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President Donald Trump has demanded that the homeless “immediately” move out of Washington, D.C. to make the nation’s capital “more beautiful.”

Trump reiterated his Saturday announcement that he’s set to hold a press conference at the White House on Monday, adding on Truth Social on Sunday that “I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.”

“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,” he continued. “We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”

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The president went on to say that “It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border. We went from millions pouring in, to ZERO in the last few months. This will be easier — Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK.”

Trump’s promise to jail criminals in Washington comes as the city’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, has noted that there’s no recent increase in crime. Trump didn’t outline what legal authority he would use to evict people from the capital — the president only controls federal lands and buildings in the District of Columbia.

Trump also took to Truth Social on Saturday to say that he was hosting a press conference that would put a stop to violent crime in Washington. The president’s Sunday post included images of tents and garbage on the streets of the capital.

The Community Partnership is an organization working to reduce homelessness in Washington, a city of 700,000 people. According to the group, on any given night, there are roughly 3,782 people experiencing homelessness. However, most of them are in emergency shelters or transitional housing, while about 800 are unsheltered or “on the street,” according to the group.

On Friday, a White House official said that extra federal law enforcement officers were being deployed in Washington after a group of teenagers reportedly attacked a young Trump administration staffer during an attempted carjacking, angering Trump.

Story by Liz Rowlinson

The urge to escape the UK remains strong among many families, who are fleeing from punitive tax changes, high inflation and increases in school fees.

Better employment opportunities, quality of life, EU access and tax perks are among the pull factors to Europe – or beyond.

Golden visa programmes, which came about after the 2008 financial crisis, offer residency in exchange for investment. They provide a permit that can begin the pathway to citizenship after five to 10 years if required, and if certain conditions are met. And for many of them, tax residency is optional.

They can be distinguished from so-called ‘golden passports’ that sell citizenship from the outset, notably offered by Malta and Grenada.

Both golden visas and passports are opposed by the European Union, and some national governments have ended or limited their schemes, particularly those that incentivise real estate investment which they have caused property prices to soar.

But of those that remain, which are best? It depends whether you want to claw back your EU status, relocate or save tax. The European golden visas offering Schengen access have an edge over those that don’t – but note that these visas do not necessarily give the right for holders to live (or work) in other countries across the EU, only the country issuing the visa.

Other considerations include level of investment required, convenience of location, pathway to citizenship and the number of days required to stay there per year.

But not all golden visas are equal. Here, with input from immigration advisers, we examine the schemes which are among the five most favoured and useful schemes for British people.

Best for a quicker path to citizenship
... access to flat-tax regimes
... zero income tax
... EU access at a lower price
... retirees looking for a low-tax haven
Best for... a quicker path to citizenship
Portugal

Expats flock to Portugal for the lifestyle and English-speaking community - Moment RF

Portugal’s golden visa remains a favourite. Last year, Portugal approved a record-breaking 4,987 golden visa applications from people of all nationalities, 72pc more than the previous year, according to the immigration agency AIMA. Many attribute this increase to the end of the Spanish golden visa, which ceased in April this year.

But there are strong lifestyle drivers, too. Patricia Casaburi, of Global Citizen Solutions, says: “Portugal is the top choice for many wanting to relocate in Europe. Lifestyle, and the huge influx of foreigners over the last few years, have made it increasingly easy to find a community to connect with. English is widely spoken.”

The growth of international schools in Portugal is another pull, and you only have to spend seven days a year there to retain your visa. Often it is Schengen access that is the real clincher – the Greek golden visa also offers this, but a key difference is that in Portugal you are allowed to work locally on this visa, unlike golden visa holders in Greece.

Schengen access gives the right to visa-free travel within the Schengen area, but not the right to reside or work in those other countries. This is especially sought after by Chinese and Indian applicants who make up a large proportion of golden visa holders.

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Casaburi adds that there is a straight-forward process to secure citizenship in Portugal, after only five years, although there are possible changes to the timescale in September.

To qualify for the golden visa, you must either donate €250,000 (£217,000) to an accredited Portuguese foundation or invest €500,000 in private equity or capital funds, which is the more popular option.

After five years you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship – and there’s a tax-efficient way to get your money back, says Casaburi. “Portuguese non-residents are generally exempt from paying taxes on dividends and capital gains from the venture capital fund, so those who maintain their tax residency in their home country pay no Portuguese taxes on fund distributions or capital gains.”

If you opt to become a Portuguese tax resident, you’ll pay 10pc tax deducted at source on distributions from golden visa-eligible investment funds, which is significantly lower than Portugal’s standard capital gains tax rates.

Biggest negative? The backlog of applications means waiting times of 18 to 24 months for this visa. However, the Portuguese government has promised to reduce this in 2025.

Best for... access to flat-tax regimes
Greece

Greece has had a surge in golden visa applications ahead of rule changes - Igor Tichonow

Greece’s golden visa has been increasing in popularity: last year there were 9,100 applications, according to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, which is double the amount in 2023. However, this can in part be explained by a rush to beat the changes to the scheme at the end of 2024.

The raising of the property price threshold from €250,000 to €800,000 on popular islands such as Crete and in Athens has now put it beyond the means of many British homebuyers. The UK does not feature in the top 10 nationalities applying for it, which is headed by China, Russia and Turkey.

Interest from the US has grown, says Eleni Acquarone, of Elxis – a Home in Greece. “In six months we’ve already reached the total number of American citizen applications we had for 2024.”

She is seeing a broader spread of locations now, shifting across the Greek mainland where the €400,000 threshold applies – to the Ionian Coast and the Peloponnese, especially around Kalamata.

The Greek golden visa offers Schengen access and has no stay requirement per year. There are options to get the visa by spending only €250,000 (on either an historic property to restore or the conversion of a commercial building into a residential one). But much of Greece is less easily accessed from the UK than Portugal and the path to citizenship is seven years, not five.

While it can be used in tandem with Greece’s two flat-tax regimes (€100,000 lump sum per year, or 7pc income tax for retirees), it offers no access to the labour market – you can work for a foreign company remotely in Greece but you cannot get a job in Greece. You are also not allowed to rent out the property for short-term lets.

Biggest negative? The new €800,000 threshold has priced out lower and mid-market buyers.

Best for... zero income tax
United Arab Emirates

A high cost of living hasn’t put off thousands of British families from a life in Dubai - iStockphoto

Despite increases in the cost of living, especially housing costs, the UAE remains the hotspot for British people relocating to the Middle East for tax perks and lifestyle benefits.

Those moving are attracted by the UAE’s political stability, economic growth, pro-business environment and regulatory certainty as key drivers. Of course, the zero personal income tax on salaries, investments or rental income earned within the country is another. There is no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, wealth tax or annual tax on worldwide assets.

Entry points are relatively low, compared to other countries: a 10-year golden visa requires at least AED 2m (£405,000) of investment into a business or property purchase, while the five-year ‘silver visa’ for those over 55 requires the purchase of a property of AED1m (£202,000) or to invest half that sum in a pension account.

Real estate purchases for golden visas are usually required to be unmortgaged, but the UAE scheme was altered this year to make eligible those with a 20pc deposit. Some off-plan properties are eligible, if 50pc of the cost is paid off. A separate work visa is not required.

Biggest negative? No Schengen access, though there is the right to live in seven emirates.

Best for... EU access at a lower price
Latvia

Latvia’s low entry point and Schengen access appeals to British buyers wanting EU status - Moment RF

Latvia’s low entry point of €60,000 (£52,000), and the fact it offers Schengen access, have made this Baltic state’s golden visa scheme very popular. You can move around the EU with this golden visa, though it doesn’t give you the right to live and work there.

Russians dominated applications until they were banned in 2022, but after a drop in popularity the scheme recorded notable growth during 2024, according to relocation adviser Savory & Partners, which reports a shift in demand to Chinese and Turkish buyers.

Of the options available, the €50,000 investment into a Latvian fund (plus €10,000 donation to the state) dominated demand, with the real estate investment option (more than €250,000) way behind, showing its appeal as a mobility tool rather than for relocation. It does, however, allow visa holders to work in Latvia.

“Schengen access is the real driver, but the annual in-person renewal requirement is a burden compared to other golden visa programmes,” says Artur Saraiva at Global Citizen Solutions. The permit is for five years, but requires the holder to confirm their status every year by travelling to Latvia to do this. There is also a long 10-year path to citizenship.

For those moving there, the tax regime in Latvia is attractive; the top rate of income tax is 31pc.

Biggest negative? Northern European climate and the lack of lifestyle appeal.

Best for... retirees looking for a low-tax haven
Cyprus

Retirees in Cyprus pay a low 5pc flat tax on pensions - Kirillm/iStockphoto

You need to invest a relatively low €300,000 to qualify for Cyprus’s Residence by Investment visa. This can be into new-build real estate, shares in a Cypriot company employing at least five people, or units in a Cypriot Collective Investment Organisation. But it also requires proof of financial resources: €50,000 per annum, plus €15,000 for a spouse.

The scheme is popular with wealthy non-EU citizens from Russia, Israel, Lebanon and increasingly Asia, who are drawn to Cyprus’s stability, English-speaking environment and favourable tax regime, according to Global Citizen Solutions.

For UK and US nationals, the distance to travel is less convenient than Portugal. Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen area – it has applied to join – so this is a reason why it is less popular than other countries offering Schengen access.

But the tax benefits do attract British people: the non-dom tax regime offers no tax on passive income such as dividends and interest for 17 years, while for retirees there’s a 5pc flat tax on pensions.

Although it is in a strategic position between Europe, the Middle East and Africa, small-island life is too restrictive for some, and it doesn’t offer the right to work.

Biggest negative? Lack of Schengen access

A trade union has announced a strike at Gatwick airport from next week which it claims will put all departing flights at risk of disruption.

Unite said baggage screeners employed by ICTS will walk out in a dispute over pay from August 22-26 – which includes a bank holiday weekend – and August 29 to September 2.

The union said the workers are among the lowest paid at the West Sussex airport, earning “just above the minimum wage”.

Meanwhile, ICTS made a profit before tax of £6.1 million in 2024, a 46.9% increase compared to the previous year, according to the union.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “ICTS has more than enough money to offer these workers a fair pay rise.

“Not doing so is just corporate greed.

“ICTS’ Gatwick workers will receive Unite’s complete backing for as long as it takes during their strikes for fair pay.”

Unite said “all flights out of Gatwick will face disruption”, and industrial action “will intensify if the dispute is not resolved”.

A Gatwick spokesperson said: ”We are working with our suppliers to avoid any impacts and we expect to operate a normal summer holiday flight schedule for our airlines and passengers on these dates.

“Of course, we hope ICTS and their union can reach a resolution before then.”

The union representing Air Canada’s flight attendants gave the company a 72-hour strike notice after the two sides could not agree to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) confirmed to CTVNews.ca it served its first strike notice to both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge early Wednesday morning, meaning flight attendants can walk off the job Saturday morning at 12:58 a.m. ET.

According to CUPE, Air Canada issued a lockout notice to the union at 1:30 a.m. ET.

Air Canada said on Tuesday afternoon it reached an “impasse” in negotiations with the union, which on Tuesday said it declined a proposal from the airline to enter a binding arbitration process.

The airline said in the event of a stoppage, it would notify customers whose flights are potentially cancelled and they will be eligible for a full refund, which could be obtained through its website or the Air Canada mobile app.

Earlier Tuesday, CUPE said in an update to members that the company has “decided they no longer want to negotiate.” The union attached a letter that it received from Air Canada, dated Monday, in which the airline proposed going the arbitration route to secure a new contract.

That would have suspended the union’s right to strike, as well as Air Canada’s right to lock out union members, the letter noted.

Last week, the flight attendants voted 99.7 per cent in favour of giving their union a strike mandate, which is effective for 60 days.

With files from The Canadian Press

• EU citizens awaiting pre-Brexit residency decisions have been wrongly denied re-entry to the UK after short trips overseas for holidays or business.
• The Independent Monitoring Authority for Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has expressed serious concerns to the Home Office, stating these individuals should not be removed.
• The IMA asserts that a valid 'certificate of application' (CoA) should grant citizens the right to exit and re-enter the UK while their residency application is pending.
• The IMA has urged the Home Office to clarify the rules surrounding CoAs before the implementation of new electronic travel authorisations (ETAs).
• The Home Office maintains that CoA holders are aware they may be asked for further evidence, though campaign group the3million believes a CoA should be sufficient proof of rights.

By Oluwakemi Abimbola

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been selected by wealthy Nigerians to protect their wealth against uncertainties, the latest Wealth Report 2025 has revealed.

According to the report by Multipolitan, titled ‘Wealth Report 2025: The Taxed Generation’, published by the international mobility platform, these two cities, alongside Singapore, are ranked as top choices for wealth management.

The Multipolitan’s report indicated that these cities are attractive for long-term wealth preservation due to their legal stability, predictable governance, and infrastructure resilience.

These factors are said to be crucial for Nigerians seeking to protect and grow their fortunes in a volatile global economy.

Commenting, the firm’s Executive Partner for Africa, Chee Okebalama, stated, “Wealth that sleeps in uncertainty isn’t wealth; it’s a risk. Cities like Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Wellington, and Copenhagen top our indices for their governance, stability, and readiness for the future. We help families gain residency in cities that reflect these values.”

 The study revealed further that Nigerian elites are shifting focus from chasing high investment returns to preserving capital against political, economic, and climate-related shocks.

Group Head of Market Development at Multipolitan, Nicholas Michael, stressed that geography now plays as much of a role in wealth strategy as portfolio composition.

“Where you place your wealth can matter just as much as how you grow it. The UAE and Singapore aren’t just attracting capital; they’re protecting it through fiscal prudence and stable governance,” he said.

Additionally, in the report are five other Gulf cities – Manama, Doha, Kuwait City, Riyadh, and Muscat – recognised among the top 20.

(Bloomberg) -- Air Canada will begin resuming operations on Sunday after the government moved to end a strike by more than 10,000 flight attendants that had led to hundreds of cancellations.

Flights will resume Sunday evening with a gradual ramp-up over the coming days, the Montreal-based airline said in a statement. Still, it expects to take several days before operations return to normal.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has directed Air Canada to resume airline operations and for all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants to return to work by 2:00 p.m. in Montreal, according to the statement early Sunday. The move came after Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu directed the independent CIRB to order a resumption of operations and to impose binding arbitration to resolve a standoff over contract negotiations.

Some 10,500 flight attendants walked off the job early Saturday after pay talks between the union and the country’s biggest airline fell through. That led Air Canada to ground hundreds of flights and lock out flight attendants, disrupting some 130,000 passengers a day during the summer holiday season.

A wealth tax by Rachel Reeves would trigger a wave of millionaires living in Britain to flee to the US as they seek to escape punishing levies, new research shows.

More than 1,000 UK millionaires polled by Arton Capital said the US was their most preferred destination. Wealthy Britons will prioritise English-speaking countries and nations with favourable tax rates if the Government introduces a wealth tax.

Growing interest in the US as a new home for British millionaires comes after Donald Trump cut taxes for America’s wealthiest residents, and doubled the estate and gift tax exemption from $5.5m (£4m) to $11.2m per person, in a boost to the country’s high-net-worth families.

More than half of millionaires (53pc) polled were considering moving abroad if a wealth tax was introduced, while 60pc believed they could have a better quality of life outside the UK.

Canada, Australia and the UAE were also found to be popular locations for relocation according to the research from Arton, which advises wealthy individuals on global citizenship programmes.

The findings come amid concerns that a new levy on assets over £10m would drive people overseas and trigger a fresh exodus of the rich from Britain.

Several Left-wing Labour figures, including Lord Kinnock, the former party leader, have repeatedly called for the introduction of a wealth tax.

Last month Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, dismissed the idea as “daft” and urged backbenchers to “be serious”.

Mounting pressure on the Chancellor to introduce a new levy on Britain’s wealthiest comes as Ms Reeves faces a black hole of as much as £50bn in the public finances.

Armand Arton, the chief executive of Arton Capital, said fears from Briton’s wealthiest about a potential wealth tax showed the UK was at a “tipping point”.

He said: “The uncertainty around the Government’s proposed wealth tax mirrors the ongoing economic uncertainty seen around the world – from Trump’s tariffs to conflict in the Middle East.”

The research also revealed that 82pc of millionaires resident in the UK would consider investing in a golden visa or citizenship by investment programme, which allows individuals to gain residency or citizenship through financial investment. Arton offers a consultancy service to millionaires seeking out such programmes.

Despite many millionaires weighing up a potential move abroad, 66pc of those surveyed said they still believed the UK was an attractive place to invest compared to other nations.

Concerns about a new wealth tax come as the Government faces scrutiny over its approach to Britain’s high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs.

Many wealthy residents are already moving abroad after Ms Reeves scrapped non-dom tax status and introduced inheritance tax on overseas trusts earlier this year.

Since the rule change there have been a series of high-profile departures, including Richard Gnodde, Goldman Sachs’s vice chairman, who said he was relocating to Milan to avoid being hit by the scrapping of the non-dom status.

The Office for Budget Responsibility said in January the abolition of the tax status would result in 25pc of non-doms with trusts leaving the UK, while 10pc of those without trusts would move overseas.

Mr Arton said: “There are many repercussions of the introduction of a levy, but one thing is clear: the longer that unpredictability persists, the greater the risk of losing capital, talent and long-term investment to countries that offer greater security for individuals, families and their futures.”

In a bid to support the growing trend of Abuja becoming a major destination for international conferences and meetings, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline, is set to add extra flights to the Nigerian capital from October 28, 2025.

The airline will introduce three additional weekly flights to its daily flights already operating out of Abuja, offering passengers more options and convenience, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The extra flights will depart Abuja at 10 pm and arrive in Addis Ababa at 5 am, connecting to various African and Asian destinations, including Dubai, Addis Ababa, and others. According to Mrs Firiehiwot Mekonnen, Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, the additional flights will not only provide more options but also come with extra benefits.

“Passengers will enjoy more baggage allowance on certain routes, including Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Madras, and Dubai,” Mekonnen said.

 “You can also get double miles if you fly with us,” she added. The airline’s loyalty program will reward its loyal passengers with extra benefits.

The daily midday flight will remain unchanged, while the additional evening flights will offer passengers more flexibility and options. The extra flights will also enable passengers to connect to many African and Asian destinations with reduced total hours of flight time.

Mekonnen emphasised that the additional flights are designed to improve service delivery and reduce costs for travelers. “Most of our passengers will now arrive at their destinations faster,” she said. Ethiopian Airlines has been serving the Nigerian market since 1960, operating with the newest aircraft in the world, including the A350-1000 and B787 Dreamliner.

The airline connects Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Kano to over 150 global destinations, solidifying its position as a major player in the aviation industry. The Nigerian government’s recent reopening of the Abuja International Conference Centre is expected to boost the country’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) sector, and Ethiopian Airlines’ additional flights will support this growing trend.

Story by Charlotte Gifford

Tax Trap

Have you turned down a pay rise to protect yourself from higher tax? Let us know: [email protected].

Earning over £100,000 used to be a hallmark of success. Not so much any more.