Income

• President Trump reported earning over $1 billion in income derived from various cryptocurrency ventures. • In addition to crypto gains, he earned $52 million by licensing the Trump brand to property developers, primarily in the Middle East. • These financial disclosures highlight the President's deep economic ties to the digital asset industry.

• The ASIFMA 2026 Asia-Pacific Capital Markets Survey has identified the top eight markets in the APAC region for ease of doing business. • Leading jurisdictions include Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, India, Taiwan, China Mainland, and South Korea. • The survey highlights 11 key product and service lines targeted for expansion, led by Equities, Fixed Income, FX, Asset Management, and ESG & Sustainability.

ONS confirms 0.6% GDP growth in first quarter, with services, production and construction sectors expandingBusiness live – latest updatesUK households suffered a drop in disposable incomes in the first three months of the year as price rises and extra wealth taxes hit average spending power.The Office for National Statistics said a rise in the consumer prices index (CPI) measure of inflation in the first quarter and higher capital gains tax receipts reduced real household disposable income by 0.8% from January to the end of March. Continue reading...

As temperatures soar across Europe, cities are struggling to adapt, further exacerbating socioeconomic divisions The heatwave afflicting western Europe is the worst ever, with the combination of heat and humidity fuelled by the climate crisis making scores of cities feel unliveable. While for some the adverse impacts amount to disturbed sleep and sticky days in the home office, low-income families are often worse affected by cities’ lack of adequate adaptation measures, with women at the sharp end.“[It] throws a grenade into every vulnerability you already have,” says Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth, pointing out that vulnerable or marginalised groups often bear the brunt of climate crisis-based hardship globally. Continue reading...

• India has evolved from a history of colonial exploitation to become the world's fifth-largest economy, driven largely by the pivotal economic reforms initiated in 1991. • While the nation has made significant strides in poverty reduction and overall GDP growth, it continues to struggle with persistent income inequality and modest per capita income. • This economic trajectory is critical as India seeks to balance rapid industrial expansion with inclusive growth to improve the living standards of its vast population.

A headteacher, a motorcycle taxi driver and a travel agent are among those who are counting the human and economic cost of the virusJustin Keno watches more than 400 pupils stream through the Nelson Mandela school’s gate each morning, and wonders which of them might be carrying Ebola.The institution’s principal has done everything he can to prevent the spread of the virus: installing hand-washing basins at the entrance, providing alcohol-based hand rub for parents, making pupils bring packed lunches instead of eating in the canteen, and banning food sellers from outside the gates. Continue reading...

• India's economy is facing a slowdown characterized by weak domestic demand and poor productivity, despite surface-level indicators of high growth and low inflation. • External shocks are exposing critical structural weaknesses, specifically a growing crisis regarding jobs and wages across the country. • These factors are pushing India toward a "middle-income trap," a stagnation phase previously experienced by other developing nations.

Margaret Hodge concerned over use of taxpayers’ money after revelations about former prince’s sublettingUK politics live – latest updatesA former chair of an influential parliamentary committee said it was “shocking” that the public spending watchdog had not established Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s income from subletting properties.Dame Margaret Hodge, who previously led the public accounts committee told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she was “very concerned” that the National Audit Office (NAO) was not able to find how much money the former prince had made from letting properties. Continue reading...

• Poland and Portugal experienced the strongest real household income growth in Europe over the last two years, with Spain leading among major economies. • Specific growth rates included the Netherlands at 2.3%, Portugal at 2%, Denmark at 1.9%, Greece at 1.8%, and Spain at 1.5%. • The OECD attributed Poland's acceleration to employee remuneration offsetting lower social benefits, while Greece's growth was driven by property income and the lowest unemployment rate since 2009.

MP says current system is unfair and his idea would result in a ‘wealth tax that works’UK politics live – latest updatesFormer health secretary Wes Streeting has set out plans for a “wealth tax that works”, by equalising tax on assets and income.Streeting said the current system – in which capital gains tax is generally much lower than income tax – was not fair and penalised work, arguing the taxes should be equalised. Continue reading...