DAVOS, Switzerland — Long maligned as out-of-touch plutocrats, thousands of World Economic Forum regulars are descending on the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Davos this week with a spring in their step, electrified by Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 return to the White House.

Among the issues likely to be explored at the World Economic Forum this week is the future of Ukraine and its impact on Europe.

Donald Trump will mark his return to the global stage with a virtual World Economic Forum appearance in Davos next week, as world leaders await details of the incoming U.S. President's policies and his pledge to end the war in Ukraine.

By Elisa Martinuzzi LONDON (Reuters) - Armed conflict is the top risk in 2025, a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey released on Wednesday showed, a reminder of the deepening global fragmentation as government and business leaders attend an annual gathering in Davos next week.

Donald Trump will join next week's World Economic Forum conference in Davos digitally, organizers said on Tuesday (January 14), as world leaders await more information about the new US President's policies and commitment to stop the conflict in Ukraine.

Donald Trump will attend next week's World Economic Forum meeting in Davos digitally, its organisers said on Tuesday, as world leaders wait to hear more about the incoming U.S. President's policies and his pledge to end the war in Ukraine.

Rightwing politicians in the US have increased their attacks on “woke” company policies ahead of Trump’s return to the White House. US banks have been targeted by 22 Republican attorneys general who accused them of colluding to block finance to oil and gas companies.

Larry Fink, Ray Dalio and Marc Benioff are among a group of billionaires worth a collective $124 billion set to join the annual pilgrimage of the rich and powerful to the Swiss Alps next week.

Ahead of next week's annual World Economic Forum in Davos, a survey suggests that industry leaders see armed conflict as the biggest potential threat to global economies in 2025.

Europe’s generous welfare states are coming under increasing strain as weak economic growth collides with rising demands on government budgets, particularly from aging populations.

It’ll be quite a spectacle, and one in marked contrast to Trump’s first presidency, when he was widely cold-shouldered. There is, of course, nothing unusual about business attempting to cosy up to an incoming president in the hope of influence,