrants crossing the Florida Straits.
“Nations and their leaders cannot be permitted to target Americans, kill them, and not face accountability,” he said.
Kash Patel called the indictment “a major step toward accountability”.
Brothers to the Rescue was founded in 1991 by Cuban exile Jose Basulto during a period of increased migration from Cuba to the United States. The group used aircraft to search for Cuban rafters at sea and alert the US Coast Guard.
The United States and international investigators concluded the planes were shot down over international waters. Cuba has long maintained the aircraft violated or approached its airspace.
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro previously denied that he or Raul Castro directly ordered the attack.
Havana rejects accusations
Cuba’s current president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, dismissed the indictment as politically motivated and accused the Trump administration of distorting the events of 1996.
Writing on social media, Diaz-Canel said the case was intended to justify possible military action against Cuba.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla also criticised the White House after it issued a statement marking Cuba’s independence day and condemning the island’s communist leadership.
Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos de Cossio accused the administration of catering to anti-Castro Cuban exiles in South Florida, a key Republican support base.
Analysts see broader pressure campaign
Political analysts said the indictment appeared to fit within a wider US campaign to increase pressure on Havana.
Orlando Perez, a political science professor at the University of North Texas at Dallas, said Washington seemed to be pursuing both private negotiations and public confrontation with Cuba’s leadership.
Perez pointed to recent reports involving alleged Cuban interest in drone and asymmetric warfare capabilities, including possible threats targeting the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay and nearby areas in Florida.
He warned that the indictment could strengthen hardline elements within Cuba’s ruling establishment rather than weaken them.
William Leogrande, a specialist in Latin American politics at American University School of Public Affairs, said the move would likely be popular among Cuban Americans in South Florida but could further damage prospects for diplomacy between the two countries.
“It appears that the Trump administration is trying to lay the political groundwork for military action against Cuba,” he said.
Debate grows over possible military action
The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened military action against Cuba in recent months, though critics argue such a move would face broad opposition in the United States.
Lee Schlenker of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said Cuba posed little direct threat to US national security and warned harsher sanctions or military action could trigger a humanitarian crisis and increased migration.
Some Democrats in Congress have already sought to restrict potential military action. Senators Ruben Gallego, Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff introduced a Senate war powers resolution earlier this year requiring congressional approval before any aggressive action against Cuba.
The lawmakers renewed those efforts following Wednesday’s announcement.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 May 2026
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Senate Advances Measure to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers

The U.S. Senate has taken a step toward limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran, after a resolution advanced for the first time following several previous attempts.

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Senators voted 50–47 on Tuesday to discharge the proposal from committee, allowing it to move forward for broader consideration in the chamber. The measure has been championed by Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, who argues that Congress should have a greater role in decisions about military engagement with Iran.
Four Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana — joined most Democrats in backing the procedural step. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote against advancing the measure.
The result marks the first time Cassidy has supported moving a war powers resolution forward. His vote came shortly after he failed to secure enough support to reach a runoff in the Louisiana Republican Senate primary, where Trump had endorsed a rival candidate.
Republican absences influence outcome
Three Republican senators — John Cornyn of Texas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — did not vote. Their absence helped tip the balance in favour of Democrats, who had previously failed seven times to advance similar resolutions relating to Iran.
Following the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the outcome showed growing Republican willingness to challenge the president’s approach to the conflict.
“Vote by vote, Democrats are breaking through Republicans’ wall of silence on Trump’s illegal war,” Schumer said in a statement, adding that the latest vote suggested momentum was building to curb the president’s authority.
Proposal seeks congressional approval for hostilities
Kaine’s resolution would direct the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military action through a declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force.
The vote only clears an initial procedural hurdle in the Senate. Even if the resolution eventually passes both chambers of Congress, Trump would be expected to veto it.
Democrats nevertheless argue that congressional action could still influence the administration’s approach to the conflict.
Debate intensifies amid military tensions
The Senate vote came a day after Trump said the United States would not carry out “scheduled” attacks on Iran on Tuesday, although he said he had been close to approving the strikes.
Speaking to reporters before the vote, Kaine said the timing underscored the need for lawmakers to debate the rationale and strategy behind U.S. involvement.
“It’s the perfect time to do what we should have done in February and have a congressional discussion about rationale, plan, [and] strategy,” he said.
Kaine also highlighted the economic impact of the conflict, noting rising fuel costs for Americans. With the Memorial Day holiday approaching, he said many people travelling would notice higher gasoline prices compared with the previous year.
Public opinion a factor
The Virginia senator said lawmakers were hearing growing opposition to the war from constituents.
“I know what we are all hearing from our constituents, and that is, they are deeply opposed to this war,” Kaine said.
He added that public sentiment was continuing to shift, which he believes could eventually help secure enough support in Congress to pass the resolution.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 May 2026
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Welsh First Minister Raised Independence With Starmer

Wales’ first minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has confirmed he raised the issue of Welsh independence during a phone call with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shortly after taking office.

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Speaking in his first appearance before the Welsh Parliament since becoming first minister, ap Iorwerth said he wanted to begin a “national conversation” about whether Wales could eventually become an independent country.
The Plaid Cymru leader used his inaugural statement to the Senedd to outline priorities for the new Welsh government, including reducing NHS waiting times and addressing child poverty. However, opposition figures accused him of focusing too heavily on constitutional questions.
Independence Mentioned in Call
Ap Iorwerth said the subject arose during a conversation with Starmer held days after Plaid Cymru’s victory in the Senedd election. The vote saw the previously dominant Welsh Labour Party lose much of its representation, falling from holding half the chamber’s seats to fewer than ten.
Asked about the exchange by Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas, the first minister confirmed he had raised the prospect of Wales leaving the United Kingdom.
“Yes, I mentioned independence,” ap Iorwerth told the chamber.
He said he wanted to build public confidence in Wales’ capacity to govern itself. According to ap Iorwerth, his message to the prime minister was that Wales should address current challenges while allowing the public to decide “the trajectory and the pace” of any constitutional change in the future.
Plaid Cymru has previously ruled out holding an independence referendum during its first term in government. Instead, it plans to establish a national commission to explore the case for Wales becoming a sovereign state.
The Welsh government said after the call that Starmer had been open to discussing greater powers for the Senedd. Some people familiar with the conversation had reportedly expressed surprise that independence was raised.
Government Priorities Outlined
During his statement, ap Iorwerth set out what he described as “core missions” for the new administration.
These include cutting NHS waiting lists, improving school standards, creating jobs and helping households cope with the cost-of-living crisis. He also pledged action to tackle child poverty and support Welsh businesses.
The first minister said the government would pursue greater devolution, including transferring responsibility for justice and policing to Wales. He also called for control over the Crown Estate in Wales, additional funding related to the High Speed 2 rail project and a revised funding formula for Wales.
He added that these proposals had “majority support” in the Senedd.
Plans are being prepared to reduce waiting times in the health service, alongside a summit aimed at shifting more resources toward primary care such as GP services.
Ap Iorwerth also said work had begun on a new literacy and numeracy strategy.
Among the policies highlighted was a childcare plan offering 20 hours of funded care per week for children aged nine months to four years for 48 weeks each year. Children in families receiving universal credit will receive free school meals by September.
Opposition Raises Concerns
Reform UK’s Dan Thomas criticised the first minister for raising independence so soon after taking office, arguing voters were more concerned with everyday issues.
He said people in Wales were focused on questions such as access to GP appointments, education standards and rising household costs.
“There is little appetite among ordinary Welsh people for endless constitutional expansion while basic services struggle,” Thomas said.
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates congratulated ap Iorwerth but said governing would involve difficult decisions about spending and priorities.
He questioned how the proposed childcare programme would be funded, noting that details had not yet been provided despite the policy being announced months earlier. The scheme is estimated to cost around £400m once fully implemented.
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said his party would support policies that improve living standards in Wales but would challenge the government when necessary.
He said there could be areas of agreement, including proposals to restrict mobile phone use in schools.
Political Landscape Shifts
Ap Iorwerth told the Senedd his government intended to ensure Wales was treated as an “equal partner” in discussions with the UK government.
After the session, Reform UK announced its shadow cabinet for Wales, with deputy Welsh leader Helen Jenner taking the education and Welsh language brief and other members assigned portfolios including health, finance and the economy.
The new administration now faces pressure from across the political spectrum to demonstrate how its policies will be delivered.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 May 2026
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Trump Defends White House Ballroom During Site Tour

President Donald Trump on Tuesday led reporters through a construction site at the White House, promoting a controversial ballroom project he said would serve as both a secure facility and a privately funded “gift” to the American public.

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Speaking above the sound of drills and construction equipment, Trump described the development — which began with the demolition of the building’s East Wing — as a structure designed to protect the presidential residence and future occupants.
“This is a shield that protects everything that's inside, everything that's on top,” he said, adding that he believed it would become “the safest building ever built.”
Holding poster-board illustrations of the proposed design, Trump outlined plans for an extensive underground complex beneath the ballroom. According to the president, the facility will extend six storeys below ground and include a military hospital, research facilities and meeting rooms.
Security features, he said, would include “impenetrable steel” and reinforced windows about four inches thick.
Trump also said the roof would have what he described as “massive drone capacity,” functioning as a “drone port” that could help protect Washington, D.C.. The White House later declined to provide additional details on how such a system would operate, referring questions back to Trump’s remarks.
Legal challenge continues
The project has been the subject of an ongoing legal dispute.
In March, a federal judge ruled that the administration could not proceed with construction of the ballroom itself without approval from United States Congress, although security-related work could continue.
An appeals court later allowed construction on the project to continue temporarily while it reviews the case. A hearing is scheduled for 5 June.
During the tour, Trump argued that the entire structure should be viewed as a single integrated building rather than separate elements.
“The roof goes with the ground floor; the ground floor goes with the roof,” he said. “The roof also goes down into the basement. Everything is connected — elevators, heating, air conditioning. It’s one building.”
Funding claims and political debate
Trump also repeated his claim that the ballroom itself would not be funded by taxpayers.
“All of this was paid for by myself,” he said. “We are making a gift of this. This is a gift. This is not going to be paid for by the taxpayer.”
The president has said he is among those contributing financially to the project but has not disclosed how much he has personally donated.
The White House has previously said it intends to raise funds for the ballroom through private donations. The estimated cost of the project has risen to about $400 million.
Trump described the building as a major addition to the capital, saying it would become “one of the most beautiful buildings” in the country.
The issue has also drawn attention on Capitol Hill, where some Republican lawmakers have proposed a $1bn funding package for security improvements, with part of the money potentially directed to the building project.
Democrats have criticised the proposal.
Trump, however, insisted that congressional funds would only relate to security.
“Congress is approving money for security,” he said. “But this building — I put up the money to build this building, along with a lot of great patriots.”
Project under scrutiny
The ballroom plan has prompted debate over presidential authority to alter the historic presidential residence.
While supporters argue the additional space and security features would modernise the complex, critics say major structural changes should require explicit approval from Congress.
The appeals court’s forthcoming hearing is expected to determine whether construction can continue while the broader legal case proceeds.


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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 May 2026
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Republicans increasingly worried about Trump poll slump

Republican strategists are growing increasingly uneasy over President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings, warning that weak polling could pose a serious challenge for the party as it prepares for the next midterm elections.

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A new survey by the The New York Times and Siena College, released on Monday, found Trump’s approval rating has dropped to one of its lowest levels of his second term. The poll reported that 37% of respondents approved of the president’s performance, while 59% disapproved. In the previous survey by the same organizations, Trump’s approval stood at 40%, with 57% expressing disapproval.
Economic concerns weigh on voters
The survey also pointed to growing public anxiety over rising living costs, including inflation and fuel prices, as well as concern about the United States’ involvement in the war with Iran. Some Republican insiders say these issues are contributing to a difficult political climate for the party.
Publicly, Republican leaders have sought to project confidence ahead of the midterms. Privately, however, some party figures acknowledge that economic pressures linked to the ongoing conflict could hurt their electoral prospects.
One Republican consultant who works with candidates in competitive races described the situation as serious, arguing that Trump campaigned heavily on improving the economy and addressing immigration. The consultant said that if the president’s approval ratings remain in the low 30% range by November, Republican candidates could face significant setbacks.
Strategists warn of challenging environment
Kevin Madden, a veteran Republican strategist, said there is still time for the president and his party to improve their standing before voters head to the polls. However, he described the current political environment as difficult for Republican candidates.
Madden said indicators such as presidential approval ratings, measures of whether voters believe the country is moving in the right direction, and consumer sentiment provide a snapshot of the political climate facing candidates in local races. At present, he said, those indicators suggest an unfavourable environment for Republicans.
Despite the troubling polling, Republicans note that recent redistricting efforts could help limit potential losses by creating more favourable electoral maps in some areas.
Critics highlight unmet campaign promises
Some Republican strategists critical of Trump argue that voter frustration reflects disappointment with the administration’s performance since he returned to office in January 2025.
Susan Del Percio, a Republican strategist who does not support the president, said many voters expected stronger economic conditions and fewer foreign conflicts following Trump’s campaign promises. Instead, she said, voters are confronting higher prices, tariffs and international tensions.
Del Percio suggested that early support for Trump’s trade policies may be fading as economic pressures continue. She compared the situation to the political fallout faced by George H. W. Bush after he reversed his pledge of “no new taxes” during his presidency. Democrats later capitalised on that issue during the election cycle that ultimately brought Bill Clinton to power.
Democrats cautious despite improved outlook
As the midterm campaign season approaches, Democrats say they see growing opportunities to regain control of Congress, including the House and possibly the Senate.
However, some Democratic strategists warn their party not to rely solely on Trump’s unpopularity. Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist, said criticism of the administration may help Democrats in the short term but will not resolve deeper public distrust of political institutions.
Payne argued that many voters remain frustrated with both major parties and said Democrats must present a stronger agenda if they want to build lasting support.
Midterms approach amid uncertain mood
For now, Republican strategists acknowledge the party faces a difficult political moment as economic concerns dominate public debate.
One Republican consultant said candidates in competitive races should be worried about the current climate, adding that shifts in voter perception can take time. Ultimately, the consultant said, voters tend to make decisions based on their economic circumstances.
Del Percio echoed that view, saying there may be limited time before the elections for political conditions to change significantly.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 May 2026
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