Reeves promised oil industry ‘quid pro quo’ over windfall tax in private meeting

A Labour MP serving as a government whip has resigned from her post, citing her refusal to support a controversial welfare bill that includes cuts to disability benefits. She stated she couldn’t, in good conscience, vote for the proposed changes, highlighting a growing rift within the party over austerity measures.

Australia is temporarily shutting down its embassy in Tehran and pulling officials out of Iran due to unspecified security concerns. Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the ambassador will stay in the region, with consular support shifting to Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, the opposition is pushing the PM to attend an upcoming NATO summit, likely to reinforce Australia’s stance on global security issues.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated dramatically, with Iran striking a hospital in southern Israel, causing extensive damage, and Israel retaliating by targeting Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor—a key nuclear facility. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the hospital attack as the work of "terrorist tyrants," while emergency services scrambled to respond.

This is just a standard promo for Global Okanagan’s evening news broadcast—nothing juicy here. It’s essentially a reminder that their 5:30 p.m. digital newscast is available to stream, but there’s no hint at what stories they’re covering.

Japan’s government wants to offer more money to towns near nuclear power plants—expanding payouts from a 10km to a 30km radius. Officials say it’s about supporting communities, but environmental groups aren’t buying it. They’re calling the move a thinly veiled "bribe" to win over struggling rural areas that might otherwise oppose nuclear energy.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about cash—it’s a high-stakes debate over Japan’s energy future. After Fukushima, trust in nuclear power is shaky, and critics see this as the government trying to smooth over opposition with money. Whether it’s genuine support or political maneuvering, it could shape how communities weigh risks versus benefits when nuclear plants are in their backyard.