Biden Approval Falls to Lowest Level Since April, Finds Poll

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his "Bidenomics" economic agenda and his Investing in America agenda at an Amtrak facility in New Castle County, Delaware, on November 6, 2023. (AFP)
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his "Bidenomics" economic agenda and his Investing in America agenda at an Amtrak facility in New Castle County, Delaware, on November 6, 2023. (AFP)
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Biden Approval Falls to Lowest Level Since April, Finds Poll

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his "Bidenomics" economic agenda and his Investing in America agenda at an Amtrak facility in New Castle County, Delaware, on November 6, 2023. (AFP)
US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his "Bidenomics" economic agenda and his Investing in America agenda at an Amtrak facility in New Castle County, Delaware, on November 6, 2023. (AFP)

US President Joe Biden's popularity slipped this month to its lowest level since April, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed, the latest data point raising concerns about the Democrat's re-election bid next year.

The two-day opinion poll, which ended on Saturday, showed 39% of respondents approved of Biden's performance as president, matching April's reading and down marginally from 40% in October and 42% in September. The poll had a margin of error of about three percentage points.

Biden is widely expected to face a November 2024 rematch with former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Other recent polls have pointed to a potentially close race between the two.

The share of poll respondents who rated "war and foreign conflicts" the No. 1 problem rose to 8% in November from 4% in October, a sign of unease over a sharp escalation in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

It was the highest measure of concern about war since April 2022, when 9% of respondents cited it as their top concern during the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war.

A larger share - 20% - said the economy was the top concern. By comparison, 9% cited crime and 7% cited the environment.

Biden's public approval rating has held below 50% since August 2021, and this month's rating was close to the lowest levels of his presidency - 36% - seen in mid-2022.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses online from 1,019 adults, using a nationally representative sample.



Poland Orders Closure of Russian Consulate in Krakow, Citing Arson Attack Blamed on Moscow 

Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks to the media as he arrives for talks on Ukraine and the future of European security hosted by Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Lancaster House in London, Britain, May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks to the media as he arrives for talks on Ukraine and the future of European security hosted by Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Lancaster House in London, Britain, May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
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Poland Orders Closure of Russian Consulate in Krakow, Citing Arson Attack Blamed on Moscow 

Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks to the media as he arrives for talks on Ukraine and the future of European security hosted by Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Lancaster House in London, Britain, May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks to the media as he arrives for talks on Ukraine and the future of European security hosted by Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Lancaster House in London, Britain, May 12, 2025. (Reuters)

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said Monday that he was ordering the closure of Russia’s consulate in the southern city of Krakow after Polish authorities said Russia was responsible for a fire that destroyed a shopping center in Warsaw last year.

"In connection with the evidence that the Russian special services committed a reprehensible act of sabotage against the shopping center on Marywilska Street, I have decided to withdraw my consent to the operation of the consulate of the Russian Federation in Krakow," Sikorski said in a statement.

The fire broke out May 12, 2024, in the Marywilska 44 shopping center that housed some 1,400 shops and service points. Many of the vendors were from Vietnam, and it inflicted tragedy on many in Warsaw’s Vietnamese community.

The announcement comes amid rising concerns in Europe over Russian attempts to destabilize the region through covert operations.

Russia in the past has denied accusations that it is carrying out such attacks.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X late Sunday that Polish officials "now know for certain that the massive fire on Marywilska was the result of arson commissioned by Russian services."

"The actions were coordinated by a person residing in Russia. Some of the perpetrators are already in custody, while the rest have been identified and are being sought," Tusk said. "We will catch them all!"