News in Brief (24-09-2018)

Macron's popularity at record lows

PARIS, Sept 23: The popularity of French President Emmanuel Macron has hit its lowest level since the start of his term, according to a major tracker poll published on Sunday, with just 29 per cent of respondents satisfied with his leadership. The poll by research group Ifop and published in the Journal du Dimanche showed an overall fall of five points in September compared with August, reflecting the 40-year-old's battle with a series of domestic and foreign setbacks. The results of the widely watched Ifop poll are broadly in line with other surveys that have shown the approval ratings of the centrist falling sharply following a scandal involving a security aide in July. — AFP

Death toll from Tanzania ferry accident rises to 223

DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 23: The death toll of a ferry that capsized in Lake Victoria on Thursday has reached 223 as search and rescue operations were to be halted later in the day. A total of 223 bodies have been recovered between Thursday and Sunday morning, Isack Kamwelwe, minister for Works, Transport and Communications, told Xinhua over phone. "We are still searching for more bodies before we halt the recovery operations later today," said Kamwelwe, adding that the operations will be halted after the ferry was pulled out of the waters from one of Africa's great lakes. — Xinhua