EU: Russia did not influence Ukraine election; Trump posts poster celebrating being “vindicated”

Europe finds no Russian influence in Ukraine presidential election

Photo: Sputnik

The head of the European Parliament election observation mission in Ukraine, Rebecca Harms, said that the mission had not found any evidence of Russian influence on the elections in the country. “Russia uses the media as a powerful propaganda tool against Kiev. But we, the observers, have not drawn any conclusions that this had a significant impact on the elections,” Harms said.

However, Ms. Harms stressed that the first round of voting is “an expression of the free will of the people,” and that the outcome cannot be predicted from the start. According to her, the reason for the success of comedian Vladimir Zelensky in the first round may be the feelings of disappointment among Ukrainians with the policies implemented by the government in the past, and their hope for a better future.

Conflict inLibya may increasein the coming days. Photo: Washington Post

The United Nations (UN) special envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salama, expressed concern about the risk of further escalation of conflict in the North African country in the coming days. Mr. Salama called on the UN Security Council to take a strong stance to prevent the sale of weapons on Libyan territory and stressed that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating in areas around the capital Tripoli.

The announcement comes as fierce fighting has continued for the past two weeks between forces of the internationally recognized government of reconciliation in Libya and the Libyan National Army, led by General Khalifa Haftar, who controls the east. Notably, the sides have used heavy artillery and helicopters to bombard the clashes around the capital Tripoli. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council at its meeting on April 18 failed to come up with a clear strategy to demand a ceasefire.

President Trump posts movie poster to celebrate being "vindicated"

US President Donald Trump declared “Game Over” on April 18 after the release of the long-awaited report by special counsel Robert Mueller, which reportedly “exonerated” Trump and his 2016 campaign associates of any collusion with Russia.

After nearly two years of investigation, thousands of subpoenas, hundreds of summonses and witness interviews, the 448-page report by special counsel Robert Mueller has been released. According to it, special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Mr. Trump's team did not conspire with Russia. But while Mr. Trump claimed victory and considered himself completely exonerated - the report shows that investigators did not come to a positive conclusion on the President's obstruction of justice allegations. Key members of the Democratic Party in both houses vowed to continue investigating the Republican president for what they called "dishonest" and "unethical" behavior.

France turns tragedy into opportunity to develop crafts

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was partially destroyed after a fire. Photo: THX/TTXVN

According to a VNA correspondent in Paris, on April 18, Minister of Labor Muriel Pénicaud held a meeting with representatives of handicraft unions to launch a campaign called "Construction Site of France". This campaign aims to train young craftsmen to speed up the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron, on April 17, proposed the idea of ​​mobilizing thousands of young workers, as well as coordinating with all businesses, artists and craftsmen from all over the country to fulfill the commitment to restore the cathedral in 5 years. The list of related professions includes masons, roofers, architrave makers, stone carvers, carpenters, stained glass makers, organ builders, painters and interior decorators. However, according to the Minister of Labor, it is still too early to determine the level of training.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Photo: China Daily

The Japanese government has officially decided to hold Emperor Akihito's abdication ceremony on April 30 in accordance with the national rituals stipulated in the Constitution. The decision on one of the rituals related to the succession and succession was made at a Cabinet meeting on April 19. This will be the first time Japan has held an abdication ceremony since Japan adopted constitutionalism in the 19th century.

The Taiirei-Seiden-no-gi ceremony, or the Emperor's abdication ceremony, will take place at the Matsu-no-ma Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo from 5 p.m. on April 30 and will last for 10 minutes. More than 330 high-ranking officials will attend the ceremony, including the heads of Japan's three legislative, executive and judicial branches, Cabinet ministers and heads of local governments.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will announce the Emperor's abdication under a special law enacted in June 2017. Mr. Abe will express gratitude to the Emperor on behalf of the people. According to the plan, Emperor Akihito will make a final speech to the people.