Trump's approval rating hits 2019 low; Russia discusses Syria's reconstruction efforts

Trump's approval rating hits 2019 low after Mueller report

US President Donald Trump. Photo: AP

On Thursday, the US released Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 US election, on "the Trump team's conspiracy to collude with the Russian government", and on whether the US President obstructed justice.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, the number of Americans who approve of President Donald Trump has dropped 3 percentage points since the release of the Mueller report and is at its lowest level since the beginning of the year. According to the survey, only 37% of adults in the US approve of Trump's job performance, 6 percentage points lower than the results of a study conducted in March before the report was released. At the same time, 47% of respondents said the president should resign.

Ukrainians disappointed with presidential debate

Candidate Poroshenko (left) and candidate Zelensky. Photo: Ukrinform.

Disappointment was the feeling of most Ukrainians when watching the first live debate between the two presidential candidates of this country, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko and the first-round leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Olympic Stadium in the capital Kiev. Instead of addressing issues that voters care about, the two candidates took this opportunity to attack each other.

This live debate is considered the last chance for Ukrainian presidential candidate Poroshenko to turn the tables on his opponent Zelensky. Previously, in the first round of the election, Mr. Zelensky led with 30.24% and President Poroshenko was second with 15.95% of the votes. Since no candidate won more than 50% of the votes, these two candidates will enter the second round, which will take place on April 21. The results of the second round are expected to be announced on May 4 and the new President of Ukraine will be inaugurated before June 3.

Several Russian officials travel to Syria to discuss reconstruction efforts

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (right) during a meeting with Russian Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev (left) in Damascus, Syria on April 19. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Russian officials met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss the creation of a constitutional committee, trade and ways to improve Syria's relations with its Arab neighbors, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Assad met with Russian Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and officials from the Russian Defense Ministry.

Meanwhile, Interfax news agency quoted the Russian government as saying that Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov will also meet with President Assad on April 20 to discuss cooperation and economic issues.

North Korea criticizes comments by US National Security Advisor

US National Security Advisor John Bolton. Photo: THX/TTXVN

North Korea on April 20 criticized recent comments by US National Security Adviser John Bolton about stalled denuclearization talks, calling them "nonsense." North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui as saying the comments showed "a lack of understanding of the two leaders' wishes." The official also warned that such comments "will not bring anything good."

Earlier, in an interview with Bloomberg news agency, Mr. Bolton urged North Korea to have a "realistic expression" of its willingness to give up nuclear weapons before the third summit between the two countries' leaders takes place.

Afghanistan kills gunman who attacked Ministry of Communications headquarters

Civilians have just escaped the explosion and gunfight. Photo: Reuters

At least two gunmen were killed when four attackers attacked the headquarters of Afghanistan's Information and Communications Ministry in central Kabul on April 20. Police chief Sayyed Mohammad Roshandel said initial information showed that one attacker detonated his explosives at one of the entrances to the ministry, allowing three other gunmen to enter. The explosion and gun battle left one civilian injured.

Security forces are working to kill or capture the remaining attackers, who were disguised in military uniforms, Mr. Roshandel added. Authorities have evacuated about 2,000 ministry employees and people in nearby buildings.

CIA accuses Huawei of receiving funding from Chinese military and intelligence?

Huawei logo at a showroom in Guangdong province.

The news comes amid concerns in the US that Huawei equipment could be used for espionage purposes.