ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 18, 2026.
What you need to know about the Ebola outbreak that has the WHO concerned
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency of international concern. So far, 336 people have been infected in the central African and East African countries of Uganda and the … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Businesses need more than generic chatbots to benefit from AI. Will this budget help?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frederik von Briel, Associate Professor in Strategy and Entrepreneurship, The University of Queensland This month’s federal budget made a familiar promise: artificial intelligence (AI) will help lift Australia’s productivity. But for many Australian firms, especially small and medium-sized businesses, “using AI” still means experimenting with a generic … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Israel becomes world’s most disliked country, global survey finds
Middle East Monitor Israel is now perceived more negatively than any other country in the world, according to new global polling published by Nira Data as part of its 2026 democracy and country perception research. The five most positively perceived countries were Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Italy. The findings place Israel at the bottom … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
Palestine on patrol – how a flag-dress caused a writers’ stir for justice
COMMENTARY: By Kathrine Ross What a blast at the Auckland Writers Festival today, I had tickets for Marika and I to attend Palestinian writer Tareq Baconi’s talk and decided to dress up and wear my Palestine-flag-dress. Little did I know the stir it would cause — the Aotea Centre security literally chased me through the … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>
One dead after three vehicle crash on Waikato Expressway
Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. RNZ/ Marika Khabazi One person has died and two others are injured after a three-vehicle crash on the Waikato Expressway. Police said the crash happened at Pōkeno shortly before 7pm. One person died at the scene. Two other people were injured in the crash – one with critical injuries…
Sultanas up, avocados down: Here’s how food prices are really moving
Source: Radio New Zealand The price of avocados is down 22 percent from a decade ago. File photo. 123rf Food prices were flat in April, and up by less compared to the year earlier than they were in March. But beneath that headline, there’s been significant variation across food items. Here’s what’s getting cheaper, what’s…
Two men who drowned rock fishing weren’t wearing life jackets, coroner says
Source: Radio New Zealand Waves pound through The Gap in the aftermath of 2015’s Cyclone Pam. Supplied/Cliff House A Coroner says the deaths of two fishermen in Northland highlight the importance of wearing lifejackets while rock fishing – as well as the need for warning signs and flotation aids in dangerous areas. Sarath Kumar Sasidharan-Nair,…
First ever stone skimming champions crowned in Lake Hāwea
Source: Radio New Zealand Event organiser Richie Laming steps up to the platform and tries his hand at skimming. RNZ/Katie Todd An Australian with a calling and an Auckland radio host running on pure determination are the newly crowned national champions of stone skimming. In pristine conditions, hundreds flocked to a remote corner of Lake…
Warriors fans in Brisbane a ‘wild swirling outpouring of energy’ for NRL Magic Round
Source: Radio New Zealand Warriors fans AAP / Photosport First Person – You could feel something special building for days, even before the NZ Warriors took the field. On Air New Zealand planes to Brisbane, the cabins were filled with blue and green jerseys. Pilots and cabin crews dispensed “Up the Wahs”. In this city,…
Huge relief or ‘pretending there’s a problem’? National’s sexual offenders sentencing policy
Source: Radio New Zealand National’s justice spokesperson and current Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said the policy would result in tougher sentences. RNZ / Mark Papalii A National Party policy to prevent judges discounting sexual offenders’ sentences due to good character is a solution for a non-existent problem, a defence lawyer says. But a victims’ advocate…
Teachers raise concerns as NCEA replacement confimed
Source: Radio New Zealand The government believes students can “game the system” with NCEA. (File photo) RNZ / Quin Tauetau Teachers say they are disappointed feedback fro the sector on replacing NCEA was not listened to. The government on Saturday released further details about the new secondary school qualification framework, which was expected to begin…
What is ‘frozen shoulder’ and will I need surgery?
Source: Radio New Zealand Frozen shoulder can make simple tasks – such as lifting your arm, sleeping on your side, getting out of bed, putting on a bra, driving or playing with your kids – painful and challenging. This condition usually starts with pain suddenly developing in the shoulder and stiffness. Over time, the pain…
Warriors contemplate their next move at halfback
Source: Radio New Zealand Luke Metcalf of the Warriors www.photosport.nz Luke Metcalf’s long term future may not be with the Warriors, but his short-term future has just become very important. In-favour halfback Tanah Boyd went down with a suspected season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s 42-12 win over the Broncos in Brisbane. Boyd suffered a suspected…
Auditions for the next James Bond are finally underway
Source: Radio New Zealand Auditions have finally begun for the next instalment in the blockbuster movie franchise, according to a statement from Amazon MGM Studios. The production company issued a short statement with early details of plans for the new movie, including the announcement that the search for a new leading man — or perhaps…
Man found dead at Northland property, police investigating
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nate McKinnon A man has been found dead at a Waimamaku property in Northland. Emergency services were called to the Wekaweka Road property about 8.45pm on Sunday. “The circumstances surrounding his death are currently unexplained, and police are now working to establish the full circumstances of how he died,”…
Cyclists commute at sunrise on the ‘beautiful’ Te Ara Tupua
Source: Radio New Zealand Riders on the $348m Te Ara Tupua cycling and walking path between Ngauranga and Petone. RNZ / Phil Pennington Is this the most beautiful commute in the world? Maybe that is going too far but for the hundreds of cyclists who for the first time on Monday morning pedalled along the…
Rates caps could raise risk of credit downgrade for New Zealand, Fitch warns
Source: Radio New Zealand Local Government Minister Simon Watts. SAMUEL RILLSTONE / RNZ The Fitch credit ratings agency is warning the introduction of local government rate caps could increase the risk of credit downgrades across the sector. The government is planning to introduce legislation this year that will eventually limit council rate increases to 4…
QR codes scammers’ favourite new way to take your money
Source: Radio New Zealand A QR code. 123RF QR scams are on the rise, according to a global cybersecurity company. Known as ‘quishing’, a QR code’s landing website is swapped out for another, where some sort of payment is sought. The scammers’ aim is to get credit card details entered. Cybersecurity company ESET says these…
Sailing: Kiwi crew become youngest world champions
Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand sailors Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush at the 2026 49er World Championships, France. Sailing Energy / Yachting NZ New Zealand has a new star pairing in 49er sailing. Seb Menzies and George Lee Rush have become the youngest 49er world champions in history after a stunning comeback win…
Sylvia Park owner posts ‘robust’ full-year result, Ikea driving more foot traffic
Source: Radio New Zealand Kiwi Property Group Group said the opening of Ikea drove significant foot traffic in the area. (File photo) Marika Khabazi / RNZ The owner of Auckland’s Sylvia Park has posted a “robust” full-year result, with a higher operating profit as rental income and occupancy improved, but its bottom line fell as…