Almost 400 millionaires and billionaires call for higher taxes on super-rich | First Thing

Mark Ruffalo, Brian Eno and Abigail Disney sign letter timed to coincide with World Economic Forum in Davos. Plus, what if this was the year we finally learned to rest? • Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here Good morning. Almost 400 millionaires and billionaires from 24 countries are calling on global leaders to increase taxes on the super-rich amid growing concern that the wealthiest in society are buying political influence. What did the letter say? “A handful of global oligarchs with extreme wealth have bought up our democracies; taken over our governments; gagged the freedom of our media; placed a stranglehold on technology and innovation; deepened poverty and social exclusion; and accelerated the breakdown of our planet,” it reads. What else is happening at Davos? Trump has top billing at the conference today and is scheduled to give a special address in the early afternoon (2.30pm local time, or 8.30am EST). He was expected to use this speech to outline his affordability agenda, but given his threats against Greenland his address is now expected to take a more international turn. This a developing story. Follow our live blog here . Continue reading...