Saddled with long dark winters at home, Swedes have for decades been frequent flyers seeking out sunnier climes, but a growing number are changing their ways because of air travel's impact on the climate.

"Flygskam", or flight shame, has become a buzz word referring to feeling guilt over the environmental effects of flying, contributing to a trend that has more and more Swedes, mainly young, opting to travel by train to ease their conscience.

Spearheading the movement for trains-over-planes is Sweden's own Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate school striker who refuses to fly, travelling by rail to the World Economic Forum in Davos and the climate summit in Katowice, Poland.&nbsp;

A growing number of public figures have vowed to #stayontheground, including Swedish television skiing commentator Bjorn Ferry who said last year he would only travel to competitions by train.

And 250 people working in the film industry signed a recent article in the country's biggest daily Dagens Nyheter calling for Swedish film producers to limit shoots abroad.

An anonymous Swedish Instagram account created in December has been shaming social media profiles and influencers for promoting trips to far-flung destinations, racking up more than 60,000 followers.

"I'm certainly affected by my surroundings and (flight shame) has affected how I view flying," Viktoria Hellstrom, a 27-year-old political science student in Stockholm, told AFP.

Last summer, she took the train to Italy, even though the friends she was meeting there went by plane, as that would have been her second flight within a few weeks.

"The only way I could justify going there was if I took the train," she said.

Train bookings up

The Scandinavian country's location far north -- it is 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from the northernmost town of Kiruna to France's Cote d'Azur -- as well as its robust standard of living, the popularity of charter trips and the rise of low-cost airlines have all contributed to making Swedes big flyers.

Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg last year found that Swedes' per capita emissions from flying between 1990 and 2017 were five times the global average.

Emissions from Swedes' international air travel have soared 61 per cent since 1990, their study said.&nbsp;

Swedes' concerns rely on solid data: the Swedish Meteorological Institute said last week that the average annual temperature was rising twice as fast in the country as the global average.&nbsp;

In March, the World Wildlife Foundation published a survey indicating that nearly one in five Swedes had chosen to travel by rail rather than by air in order to minimise their environmental impact.

The trend was most noticeable among women and young people, it said.

Meanwhile, a survey published Tuesday in Sweden's leading travel magazine Vagabond said 64 per cent of those who travelled abroad less last year did so because of climate reasons.

National rail operator SJ reported a 21 per cent boost in business travel this winter, and the government has announced plans to reintroduce night trains to major European cities before the end of its mandate in 2022.

The number of domestic flight passengers was projected to be down by 3.2 per cent in 2018, the transport authority said in its latest figures from September, though the number of passengers on international flights rose four per cent.

So far the "flight shame" trend hasn't had the same traction among Sweden's neighbours, although Finland has spawned its own version of the expression, calling it "lentohapea".

Is 'flight shame' real?

Other parts of the developed world may not have a word that's quite as catchy -- making do with #flyingless or #stopflying -- but average CO2 emissions of 285 grams per air kilometre, compared with 158 for cars and 14 for trains, have given many pause.

Fausta Gabola, a French-Italian student in Paris, is no longer sure that she should take up an offer to study in Australia on a scholarship.

"It's my dream to go there," she told AFP. "I applied without thinking too much about it and now I have a dilemma. I would feel like a hypocrite if I went."

French political scientist Mathilde Szuba said any no-fly decision effectively puts distant countries out of reach.

"There is no easy substitute for flying," she told AFP. "You can't go to faraway places without taking the plane."

Back in Sweden, some experts say that changing travel patterns are not always a direct result of "flight shame".

Frida Hylander, a Swedish psychologist, said shame, and the fear of being shamed, was a powerful motivator, but she also cautioned against overstating its importance.

Other factors were at play, Hylander said, citing as an example Sweden's unusually hot summer last year which caused massive wildfires and may have sparked wider concerns about climate change.

"You should exercise caution when pointing to one single factor," Hylander said.

A new flight tax introduced in April 2018 may also have played a role, she said, as well as the bankruptcy of regional airline NextJet, which led to the closure of a number of domestic flight routes for several months.

Saddled with long dark winters at home, Swedes have for decades been frequent flyers seeking out sunnier climes, but a growing number are changing their ways because of air travel's impact on the climate.

Saddled with long dark winters at home, Swedes have for decades been frequent flyers seeking out sunnier climes, but a growing number are changing their ways because of air travel's impact on the climate. "Flygskam", or flight shame, has become a buzz word referring to feeling guilt over the environmental effects of flying, contributing to a trend that has more and more Swedes, mainly young, opting to travel by train to ease their conscience. Spearheading the movement for trains-over-planes is Sweden's own Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate school striker who refuses to fly, travelling by rail to the World Economic Forum in Davos and the climate summit in Katowice, Poland. A growing number of public figures have vowed to #stayontheground, including Swedish television skiing commentator Bjorn Ferry who said last year he would only travel to competitions by train. And 250 people working in the film industry signed a recent article in the country's biggest daily Dagens Nyheter calling for Swedish film producers to limit shoots abroad. An anonymous Swedish Instagram account created in December has been shaming social media profiles and influencers for promoting trips to far-flung destinations, racking up more than 60,000 followers. "I'm certainly affected by my surroundings and (flight shame) has affected how I view flying," Viktoria Hellstrom, a 27-year-old political science student in Stockholm, told AFP. Last summer, she took the train to Italy, even though the friends she was meeting there went by plane, as that would have been her second flight within a few weeks. "The only way I could justify going there was if I took the train," she said. Train bookings up The Scandinavian country's location far north -- it is 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from the northernmost town of Kiruna to France's Cote d'Azur -- as well as its robust standard of living, the popularity of charter trips and the rise of low-cost airlines have all contributed to making Swedes big flyers. Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg last year found that Swedes' per capita emissions from flying between 1990 and 2017 were five times the global average. Emissions from Swedes' international air travel have soared 61 per cent since 1990, their study said. Swedes' concerns rely on solid data: the Swedish Meteorological Institute said last week that the average annual temperature was rising twice as fast in the country as the global average. In March, the World Wildlife Foundation published a survey indicating that nearly one in five Swedes had chosen to travel by rail rather than by air in order to minimise their environmental impact. The trend was most noticeable among women and young people, it said. Meanwhile, a survey published Tuesday in Sweden's leading travel magazine Vagabond said 64 per cent of those who travelled abroad less last year did so because of climate reasons. National rail operator SJ reported a 21 per cent boost in business travel this winter, and the government has announced plans to reintroduce night trains to major European cities before the end of its mandate in 2022. The number of domestic flight passengers was projected to be down by 3.2 per cent in 2018, the transport authority said in its latest figures from September, though the number of passengers on international flights rose four per cent. So far the "flight shame" trend hasn't had the same traction among Sweden's neighbours, although Finland has spawned its own version of the expression, calling it "lentohapea". Is 'flight shame' real? Other parts of the developed world may not have a word that's quite as catchy -- making do with #flyingless or #stopflying -- but average CO2 emissions of 285 grams per air kilometre, compared with 158 for cars and 14 for trains, have given many pause. Fausta Gabola, a French-Italian student in Paris, is no longer sure that she should take up an offer to study in Australia on a scholarship. "It's my dream to go there," she told AFP. "I applied without thinking too much about it and now I have a dilemma. I would feel like a hypocrite if I went." French political scientist Mathilde Szuba said any no-fly decision effectively puts distant countries out of reach. "There is no easy substitute for flying," she told AFP. "You can't go to faraway places without taking the plane." Back in Sweden, some experts say that changing travel patterns are not always a direct result of "flight shame". Frida Hylander, a Swedish psychologist, said shame, and the fear of being shamed, was a powerful motivator, but she also cautioned against overstating its importance. Other factors were at play, Hylander said, citing as an example Sweden's unusually hot summer last year which caused massive wildfires and may have sparked wider concerns about climate change. "You should exercise caution when pointing to one single factor," Hylander said. A new flight tax introduced in April 2018 may also have played a role, she said, as well as the bankruptcy of regional airline NextJet, which led to the closure of a number of domestic flight routes for several months.

'Flight shame' has Swedes rethinking air travel

China might be trying hard to show the world that its women are the driving force of its economy, but gender equality is a far cry in the country, where women are still struggling to be taken seriously.

Shanghai Women's Federation's Vice President, Wen Wen Lei said that in China, men are considered to be breadwinners, while women are expected to look after the home and family.

It would require more time to change such a traditional mindset, she added.

Women are also not represented enough in politics as China's traditional society believes that men are more powerful than women and should be the ones to govern the country.

She said that since almost 70 years ago when the People's Republic of China was founded, gender equality has been one of the most important national policies and while the situation has improved a lot since then, there's still a long way to go.

In World Economic Forum's global ranking for gender equality, in 2017, China was placed at 100th position out of the 144 countries and ended up at 103 out the 149 countries in 2018.

"China's (103) progress towards gender parity has slowed this year," said WEF in its report.

One of the most worrisome aspects, according to Wen, is the inequality at work as she explained that companies do not want to hire more women, especially those in the child bearing age.

To combat this problem, the government had introduced a new law to curb workplace discrimination against women.

It prohibits employers to ask questions regarding women's marital status, whether they have children or whether they plan to have children in future, and bans companies to carry out pregnancy tests during the selection process, practices which have been prevalent until now.

Wen also pointed out that the government had brought in a law to address domestic violence three years ago, although a majority of victims do not speak up as they consider domestic abuse to be a private matter.

China also has a long way to go as far as representation of women in politics goes.

No woman has ever led the Communist Party of China, and currently there's only one woman among the 25 members of its Politburo.

Author of "Lotus" - a book that talks about prostitution, based on extensive research - Zhang Lijia, said that the CPC was sexist.

Zhang added that Chinese women are being left behind in terms of political participation and the salary gap between men and women is becoming wider.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, among the members of the decision making bodies of the Chinese government, only 24.2 per cent are women.

China must guarantee a minimum quota for women in the National Assembly, which continues to have very few women representatives, Zhang says.

The CPC, she adds, took a concrete step to improve women's lives in the 1950s, when it abolished child marriage and introduced the right to education and work, but after that gender equality has not been prioritised.

According to Zhang, if China wants to improve the lives of women, it will first need to accord them equal status in society and politics.

China might be trying hard to show the world that its women are the driving force of its economy, but gender equality is a far cry in the country, where women are still struggling to be taken seriously.

China might be trying hard to show the world that its women are the driving force of its economy, but gender equality is a far cry in the country, where women are still struggling to be taken seriously. Shanghai Women's Federation's Vice President, Wen Wen Lei said that in China, men are considered to be breadwinners, while women are expected to look after the home and family. It would require more time to change such a traditional mindset, she added. Women are also not represented enough in politics as China's traditional society believes that men are more powerful than women and should be the ones to govern the country. She said that since almost 70 years ago when the People's Republic of China was founded, gender equality has been one of the most important national policies and while the situation has improved a lot since then, there's still a long way to go. In World Economic Forum's global ranking for gender equality, in 2017, China was placed at 100th position out of the 144 countries and ended up at 103 out the 149 countries in 2018. "China's (103) progress towards gender parity has slowed this year," said WEF in its report. One of the most worrisome aspects, according to Wen, is the inequality at work as she explained that companies do not want to hire more women, especially those in the child bearing age. To combat this problem, the government had introduced a new law to curb workplace discrimination against women. It prohibits employers to ask questions regarding women's marital status, whether they have children or whether they plan to have children in future, and bans companies to carry out pregnancy tests during the selection process, practices which have been prevalent until now. Wen also pointed out that the government had brought in a law to address domestic violence three years ago, although a majority of victims do not speak up as they consider domestic abuse to be a private matter. China also has a long way to go as far as representation of women in politics goes. No woman has ever led the Communist Party of China, and currently there's only one woman among the 25 members of its Politburo. Author of "Lotus" - a book that talks about prostitution, based on extensive research - Zhang Lijia, said that the CPC was sexist. Zhang added that Chinese women are being left behind in terms of political participation and the salary gap between men and women is becoming wider. According to the United Nations Development Programme, among the members of the decision making bodies of the Chinese government, only 24.2 per cent are women. China must guarantee a minimum quota for women in the National Assembly, which continues to have very few women representatives, Zhang says. The CPC, she adds, took a concrete step to improve women's lives in the 1950s, when it abolished child marriage and introduced the right to education and work, but after that gender equality has not been prioritised. According to Zhang, if China wants to improve the lives of women, it will first need to accord them equal status in society and politics.

Women in China are caught between tradition, no political voice

Data is the new oil: This is how the World Economic Forum (WEF) hailed the birth of a new “asset class” in 2011.

The WEF views are even more rosy in 2019 — about the exponential expansion of this “data universe”. Ok, we get it.&nbsp;

WEF, the rich man’s club, now finds data even more valuable than oil. As long as machines can produce and consume ever larger amounts of data, the immaterial world of money and data can expand ad infinitum. And wow, that’s a lot of money to be made.

Let’s pass over some simple, mundane questions. The sort that ask if people can eat data or wear it, the sort that place people where they live — in the material universe.

Let’s not take issue with our leaders who say the physical universe — the pakoda producing-consuming one — is expanding. Let’s consider the data universe instead, and the happy rumours of ever-growing data leading to financial growth. The data universe turns out to be even more unequal than the one we know. Its “growth” does not create jobs; indeed, it creates job loss. Twenty-six individuals now own wealth equal to that of the bottom half of the world’s population. Yes, it creates wealth, but for whom?

Professor Shoshanna Zuboff of the Harvard Business School and no radical, writes in ‘The Age of Surveillance Capitalism’, that the object of collecting, processing and using data is no longer to service our needs better. It is to automate us, to modify our behaviour, producing a “behavioural surplus” that fuels the digital economy. This outcome has darkened the digital dream, and caused its rapid mutation into surveillance capitalism.

Professor Tim Wu, who coined the term ‘net neutrality’, has a slightly different take. He believes that attention capital — capturing our attention — is the key driver in the digital economy. For both Wu and Zuboff, digital monopolies comprise a form of rogue capitalism, and it is creating a dystopian society.

Whether critical or rosy, these views of the digital economy capture only one aspect of today’s world. The digital monopolies are the fastest growing monopolies the world has ever seen.

If we take the top five companies in the Fortune 500 list by market capitalisation today (2018), they are all digital monopolies. Collecting raw data and processing it makes up the key element of this growth.

If data is powering this growth, who owns the data? Most people ask questions about whether the data belongs to the companies that collect and process it, or to the individuals whose data is being collected.

Both frames conceive of data as property, their only question is who owns this property. Other assumptions — such as the one that data is neither a commodity nor property, but a part of the digital commons — are dropped out of the debate.

Those who take a narrow view of data — of merely, protecting our privacy — miss out two aspects of data. The first point is that the most useful data is not our personal demographic data: Who we are in terms of age, gender or ethnicity. It is the data of our social interactions. It’s useful, at this point, to recall the film on Facebook, and why it was called, ‘The Social Network’.

The second point is that a huge amount of data today is collected from sensors, cameras and devices. They belong to larger collectives, towns, municipalities, and other such entities; not individuals.

If data is the new oil — or the new super oil WEF sees with excitement — the question of who controls this data and its flow is not just an economic issue. It is deeply political as well.

Great Britain built its colonial empire (over which the sun never set), on the back of naval control of the oceans. Who controls the data and its flow will decide who will rule the world in the 21st century.

This is the context in which we have to view the recent move by the World Economic Forum to initiate e-commerce negotiations within the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Apart from the absurdity of WEF starting WTO negotiations, negotiations on e-commerce or, more correctly, use of digital platforms to buy and sell goods, WEF has little to do with trade.

The “negotiations” are all about control over data and its flows: No restrictions on digital platforms; open collection of peoples data and no taxes on digital goods. In effect, a blatant plea for a neo-colonial data regime.

Indian big capital has been showing interest in controlling the data of Indians. Mukesh Ambani has already pitched in. The dream here? Exercising control over data for their private gain, with the Indian State giving them access to the Aadhaar ecosystem built with public money.

Yes, there is the question of who will control data. But the critical question has to do with the purpose. Is data being collected and processed for the benefit of digital monopolies — global or Indian? Or is it for public good?

The demand that our peoples’ data should belong to digital monopolies will create a more unequal world. A Luddite reaction to this development may be to smash physical and algorithmic machines.

The right response is working out a trajectory different from the dystopian one of ever-growing digital capital. That means re-imagining our digital future with people at its centre, not capital. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-data-and-its-discontents-2718461">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Data is the new oil: This is how the World Economic Forum (WEF) hailed the birth of a new “asset class” in 2011. The WEF views are even more rosy in 2019 — about the exponential expansion of this “data universe”.

Data is the new oil: This is how the World Economic Forum (WEF) hailed the birth of a new “asset class” in 2011. The WEF views are even more rosy in 2019 — about the exponential expansion of this “data universe”. Ok, we get it. WEF, the rich man’s club, now finds data even more valuable than oil. As long as machines can produce and consume ever larger amounts of data, the immaterial world of money and data can expand ad infinitum. And wow, that’s a lot of money to be made. Let’s pass over some simple, mundane questions. The sort that ask if people can eat data or wear it, the sort that place people where they live — in the material universe. Let’s not take issue with our leaders who say the physical universe — the pakoda producing-consuming one — is expanding. Let’s consider the data universe instead, and the happy rumours of ever-growing data leading to financial growth. The data universe turns out to be even more unequal than the one we know. Its “growth” does not create jobs; indeed, it creates job loss. Twenty-six individuals now own wealth equal to that of the bottom half of the world’s population. Yes, it creates wealth, but for whom? Professor Shoshanna Zuboff of the Harvard Business School and no radical, writes in ‘The Age of Surveillance Capitalism’, that the object of collecting, processing and using data is no longer to service our needs better. It is to automate us, to modify our behaviour, producing a “behavioural surplus” that fuels the digital economy. This outcome has darkened the digital dream, and caused its rapid mutation into surveillance capitalism. Professor Tim Wu, who coined the term ‘net neutrality’, has a slightly different take. He believes that attention capital — capturing our attention — is the key driver in the digital economy. For both Wu and Zuboff, digital monopolies comprise a form of rogue capitalism, and it is creating a dystopian society. Whether critical or rosy, these views of the digital economy capture only one aspect of today’s world. The digital monopolies are the fastest growing monopolies the world has ever seen. If we take the top five companies in the Fortune 500 list by market capitalisation today (2018), they are all digital monopolies. Collecting raw data and processing it makes up the key element of this growth. If data is powering this growth, who owns the data? Most people ask questions about whether the data belongs to the companies that collect and process it, or to the individuals whose data is being collected. Both frames conceive of data as property, their only question is who owns this property. Other assumptions — such as the one that data is neither a commodity nor property, but a part of the digital commons — are dropped out of the debate. Those who take a narrow view of data — of merely, protecting our privacy — miss out two aspects of data. The first point is that the most useful data is not our personal demographic data: Who we are in terms of age, gender or ethnicity. It is the data of our social interactions. It’s useful, at this point, to recall the film on Facebook, and why it was called, ‘The Social Network’. The second point is that a huge amount of data today is collected from sensors, cameras and devices. They belong to larger collectives, towns, municipalities, and other such entities; not individuals. If data is the new oil — or the new super oil WEF sees with excitement — the question of who controls this data and its flow is not just an economic issue. It is deeply political as well. Great Britain built its colonial empire (over which the sun never set), on the back of naval control of the oceans. Who controls the data and its flow will decide who will rule the world in the 21st century. This is the context in which we have to view the recent move by the World Economic Forum to initiate e-commerce negotiations within the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Apart from the absurdity of WEF starting WTO negotiations, negotiations on e-commerce or, more correctly, use of digital platforms to buy and sell goods, WEF has little to do with trade. The “negotiations” are all about control over data and its flows: No restrictions on digital platforms; open collection of peoples data and no taxes on digital goods. In effect, a blatant plea for a neo-colonial data regime. Indian big capital has been showing interest in controlling the data of Indians. Mukesh Ambani has already pitched in. The dream here? Exercising control over data for their private gain, with the Indian State giving them access to the Aadhaar ecosystem built with public money. Yes, there is the question of who will control data. But the critical question has to do with the purpose. Is data being collected and processed for the benefit of digital monopolies — global or Indian? Or is it for public good? The demand that our peoples’ data should belong to digital monopolies will create a more unequal world. A Luddite reaction to this development may be to smash physical and algorithmic machines. The right response is working out a trajectory different from the dystopian one of ever-growing digital capital. That means re-imagining our digital future with people at its centre, not capital. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Data and its discontents

Facebook Inc's operations chief Sheryl Sandberg said on Wednesday that the world's largest social network needed to win back public trust after facing scandals for violating its users' privacy.

The social media platform is investing billions of dollars a year to improve the security of its network, Sandberg said in an interview hosted by German newspaper Die Zeit and UK law firm CMS at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/google-facebook-spend-big-on-us-lobbying-amid-policy-battles-192129">Google, Facebook spend big on US lobbying amid policy battles</a>

"We did not anticipate all of the risks from connecting so many people," Sandberg said, adding that the site had added features that give users greater control over their personal information.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-accused-of-allowing-anti-brexit-fake-news-on-its-platform-191338">Facebook accused of allowing anti-Brexit fake news on its platform</a>

The 15-year-old technology company has been a darling of California's Silicon Valley, making stars out of its founder, chief executive and chairman Mark Zuckerberg, and Sandberg, known for her feminist manifesto "Lean In". But its shares have fallen roughly 33 per cent since July to $144 due to concerns about user privacy.

Last year, the company was buffeted by revelations that UK consultancy Cambridge Analytica had improperly acquired data on millions of its US&nbsp;users to target election advertising.

"We need to earn back trust," Sandberg said.

Some of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-backs-election-integrity-ai-initiatives-in-germany-191671"> Facebook</a>'s major shareholders have pushed for Zuckerberg, who has majority control of the company, to step down as chairman.

Sandberg said he should remain both chair and CEO. She said that she also plans to remain at Facebook, where she has worked since 2008.

"I think I have a job to do," she said. "It's a job I really want to do."

Sandberg said that if Facebook had to change its business model and charge users a subscription fee instead of collecting advertising revenue, far fewer people would be able to use it.

"Fundamentally disallowing our business model would harm a lot of people all over the world."

She said her grassroots women's movement, spurred by the publication of "Lean In", was still going strong. But, asked if she was considering a run for US president in the 2020 election, she replied,&nbsp;"It's not on my agenda."

Facebook Inc's operations chief Sheryl Sandberg said on Wednesday that the world's largest social network needed to win back public trust after facing scandals for violating its users' privacy.

Facebook Inc's operations chief Sheryl Sandberg said on Wednesday that the world's largest social network needed to win back public trust after facing scandals for violating its users' privacy. The social media platform is investing billions of dollars a year to improve the security of its network, Sandberg said in an interview hosted by German newspaper Die Zeit and UK law firm CMS at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Also read: Google, Facebook spend big on US lobbying amid policy battles "We did not anticipate all of the risks from connecting so many people," Sandberg said, adding that the site had added features that give users greater control over their personal information. Also read: Facebook accused of allowing anti-Brexit fake news on its platform The 15-year-old technology company has been a darling of California's Silicon Valley, making stars out of its founder, chief executive and chairman Mark Zuckerberg, and Sandberg, known for her feminist manifesto "Lean In". But its shares have fallen roughly 33 per cent since July to $144 due to concerns about user privacy. Last year, the company was buffeted by revelations that UK consultancy Cambridge Analytica had improperly acquired data on millions of its US users to target election advertising. "We need to earn back trust," Sandberg said. Some of Facebook's major shareholders have pushed for Zuckerberg, who has majority control of the company, to step down as chairman. Sandberg said he should remain both chair and CEO. She said that she also plans to remain at Facebook, where she has worked since 2008. "I think I have a job to do," she said. "It's a job I really want to do." Sandberg said that if Facebook had to change its business model and charge users a subscription fee instead of collecting advertising revenue, far fewer people would be able to use it. "Fundamentally disallowing our business model would harm a lot of people all over the world." She said her grassroots women's movement, spurred by the publication of "Lean In", was still going strong. But, asked if she was considering a run for US president in the 2020 election, she replied, "It's not on my agenda."

Facebook must earn back trust, says Chief operation officer Sheryl Sandberg in Davos

The British government on Wednesday played down concerns that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/how-europe-reacted-to-brexit-deal-defeat-190587&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjHwbDerobgAhUGS48KHduaDnQQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ONpHjI7NlHcUTKnXTjxSj">Brexit </a>is scaring away businesses after Sony said it was moving its European headquarters to the Netherlands amid a bitter political stalemate in London.

With just over two months to go until the scheduled date of Brexit on March 29, and with no divorce deal in place, Britain faces the prospect of an imminent and chaotic departure from the European Union after 46 years of membership.

Interviewed by AFP at the World Economic Forum in Davos, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said Britain remained "open for business".

Britain "is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment — and that during the time where there's been uncertainty over Brexit," Fox said.

Japanese electronics giant Sony said it was moving its headquarters' registration by the end of March to avoid Brexit-related customs issues.

Its rival Panasonic last year also moved its European headquarters from Britain to the Netherlands over concerns about potential Brexit-related tax issues.

Several other Japanese firms, including megabank MUFG, Nomura Holdings, Daiwa Securities and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, have said they are planning to move their main EU bases out of London since the 2016 Brexit vote.

France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have all benefited from companies moving out of London, although the large impact predicted by some on Britain's financial sector has so far failed to materialise.

Dutch officials are in contact with more than 250 companies about a possible post-Brexit move, the government there said Wednesday.

The Dutch government will announce a final figure in February but "every new arrival of business, big or small, is a success," Michiel Bakhuizen, a spokesman for the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, told AFP.

EU 'ready to be more ambitious'&nbsp;

Britain has been in a state of political upheaval since last week when parliament rejected the withdrawal deal negotiated by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/attempts-to-delay-brexit-do-not-solve-the-issue-says-uk-pm-theresa-may-192319&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjGwND0robgAhVBs48KHa9BBdwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0frJRYi9tQtdTQxpw6UMpm">Prime Minister Theresa May</a> with the EU, leaving the UK on course for a no-deal Brexit on March 29.

Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday warned the British government would still face a multi-billion euro divorce settlement with the EU under such a scenario.

Some anti-EU campaigners, opposed to a negotiated settlement with Brussels, baulk at the idea of settling a bill that their own government estimates at £39 billion (44 billion euros) to cover outstanding obligations.

But Barnier, in interviews with several European newspapers, said the bill would still be due.

"For the EU budget, we've always said one simple thing: the totality of the commitments made by the United Kingdom while still an EU member will be respected," the senior EU official said, according to Le Monde.

Separately in the interview, given also to Luxemburger Wort and Poland's Rzeczpospolita, Barnier restated the consensus EU position that the withdrawal deal must stand and that it is up to May's government to find a way to save it.

But he suggested that Brussels would be flexible and modify the political declaration on hopes for future ties, agreed alongside the binding withdrawal deal if Britain were to compromise on May's positions.

"We are ready to be more ambitious if the British decide to shift their red lines, for example by remaining in a customs union, or participating in the single market," he said, according to the Luxemburger Wort.&nbsp;

"I believe there is a readiness in London for that."

Manufacturing sentiment drops 
&nbsp; 
The political crisis in London comes against a backdrop of growing economic gloom, with business leaders warning politicians of the effects of Brexit uncertainty.

A Confederation of British Industry survey of 326 manufacturing firms on Wednesday found that new orders flattened in the quarter to January and sentiment about both the business situation and export prospects tumbled.

Business concerns are particularly high over the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, which could immediately impose high tariffs on key exports such as food and cars.

A disruptive Brexit could also have a major impact on transport hubs such as ports and airports.

The British government on Wednesday played down concerns that Brexit is scaring away businesses after Sony said it was moving its European headquarters to the Netherlands amid a bitter political stalemate in London.

The British government on Wednesday played down concerns that Brexit is scaring away businesses after Sony said it was moving its European headquarters to the Netherlands amid a bitter political stalemate in London. With just over two months to go until the scheduled date of Brexit on March 29, and with no divorce deal in place, Britain faces the prospect of an imminent and chaotic departure from the European Union after 46 years of membership. Interviewed by AFP at the World Economic Forum in Davos, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said Britain remained "open for business". Britain "is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment — and that during the time where there's been uncertainty over Brexit," Fox said. Japanese electronics giant Sony said it was moving its headquarters' registration by the end of March to avoid Brexit-related customs issues. Its rival Panasonic last year also moved its European headquarters from Britain to the Netherlands over concerns about potential Brexit-related tax issues. Several other Japanese firms, including megabank MUFG, Nomura Holdings, Daiwa Securities and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, have said they are planning to move their main EU bases out of London since the 2016 Brexit vote. France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have all benefited from companies moving out of London, although the large impact predicted by some on Britain's financial sector has so far failed to materialise. Dutch officials are in contact with more than 250 companies about a possible post-Brexit move, the government there said Wednesday. The Dutch government will announce a final figure in February but "every new arrival of business, big or small, is a success," Michiel Bakhuizen, a spokesman for the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, told AFP. EU 'ready to be more ambitious' Britain has been in a state of political upheaval since last week when parliament rejected the withdrawal deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May with the EU, leaving the UK on course for a no-deal Brexit on March 29. Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday warned the British government would still face a multi-billion euro divorce settlement with the EU under such a scenario. Some anti-EU campaigners, opposed to a negotiated settlement with Brussels, baulk at the idea of settling a bill that their own government estimates at £39 billion (44 billion euros) to cover outstanding obligations. But Barnier, in interviews with several European newspapers, said the bill would still be due. "For the EU budget, we've always said one simple thing: the totality of the commitments made by the United Kingdom while still an EU member will be respected," the senior EU official said, according to Le Monde. Separately in the interview, given also to Luxemburger Wort and Poland's Rzeczpospolita, Barnier restated the consensus EU position that the withdrawal deal must stand and that it is up to May's government to find a way to save it. But he suggested that Brussels would be flexible and modify the political declaration on hopes for future ties, agreed alongside the binding withdrawal deal if Britain were to compromise on May's positions. "We are ready to be more ambitious if the British decide to shift their red lines, for example by remaining in a customs union, or participating in the single market," he said, according to the Luxemburger Wort. "I believe there is a readiness in London for that." Manufacturing sentiment drops The political crisis in London comes against a backdrop of growing economic gloom, with business leaders warning politicians of the effects of Brexit uncertainty. A Confederation of British Industry survey of 326 manufacturing firms on Wednesday found that new orders flattened in the quarter to January and sentiment about both the business situation and export prospects tumbled. Business concerns are particularly high over the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, which could immediately impose high tariffs on key exports such as food and cars. A disruptive Brexit could also have a major impact on transport hubs such as ports and airports.

UK plays down concerns over Brexit as Sony moves European headquarters to Netherlands

Former British prime minister Tony Blair said on Thursday&nbsp;that he believed the chances of a second Brexit referendum taking place were now greater than 50 percent.

With just over nine weeks until Britain is due to leave the EU, there is still no deal on the divorce terms and future relations, after parliament last week crushingly defeated the plan that Prime Minister Theresa May had negotiated.

"The real options have dawned on the members of parliament and therefore, there's not really a majority at the moment for any Brexit proposition," Blair, who opposes leaving the European Union, told Reuters TV at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Since rejecting May's deal, British lawmakers have failed to unite behind any other option and remain deeply divided over how to proceed. Some favour a second referendum as a way of breaking the deadlock in parliament.

Blair, from the main opposition Labour Party and prime minister from 1997 to 2007, said Britain was faced with the choice of a "pointless" Brexit that would render the country a "rule-taker", or a painful break away from the EU.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that he believed the chances of a second Brexit referendum taking place were now greater than 50 percent.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair said on Thursday that he believed the chances of a second Brexit referendum taking place were now greater than 50 percent. With just over nine weeks until Britain is due to leave the EU, there is still no deal on the divorce terms and future relations, after parliament last week crushingly defeated the plan that Prime Minister Theresa May had negotiated. "The real options have dawned on the members of parliament and therefore, there's not really a majority at the moment for any Brexit proposition," Blair, who opposes leaving the European Union, told Reuters TV at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Since rejecting May's deal, British lawmakers have failed to unite behind any other option and remain deeply divided over how to proceed. Some favour a second referendum as a way of breaking the deadlock in parliament. Blair, from the main opposition Labour Party and prime minister from 1997 to 2007, said Britain was faced with the choice of a "pointless" Brexit that would render the country a "rule-taker", or a painful break away from the EU.

'50-50 chance of second Brexit referendum': Ex British PM Tony Blair

Britain's Prince William revealed on Wednesday that "not one celebrity" had originally wanted to join a mental health campaign he started in 2016 with his wife Kate and brother Harry.

"We went out to a lot of people and nobody, before we started, was interested in being a part of 'Heads Together' – because it was mental health," he said, speaking on a panel at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos.

William, who is second in line to the British throne, also opened up about his experiences of dealing with trauma during his daily work in the air ambulance, which he retired from two years ago.

Remembering a particularly affecting incident, he said: “I know if I hadn’t taken the action I did then, I would have definitely gone down a slippery slope and I would have been dealing with mental illness on a different level."

His fellow panellist, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, praised the prince for speaking out about mental health issues.

Ardern, at 38 the world’s youngest female head of government, has said she will introduce New Zealand's first ‘well-being budget’ to gauge how policy impacts the quality of people’s lives.

"I think unfortunately one of the sad facts for New Zealand is that everyone knows someone who has taken their own life. We're a small country, less than 5 million people, but last year more than 600 people committed suicide," she said.

"I’ve lost friends and I wouldn't have to look far in my cabinet to find others who have as well," Ardern added.

William, who has previously warned British men of the dangers of keeping a traditional "stiff upper lip" at times of stress, said he thought his country’s difficulties with expressing emotions came from a wartime generation who passed on a tendency not to talk about problems.

Asked what he thought leaders should do to tackle mental health issues, William told the Davos crowd: "I think more leaders need to talk about it."

Britain's Prince William revealed on Wednesday that "not one celebrity" had originally wanted to join a mental health campaign he started in 2016 with his wife Kate and brother Harry.

Britain's Prince William revealed on Wednesday that "not one celebrity" had originally wanted to join a mental health campaign he started in 2016 with his wife Kate and brother Harry. "We went out to a lot of people and nobody, before we started, was interested in being a part of 'Heads Together' – because it was mental health," he said, speaking on a panel at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos. William, who is second in line to the British throne, also opened up about his experiences of dealing with trauma during his daily work in the air ambulance, which he retired from two years ago. Remembering a particularly affecting incident, he said: “I know if I hadn’t taken the action I did then, I would have definitely gone down a slippery slope and I would have been dealing with mental illness on a different level." His fellow panellist, New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, praised the prince for speaking out about mental health issues. Ardern, at 38 the world’s youngest female head of government, has said she will introduce New Zealand's first ‘well-being budget’ to gauge how policy impacts the quality of people’s lives. "I think unfortunately one of the sad facts for New Zealand is that everyone knows someone who has taken their own life. We're a small country, less than 5 million people, but last year more than 600 people committed suicide," she said. "I’ve lost friends and I wouldn't have to look far in my cabinet to find others who have as well," Ardern added. William, who has previously warned British men of the dangers of keeping a traditional "stiff upper lip" at times of stress, said he thought his country’s difficulties with expressing emotions came from a wartime generation who passed on a tendency not to talk about problems. Asked what he thought leaders should do to tackle mental health issues, William told the Davos crowd: "I think more leaders need to talk about it."

Britain's Prince William tackles mental health taboo at Davos

Davos 2019: WION speaks exclusively to Tech Mahindra MD&CEO

Nearly 30 per cent of global business leaders believe that world economic growth will decline in the next 12 months -- a dip which roughly translates to six times the level of 5 per cent in 2018.&nbsp;

According to a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, there prevails a gaping difference in the sentiment among global CEOs with regards to world economic growth. Over 1,300 CEOs were surveyed in September-October 2018, ahead of this year's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/imf-ceos-sound-warnings-as-leaders-gather-in-davos-191910">World Economic Forum event in Davos</a>, Switzerland.&nbsp;

This year's pessimism is in "vivid contrast to last year’s record jump, 29% to 57%, in optimism about global economic growth prospects," the survey found.&nbsp;

"Overall, CEOs’ views on global economic growth are more polarised this year but trending downward," the report stated.&nbsp;

The survey highlighted the United States as the top market for growth at 27%, significantly down from 46% in 2018. The second most attractive market, China, also saw its popularity fall to 24%, down from 33% in 2018.&nbsp;

"India is the rising star on the list," the released stated.&nbsp;

Taking a closer look at some country-specific results, CEOs’ confidence reflected the global drop attributed primarily to slowing world economies and looming trade tensions.&nbsp;

To drive revenue this year, CEOs plan to rely primarily on operational efficiencies at 77% and organic growth at 71%.&nbsp;

US retains top market slot for growth&nbsp;

The US retains its lead as the top market for growth over the next 12 months. Other global favourites include China, Germany, Indian and the UK.&nbsp;

“The turn away from the US market and shift in Chinese investment to other countries are reactions to the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China,” &nbsp;Bob Moritz, Global Chairman, PwC noted.

Threats to growth

Trade conflicts, policy uncertainty, and protectionism have replaced terrorism, climate change, and increasing tax burden in the top ten list of threats to growth, the report stated.&nbsp;

"Of CEOs ‘extremely concerned’ about trade conflicts, 88% are specifically uneasy about the trade issues between China and the US. Ninety-eight per cent of US CEOs and 90% of China’s CEOs have voiced these concerns," the release read.&nbsp;

Artificial intelligence

Again, there is no denying that the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the future with AI, is bright. Global business leaders also resounded similar sentiment.&nbsp;

Eighty-five per cent of CEOs agree that AI will dramatically change their business over the next five years. Nearly two-thirds view it as something that will have a larger impact than the internet.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), In its World Economic Outlook report released on Monday, predicted the global economy will grow at 3.5 per cent in 2019 and 3.6 per cent in 2020, down 0.2 and 0.1 percentage point respectively from last October's forecasts, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"After two years of solid expansion, the world economy is growing more slowly than expected and risks are rising," IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told reporters.

"Does that mean a global recession is around the corner? No. But the risk of a sharper decline in global growth has certainly increased," she said, urging policymakers to brace for a "serious slowdown."

&nbsp;

Nearly 30 per cent of global business leaders believe that world economic growth will decline in the next 12 months -- a dip which roughly translates to six times the level of 5 per cent in 2018.

Nearly 30 per cent of global business leaders believe that world economic growth will decline in the next 12 months -- a dip which roughly translates to six times the level of 5 per cent in 2018. According to a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, there prevails a gaping difference in the sentiment among global CEOs with regards to world economic growth. Over 1,300 CEOs were surveyed in September-October 2018, ahead of this year's World Economic Forum event in Davos, Switzerland. This year's pessimism is in "vivid contrast to last year’s record jump, 29% to 57%, in optimism about global economic growth prospects," the survey found. "Overall, CEOs’ views on global economic growth are more polarised this year but trending downward," the report stated. The survey highlighted the United States as the top market for growth at 27%, significantly down from 46% in 2018. The second most attractive market, China, also saw its popularity fall to 24%, down from 33% in 2018. "India is the rising star on the list," the released stated. Taking a closer look at some country-specific results, CEOs’ confidence reflected the global drop attributed primarily to slowing world economies and looming trade tensions. To drive revenue this year, CEOs plan to rely primarily on operational efficiencies at 77% and organic growth at 71%. US retains top market slot for growth The US retains its lead as the top market for growth over the next 12 months. Other global favourites include China, Germany, Indian and the UK. “The turn away from the US market and shift in Chinese investment to other countries are reactions to the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing trade dispute between the US and China,” Bob Moritz, Global Chairman, PwC noted. Threats to growth Trade conflicts, policy uncertainty, and protectionism have replaced terrorism, climate change, and increasing tax burden in the top ten list of threats to growth, the report stated. "Of CEOs ‘extremely concerned’ about trade conflicts, 88% are specifically uneasy about the trade issues between China and the US. Ninety-eight per cent of US CEOs and 90% of China’s CEOs have voiced these concerns," the release read. Artificial intelligence Again, there is no denying that the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the future with AI, is bright. Global business leaders also resounded similar sentiment. Eighty-five per cent of CEOs agree that AI will dramatically change their business over the next five years. Nearly two-thirds view it as something that will have a larger impact than the internet. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), In its World Economic Outlook report released on Monday, predicted the global economy will grow at 3.5 per cent in 2019 and 3.6 per cent in 2020, down 0.2 and 0.1 percentage point respectively from last October's forecasts, news agency Reuters reported. "After two years of solid expansion, the world economy is growing more slowly than expected and risks are rising," IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde told reporters. "Does that mean a global recession is around the corner? No. But the risk of a sharper decline in global growth has certainly increased," she said, urging policymakers to brace for a "serious slowdown."

Ahead of Davos, global CEOs believe world economic growth will fall: Report

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro touted a "new Brazil" in a speech Tuesday to the world's business elite in Davos, vowing an investment-friendly agenda and attacking leftwing politics in Latin America.

The new leader of the region's biggest economy gave the keynote address at this year's World Economic Forum, where warnings are mounting of the dangers of a growth slowdown, yawning inequality and disastrous climate change.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump along with the leaders of France, Britain and Zimbabwe have stayed away from the Swiss ski resort as they fight political fires back home.

A trip to Davos by US officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also cancelled by Trump. But Pompeo addressed the conference by video-link from Washington on a range of foreign-policy challenges, after Bolsonaro's speech.

Like Trump, Bolsonaro surfed a populist wave to ride to power, vowing an end to rampant corruption and restoration of law and order in Brazil.&nbsp;

'Changing our history'

But staging his first foreign trip as president, Bolsonaro has left behind a scandal about suspicious payments involving his politician son Flavio Bolsonaro, who denies any wrongdoing.&nbsp;

Focusing instead on a pro-business message at the WEF, Bolsonaro told his well-heeled audience that he was determined to open up Brazil's economy, slash red tape and lower taxes.&nbsp;

"I want to introduce to all of you the new Brazil we are building," he said. "We are committed to changing our history."

Addressing civil society's deep concerns over his authoritarian leanings, Bolsonaro said "true human rights" were safe under his government as it would protect the right to life and safety of property.&nbsp;

In a nod to Venezuela and other regional hotbeds of socialism, he also said the left wing would "not prevail" in Latin America.

And he insisted the natural environment was also safe, despite fears that the new government will open up the Amazon rainforest further to agribusiness and loggers.

The reaction to the speech was muted, with Davos-goers saying there was little to go by in the leader's short and sometimes stilted address.

"He's obviously very green from a policy point of view but maybe he won't be corrupt which would be such an improvement," Harvard professor Kenneth Rogoff, a former IMF chief economist, told AFP after the speech.

Trump of the Tropics

While Bolsonaro's promises on investment and deregulation have wowed the Brazilian stock market, he has also taken a page from the Trump playbook in bashing China.

Greenpeace executive director Jennifer Morgan said Bolsonaro should not have been afforded the "prestigious platform" of the WEF in Davos, "because I think it just buttresses that type of approach that he is taking".&nbsp;

It was up to the company bosses present in Davos to push back and "actually prioritise the Amazon and reducing deforestation over their short-term business interest", she told AFP, "because the Amazon is a fundamental part of how the whole planet works".&nbsp;

However, a new analysis by the World Resources Institute said the world is on course to miss its "best chance" of preventing runaway climate change, by ensuring global greenhouse gas emissions peak in 2020.

The WEF week features an eclectic lineup of discussions devoted to issues such as mindful parenting in the digital age, chronic loneliness and harnessing artificial intelligence without destroying jobs.

It is drawing some 3,000 political and business figures, including 65 government leaders from Germany, Israel and elsewhere.&nbsp;

Growth down, inequality up

Trump pulled out of Davos because of the partial US government shutdown and then yanked his entire delegation, removing any prospect of trade peacemaking in the Alps with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan.

While economic growth is slowing, aid charity Oxfam warned the Davos elite that inequality around the world most certainly is not.

The wealth of the world's 26 richest people is now equivalent to that of the poorest half of humanity, Oxfam said, warning that such an imbalance was stoking popular anger and undermining democracies around the world.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro touted a "new Brazil" in a speech Tuesday to the world's business elite in Davos, vowing an investment-friendly agenda and attacking leftwing politics in Latin America.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro touted a "new Brazil" in a speech Tuesday to the world's business elite in Davos, vowing an investment-friendly agenda and attacking leftwing politics in Latin America. The new leader of the region's biggest economy gave the keynote address at this year's World Economic Forum, where warnings are mounting of the dangers of a growth slowdown, yawning inequality and disastrous climate change. US President Donald Trump along with the leaders of France, Britain and Zimbabwe have stayed away from the Swiss ski resort as they fight political fires back home. A trip to Davos by US officials including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also cancelled by Trump. But Pompeo addressed the conference by video-link from Washington on a range of foreign-policy challenges, after Bolsonaro's speech. Like Trump, Bolsonaro surfed a populist wave to ride to power, vowing an end to rampant corruption and restoration of law and order in Brazil. 'Changing our history' But staging his first foreign trip as president, Bolsonaro has left behind a scandal about suspicious payments involving his politician son Flavio Bolsonaro, who denies any wrongdoing. Focusing instead on a pro-business message at the WEF, Bolsonaro told his well-heeled audience that he was determined to open up Brazil's economy, slash red tape and lower taxes. "I want to introduce to all of you the new Brazil we are building," he said. "We are committed to changing our history." Addressing civil society's deep concerns over his authoritarian leanings, Bolsonaro said "true human rights" were safe under his government as it would protect the right to life and safety of property. In a nod to Venezuela and other regional hotbeds of socialism, he also said the left wing would "not prevail" in Latin America. And he insisted the natural environment was also safe, despite fears that the new government will open up the Amazon rainforest further to agribusiness and loggers. The reaction to the speech was muted, with Davos-goers saying there was little to go by in the leader's short and sometimes stilted address. "He's obviously very green from a policy point of view but maybe he won't be corrupt which would be such an improvement," Harvard professor Kenneth Rogoff, a former IMF chief economist, told AFP after the speech. Trump of the Tropics While Bolsonaro's promises on investment and deregulation have wowed the Brazilian stock market, he has also taken a page from the Trump playbook in bashing China. Greenpeace executive director Jennifer Morgan said Bolsonaro should not have been afforded the "prestigious platform" of the WEF in Davos, "because I think it just buttresses that type of approach that he is taking". It was up to the company bosses present in Davos to push back and "actually prioritise the Amazon and reducing deforestation over their short-term business interest", she told AFP, "because the Amazon is a fundamental part of how the whole planet works". However, a new analysis by the World Resources Institute said the world is on course to miss its "best chance" of preventing runaway climate change, by ensuring global greenhouse gas emissions peak in 2020. The WEF week features an eclectic lineup of discussions devoted to issues such as mindful parenting in the digital age, chronic loneliness and harnessing artificial intelligence without destroying jobs. It is drawing some 3,000 political and business figures, including 65 government leaders from Germany, Israel and elsewhere. Growth down, inequality up Trump pulled out of Davos because of the partial US government shutdown and then yanked his entire delegation, removing any prospect of trade peacemaking in the Alps with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan. While economic growth is slowing, aid charity Oxfam warned the Davos elite that inequality around the world most certainly is not. The wealth of the world's 26 richest people is now equivalent to that of the poorest half of humanity, Oxfam said, warning that such an imbalance was stoking popular anger and undermining democracies around the world.

Far-right Jair Bolsonaro sells 'new Brazil' to Davos elite

Global uncertainties, including populism and economic slowdown, have cast a shadow over the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 2019 annual meeting, which officially opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday.

As leaders gathered for the annual meeting,&nbsp;WION spoke to the former governor of Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan&nbsp;who is also attending the event. Speaking to&nbsp;WION's correspondent, Sumit Chaturvedi, Rajan&nbsp;said that there is underlying strength in&nbsp;the global economy.

Commenting on the recent forecast by International Monetary Fund(IMF) on global economic growth, Rajan said he agrees with IMF and said that there are clouds hanging over the world economy as China is underperforming in comparison to its&nbsp;past record&nbsp;and the US is also suffering due to the government shutdown.

"Well, I have no reason to differ from the IMF, there is broadly strength in the underlying economy, there are some clouds, certainly, China is underperforming relative&nbsp;to the past...in the US there are issues like a government shutdown, so we have to wait and see," Rajan&nbsp;said.

Commenting on the World Economic Forum, Rajan said, "It's just started so not much has happened so far..will see what people say, what people think..it's a process of discussion and debate."

Experts have said that the absence of western leaders at the Davos meeting has added to the challenges brought by populism to the globalisation process.

Meanwhile, fears of a global slowdown have jolted markets and forced the US Federal Reserve Bank to signal a pause in its interest rate hike cycle, as investors fret about increasing weak signs in China and the fallout from Sino-US trade frictions.

Data released on Monday showed China's economy cooled in the fourth quarter on faltering domestic demand and bruising US&nbsp;tariffs, dragging 2018 growth to the lowest in nearly three decades.

Topics such as global economic landscape, climate change, artificial intelligence and digitalisation are also on top of the agenda at the WEF.

Global uncertainties, including populism and economic slowdown, have cast a shadow over the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 2019 annual meeting, which officially opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday.

Global uncertainties, including populism and economic slowdown, have cast a shadow over the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 2019 annual meeting, which officially opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday. As leaders gathered for the annual meeting, WION spoke to the former governor of Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan who is also attending the event. Speaking to WION's correspondent, Sumit Chaturvedi, Rajan said that there is underlying strength in the global economy. Commenting on the recent forecast by International Monetary Fund(IMF) on global economic growth, Rajan said he agrees with IMF and said that there are clouds hanging over the world economy as China is underperforming in comparison to its past record and the US is also suffering due to the government shutdown. "Well, I have no reason to differ from the IMF, there is broadly strength in the underlying economy, there are some clouds, certainly, China is underperforming relative to the past...in the US there are issues like a government shutdown, so we have to wait and see," Rajan said. Commenting on the World Economic Forum, Rajan said, "It's just started so not much has happened so far..will see what people say, what people think..it's a process of discussion and debate." Experts have said that the absence of western leaders at the Davos meeting has added to the challenges brought by populism to the globalisation process. Meanwhile, fears of a global slowdown have jolted markets and forced the US Federal Reserve Bank to signal a pause in its interest rate hike cycle, as investors fret about increasing weak signs in China and the fallout from Sino-US trade frictions. Data released on Monday showed China's economy cooled in the fourth quarter on faltering domestic demand and bruising US tariffs, dragging 2018 growth to the lowest in nearly three decades. Topics such as global economic landscape, climate change, artificial intelligence and digitalisation are also on top of the agenda at the WEF.

Watch: China underperforming relative to past, says Ex RBI chief Raghuram Rajan in Davos

The International Monetary Fund said Monday it was "imperative" to resolve the uncertainty surrounding how Britain will leave the European Union, which it said was posing a threat to the British and global economy.

"We have already seen the negative effect of this uncertainty on British investment," IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath told reporters in Davos ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forum.

"It is imperative for leaders to resolve this uncertainty immediately."

The IMF had already calculated that if Britain crashed out of the EU without a deal the result would be "a decline in long-run ... GDP of five to eight per cent", she said.

"So that would be quite significant. It is absolutely essential that this uncertainty is resolved sooner than later," she said.

Gopinath's comments came after the IMF released an update to its global economic forecast, showing that a range of uncertainties, including Brexit, but also US-China trade confrontations, were threatening to drag down global growth even further.

The World Economic Outlook cut the global GDP forecast for this year to 3.5 per cent from the 3.7 per cent projected in October. And for 2020 the estimate was trimmed to 3.6 per cent.

While it cut forecasts for a number of national economies, it forecast 1.5 per cent 2019 growth for Britain, the same as in October.

But it warned the estimate is fraught with uncertainty since "as of mid-January, the shape that Brexit will ultimately take remains highly uncertain".

London and Brussels have spent the best part of two years working on a divorce deal, but members of Britain's lower House of Commons comprehensively rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed deal last week.

She will unveil a "Plan B" on Monday, but fears are growing that Britain will crash out of the EU on March 29 unless MPs can force a delay or come up with an alternative plan that Brussels is also happy with, before the deadline.

The International Monetary Fund said Monday it was "imperative" to resolve the uncertainty surrounding how Britain will leave the European Union, which it said was posing a threat to the British and global economy.

The International Monetary Fund said Monday it was "imperative" to resolve the uncertainty surrounding how Britain will leave the European Union, which it said was posing a threat to the British and global economy. "We have already seen the negative effect of this uncertainty on British investment," IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath told reporters in Davos ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forum. "It is imperative for leaders to resolve this uncertainty immediately." The IMF had already calculated that if Britain crashed out of the EU without a deal the result would be "a decline in long-run ... GDP of five to eight per cent", she said. "So that would be quite significant. It is absolutely essential that this uncertainty is resolved sooner than later," she said. Gopinath's comments came after the IMF released an update to its global economic forecast, showing that a range of uncertainties, including Brexit, but also US-China trade confrontations, were threatening to drag down global growth even further. The World Economic Outlook cut the global GDP forecast for this year to 3.5 per cent from the 3.7 per cent projected in October. And for 2020 the estimate was trimmed to 3.6 per cent. While it cut forecasts for a number of national economies, it forecast 1.5 per cent 2019 growth for Britain, the same as in October. But it warned the estimate is fraught with uncertainty since "as of mid-January, the shape that Brexit will ultimately take remains highly uncertain". London and Brussels have spent the best part of two years working on a divorce deal, but members of Britain's lower House of Commons comprehensively rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed deal last week. She will unveil a "Plan B" on Monday, but fears are growing that Britain will crash out of the EU on March 29 unless MPs can force a delay or come up with an alternative plan that Brussels is also happy with, before the deadline.

Imperative to resolve Brexit uncertainty immediately: IMF

Global rich-poor gap is widening, fuelling anger: Reports

Switching from beef to other protein sources can prevent millions of diet-related deaths globally and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, though overall consumption of meat and fish is expected to rise rapidly in countries like India, a new study said Thursday.

The new research, done by the Oxford Martin School for the World Economic Forum (WEF), found that balancing meat consumption with alternative sources of protein can lead to significant health and environmental benefits.

It also found a sustainable food industry and healthier human life can be achieved through further innovation in the development of alternative proteins, livestock production and consumer behaviour, Geneva-based WEF said.

For human health, the research found that switching from beef - the base case of the analysis - to other protein sources could reduce the overall global burden of diet-related deaths by 2.4 per cent, with the number climbing to 5 per cent in high- and upper-middle-income countries.

The report is expected to be discussed at the WEF's annual meeting later this month in Davos, which would be attended by thousands of business, government and civil society leaders from across the world, including from India.

Without giving country-specific figures, it said the findings will be increasingly important given the projected demand for meat from emerging middle classes.

In terms of environmental impact, the study said production of beef alone was responsible for 25 per cent of all food-related greenhouse gas emissions. With demand for protein set to soar, such demand will place huge pressure on the environment.

The report said beef has an emissions intensity of 23.9 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per 200kcal, while beans, insects, wheat and nuts emit 1kilogram or less CO2 equivalent for the same nutritional value. Other sources such as tofu, pork, alga and chicken produce only 3-6 kilograms CO2 equivalent.

The 13 sources of protein analysed in the report included beef, pork and chicken; fruits and vegetables that can be eaten naturally or processed, such as beans and peas; processed non-animal substitutes such as tofu, wheat-gluten products or mycoprotein; and novel products such as cultured meat, insects and alga spirulina.

The WEF's Managing Director Dominic Waughray said it will be impossible to sustainably satisfy the world's future demand for meat.

However, it can be possible to produce enough nutrition for 10 billion people and improve people's health without necessarily giving up meat - even red meat - altogether, through innovation in products, improvements in how we produce beef, pork and chicken, and an effort on the part of the consumer to embrace a more diverse diet, Waughray added.

Citing the OECD-FAO figures, the report said growth in per-capita consumption of meat and fish within Asia between 2018 and 2027 will be highest in India (12 per cent) and China (13 per cent).

During the same period, the total consumption of meat and fish will grow by 25 per cent in India and by 16 per cent in China.

On the other hand, demand for livestock-derived foods is projected to grow rapidly in China with an increased focus on meat, while in India it will be slower with a high concentration on milk.

The study also said a variety of factors will lead to a different development of supportive and cautionary narratives about alternative proteins in Asia compared with Europe and North America.

Among the four key factors, the study listed some countries such as India has a long cultural history of religious vegetarianism.

"In these countries, abstinence from meat has an association with tradition and conservatism, which contrasts with its association with liberalism and the counterculture in the West," it said.

The WEF said the government and regulators need to design rules to govern a wave of new alternative proteins to protect the public from health risks and unsubstantiated claims and to support the various sectors in their transformations.

Switching from beef to other protein sources can prevent millions of diet-related deaths globally and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, though overall consumption of meat and fish is expected to rise rapidly in countries like India, a new study said Thursday.

Switching from beef to other protein sources can prevent millions of diet-related deaths globally and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, though overall consumption of meat and fish is expected to rise rapidly in countries like India, a new study said Thursday. The new research, done by the Oxford Martin School for the World Economic Forum (WEF), found that balancing meat consumption with alternative sources of protein can lead to significant health and environmental benefits. It also found a sustainable food industry and healthier human life can be achieved through further innovation in the development of alternative proteins, livestock production and consumer behaviour, Geneva-based WEF said. For human health, the research found that switching from beef - the base case of the analysis - to other protein sources could reduce the overall global burden of diet-related deaths by 2.4 per cent, with the number climbing to 5 per cent in high- and upper-middle-income countries. The report is expected to be discussed at the WEF's annual meeting later this month in Davos, which would be attended by thousands of business, government and civil society leaders from across the world, including from India. Without giving country-specific figures, it said the findings will be increasingly important given the projected demand for meat from emerging middle classes. In terms of environmental impact, the study said production of beef alone was responsible for 25 per cent of all food-related greenhouse gas emissions. With demand for protein set to soar, such demand will place huge pressure on the environment. The report said beef has an emissions intensity of 23.9 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per 200kcal, while beans, insects, wheat and nuts emit 1kilogram or less CO2 equivalent for the same nutritional value. Other sources such as tofu, pork, alga and chicken produce only 3-6 kilograms CO2 equivalent. The 13 sources of protein analysed in the report included beef, pork and chicken; fruits and vegetables that can be eaten naturally or processed, such as beans and peas; processed non-animal substitutes such as tofu, wheat-gluten products or mycoprotein; and novel products such as cultured meat, insects and alga spirulina. The WEF's Managing Director Dominic Waughray said it will be impossible to sustainably satisfy the world's future demand for meat. However, it can be possible to produce enough nutrition for 10 billion people and improve people's health without necessarily giving up meat - even red meat - altogether, through innovation in products, improvements in how we produce beef, pork and chicken, and an effort on the part of the consumer to embrace a more diverse diet, Waughray added. Citing the OECD-FAO figures, the report said growth in per-capita consumption of meat and fish within Asia between 2018 and 2027 will be highest in India (12 per cent) and China (13 per cent). During the same period, the total consumption of meat and fish will grow by 25 per cent in India and by 16 per cent in China. On the other hand, demand for livestock-derived foods is projected to grow rapidly in China with an increased focus on meat, while in India it will be slower with a high concentration on milk. The study also said a variety of factors will lead to a different development of supportive and cautionary narratives about alternative proteins in Asia compared with Europe and North America. Among the four key factors, the study listed some countries such as India has a long cultural history of religious vegetarianism. "In these countries, abstinence from meat has an association with tradition and conservatism, which contrasts with its association with liberalism and the counterculture in the West," it said. The WEF said the government and regulators need to design rules to govern a wave of new alternative proteins to protect the public from health risks and unsubstantiated claims and to support the various sectors in their transformations.

Giving up beef could reduce diet-related deaths by 5%: World Economic Forum 

Switzerland's nine-year streak as the world's most competitive economy came to an end on Wednesday, dethroned by the United States in an annual league table published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

However, India slipped to 58th place, a big slide from 40th under the old methodology last year.&nbsp;

A root-and-branch revamp of the WEF's rankings, reoriented towards future technology-driven growth, pushed Switzerland into fourth place, with Singapore second and Germany third out of 140 countries, each marked on a scale from 0 to 100.

"The US scores 85.6 which essentially means it’s still about 14 points away from that frontier of competitiveness," said Saadia Zahidi, a member of the WEF's managing board.

The United States was "an innovation powerhouse" with flexible labour and a big market, Zahidi said.

"They do fairly well in terms of institutions but there are also a lot of worrying signs," she said.

"The US is one of the lowest ranked G20 economies when it comes to health, there are concerns about freedom of the press, there are concerns about judicial independence ... softer factors that could have an implication for the country’s competitiveness in the longer term."

The old rankings had docked marks from the United States for its macroeconomic environment, high government debt being a particular weakness. But the new rankings awarded it 99.2 for "debt dynamics", an almost perfect score.

WEF experts denied that the analysis had been remodelled to flatter US President Trump, who topped the bill at the WEF's annual meeting at Davos in January, bringing his "America First" message to the world's elite.

"The old index and the new index are apples and oranges. The reason the new index has been built is because we’ve learned so much about what drives economic growth and growth in income in the long term," Zahidi said.

The 98 indicators in the index were drawn from international organisations and a survey of company executives and largely reflected long-term policies such as investing in digital skills, she said.

That means Switzerland could take a while to win back its crown. Zahidi said it was a pillar of innovation but needed to work on its entrepreneurial mindset.

"You need to be able to have this ability to take risks and to use some of these newer technologies to actually create businesses. And not just to create businesses but to take them all the way from idea to actual commercialisation," she said.

Further down the rankings, China was in 28th place, Russia was 43rd.

Saudi Arabia came 39th, a placing that "could potentially be affected" by the unfolding story of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Zahidi said.

The bottom 30 were almost exclusively African countries, although Haiti and Yemen squeezed ahead of last-placed Chad, which scored 35.5.

Switzerland's nine-year streak as the world's most competitive economy came to an end on Wednesday, dethroned by the United States in an annual league table published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Switzerland's nine-year streak as the world's most competitive economy came to an end on Wednesday, dethroned by the United States in an annual league table published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). However, India slipped to 58th place, a big slide from 40th under the old methodology last year. A root-and-branch revamp of the WEF's rankings, reoriented towards future technology-driven growth, pushed Switzerland into fourth place, with Singapore second and Germany third out of 140 countries, each marked on a scale from 0 to 100. "The US scores 85.6 which essentially means it’s still about 14 points away from that frontier of competitiveness," said Saadia Zahidi, a member of the WEF's managing board. The United States was "an innovation powerhouse" with flexible labour and a big market, Zahidi said. "They do fairly well in terms of institutions but there are also a lot of worrying signs," she said. "The US is one of the lowest ranked G20 economies when it comes to health, there are concerns about freedom of the press, there are concerns about judicial independence ... softer factors that could have an implication for the country’s competitiveness in the longer term." The old rankings had docked marks from the United States for its macroeconomic environment, high government debt being a particular weakness. But the new rankings awarded it 99.2 for "debt dynamics", an almost perfect score. WEF experts denied that the analysis had been remodelled to flatter US President Trump, who topped the bill at the WEF's annual meeting at Davos in January, bringing his "America First" message to the world's elite. "The old index and the new index are apples and oranges. The reason the new index has been built is because we’ve learned so much about what drives economic growth and growth in income in the long term," Zahidi said. The 98 indicators in the index were drawn from international organisations and a survey of company executives and largely reflected long-term policies such as investing in digital skills, she said. That means Switzerland could take a while to win back its crown. Zahidi said it was a pillar of innovation but needed to work on its entrepreneurial mindset. "You need to be able to have this ability to take risks and to use some of these newer technologies to actually create businesses. And not just to create businesses but to take them all the way from idea to actual commercialisation," she said. Further down the rankings, China was in 28th place, Russia was 43rd. Saudi Arabia came 39th, a placing that "could potentially be affected" by the unfolding story of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Zahidi said. The bottom 30 were almost exclusively African countries, although Haiti and Yemen squeezed ahead of last-placed Chad, which scored 35.5.

US dethrones Switzerland in 'competitive economy' race; India slips dramatically

US ranked no.1 in  WEF "Global Competitiveness Report"

World Economic Forum President Borge Brende was in New Delhi recently. Brende, who is the former foreign minister of Norway, spoke extensively with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a host of issues from #MeToo, to global economic growth, to India's reform process.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: What brings you here?&nbsp; 
Borge Brende: We are formally marking the opening of the centre for the 4th Industrial Revolution. It's a cooperation between WEF and important businesses. It's a follow up of PM Modi's speech at Davos that India will leapfrog and will be on top of 4th Industrial Revolution. It is a great collaboration.&nbsp;

SS: How do you see India's reform process? 
BB: Indian economy is doing well. But one can't be complacent. India is the sixth-largest economy and seeing the fastest economic growth of any of the leading economies. Eight per cent growth expected this year is an achievement. To keep that kind of growth in a difficult environment where we are seeing a lot of risk factors — overheating, inflationary pressure — India needs to keep reform going.

SS: And ease of doing business has improved in the country... 
BB: That is positive and I hope this will continue. There should be Investment in education and infrastructure moving forward and make sure India is leading in new technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and drones.

SS: The focus of your visit is the 4th Industrial Revolution. What are its basic pillars? 
BB: 4th Industrial Revolution is really technologies being introduced that are changing things at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence is one piece of it. We have 3D printing, block chains, precision medicine, autonomous vehicles and if you're not on top of it, you are going to lose out to international competition. For India which has a young population, these are great opportunities provided you have necessary skills in mathematics, and also in computer science.

SS: India has programmes like Digital India or payment platforms like BHIM. What would you say about them? 
BB: These reforms are critical. They are not sufficient because in the 4th Industrial Revolution we will need skills and world-class education. It is very important to make sure that the young population has access to quality education based on that you can make sure you have right abilities to capitalise of opportunities. 1.3 billion people can have positive outcomes of these technologies.&nbsp;

SS: Trade war has broken out. There is political protectionism. How will it impact global growth? 
BB: The world economy is looking strong. 3.8% economic growth this year and also next year but you are right, there are risk factors that need to be addressed. Trade is one of them. Trade has changed a lot in the last decade. If you say this is made in India due to the global value chain, maybe 50% is produced somewhere else. It's put together in India. So trade barriers and tariffs can also hurt existing industries in countries that are introducing these barriers. In a globalised world, all are in the same boat and we have to act accordingly. Currently, we are not seeing this. There are opportunities to solve this. There were big challenges on NAFTA — between US, Mexico and Canada. They agreed on a new trade deal, hope this spirit will reach other trade negotiations.

SS: What is your take on the #MeToo movement? It is gathering pace in India...&nbsp; 
BB: &nbsp;Gender and rights of women are very important. What we have seen at WEF and also via reports, companies that take gender issues and sustainable issues very seriously, recruit smarter people and best people. These companies move from capitalism to talentism. These companies are more profitable. They recruit better talent. Young people want to work in progressive companies.

World Economic Forum President Borge Brende was in New Delhi recently. Brende, who is the former foreign minister of Norway, spoke extensively with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a host of issues from #MeToo, to global economic growth, to India's reform process.

World Economic Forum President Borge Brende was in New Delhi recently. Brende, who is the former foreign minister of Norway, spoke extensively with WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a host of issues from #MeToo, to global economic growth, to India's reform process. Sidhant Sibal: What brings you here? Borge Brende: We are formally marking the opening of the centre for the 4th Industrial Revolution. It's a cooperation between WEF and important businesses. It's a follow up of PM Modi's speech at Davos that India will leapfrog and will be on top of 4th Industrial Revolution. It is a great collaboration. SS: How do you see India's reform process? BB: Indian economy is doing well. But one can't be complacent. India is the sixth-largest economy and seeing the fastest economic growth of any of the leading economies. Eight per cent growth expected this year is an achievement. To keep that kind of growth in a difficult environment where we are seeing a lot of risk factors — overheating, inflationary pressure — India needs to keep reform going. SS: And ease of doing business has improved in the country... BB: That is positive and I hope this will continue. There should be Investment in education and infrastructure moving forward and make sure India is leading in new technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and drones. SS: The focus of your visit is the 4th Industrial Revolution. What are its basic pillars? BB: 4th Industrial Revolution is really technologies being introduced that are changing things at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence is one piece of it. We have 3D printing, block chains, precision medicine, autonomous vehicles and if you're not on top of it, you are going to lose out to international competition. For India which has a young population, these are great opportunities provided you have necessary skills in mathematics, and also in computer science. SS: India has programmes like Digital India or payment platforms like BHIM. What would you say about them? BB: These reforms are critical. They are not sufficient because in the 4th Industrial Revolution we will need skills and world-class education. It is very important to make sure that the young population has access to quality education based on that you can make sure you have right abilities to capitalise of opportunities. 1.3 billion people can have positive outcomes of these technologies. SS: Trade war has broken out. There is political protectionism. How will it impact global growth? BB: The world economy is looking strong. 3.8% economic growth this year and also next year but you are right, there are risk factors that need to be addressed. Trade is one of them. Trade has changed a lot in the last decade. If you say this is made in India due to the global value chain, maybe 50% is produced somewhere else. It's put together in India. So trade barriers and tariffs can also hurt existing industries in countries that are introducing these barriers. In a globalised world, all are in the same boat and we have to act accordingly. Currently, we are not seeing this. There are opportunities to solve this. There were big challenges on NAFTA — between US, Mexico and Canada. They agreed on a new trade deal, hope this spirit will reach other trade negotiations. SS: What is your take on the #MeToo movement? It is gathering pace in India... BB: Gender and rights of women are very important. What we have seen at WEF and also via reports, companies that take gender issues and sustainable issues very seriously, recruit smarter people and best people. These companies move from capitalism to talentism. These companies are more profitable. They recruit better talent. Young people want to work in progressive companies.

Indian economy doing well but one can't be complacent: WEF President to WION

BJP Chief Amit Shah has given clarifications over the accusations put up by Congress party which state that the charges on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-is-nirav-modi-the-billionaire-jeweller-at-centre-of-rs-11000-crore-scam-32970" target="_blank">Nirav Modi </a>were proved when he shared the stage with the Prime Minister in Davos at World Economic Forum.&nbsp;

Clarifying the allegations of the opposition party Amit Shah said &quot;&nbsp;Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me &amp; if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets&quot;.

The Congress&#39;&nbsp;allegations surfaced after pictures from the event showed Nirav Modi sharing the dais with PM Modi in the event.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Photographs(Nirav Modi Davos photo) prove nothing,even you people are sitting with me &amp; if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NiravModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NiravModi</a> case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/a6QUz0DAE1">pic.twitter.com/a6QUz0DAE1</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965923953171673088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had also issued explaination on the matter saying that Nirav Modi was not part of the Prime Minister&#39;s delegation during his visit to Davos at World Economic Forum.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Clarifying the allegations of the Congress Amit Shah said 'Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized over 5000 crore assets

BJP Chief Amit Shah has given clarifications over the accusations put up by Congress party which state that the charges on Nirav Modi were proved when he shared the stage with the Prime Minister in Davos at World Economic Forum. Clarifying the allegations of the opposition party Amit Shah said " Photographs prove nothing, even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as Nirav Modi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets". The Congress' allegations surfaced after pictures from the event showed Nirav Modi sharing the dais with PM Modi in the event. Photographs(Nirav Modi Davos photo) prove nothing,even you people are sitting with me & if one of you commits a crime will you make me liable too? As far as #NiravModi case is concerned Centre has taken it seriously and already seized more than 5 thousand crore assets: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/a6QUz0DAE1 — ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2018 × Earlier Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had also issued explaination on the matter saying that Nirav Modi was not part of the Prime Minister's delegation during his visit to Davos at World Economic Forum.

Photographs of PM Modi with Nirav Modi prove nothing: Amit Shah

PM Modi prefers all kinds of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-swiss-president-berset-today-at-davos-30341">food, provided it is vegetarian</a>, the chief chef accompanying the prime minister at Davos said today.

A group of 32 chefs including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">managers catering to Indian </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">adda</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319"> </a>and India reception will be available for the Indian delegation during the World Economic Forum at Davos.

PM&#39;s private kitchen will be serving food for nearly 12,000 people, according to reports.&nbsp;

Iss thand me bhajia aur samosa mil jaye toh kya baat hai( in winters, if we get bhujia and samosa, it is great), chief chef Raghu Deora said before leaving for the World Economic Summit.

Ghar ka swad Davos mein, 1,000 kg masala le ke aye hai Davos mein(the taste of home in Davos, we have 1,000 kg masala for the summit), the chief chef said.

PM Modi will be having food at three different venues with the cuisine set to change every day.

PM Modi will be having food at three different venues with the cuisine set to change every day

PM Modi prefers all kinds of food, provided it is vegetarian, the chief chef accompanying the prime minister at Davos said today. A group of 32 chefs including managers catering to Indian adda and India reception will be available for the Indian delegation during the World Economic Forum at Davos. PM's private kitchen will be serving food for nearly 12,000 people, according to reports. Iss thand me bhajia aur samosa mil jaye toh kya baat hai( in winters, if we get bhujia and samosa, it is great), chief chef Raghu Deora said before leaving for the World Economic Summit. Ghar ka swad Davos mein, 1,000 kg masala le ke aye hai Davos mein(the taste of home in Davos, we have 1,000 kg masala for the summit), the chief chef said. PM Modi will be having food at three different venues with the cuisine set to change every day.

Watch: PM Modi's kitchen carrying 1,000 kg masala to Davos

With e-commerce growing, Chinese giant Alibaba&#39;s chief Jack Ma on Wednesday predicted the future will be about &#39;made on the internet&#39; and not labels like &#39;made in China&#39; or &#39;made in America&#39;.

Speaking at a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on &#39;Enabling e-commerce: Small enterprises, global players&#39;, Ma said in the future, every young person and small business will be able to buy, sell, pay and travel globally.

&quot;This is the trend - no one can stop it,&quot; he said.

The session discussed how e-commerce could give small businesses access to global markets that were once reserved for multinationals, yet just 7 per cent of global e-commerce trade takes place across borders.

It explored how new digital policies could break down barriers to international e-commerce and support the next generation of entrepreneurs to rise.

Jack Ma said that even without a perfect logistics system, payments system or blockchain, e-commerce has grown remarkably.

Alibaba would be the 21st largest economy in the world if it were a country, he said. Imagine what will happen when those challenges are solved, he added.

In the same session, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said governments still have rules and regulations that apply to 20th century trade.

&quot;That&#39;s going to disappear,&quot; he averred.

Jack Ma predicted that in the future there will be no &#39;made in China&#39;, &#39;made in America&#39;, or &#39;made in Peru&#39;.

&quot;It&#39;s going to be &#39;made on the internet&#39;,&quot; he said.

The Alibaba founder was speaking at a session at the World Economic Forum on 'Enabling e-commerce: Small enterprises, global players'.

With e-commerce growing, Chinese giant Alibaba's chief Jack Ma on Wednesday predicted the future will be about 'made on the internet' and not labels like 'made in China' or 'made in America'. Speaking at a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 'Enabling e-commerce: Small enterprises, global players', Ma said in the future, every young person and small business will be able to buy, sell, pay and travel globally. "This is the trend - no one can stop it," he said. The session discussed how e-commerce could give small businesses access to global markets that were once reserved for multinationals, yet just 7 per cent of global e-commerce trade takes place across borders. It explored how new digital policies could break down barriers to international e-commerce and support the next generation of entrepreneurs to rise. Jack Ma said that even without a perfect logistics system, payments system or blockchain, e-commerce has grown remarkably. Alibaba would be the 21st largest economy in the world if it were a country, he said. Imagine what will happen when those challenges are solved, he added. In the same session, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo said governments still have rules and regulations that apply to 20th century trade. "That's going to disappear," he averred. Jack Ma predicted that in the future there will be no 'made in China', 'made in America', or 'made in Peru'. "It's going to be 'made on the internet'," he said.

Forget 'made in China', future will be about 'made on Internet': Jack Ma in Davos

&quot;Artificial intelligence and robots will kill many jobs.&quot;&nbsp;

It&#39;s a depressingly blunt statement for anyone to make, but even more so as it is the prediction of Jack Ma, CEO of the Chinese online sales giant Alibaba.&nbsp;

The rise of AI -- its huge potential and fears over its potentially negative consequences -- is just one of the big issues discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, along with breaches of personal data and fake news.

But it is probably artificial intelligence and the ability of machines to not only interact with but manipulate human beings that raises the most suspicion.&nbsp;

Aware of growing governmental and public distrust, the giants of tech are trying to address the issues.

&quot;Technology should always give people new opportunities, not remove them,&quot; Ma said.

But when IBM President Ginni Rometty admits that &quot;100 percent of jobs will be somehow affected by technology,&quot; it might be a tough sell.

It&#39;s not just about jobs.

&quot;People want to trust technology, as long as they know who is behind it,&quot; said Neelie Kroes, now a member of the Open Data Institute, after having been for years the European commissioner in charge of digital issues.&nbsp;

In recent months, US-based Uber, which connects individuals with drivers through an application, found itself in the hot seat after several murders perpetrated by its chauffeurs, notably in the United States and in Lebanon.

&quot;You have to remember that the rating of a driver evaluates his driving but cannot predict if he is a serial killer,&quot; Uber director Dara Khosrowshahi told a panel at this week&#39;s economic gathering in the Swiss resort of Davos.

&quot;In this situation, who is responsible, the individual or the platform?&quot; wondered Rachel Botsman, an expert on the issue and author of the book &quot;Who Can We Trust?&quot;

Uber is the best-known example of a fast-growing company with a bruised reputation: accused of bad working conditions and sexual harassment it has faced chaotic legal proceedings and massive data piracy, which have sapped the firm.

&quot;For a long time, the answer of many digital companies has been to say: we are only the software, the platform, but technology now penetrates every aspect of our lives, our trades, our homes, our relationships,&quot; said Zvika Krieger, who leads digital projects for the World Economic Forum, the organiser of the Davos meeting.

&quot;Our response is no longer audible,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;&#39;Too slow&#39; 
&nbsp;&nbsp;

In Davos, there was also concern about Internet giants hoovering up huge amounts of personal data, sometimes illegally and sometimes sharing it with authorities.

&quot;The danger is that we are too slow and that the world is destroying us while we are still asking who really owns our data,&quot; said German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her Davos speech.

In the same way, attitudes towards social networks and search engines are changing.&nbsp;

&quot;The main question is whether Facebook and Google are technology companies or editorial companies, it is a question that remains unresolved,&quot; said Martin Sorrell, CEO of the British advertising giant WPP.&nbsp;

Amid the mistrust, Davos heard unique proposals from the digital world, which mostly rejects too much oversight by governments, believing it would stifle innovation.

Marc Benioff, the outspoken CEO and founder of Salesforce, a major cloud services company, called plainly for more regulation of the sector.

&quot;We&#39;re the same as any other industry,&quot; Benioff told CNBC in Davos.

Much like &quot;financial services, consumer product goods, food -- in technology, the government&#39;s going to have to be involved,&quot; he said.

Observers hailed what they saw as a change of heart by the titans of tech.

&quot;Regulatory authorities in Europe have been complaining for years that big digital companies are not responding when they&#39;re called,&quot; said WEF&#39;s Zvika Krieger.

&quot;Let&#39;s say they&#39;re picking up the phone now.&quot;

The rise of AI -- its huge potential and fears over its potentially negative consequences -- is just one of the big issues discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, along with breaches of personal data and fake news.

"Artificial intelligence and robots will kill many jobs." It's a depressingly blunt statement for anyone to make, but even more so as it is the prediction of Jack Ma, CEO of the Chinese online sales giant Alibaba. The rise of AI -- its huge potential and fears over its potentially negative consequences -- is just one of the big issues discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, along with breaches of personal data and fake news. But it is probably artificial intelligence and the ability of machines to not only interact with but manipulate human beings that raises the most suspicion. Aware of growing governmental and public distrust, the giants of tech are trying to address the issues. "Technology should always give people new opportunities, not remove them," Ma said. But when IBM President Ginni Rometty admits that "100 percent of jobs will be somehow affected by technology," it might be a tough sell. It's not just about jobs. "People want to trust technology, as long as they know who is behind it," said Neelie Kroes, now a member of the Open Data Institute, after having been for years the European commissioner in charge of digital issues. In recent months, US-based Uber, which connects individuals with drivers through an application, found itself in the hot seat after several murders perpetrated by its chauffeurs, notably in the United States and in Lebanon. "You have to remember that the rating of a driver evaluates his driving but cannot predict if he is a serial killer," Uber director Dara Khosrowshahi told a panel at this week's economic gathering in the Swiss resort of Davos. "In this situation, who is responsible, the individual or the platform?" wondered Rachel Botsman, an expert on the issue and author of the book "Who Can We Trust?" Uber is the best-known example of a fast-growing company with a bruised reputation: accused of bad working conditions and sexual harassment it has faced chaotic legal proceedings and massive data piracy, which have sapped the firm. "For a long time, the answer of many digital companies has been to say: we are only the software, the platform, but technology now penetrates every aspect of our lives, our trades, our homes, our relationships," said Zvika Krieger, who leads digital projects for the World Economic Forum, the organiser of the Davos meeting. "Our response is no longer audible," he said. 'Too slow' In Davos, there was also concern about Internet giants hoovering up huge amounts of personal data, sometimes illegally and sometimes sharing it with authorities. "The danger is that we are too slow and that the world is destroying us while we are still asking who really owns our data," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her Davos speech. In the same way, attitudes towards social networks and search engines are changing. "The main question is whether Facebook and Google are technology companies or editorial companies, it is a question that remains unresolved," said Martin Sorrell, CEO of the British advertising giant WPP. Amid the mistrust, Davos heard unique proposals from the digital world, which mostly rejects too much oversight by governments, believing it would stifle innovation. Marc Benioff, the outspoken CEO and founder of Salesforce, a major cloud services company, called plainly for more regulation of the sector. "We're the same as any other industry," Benioff told CNBC in Davos. Much like "financial services, consumer product goods, food -- in technology, the government's going to have to be involved," he said. Observers hailed what they saw as a change of heart by the titans of tech. "Regulatory authorities in Europe have been complaining for years that big digital companies are not responding when they're called," said WEF's Zvika Krieger. "Let's say they're picking up the phone now."

'Job-killing' robots, Artificial intelligence under scrutiny in Davos

Pakistan today said Kashmir and Rohingya issues are among the &quot;causes of a fractured world&quot; being witnessed today and they also need to be discussed at the international level.

Addressing a press conference along with his several cabinet colleagues who are here for the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said his country expects relationships to remain strong with China as well as the US.

He, however, acknowledged that the relationship with China has improved in recent past due to projects like Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In reply to a question, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, &quot;Kashmir and Rohingya are also among the causes of the fractured world and they also need (to be) addressed at international level&quot;.

His comments were in reference to the theme of this year&#39;s WEF annual meeting -- &#39;Creating a shared future in a fractured world&#39;.

Asked whether Pakistan was feeling the warmth of friendship from the East or the West, Abbasi said, &quot;For our country warmth has been blowing from both East and from the West and we hope it continues to blow from both sides. We have excellent relationships with China and with the US also.&quot;

He said the relationship with China has further strengthened with BRI and CPEC.

Asif said these relationships have been there since the birth of the country.

The Chinese initiatives in a region that is politically and otherwise fractured is something that shows and manifests China&#39;s commitment to strive for a shared future, the foreign minister said.

He also noted that Pakistan has praised China&#39;s BRI and President Xi Jinping&#39;s vision at every platform in Davos.

&quot;We would like our friends to view their relationship with Pakistan as an independent relationship and not through the prism of a third country. I am referring to our relationship with the US and they have (been) in the last few years viewing the relationship through the prism of Afghanistan,&quot; Asif said.

The prime minister and his cabinet colleagues also listed out various steps being taken to attract investments and how the government was trying to improve the country&#39;s global image.

Abbasi said Pakistan is an open market and ready to do business as he invited global businesses to come and invest in the country.

The decision to attend the WEF annual meeting was mainly driven by its theme, shared future in a fractured world, he said.

&quot;In Pakistan, we are carving out a shared future for everyone without leaving any one and we are doing this despite facing fractures internally and externally,&quot; he noted.

Pakistan is at the cusp of making history by making a peaceful transition by completing a decade of continued democracy, he said.

According to him, the country is playing a key role in connecting people of the region also by participating in the CPEC which is part of the BRI project of China.

&quot;Here at the WEF, we have engaged with leaders of various sectors and the platform has allowed us to present our potential,&quot; Abbasi said.

He also said BRI would benefit the region and the world at large for decades and millenniums to come.

Abbasi said Pakistan is an open market and ready to do business as he invited global businesses to come and invest in the country.

Pakistan today said Kashmir and Rohingya issues are among the "causes of a fractured world" being witnessed today and they also need to be discussed at the international level. Addressing a press conference along with his several cabinet colleagues who are here for the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said his country expects relationships to remain strong with China as well as the US. He, however, acknowledged that the relationship with China has improved in recent past due to projects like Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In reply to a question, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, "Kashmir and Rohingya are also among the causes of the fractured world and they also need (to be) addressed at international level". His comments were in reference to the theme of this year's WEF annual meeting -- 'Creating a shared future in a fractured world'. Asked whether Pakistan was feeling the warmth of friendship from the East or the West, Abbasi said, "For our country warmth has been blowing from both East and from the West and we hope it continues to blow from both sides. We have excellent relationships with China and with the US also." He said the relationship with China has further strengthened with BRI and CPEC. Asif said these relationships have been there since the birth of the country. The Chinese initiatives in a region that is politically and otherwise fractured is something that shows and manifests China's commitment to strive for a shared future, the foreign minister said. He also noted that Pakistan has praised China's BRI and President Xi Jinping's vision at every platform in Davos. "We would like our friends to view their relationship with Pakistan as an independent relationship and not through the prism of a third country. I am referring to our relationship with the US and they have (been) in the last few years viewing the relationship through the prism of Afghanistan," Asif said. The prime minister and his cabinet colleagues also listed out various steps being taken to attract investments and how the government was trying to improve the country's global image. Abbasi said Pakistan is an open market and ready to do business as he invited global businesses to come and invest in the country. The decision to attend the WEF annual meeting was mainly driven by its theme, shared future in a fractured world, he said. "In Pakistan, we are carving out a shared future for everyone without leaving any one and we are doing this despite facing fractures internally and externally," he noted. Pakistan is at the cusp of making history by making a peaceful transition by completing a decade of continued democracy, he said. According to him, the country is playing a key role in connecting people of the region also by participating in the CPEC which is part of the BRI project of China. "Here at the WEF, we have engaged with leaders of various sectors and the platform has allowed us to present our potential," Abbasi said. He also said BRI would benefit the region and the world at large for decades and millenniums to come.

Kashmir, Rohingya issues among 'causes of a fractured world': Pakistan at Davos

Billionaire investor George Soros launched a scathing attack on tech giants at the Davos summit on Thursday, calling them monopolies that could be manipulated by authoritarians to subvert democracy.

During an annual dinner he hosts at the World Economic Forum, held this week in the Swiss alpine resort, Soros turned his sights on a host of subjects including US President Donald Trump and the speculation frenzy surrounding the bitcoin cryptocurrency.

But much of the Hungarian-born financier&#39;s ire was reserved for the tech giants of Silicon Valley who, he argued, needed to be more strictly regulated.&nbsp;

&quot;Facebook and Google effectively control over half of all internet advertising revenue,&quot; the 87-year-old told diners during a speech.&nbsp;

&quot;They claim that they are merely distributors of information. The fact that they are near-monopoly distributors makes them public utilities and should subject them to more stringent regulations, aimed at preserving competition, innovation, and fair and open universal access.&quot;

He predicted that tech giants would &quot;compromise themselves&quot; to access key markets like China, creating an &quot;alliance between authoritarian states and these large, data rich IT monopolies.&quot;

&quot;This may well result in a web of totalitarian control the likes of which not even Aldous Huxley or George Orwell could have imagined,&quot; he warned.

Predicting governments would start to more heavily regulate the sector he said: &quot;Davos is a good place to announce that their days are numbered.&quot;

Known for his legendarily successful currency trading, Soros dismissed bitcoin as a &quot;typical bubble&quot;.&nbsp;

But he said the cryptocurrency would likely avoid a full crash because authoritarians would still use it to make secret investments abroad.

He described Russia&#39;s Vladimir Putin as presiding over a &quot;mafia state&quot; and called Trump a &quot;danger to the world&quot;.

But he predicted that the US president&#39;s appeal would not last.&nbsp;

&quot;I regard it as a purely temporary phenomenon that will disappear in 2020 or even sooner.&quot;

But the investor&#39;s traditional Davos predictions do not always pan out. Last year in Switzerland he warned that the stock market rally would end after Trump&#39;s election and that China&#39;s growth rate was unsustainable.

China&#39;s growth has continued while US stocks are regularly hitting record highs.

"Facebook and Google effectively control over half of all internet advertising revenue," the 87-year-old told diners during a speech.

Billionaire investor George Soros launched a scathing attack on tech giants at the Davos summit on Thursday, calling them monopolies that could be manipulated by authoritarians to subvert democracy. During an annual dinner he hosts at the World Economic Forum, held this week in the Swiss alpine resort, Soros turned his sights on a host of subjects including US President Donald Trump and the speculation frenzy surrounding the bitcoin cryptocurrency. But much of the Hungarian-born financier's ire was reserved for the tech giants of Silicon Valley who, he argued, needed to be more strictly regulated. "Facebook and Google effectively control over half of all internet advertising revenue," the 87-year-old told diners during a speech. "They claim that they are merely distributors of information. The fact that they are near-monopoly distributors makes them public utilities and should subject them to more stringent regulations, aimed at preserving competition, innovation, and fair and open universal access." He predicted that tech giants would "compromise themselves" to access key markets like China, creating an "alliance between authoritarian states and these large, data rich IT monopolies." "This may well result in a web of totalitarian control the likes of which not even Aldous Huxley or George Orwell could have imagined," he warned. Predicting governments would start to more heavily regulate the sector he said: "Davos is a good place to announce that their days are numbered." Known for his legendarily successful currency trading, Soros dismissed bitcoin as a "typical bubble". But he said the cryptocurrency would likely avoid a full crash because authoritarians would still use it to make secret investments abroad. He described Russia's Vladimir Putin as presiding over a "mafia state" and called Trump a "danger to the world". But he predicted that the US president's appeal would not last. "I regard it as a purely temporary phenomenon that will disappear in 2020 or even sooner." But the investor's traditional Davos predictions do not always pan out. Last year in Switzerland he warned that the stock market rally would end after Trump's election and that China's growth rate was unsustainable. China's growth has continued while US stocks are regularly hitting record highs.

George Soros to Google and Facebook: Your days are numbered

PM Modi will be participating in the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland on January 23, the last time an Indian PM showed up at the high table of economic greats was H.D. Deve Gowda in 1997.

The Davos forum will be attended by at least 350 leaders from around the world, including 60 heads of state.

The Davos meeting&nbsp;clearly hasn&#39;t&nbsp;captured the imagination of India&#39;s top men in the past.&nbsp;PM Modi has decided to seize the moment this time as &quot;India&#39;s representative&quot;.

Modi&#39;s agenda will involve networking with the world&#39;s best, including meeting Trump&#39;s business team.&nbsp;

Modi won&#39;t be turning up at Davos alone, he will be accompanied by a host of top ministers, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu, Commerce &amp; Industry minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan among others.

Modi&#39;s ministers are set to represent India in 25 sessions at Davos where they will share the PM&#39;s vision of transforming the country into a &quot;new India&quot; by 2022.

India&#39;s Chamber of Commerce and Industry(CII) will also chip in with roundtables with potential investors.

President Trump would be in Davos to promote&nbsp;&quot;America First&quot; as informed by the White House, Modi&#39;s pitch is expected to be similar. India needs more investment in virtually every sector, a fact pointed out by the World Bank.

India&#39;s pitch at Davos is likely to mirror Modi&#39;s campaign in the next 14 months in the run-up&nbsp;to the general elections in 2019. Post-demonisation, India&#39;s GDP has fallen and GST hasn&#39;t really taken off but the &quot;India story&quot; has resonated worldwide because of India&#39;s perceived stability and strong fundamentals, however, the road ahead could be rocky if India fails to get its act together, especially PM Modi.

It is time India moved away from merely being tagged as a &quot;potential&quot; growth engine considering the fact that next-door neighbour&nbsp;China is ready to replace the US in the growth story sweepstakes.

PM Modi will have to push ahead with his &quot;New India 2022&quot;&nbsp;vision soon, a delay could&nbsp;prove disastrous with elections around the corner.

The Modi government&#39;s four-year report card has been poor on generating growth, the only sweet spot being stability and continuity in economic growth but the government has mainly played it safe, avoiding&nbsp;big bang reforms.

Experts would be looking very closely at Modi in&nbsp;Davos, his meeting with Trump might get the eyeballs but the real battle would be behind the scenes, in closed-door meetings aimed at boosting investment in India.

The window of opportunity is rather small for the current government, India@2018 stands at&nbsp;crossroads, Modi&#39;s definition&nbsp;of India in the next 1 year could make-or-break India&#39;s economy.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Modi's ministers are set to represent India in 25 sessions at Davos where they will share the PM's vision of transforming the country into a "new India" by 2022.

PM Modi will be participating in the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland on January 23, the last time an Indian PM showed up at the high table of economic greats was H.D. Deve Gowda in 1997. The Davos forum will be attended by at least 350 leaders from around the world, including 60 heads of state. The Davos meeting clearly hasn't captured the imagination of India's top men in the past. PM Modi has decided to seize the moment this time as "India's representative". Modi's agenda will involve networking with the world's best, including meeting Trump's business team. Modi won't be turning up at Davos alone, he will be accompanied by a host of top ministers, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu, Commerce & Industry minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan among others. Modi's ministers are set to represent India in 25 sessions at Davos where they will share the PM's vision of transforming the country into a "new India" by 2022. India's Chamber of Commerce and Industry(CII) will also chip in with roundtables with potential investors. President Trump would be in Davos to promote "America First" as informed by the White House, Modi's pitch is expected to be similar. India needs more investment in virtually every sector, a fact pointed out by the World Bank. India's pitch at Davos is likely to mirror Modi's campaign in the next 14 months in the run-up to the general elections in 2019. Post-demonisation, India's GDP has fallen and GST hasn't really taken off but the "India story" has resonated worldwide because of India's perceived stability and strong fundamentals, however, the road ahead could be rocky if India fails to get its act together, especially PM Modi. It is time India moved away from merely being tagged as a "potential" growth engine considering the fact that next-door neighbour China is ready to replace the US in the growth story sweepstakes. PM Modi will have to push ahead with his "New India 2022" vision soon, a delay could prove disastrous with elections around the corner. The Modi government's four-year report card has been poor on generating growth, the only sweet spot being stability and continuity in economic growth but the government has mainly played it safe, avoiding big bang reforms. Experts would be looking very closely at Modi in Davos, his meeting with Trump might get the eyeballs but the real battle would be behind the scenes, in closed-door meetings aimed at boosting investment in India. The window of opportunity is rather small for the current government, India@2018 stands at crossroads, Modi's definition of India in the next 1 year could make-or-break India's economy. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Modi is the first PM in 20 years to visit World Economic Forum

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/73-of-wealth-in-india-rests-with-richest-1-oxfam-report-30281">Richest 1% own 73% of India&#39;s wealth: Report</a>

According to an international study published by the Oxfam group, close to 73% of India&#39;s wealth was cornered by India&#39;s richest 1%.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cji-led-bench-of-supreme-court-to-hear-justice-loya-death-case-today-30275">CJI-led bench of Supreme Court to hear Justice Loya death case today</a>

The Supreme Court will today hear pleas filed by three petitioners seeking probe by a Special Investigation Tribunal (SIT) into the alleged mysterious death of CBI judge Justice BH Loya in 2014.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-leave-for-davos-today-for-world-economic-forum-30284">PM Modi to leave for Davos today for World Economic Forum</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today leave for Davos, Switzerland for the 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-troops-tanks-enter-syria-to-fight-kurdish-militia-30274">Turkish troops, tanks enter Syria to fight Kurdish militia</a>

Turkish troops and tanks entered Syria on Sunday to push an offensive against Kurdish militia as rockets hit border towns in apparent retaliation and the United States urged Ankara to show restraint.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-postpones-vote-on-ending-shutdown-to-noon-monday-30288">US Senate postpones vote on ending shutdown to noon Monday</a>

The US Senate adjourned late Sunday without reaching a deal on re-opening government, as the Republican leadership postponed a vote on ending the shutdown until noon on Monday.

Richest 1% own 73% of India's wealth: Report According to an international study published by the Oxfam group, close to 73% of India's wealth was cornered by India's richest 1%. CJI-led bench of Supreme Court to hear Justice Loya death case today The Supreme Court will today hear pleas filed by three petitioners seeking probe by a Special Investigation Tribunal (SIT) into the alleged mysterious death of CBI judge Justice BH Loya in 2014. PM Modi to leave for Davos today for World Economic Forum Prime Minister Narendra Modi today leave for Davos, Switzerland for the 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Turkish troops, tanks enter Syria to fight Kurdish militia Turkish troops and tanks entered Syria on Sunday to push an offensive against Kurdish militia as rockets hit border towns in apparent retaliation and the United States urged Ankara to show restraint. US Senate postpones vote on ending shutdown to noon Monday The US Senate adjourned late Sunday without reaching a deal on re-opening government, as the Republican leadership postponed a vote on ending the shutdown until noon on Monday.

WION Morning News Brief, January 22, 2018

World leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canada&rsquo;s Justin Trudeau and Brazilian President Michel Temer, raised concerns this week at the gathering in the Swiss ski resort of Davos about growing protectionism, in remarks that delegates said seemed aimed at Trump&rsquo;s policies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are also expected to speak later on Wednesday.

Under his America First agenda, Trump has threatened to withdraw from the North American free-trade agreement (NAFTA), disavowed the global climate change accord and criticized global institutions including the United Nations and NATO.

Trump is expected to arrive by Thursday and deliver a keynote address to the forum on Friday, mingling with the same elite &ldquo;globalists&rdquo; that he bashed during his 2016 presidential run.

In a press briefing in Davos ahead of his visit, US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross defended aggressive trade actions taken by the United States and said more were to come.

&ldquo;This is about an America First agenda. But America First does mean working with the rest of the world,&rdquo; Mnuchin said. &ldquo;It just means that President Trump is looking out for American workers and American interests no different than he expects other leaders would look out for their own.&rdquo;

Ross said US&nbsp;trade actions were provoked by &ldquo;inappropriate behaviour on the part of our trading counterparties.&rdquo;

On Tuesday, for example, the United States slapped steep import tariffs on washing machines and solar panels, in moves billed as a way to protect American jobs. China and South Korea condemned the tariffs, with Seoul set to complain to the World Trade Organization over the &ldquo;excessive&rdquo; move.

&ldquo;Many countries are very good at the rhetoric of free trade but in fact actually practice extreme protectionism,&rdquo; Ross said.

Many in Davos worry that a brighter world economic outlook could darken if geopolitical threats - from protectionism and climate change to cyber attacks and war - gather pace in 2018.

Trump, the first sitting US president to attend the forum since Bill Clinton in 2000, is a source of much of this anxiety after a volatile first year in office in which he has turned American foreign policy on its head.

The U.S. delegation is the largest ever to come to Davos, with 10 members of the Trump&rsquo;s cabinet and senior White House staff, Mnuchin said. That includes Jared Kushner, Trump&rsquo;s son-in-law and adviser.

When asked about a new agreement that is expected among 11 countries to forge an Asia-Pacific trade pact after the United States pulled out of an earlier version, Mnuchin said the Americans involvement was &ldquo;not off the table&rdquo;.

But he added, &ldquo;We are fans of bilateral trading agreements.&rdquo;

Earlier on Tuesday, Canada&rsquo;s Trudeau called the new trade agreement, expected to be signed in Chile in March, the &ldquo;right deal&rdquo;.

Ross said Trudeau&rsquo;s comments needed to be taken in the context of the latest round of talks on NAFTA. Perhaps there was some inclination to use that to &ldquo;put pressure on the U.S. in the NAFTA talks,&rdquo; Ross said.

Mnuchin also said that he was not concerned in the short term about a weak dollar, saying it is one of the most liquid markets.

&ldquo;Obviously a weaker dollar is good for us as it relates to trade and opportunities,&rdquo; Mnuchin said.

Senior US officials hit back on Wednesday against suggestions that Donald Trump’s 'America First' agenda was hurting globalization and trade, setting an aggressive tone ahead of the US president’s visit to the World Economic Forum

World leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Brazilian President Michel Temer, raised concerns this week at the gathering in the Swiss ski resort of Davos about growing protectionism, in remarks that delegates said seemed aimed at Trump’s policies. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are also expected to speak later on Wednesday. Under his America First agenda, Trump has threatened to withdraw from the North American free-trade agreement (NAFTA), disavowed the global climate change accord and criticized global institutions including the United Nations and NATO. Trump is expected to arrive by Thursday and deliver a keynote address to the forum on Friday, mingling with the same elite “globalists” that he bashed during his 2016 presidential run. In a press briefing in Davos ahead of his visit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross defended aggressive trade actions taken by the United States and said more were to come. “This is about an America First agenda. But America First does mean working with the rest of the world,” Mnuchin said. “It just means that President Trump is looking out for American workers and American interests no different than he expects other leaders would look out for their own.” Ross said US trade actions were provoked by “inappropriate behaviour on the part of our trading counterparties.” On Tuesday, for example, the United States slapped steep import tariffs on washing machines and solar panels, in moves billed as a way to protect American jobs. China and South Korea condemned the tariffs, with Seoul set to complain to the World Trade Organization over the “excessive” move. “Many countries are very good at the rhetoric of free trade but in fact actually practice extreme protectionism,” Ross said. Many in Davos worry that a brighter world economic outlook could darken if geopolitical threats - from protectionism and climate change to cyber attacks and war - gather pace in 2018. Trump, the first sitting US president to attend the forum since Bill Clinton in 2000, is a source of much of this anxiety after a volatile first year in office in which he has turned American foreign policy on its head. The U.S. delegation is the largest ever to come to Davos, with 10 members of the Trump’s cabinet and senior White House staff, Mnuchin said. That includes Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser. When asked about a new agreement that is expected among 11 countries to forge an Asia-Pacific trade pact after the United States pulled out of an earlier version, Mnuchin said the Americans involvement was “not off the table”. But he added, “We are fans of bilateral trading agreements.” Earlier on Tuesday, Canada’s Trudeau called the new trade agreement, expected to be signed in Chile in March, the “right deal”. Ross said Trudeau’s comments needed to be taken in the context of the latest round of talks on NAFTA. Perhaps there was some inclination to use that to “put pressure on the U.S. in the NAFTA talks,” Ross said. Mnuchin also said that he was not concerned in the short term about a weak dollar, saying it is one of the most liquid markets. “Obviously a weaker dollar is good for us as it relates to trade and opportunities,” Mnuchin said.

US defends America First agenda ahead of Trump visit to Davos

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told top CEOs here that India means business and presents exciting opportunity for the global businesses.

Addressing a roundtable before a dinner meet, Modi narrated India&#39;s growth story.

He was accompanied by top government officials including Vijay Gokhale, Jai Shankar and Ramesh Abhishek.

Under the tagline of &quot;India means business&quot;, the roundtable was attended by 40 CEOs of global companies and 20 from India.

After the meeting, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted about Modi narrating India&#39;s growth story and presenting exciting opportunities for global business in India at Davos.

The spokesperson also tweeted that the prime minister &quot;hosted a roundtable meeting with CEOs of top global companies&quot;.

Modi, who arrived in Davos on Monday evening, will deliver an opening keynote address on Tuesday morning at the world economic forum annual meeting.

Besides, he will also interact with the members of international business community of the WEF.

Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years.

Addressing a roundtable before a dinner meet, Modi narrated India's growth story

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told top CEOs here that India means business and presents exciting opportunity for the global businesses. Addressing a roundtable before a dinner meet, Modi narrated India's growth story. He was accompanied by top government officials including Vijay Gokhale, Jai Shankar and Ramesh Abhishek. Under the tagline of "India means business", the roundtable was attended by 40 CEOs of global companies and 20 from India. After the meeting, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted about Modi narrating India's growth story and presenting exciting opportunities for global business in India at Davos. The spokesperson also tweeted that the prime minister "hosted a roundtable meeting with CEOs of top global companies". Modi, who arrived in Davos on Monday evening, will deliver an opening keynote address on Tuesday morning at the world economic forum annual meeting. Besides, he will also interact with the members of international business community of the WEF. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to attend Davos summit in 20 years.

PM Modi hosts CEO roundtable meet at Davos, says 'India means business'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a&nbsp;stopover in Zurich on Monday on his way to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum meeting.

During the meet, Modi would be sharing his vision for India&#39;s future engagements with the international community.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
As Modi marks first Indian prime minister presence in last 20 years, the Indian presence would be the largest ever with over 130 participants in the summit which will be attended by more than 3,000 world leaders from business, politics, art, academia and civil society.

The theme for this year&#39;s summit is &#39;Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World&#39;. 
&nbsp; 
Besides delivering his keynote address today, Modi is scheduled to interact with global business community members.

On Monday, Modi hosted a roundtable meeting of the top CEOs before a dinner meet which was attended by 40 CEOs of global companies and 20 from India. &nbsp; 
 
While narrating India&#39;s growth story, Modi said that India means business and presents an exciting opportunity for the global businesses.&nbsp;

He was also accompanied by top government officials including Vijay Gokhale, Jai Shankar and Ramesh Abhishek.&nbsp;

On the sidelines of the event, Modi also met Swiss President Alain Berset and discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties.

Sources said the two leaders are also believed to have discussed the progress on automatic exchange of tax information.

Berset said the discussions marked the meeting of the biggest and the oldest democracies in the world.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Thanking Modi, the Swiss President said he would continue to strengthen &#39;our relations&#39; with India.

(With inputs from PTI)

During the meet, Modi would be sharing his vision for India's future engagements with the international community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a stopover in Zurich on Monday on his way to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum meeting. During the meet, Modi would be sharing his vision for India's future engagements with the international community. As Modi marks first Indian prime minister presence in last 20 years, the Indian presence would be the largest ever with over 130 participants in the summit which will be attended by more than 3,000 world leaders from business, politics, art, academia and civil society. The theme for this year's summit is 'Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World'. Besides delivering his keynote address today, Modi is scheduled to interact with global business community members. On Monday, Modi hosted a roundtable meeting of the top CEOs before a dinner meet which was attended by 40 CEOs of global companies and 20 from India. While narrating India's growth story, Modi said that India means business and presents an exciting opportunity for the global businesses. He was also accompanied by top government officials including Vijay Gokhale, Jai Shankar and Ramesh Abhishek. On the sidelines of the event, Modi also met Swiss President Alain Berset and discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties. Sources said the two leaders are also believed to have discussed the progress on automatic exchange of tax information. Berset said the discussions marked the meeting of the biggest and the oldest democracies in the world. Thanking Modi, the Swiss President said he would continue to strengthen 'our relations' with India. (With inputs from PTI)

PM Modi, Swiss President discuss tax information in Davos: Sources

As many as 1.4 million jobs in the United States will be vulnerable to disruption from technology and other factors by 2026, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report said today.

The report, &#39;Towards a Reskilling Revolution: A Future of Jobs for All&#39;, is based on an analysis of nearly 1,000 job types across the US economy that encompass 96 per cent of employment in that country.

&quot;...1.4 million US jobs alone expected to disrupted by technology and other factors between now and 2026, of which 57 per cent belong to women,&quot; the WEF said in a release.

On the positive side, the report said that with adequate reskilling, 95 per cent of the most immediately at-risk workers would find good-quality, higher-wage work in growing job families.

&quot;Without reskilling, only 2 per cent of workers would have an optimal opportunity to transition to new jobs while 16 per cent would have none at all,&quot; it added.

The report, published in collaboration with The Boston Consulting Group, also found that coordinated reskilling that aims to maintain or grow wages have very high returns for workers at risk of displacement as well as for businesses and the economy.

The WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab said the only limiting factor on a world of opportunities for people is the willingness of leaders to make investments in re-skilling that would bridge workers onto new jobs.

As many as 1.4 million jobs in the United States will be vulnerable to disruption from technology and other factors by 2026, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report said today

As many as 1.4 million jobs in the United States will be vulnerable to disruption from technology and other factors by 2026, a World Economic Forum (WEF) report said today. The report, 'Towards a Reskilling Revolution: A Future of Jobs for All', is based on an analysis of nearly 1,000 job types across the US economy that encompass 96 per cent of employment in that country. "...1.4 million US jobs alone expected to disrupted by technology and other factors between now and 2026, of which 57 per cent belong to women," the WEF said in a release. On the positive side, the report said that with adequate reskilling, 95 per cent of the most immediately at-risk workers would find good-quality, higher-wage work in growing job families. "Without reskilling, only 2 per cent of workers would have an optimal opportunity to transition to new jobs while 16 per cent would have none at all," it added. The report, published in collaboration with The Boston Consulting Group, also found that coordinated reskilling that aims to maintain or grow wages have very high returns for workers at risk of displacement as well as for businesses and the economy. The WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab said the only limiting factor on a world of opportunities for people is the willingness of leaders to make investments in re-skilling that would bridge workers onto new jobs.

1.4 million jobs vulnerable to disruption in US: WEF report

The Swiss army and police said on Monday, January 22, the Swiss Alpine town of Davos was ready for US President Donald Trump and the security challenges he brings with him when he comes to address the World Economic Forum.

The annual meeting begins on Tuesday, January 23. Trump&#39;s visit to Davos is the first by a sitting US president since Bill Clinton attended in 2000.

Grisons Cantonal police, who coordinate WEF&#39;s $9.3 million security measures and are liaising with US officials, said at a news conference on Monday they were ready.

A total of 4,400 soldiers have been deployed, an increase of 100 from last year, and airspace is open only to aircraft ferrying participants to the forum.

The Swiss army has begun erecting checkpoints on roads leading into town and armed hillside bivouacs down the valley, scenes to those of previous post-September 11 WEF meetings where security has been paramount.

Trump&#39;s policies, including his intention to exit the 2015 Paris climate accord and his &quot;America First&quot; policy, may not sit well with all of Switzerland, which backs the global climate pact and whose economy relies on global trade.

This has prompted some critics to suggest Trump&#39;s polarising persona could resurrect the violent anti-WEF protests seen in the early 2000s. An online petition is circulating telling Trump he is not welcome.

Although an anti-Trump demonstration is planned for Zurich on Tuesday, Swiss police say poor weather could stop protesters planning a demonstration when Trump arrives on Thursday, January 25. He is scheduled to speak on the last day of the forum on Friday, January 26.

The Swiss army and police said on Monday, January 22, the Swiss Alpine town of Davos was ready for US President Donald Trump and the security challenges he brings with him when he comes to address the World Economic Forum

The Swiss army and police said on Monday, January 22, the Swiss Alpine town of Davos was ready for US President Donald Trump and the security challenges he brings with him when he comes to address the World Economic Forum. The annual meeting begins on Tuesday, January 23. Trump's visit to Davos is the first by a sitting US president since Bill Clinton attended in 2000. Grisons Cantonal police, who coordinate WEF's $9.3 million security measures and are liaising with US officials, said at a news conference on Monday they were ready. A total of 4,400 soldiers have been deployed, an increase of 100 from last year, and airspace is open only to aircraft ferrying participants to the forum. The Swiss army has begun erecting checkpoints on roads leading into town and armed hillside bivouacs down the valley, scenes to those of previous post-September 11 WEF meetings where security has been paramount. Trump's policies, including his intention to exit the 2015 Paris climate accord and his "America First" policy, may not sit well with all of Switzerland, which backs the global climate pact and whose economy relies on global trade. This has prompted some critics to suggest Trump's polarising persona could resurrect the violent anti-WEF protests seen in the early 2000s. An online petition is circulating telling Trump he is not welcome. Although an anti-Trump demonstration is planned for Zurich on Tuesday, Swiss police say poor weather could stop protesters planning a demonstration when Trump arrives on Thursday, January 25. He is scheduled to speak on the last day of the forum on Friday, January 26.

Swiss army, police say Davos ready for Trump

Harry Potter was an unheard name, tweeting was done only by birds and Amazon referred to dense forests in 1997, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today to stress upon the changes the world has seen in the past 20 years.

Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Modi said he is the first Indian Prime Minister to come here since H D Deve Gowda in 1997. The Indian economy has changed significantly since then and so has the rest of the world, he noted.

Speaking mostly in Hindi, Modi thanked WEF and the Swiss government for the reception accorded to him.

He also recalled that when Deve Gowda came here in 1997, the theme of the WEF summit was building a networked society. That theme now looks centuries-old as the world today is about big data and so many other new developments, the prime minister said.

Modi said very few people in 1997 had heard of Osama bin Laden and even Harry Potter was an unheard name.

&quot;Also, chess players did not have any big fear of the computer while Google was not there in cyberspace and Amazon of that time was about dense forests. Tweeting was done by birds at that time and not by humans,&quot; he said.

Modi, however, said at that time also, Davos was ahead of its time and was known for WEF. It is ahead of the times today as well with the theme of &#39;Creating a shared future in a fractured world&#39;.

&quot;The world is changing fast today and there are new and serious challenges related to peace and security and various other matters.

&quot;We believe in linking people, not bending them or breaking them. But the challenges the world faces are as numerous as they are daunting.

&quot;Mountains of data are getting created and there is a race to control those as the feeling is that the one who gets control of this data would rule the world,&quot; he said.

Modi said very few people in 1997 had heard of Osama bin Laden and even Harry Potter was an unheard name

Harry Potter was an unheard name, tweeting was done only by birds and Amazon referred to dense forests in 1997, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today to stress upon the changes the world has seen in the past 20 years. Addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, Modi said he is the first Indian Prime Minister to come here since H D Deve Gowda in 1997. The Indian economy has changed significantly since then and so has the rest of the world, he noted. Speaking mostly in Hindi, Modi thanked WEF and the Swiss government for the reception accorded to him. He also recalled that when Deve Gowda came here in 1997, the theme of the WEF summit was building a networked society. That theme now looks centuries-old as the world today is about big data and so many other new developments, the prime minister said. Modi said very few people in 1997 had heard of Osama bin Laden and even Harry Potter was an unheard name. "Also, chess players did not have any big fear of the computer while Google was not there in cyberspace and Amazon of that time was about dense forests. Tweeting was done by birds at that time and not by humans," he said. Modi, however, said at that time also, Davos was ahead of its time and was known for WEF. It is ahead of the times today as well with the theme of 'Creating a shared future in a fractured world'. "The world is changing fast today and there are new and serious challenges related to peace and security and various other matters. "We believe in linking people, not bending them or breaking them. But the challenges the world faces are as numerous as they are daunting. "Mountains of data are getting created and there is a race to control those as the feeling is that the one who gets control of this data would rule the world," he said.

When tweeting was done by birds and Amazon was a jungle: PM Modi recalls 1997