US President Donald Trump has launched a new initiative called the 'Board of Peace' at the World Economic Forum in Davos, claiming the world is 'richer, safer and much more peaceful than it was just one year ago'. Trump described the body as 'one of the most consequential bodies ever created in the history of the world'. The event also saw Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, present a 'master plan' for the redevelopment of Gaza.
Kushner outlined a phased plan for Gaza, including workforce housing, industry, and coastal tourism, showing delegates a property development map and a computer-generated image of 'New Gaza'. The plan for the next 100 days includes a significant increase in aid deliveries, rehabilitation of essential infrastructure such as water, electricity, and sewage systems, and reconstruction of hospitals and bakeries. Kushner also presented an aspirational map showing a unified Gaza with a buffer zone around the border with Israel.
The presence of former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair at the launch has drawn criticism in London, according to the Financial Times. Trump thanked Blair, saying 'Thank you, Tony, for being here, we appreciate it.' However, Trump's decision to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the Board of Peace has caused unease in Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government. One senior minister said, 'Putin's possible involvement puts Tony in a really difficult position.'
During the Davos event, Elon Musk also spoke, predicting that Tesla will sell humanoid robots to the public by the end of next year and describing self-driving cars as 'essentially a solved problem at this point'. Musk added that the limiting factor for AI deployment is electrical power.
