Putin's approval rating unexpectedly rises; Huawei to sue US government

Russian President Putin's approval rating unexpectedly increases

Russian President Putin reads the federal message. Photo: ABC

RT news agency reported that Russian President Putin's approval rating has increased to 64.8%, the highest level since the beginning of the year, after Mr. Putin read the federal message to the country's parliament on February 20.

According to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM), Mr. Putin also has the highest approval rating among domestic politicians. Up to 36.8% of voters support the work of the President and 40% of voters support the activities of the government.

According to sociologists, the reason President Putin's approval rating has increased is because in his recent federal address, he focused on Russia's economic and social issues.

ReutersOn March 4, it was reported that China's Huawei Corporation is preparing to sue the US government in a court in Texas related to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed last year.

Beijing says the legislation targets the country by clamping down on US government contracts with Chinese companies including Huawei and strengthening the role of a committee that reviews foreign investment proposals.

The lawsuit is believed to be one of Huawei's responses after Washington sought to persuade allies not to trade with the group over allegations of espionage risks.

The news of Huawei’s lawsuit against the US government was first reported by the New York Times. Huawei declined to comment on the news. The telecommunications giant invited reporters from Reuters and several other international news agencies to a press conference at its headquarters in China on March 7.

EU extends sanctions on several Ukrainian individuals

Photo: schengenvisainfo.com

The European Council (EC) said on March 4 that the European Union (EU) has extended sanctions by one year against 12 individuals involved in the misappropriation of Ukrainian public funds.

"The Council extends the asset freeze until 6 March 2020 for 12 persons identified as responsible for misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds or abuse of office resulting in losses to Ukrainian state funds. This decision is based on the annual review of sanctions," the EC statement said.

Compared to 2017, this EU sanctions list has decreased by 1 person.

China announces continued increase in defense budget

“China maintains a reasonable and appropriate increase in defense spending to meet the needs of safeguarding national security and reforming the military with Chinese characteristics,” said Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the second session of the 13th National People’s Congress, scheduled to open on March 5.

Mr. Truong also affirmed that China's "limited defense spending" "does not pose a threat to any country."

China has increased its defense budget by single digits since 2016 after five consecutive years of double-digit increases, becoming the world's second-largest defense spender, behind only the United States.

India and Pakistan resumed cross-border train services on March 4, which had been suspended due to recent tensions. Indian officials said the Samjhauta Express train service, which departed from Lahore, Pakistan, on the morning of March 4, arrived at Attari station, India, at noon on March 4 (local time).

On the Pakistani side, Pakistani media reported that the Samjhauta Express train carrying 150 passengers left the station in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, for India today.

The news of the resumption of cross-border rail services was immediately welcomed by people from both countries.

Huu Quan