Trump approval rating at all-time high; Venezuelan opposition leader slams 'supporters'

Russia conducts general rehearsal for Victory Day parade

On May 7, on Red Square, Moscow, the general rehearsal of the military parade to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the Soviet people's victory over Fascism took place, preparing for the official ceremony to take place on May 9. The rehearsal was attended by more than 13,000 soldiers from various branches of the armed forces, students from military schools and law enforcement agencies, 132 military equipment, and 74 fighter planes of various types.

The rehearsal was divided into two parts. The first part was a parade of troops representing the Russian armed forces, followed by a display of the power of ground military equipment and weapons, including legendary weapons that made the historic victory in 1945 and other advanced, modern equipment. The second part was an air show with the appearance of 74 modern airplanes and helicopters of the Russian air force, symbolizing 74 years of victory.

President Trump receives highest approval rating ever

Donald Trump is the only president in modern history who has never received an approval rating above 50% during his presidency according to Gallup's weekly polls. However, the latest Gallup data shows that President Trump has a 46% approval rating - the highest number during his two years in the White House. What explains this increase may lie in the positive economic figures as the US GDP increased by 3.2% in the first quarter of 2019.

In addition, President Trump is also gradually receiving support from members of the Republican Party, with 1 in 10 people supporting President Trump. Not only that, the percentage of Democrats who approve of Mr. Trump's performance has also increased month by month, from 4% in March to 10% in April. Independent voters' support for the US President increased from 33% to 39% between March and April.

Venezuelan opposition leader criticizes 'supporters' of failed coup

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido appears in front of La Carlota air base in Caracas, April 30. Photo: AP

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said the uprising to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro on April 30 failed because "supporters did not follow through." "Many of my supporters did not follow through," Mr. Guaido (35 years old) told AFP. Opposition leader Guaido did not specify who he was targeting, but observers speculated about two possibilities.

One is that Guaido blames foreign governments that have long declared their support for him but ultimately “stayed still” during the failed coup. The second possibility is that the politician is referring to senior figures in the Venezuelan military who promised to side with him but also did not take action. However, Mr. Guaidín claims that “more and more” members of the armed forces do not support President Maduro and that: “We are close to achieving the goal of change in Venezuela.”

Türkiye annuls Istanbul election results, holds re-vote

In the local elections on March 31, the opposition in Türkiye won against the ruling party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, the country's largest city. Despite the large gap in votes, the ruling party (Justice and Development Party) still protested and complained about the election results. On the evening of May 6 (local time), the High Election Council decided to cancel the results and re-organize the election on June 23.

Despite widespread criticism at home and abroad of the decision, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 7 welcomed the controversial decision, calling it the "best move" for the country.

Investigating the plane fire in Russia in the direction of pilot error

Authorities investigate at the scene of a destroyed Aeroflot Sukhoi Superjet 100 plane after a fire at Sheremetyevo Airport on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia on May 6, 2019. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Russian media reported on May 7 that investigators are focusing on the cause of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash and fire at Sheremetyevo Airport, pointing to pilot error. Kommersant newspaper, citing informed sources, said the Aeroflot pilots flying the plane made several mistakes, including flying into a thunderstorm and landing with a full fuel tank instead of circling to burn fuel.

Meanwhile, RBK newspaper cited other sources saying that the pilots opened the cockpit window, allowing the wind to blow in and cause the fire to flare up, and that the pilots did not have time to turn off the engine immediately after landing. So far, investigators are reviewing data from the plane's black box and have not given an official cause of the incident.