President Donald Trump will address the week-long World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday, despite a disruptive government shut down in the United States that has forced thousands of workers to stay home.
His attendance, with the American economy growing and the stockmarket at all time highs, will be embraced by business chiefs. But African leaders whose countries Mr Trump recently disparaged as "s*** holes" are less likely to applaud.
No one among 340 top political leaders, royalty, academics and heads of international organisations gathering in the Swiss resort will be given a bigger stage than the leader of the free world.
And with 2018 starting in the mire of increasingly complex international politics dominated by wars, cyber threats and tumultuous weather cycles blamed on climate change, the theme of this year's summit is "Creating a shared future in a fractured world".
That may clash with Mr Trump, who is expected to deliver a speech dominated by his isolationist "America First" doctrine, despite the Davos forum's theme and European leaders' anticipated push for more, not less, global cooperation.
"At this year's World Economic Forum, the president looks forward to promoting his policies to strengthen American businesses, American industries, and American workers,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement, underlining the unilateral approach Mr Trump has taken during his first year in office.
Such a message won't resonate with Davos organisers, who issued a vastly contrasting statement: "A shared identity and collective purpose remain elusive despite living in an age of social networks ... changing the situation on the ground requires more responsive governance, but this cannot absolve governments of their regional and global responsibilities."
_______________
More on the World Economic Forum:
WEF 2018: Record number of attendees from Middle East in Davos
Davos prepares to welcome world leaders - in pictures
Davos 2018 will be Trump's victory lap and a chance to rub naysayers' noses in his success
_______________
Arriving on Thursday, an array of cabinet officials are to travel with Mr Trump. The delegation will include secretary of state Rex Tillerson and treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, as well as secretaries of labour, transportation and energy. Also attending will be Mr Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, a White House adviser.
A White House official said Trump is expected to tout the US economy and measures such as his recent tax overhaul, while criticising trade practices that he considers unfair to the US.
Despite being viewed as the European leader who has most reached out to Mr Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to deliver the strongest vision that runs counter to the US president's unilateralism. Though Mr Macron is not expected to mention Mr Trump explicitly, the content is unlikely to leave doubt for interpretation.
"Despite its formal name, Davos is about more than economics," Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth told the Associated Press.
"So while Trump undoubtedly intends to trumpet US economic progress, many Davos participants will question his racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic rhetoric and policies."
Small protests have already begun in the Swiss resort and they are expected to be followed by others in Zurich on Tuesday and possibly in Davos again on Thursday.
Much like a anti-Trump petition that surfaced in the UK in opposition to Mr Trump visiting London, a Swiss poll has garnered more than 16,000 supporters online, urging him to stay away.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
The winners
Fiction
- ‘Amreekiya’ by Lena Mahmoud
- ‘As Good As True’ by Cheryl Reid
The Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award
- ‘Syrian and Lebanese Patricios in Sao Paulo’ by Oswaldo Truzzi; translated by Ramon J Stern
- ‘The Sound of Listening’ by Philip Metres
The George Ellenbogen Poetry Award
- ‘Footnotes in the Order of Disappearance’ by Fady Joudah
Children/Young Adult
- ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ by Hoda Kotb
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
