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Global confidence in US leadership at new low: Poll
Washington, Jan 18 (IANS) Global confidence in the US leadership under President Donald Trump has fallen to a new low and the country now ranks below China in worldwide approval ratings, according to a new Gallup poll released on Thursday.
The survey of opinion in 134 countries showed a record collapse in approval for the US role in the world, from 48 per cent under Obama to 30 per cent after one year of Trump — the lowest level Gallup has recorded since beginning its global leadership poll over a decade ago.
The result came just a day after a separate Gallup survey found that Trump reaches the first anniversary of his inauguration with the lowest average approval rating of any elected President in his first year.
“I think a lot of respondents when they’re being asked this, the first thing that’s top of mind is the leader of the country,” Gallup’s global managing partner, Jon Clifton, told Politico magazine.
According to Gallup, the approval dropped by 10 or more points in 65 of the 134 countries and areas surveyed. Regionally, the image of the US was weaker in virtually every part of the world, registering record lows within multiple countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The study, which surveyed roughly 1,000 adults globally, confirmed some of the worst fears of foreign policy analysts in the US and Europe that Trump’s “America first” approach, combined with his volatile personality, was weakening cohesion among western democracies in the face of a growing challenge from autocracies in Russia and China, the Guardian reported.
Germany is now seen as a global leader with 41 per cent approval while China in second place with 31 per cent. Russia has 27 per cent approval for its global role, according to the poll.
One of the sharpest declines in confidence in US leadership was in the UK, where it dropped by 26 percentage points.
As part of his “America First” policy, Trump took the US out of several multilateral agreements saying they did not serve national interests, including the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership and the Paris climate deal.
He walked out of talks on a new trade and investment deal with Europe and threatened to leave the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.
Approval of the US leadership climbed by 10 per cent or more in only four countries: Belarus, Israel, Macedonia and Liberia. It increased moderately in Russia, the former Soviet states in central Asia and parts of West Africa.
The Gallup report said that China, which has overtaken the US as the leading trading partner in parts of Latin America, “may be positioned to take further advantage”.
It’s approval ratings across the Americas was 4 percentage points higher than the US, but disapproval was much lower at 35 per cent.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.