News
Scandinavian Nations Lead Europe in Trust for Global Institutions, Survey Finds
Scandinavian countries show the highest levels of trust in international institutions across Europe, with the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) emerging as the most trusted bodies, according to a new report released by the Rockefeller Foundation.
The survey, which collected responses from more than 36,000 people across 34 countries, aimed to assess public opinion on international cooperation and the credibility of the organizations tasked with addressing global challenges.
Overall, the findings underscore a strong belief in the importance of cross-border collaboration. Globally, 93% of respondents said international cooperation is essential for tackling food and water security, 91% emphasized its role in health, and 86% saw it as crucial in combating climate change.
Despite this broad consensus, trust in the institutions leading these efforts was more measured. The WHO emerged as the most respected international body, with 60% of respondents expressing confidence in its work, followed by the UN at 58%. In Scandinavia, however, the figures were significantly higher: 69% of people in Sweden and Norway said they trusted the WHO, while 64% expressed confidence in the UN.
Elsewhere in Europe, trust was markedly lower. In Western Europe, which included France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe, represented by countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania, confidence in the UN and WHO hovered only slightly above the 50% mark.
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) fared worse in the global rankings, with just 44% and 46% of respondents respectively expressing trust. Confidence in the IMF was uneven across Europe: 50% of Scandinavians voiced trust in the institution, compared to 41% in Eastern Europe and 39% in Western Europe.
The report also revealed striking regional contrasts beyond Europe. Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the strongest overall confidence in international institutions, with particularly high support for the WHO at 85%. Even the IMF and International Criminal Court (ICC), which were the lowest-rated institutions in the region, received trust levels of 70% — far higher than in most other parts of the world.
At the other end of the spectrum, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt recorded the lowest levels of trust. In these countries, only the European Court of Human Rights achieved a confidence rating above 50%. The African Union scored the weakest result overall, with just 41% of respondents expressing trust.
The findings highlight the uneven levels of confidence in global governance structures, even as people around the world strongly endorse international cooperation to address pressing global crises.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
News
White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
News
Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
-
Entertainment1 year agoMeta Acquires Tilda Swinton VR Doc ‘Impulse: Playing With Reality’
-
Business2 years agoSaudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business2 years agoRecent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Home Improvement1 year agoEffective Drain Cleaning: A Key to a Healthy Plumbing System
-
Politics2 years agoWho was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business1 year agoCarrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Sports1 year agoKeely Hodgkinson Wins Britain’s First Athletics Gold at Paris Olympics in 800m
-
Business1 year agoSaudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
