The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: WEF
The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: WEF
The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: WEF
The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo

Trump’s ‘moment of change’ hangs over Davos


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

As the minutes ticked down to Donald Trump's oath of office, panellists at Davos were asked to forecast the fate of almost every corner of the world. The audience in the Swiss Alps seemed to appreciate the enormity of the question.

The US, Europe, the Middle East, China, Africa and South America: guests at the World Economic Forum were eager for predictions from journalists on how Mr Trump's second term might play out for each of them.

Some of Mr Trump's policies may be familiar from his first term in the White House, such as tariffs on China and pressure on Iran. But much has changed since he left Washington in 2021, from the war in Ukraine to developments in the Middle East such as the war and ceasefire in Gaza and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

People watch the inauguration of Donald Trump at Ukraine House in Davos. AP
People watch the inauguration of Donald Trump at Ukraine House in Davos. AP

The National's editor-in-chief, Mina Al-Oraibi, told the Davos audience that Mr Trump was assuming power at a time of weakened international law and uncertainty over the future security architecture of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "It is a moment of change and unpredictability and it's not clear what the Trump Doctrine will look like. But I think everyone feels like there is a moment for change that's needed," she said.

In the Gaza ceasefire talks involving Israel and Hamas "the changed factor was the US factor", she said. "This was the same deal that 13 months ago the Americans had said that they could pull off under a Joe Biden administration.

"But ultimately it was the Trump factor - Trump clearly saying there had to be a ceasefire before inauguration. That moment crystallises what people are expecting under a Trump administration that comes with many lessons from its first stint at the White House, but also lessons learned of what can be possible in the Middle East."

The Davos panel hosted by Samir Saran, the president of India's Observer Research Foundation, tipped Mr Trump to take an economically-minded approach to foreign affairs. The Economist's foreign editor Patrick Foulis predicted he would turn to New York business tactics and and trim some of America's "weak obligations" in the world.

"American deterrence has collapsed around the world. People are simply not as intimidated by this superpower," he said. "I see the Trumpian agenda essentially as a more comprehensive and forceful expression of American power on a much more limited geographic scope."

At home Mr Trump is taking office after winning the popular vote for the first time, defeating Kamala Harris, and has seen major tech companies shift towards a friendlier position. He has Elon Musk, the owner of social media giant X, on board to help him reimagine the American state.

But while his popularity is grown, some of his ideas such as scrapping birthright citizenship, and tariffs that could lead to higher prices, are less popular, said Time magazine's editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs. "Americans have gravitated towards this president but there are plenty of his ideas they have not gravitated towards," he said.

"The other big point of tension I think for this president is the fact that he ran on a pro-growth agenda and he has anti-growth policies. We have to see how these two things are going to play out."

match info

Manchester United 3 (Martial 7', 44', 74')

Sheffield United 0

Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card

6.30pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m

8.15pm: Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

8.50pm: Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

9.25pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections

6.30pm: Final Song

7.05pm: Pocket Dynamo

7.40pm: Dubai Icon

8.15pm: Dubai Legacy

8.50pm: Drafted

9.25pm: Lucius Tiberius

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m

8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m

The specs
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GULF MEN'S LEAGUE

Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2

Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers

 

Opening fixtures

Thursday, December 5

6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles

7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers

7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles

7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2

 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO

Delhi Daredevils 174-4 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians 163 (19.3 ovs)

Delhi won the match by 11 runs

NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Moonfall

Director: Rolan Emmerich

Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry

Rating: 3/5

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

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Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Related
Stage result

1. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe, in 3:29.09

2. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto-Soudal

3. Rudy Barbier (FRA) Israel Start-Up Nation

4. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma

5. Luka Mezgec (SLO) Mitchelton-Scott

6. Alberto Dainese (ITA) Sunweb

7. Jakub Mareczko (ITA) CCC

8. Max Walscheid (GER) NTT

9. José Rojas (ESP) Movistar

10. Andrea Vendrame (ITA) Ag2r La Mondiale, all at same time

IPL 2018 FINAL

Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)

Chennai win by eight wickets

Mountain%20Boy
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20Hunger%20Games%3A%20The%20Ballad%20of%20Songbirds%20%26%20Snakes
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Francis%20Lawrence%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ERachel%20Zegler%2C%20Peter%20Dinklage%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Tom%20Blyth%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

RESULTS

5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m

Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain

6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Oss, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi

8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Scorline

Iraq 1-0 UAE

Iraq Hussein 28’

Updated: January 21, 2025, 5:53 AM`