Rachel Reeves’ pledge not to hike taxes again has been derided by business and political opponents. The Chancellor made the commitment in an appearance at the CBI conference last night, as she scrambles to quell a mounting revolt over her £40billion ‘tax-bomb’ Budget. After pushing the burden on Brits to what is believed to be the highest level ever, Ms Reeves insisted she was ‘not going to have to come back for more’.

EXCLUSIVE Molly the Magpie and her Staffordshire Terrier best friends could be separated once again after the granting of a wildlife carers’ licence to a Gold Coast couple was overturned in court. Molly and her canine companions Peggy and Ruby live with Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen at their Gold Coast home and have become social media stars.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was reportedly quick to respond to US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Mexican, Canadian and Chinese goods as global currencies plummeted. The incoming president posted on his Truth Social platform Monday night that he would impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods as long as the countries continue to allow immigrants to flow over the US border. He also said he’d impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods over the Chinese government’s refusal to make good on a promise to use the death penalty on drug dealers.

The Albanese government’s radical plan to double taxes on Australians with more than $3million in superannuation looks dead in the water because it doesn’t have the votes to pass the Senate. The Greens are opposing the proposal on the grounds that it does not go far enough and independent crossbench senators have also flagged issues of principle with the bill that could result in them blocking legislation. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has now indicated he would be unwilling to compromise with the Greens to get the bill through before the next election, which is due by May 2025.

Conor McGregor last night issued a fresh statement vowing to appeal his civil 𝑠e𝑥ual assault case defeat but admitted he has made ‘mistakes’. The 36-year-old UFC star is fighting to salvage his reputation after he lost a civil case brought by Nikita Hand, 35, who won almost €250,000 (£210,000) in damages on Friday after accusing him of rape. McGregor has been known to post and delete furious rants about his victim, recently uploading and removing an angry tirade against Ms Hand on Sunday.

A 33-year-old aide with the nickname ‘human printer’ has ‘unnerved’ staff of President-elect Donald Trump for her excessively fawning letters and undying loyalty to their boss. Natalie Harp penned the devotional missives Trump last year that showed an almost Christ-like devotion to the 78-year-old incoming commander-in-chief. The New York Times reported Monday that sources were left uncomfortable about the obsequious messages.