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‘Affront to democracy’ – NZ law change halts landmark climate crisis lawsuit

May 12, 2026

By Kate Newton, RNZ News climate change correspondent The political activist suing major New Zealand emitters over climate change damage says a law change blocking his case and others like it is “an affront to democracy”. The government announced yesterday it would amend climate laws to prevent companies from being sued over damage caused by ... <a title="‘Affront to democracy’ – NZ law change halts landmark climate crisis lawsuit" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/12/affront-to-democracy-nz-law-change-halts-landmark-climate-crisis-lawsuit/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Affront to democracy’ – NZ law change halts landmark climate crisis lawsuit">Read more</a>

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Fiji army commander admits military ‘at fault’ for custody death

May 12, 2026

RNZ Pacific Fiji’s military chief has made a public admission at a church service that the institution was “at fault” for the death of Jone Vakarisi while he was in military custody. Local media reported that Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) commander Ro Jone Kalaouniwai, while addressing officers at a military family service, admitted ... <a title="Fiji army commander admits military ‘at fault’ for custody death" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/12/fiji-army-commander-admits-military-at-fault-for-custody-death/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji army commander admits military ‘at fault’ for custody death">Read more</a>

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Netanyahu stresses the need for more propaganda as Israel’s Hasbara budget soars

May 12, 2026

In a fawning softball 60 Minutes interview released on Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the importance of winning “the propaganda war” on social media. This comes as Israel moves to quadruple its propaganda budget to $730 million a year. Major Garrett (which apparently is a real name belonging to a real guy who works for 60 ... <a title="Netanyahu stresses the need for more propaganda as Israel’s Hasbara budget soars" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/12/netanyahu-stresses-the-need-for-more-propaganda-as-israels-hasbara-budget-soars/" aria-label="Read more about Netanyahu stresses the need for more propaganda as Israel’s Hasbara budget soars">Read more</a>

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New Caledonian freight vessel begins service to Vanuatu despite diplomatic row

May 12, 2026

By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Despite a trade-related controversy that erupted last week between the governments of Vanuatu and New Caledonia, the French territory’s freight vessel MV Karaka began a new service to Port Vila and Luganville. Last week, New Caledonia’s territorial government announced it had suspended all trade cooperation with ... <a title="New Caledonian freight vessel begins service to Vanuatu despite diplomatic row" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/12/new-caledonian-freight-vessel-begins-service-to-vanuatu-despite-diplomatic-row/" aria-label="Read more about New Caledonian freight vessel begins service to Vanuatu despite diplomatic row">Read more</a>

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NZ govt must rebuke Israeli envoy over beating of citizens, says PSNA

May 11, 2026

Asia Pacific Report The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) has called on the New Zealand government to follow through on its demands that Israel complies with international law following the abduction and beating of citizens by the Israeli military in international waters in the Mediterranean last week. PSNA national spokesperson Rinad Tamimi said the government ... <a title="NZ govt must rebuke Israeli envoy over beating of citizens, says PSNA" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/11/nz-govt-must-rebuke-israeli-envoy-over-beating-of-citizens-says-psna/" aria-label="Read more about NZ govt must rebuke Israeli envoy over beating of citizens, says PSNA">Read more</a>

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‘They threatened to kill us at gunpoint,’ says NZ Gaza flotilla activist

May 11, 2026

Asia Pacific Report A New Zealander who took part in the global flotilla trying to break the illegal Gaza siege and who was abducted by Israel returned home this week and gave a searing speech in Auckland today condemning the abuses he and others suffered. “They abducted us at gunpoint and threatened to kill us ... <a title="‘They threatened to kill us at gunpoint,’ says NZ Gaza flotilla activist" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/11/they-threatened-to-kill-us-at-gunpoint-says-nz-gaza-flotilla-activist/" aria-label="Read more about ‘They threatened to kill us at gunpoint,’ says NZ Gaza flotilla activist">Read more</a>

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Majuro reels from huge power rate increase, as govt steps up cash programmes

May 11, 2026

By Giff Johnson, Marshall Islands Journal editor/RNZ Pacific correspondent One of the biggest electricity increases in the history of the Marshalls Energy Company was implemented last week — the first of a two-step tariff increase. Power charges rose by 6c per kWh across the board for government, business and residential. On May 18, the price ... <a title="Majuro reels from huge power rate increase, as govt steps up cash programmes" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/11/majuro-reels-from-huge-power-rate-increase-as-govt-steps-up-cash-programmes/" aria-label="Read more about Majuro reels from huge power rate increase, as govt steps up cash programmes">Read more</a>

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Australian ‘antisemitism’ – the Royal Conflation Commission is in session

May 11, 2026

The Bondi Royal Commission started its public hearings in Australia last week — and the mainstream media is lapping up the “antisemitism” narrative while ignoring other Jewish voices, reports Michael West Media. ANALYSIS: By Stephanie Tran The first block of public hearings for the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began last week, focusing ... <a title="Australian ‘antisemitism’ – the Royal Conflation Commission is in session" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/11/australian-antisemitism-the-royal-conflation-commission-is-in-session/" aria-label="Read more about Australian ‘antisemitism’ – the Royal Conflation Commission is in session">Read more</a>

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Iran war fallout – Trump is going to Beijing on bended knees

May 10, 2026

COMMENTARY: By Lim Tean Why is US President Donald Trump carrying on with his State visit to Beijing this week on May 14? I wouldn’t if I were him. It also shows that he is surrounded by incompetent officials. Any competent advisor would advise him against undertaking this trip. He goes as the leader of ... <a title="Iran war fallout – Trump is going to Beijing on bended knees" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/10/iran-war-fallout-trump-is-going-to-beijing-on-bended-knees/" aria-label="Read more about Iran war fallout – Trump is going to Beijing on bended knees">Read more</a>

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West Papuan graduation parade turns violent after police object to Morning Star flag

May 10, 2026

By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Indonesian authorities say investigations are underway into an incident in West Papua when a number of people were allegedly injured after police fired shots amid a student graduation event. Reports from West Papua say seven people suffered injuries when tensions flared at a parade by senior high school ... <a title="West Papuan graduation parade turns violent after police object to Morning Star flag" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/10/west-papuan-graduation-parade-turns-violent-after-police-object-to-morning-star-flag/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan graduation parade turns violent after police object to Morning Star flag">Read more</a>

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Tongan armed threat against journalist troubles Pacific media freedom

May 10, 2026

COMMENTARY: By Kalafi Moala The importance of media freedom is recognised each year globally on May 3. This year the Pacific Island country of Tonga commemorated World Press Freedom Day just a week after one of the most frightening threats to that freedom which took place at a media outlet. A hooded man brandishing a ... <a title="Tongan armed threat against journalist troubles Pacific media freedom" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/10/tongan-armed-threat-against-journalist-troubles-pacific-media-freedom/" aria-label="Read more about Tongan armed threat against journalist troubles Pacific media freedom">Read more</a>

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French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu

May 9, 2026

By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Vanuatu’s government has urged the French ambassador in Port Vila to use established diplomatic channels rather than social media to communicate his concerns about state-to-state relations. It is the latest development in a diplomatic spat that emerged this week when New Caledonia’s territorial government took umbrage at Vanuatu ... <a title="French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/09/french-ambassadors-social-media-diplomacy-lands-poorly-in-vanuatu/" aria-label="Read more about French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu">Read more</a>