German Chancellor Angela Merkel is steering clear of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, a meeting expected to be dominated by debate over the looming presidency of Donald Trump and rising public anger with elites and globalization. Merkel has been a regular at the annual gathering of political leaders, CEOs and celebrities, traveling to ...the Swiss Alps seven times since becoming chancellor.... conference runs from Jan. 17-20 under the banner "Responsive and Responsible Leadership".... [Merkel's] absence may come as a disappointment...her reputation as a steady, principled leader fits well with the theme... The German government declined [to claim] scheduling...