The ideas that emerged at Davos this year will amount to nothing if governments across the world do not undertake the hard work of putting them into practice.    Denis Balibouse / Reuters
The ideas that emerged at Davos this year will amount to nothing if governments across the world do not undertake the hard work of putting them into practice. Denis Balibouse / Reuters

Davos 2018: After the talks, the real work of turning ideas into reality begins



The 2018 World Economic Forum concluded on Friday with a highly anticipated speech by Donald Trump, who became the first US president in 18 years to address the annual summit of the world's business and political leaders. The man who, as a candidate, had portrayed himself as the nemesis of the "false song of globalism" morphed into a pragmatist in Switzerland. Mr Trump did not altogether abandon his nationalism, but he did temper it with the assurance that "America first does not mean America alone". Propelled into office with the backing of isolationists, Mr Trump deployed his speech to affirm the indispensability of the "international trading system", solicit investment in the US, and call for international unity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to "de-nuke" the Korean peninsula.

Mr Trump's speech at Davos to some extent reflected the contradictions of his presidency so far – some sensible ideas braided together with impulsive decision-making, cultural insularity and exclusionary nationalism. The gains he stands to make from pursuing disarmament of the Iranian regime are undermined by his threats to Palestinians, which, in addition to being morally indefensible, inflame tensions across the Arab and Muslim worlds. Similarly, the pro-business climate he has fostered with his tax cuts is undermined by his nationalist rhetoric.

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These contradictions are of course inseparable from the larger fractures of the world, which were reflected in the way the Davos summit unfolded this year. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau, mounted powerful defences of globalisation, making a pre-emptive case for international cooperation in the days preceding Mr Trump's speech. Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani Nobel prizewinner, argued eloquently for gender equality. "In order to be a man," she said, "you have to recognise that all women and all those around you have equal rights." This message would be valid at any time – but it carries a special significance in 2018.

Moving beyond politics, participants at Davos grappled with the formidable challenges of what WEF chairman Klaus Schwab has called the "fourth industrial revolution". Technological innovation – primarily the rise of artificial intelligence – is the challenge of our time. Together with intensifying economic disparity, they hold the key to progress in the 21st century. An Inclusive Development Index (IDI) devised by WEF presents a rounded picture by taking into account such factors as poverty, life expectancy and public debt – and thus enables governments to tailor their policies with greater exactitude. The index is in use in 103 countries but if the increasing gulf between the rich and poor in a period marked by economic growth is to to be arrested, then it needs to spread further. The rapidity of the change we are undergoing calls for careful policymaking at the national level and concerted cooperation on the international stage. But the ideas that emerged at Davos this year will amount to nothing if governments across the world do not undertake the hard work of putting them into practice.

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What is double taxation?
  • Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
  • Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
  • The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
  • Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Manchester United v Liverpool

Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)

A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

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Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
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City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
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The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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Saturday's results

Brighton 1-1 Leicester City
Everton 1-0 Cardiff City
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 0-3 Liverpool
West Ham United 0-4 Manchester City