Chris Mason: Reeves chooses to tax big and spend big

General Horta N'Tam has been sworn in as the transitional leader of Guinea-Bissau following a military coup that resulted in the ousting of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the army headquarters just a day after the military declared total control of the country, which included the detention of the president and the suspension of the electoral process.

Pope Leo XIV has embarked on his first foreign trip to Turkey, emphasizing that the future of humanity is at stake due to ongoing conflicts, which he describes as a third world war being fought piecemeal. This visit is significant as it marks the Pope's inaugural international engagement amid rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following recent violence in Beirut.

A catastrophic fire erupted in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in at least 44 fatalities and hundreds reported missing. Firefighters are actively engaged in rescue operations as they search for those unaccounted for after the blaze, which reportedly began on external scaffolding.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has reported that average disposable income in the UK is projected to increase by only 0.5% annually over the next five years, indicating a dismal outlook for household spending power. This stagnation in income growth raises concerns about the financial well-being of families across the country.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has called in a cyber expert to investigate a premature release of Budget analysis documents, which disrupted Chancellor Rachel Reeves's planned statement. Journalists accessed the sensitive information ahead of the official announcement, leading to a chaotic situation for the Labour government.

A catastrophic fire erupted in the Wang Cheong House, a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in significant destruction and a rising death toll. Footage geolocated by BBC Verify shows the rapid spread of the blaze, which has led to at least 44 fatalities and approximately 279 individuals reported missing. Emergency services are actively engaged in rescue operations as the situation continues to develop.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the introduction of a new voluntary military service, marking a significant shift in national defense strategy 25 years after the end of conscription. This program will target young individuals aged 18 to 19, lasting for 10 months and aimed at enhancing military readiness amid rising security concerns, particularly regarding threats from Russia.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has stated that there will be no second independence referendum if the Scottish National Party (SNP) secures a majority in the upcoming elections. This declaration underscores the UK government's firm stance against further referendums following the previous vote in 2014.