Independent Analysis and Reportage
COMMENTARY: By Andy Worthington It’s a sign of Israel’s swaggering sense of impunity, and of the grotesque depravity at the heart of their notions of supremacy, that their soldiers and those in charge of them thought that they could get away with inflicting severe physical abuse on the 430 members of the Global Sumud Flotilla,
SPECIAL REPORT: By Nadda Osman Activists freed from Israeli detention following the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have reported that they were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, say flotilla organisers — with at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. “At least 15 cases of sexual assaults, including rape. Shot with rubber bullets
Keynesian economics tells us that the most reliable circuit-breakers are exports and government spending. New Zealand's exports are booming, and have been for a while. But for New Zealand that's still far from enough; New Zealand needs a government spending circuit breaker as well.
I cannot imagine the age for KiwiSaver entitlement staying at 65 – what today is loosely called the 'retirement age' – while the age of pension entitlement is raised to 67 or higher. Requiring people to wait until they are 67 before they can access their retirement savings may prove to be even more unpopular than raising the pension-entitlement age.
RNZ Pacific Nauru’s government has issued a directive to all public servants and employees of state-owned enterprises in-country and abroad to adhere to the “One China” policy. The Cabinet directive comes as the Micronesian island nation marks its 58th constitution Day this week. In January 2024, Nauru became the first nation to switch diplomatic recognition ... <a title="Nauru orders public servants, govt bodies to follow ‘One China’ policy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/nauru-orders-public-servants-govt-bodies-to-follow-one-china-policy/" aria-label="Read more about Nauru orders public servants, govt bodies to follow ‘One China’ policy">Read more</a>
By Niva Chittock, RNZ WorldWatch presenter/producer New Zealand has joined international condemnation of Israel’s far-right national security minister, even summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey that message. A video posted by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday. The video showed kneeling activists, with their ... <a title="Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/peters-condemns-israeli-minister-over-flotilla-video-as-3-kiwis-detained/" aria-label="Read more about Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report Irish President Catherine Connolly’s sister is among the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces, reports Middle East Monitor. Dr Margaret Connolly was among at least six Irish citizens aboard the aid flotilla detained by Israel, the Irish Independent reported, citing activists. At least two New Zealanders — Hāhona Ormsby ... <a title="Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/irish-presidents-sister-2-kiwis-among-gaza-flotilla-activists-detained-by-israel/" aria-label="Read more about Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel">Read more</a>
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk The French Senate has endorsed proposed changes to New Caledonia’s restricted electoral roll to allow “native” people to vote in next month’s local elections. The proposed changes relax current vote restrictions enforced under the Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998, a situation often referred to as the ... <a title="French Senate endorses change to New Caledonia’s ‘frozen’ electoral roll" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/french-senate-endorses-change-to-new-caledonias-frozen-electoral-roll/" aria-label="Read more about French Senate endorses change to New Caledonia’s ‘frozen’ electoral roll">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report Greenpeace International has condemned Israeli armed forces for illegally attacking a peaceful Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters for the second time. The flobal environmental movement said in a statement it echoed the Global Sumud Flotilla’s urgent demand for safe passage for their peaceful humanitarian mission. “Governments must act now to ... <a title="Greenpeace calls on global govts to ensure safety of Gaza flotilla stormed by Israeli military" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/greenpeace-calls-on-global-govts-to-ensure-safety-of-gaza-flotilla-stormed-by-israeli-military/" aria-label="Read more about Greenpeace calls on global govts to ensure safety of Gaza flotilla stormed by Israeli military">Read more</a>
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist A multinational police investigation implicating 11 Fiji police officers in collusion with drug traffickers has been handed over to prosecutors. The Fiji police announced that the investigation, lasting nearly six months, now awaits advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed. On December 1 last ... <a title="Eleven Fiji police officers investigated for ties to Auckland drug trade links" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/eleven-fiji-police-officers-investigated-for-ties-to-auckland-drug-trade-links/" aria-label="Read more about Eleven Fiji police officers investigated for ties to Auckland drug trade links">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand needs to summon Israeli ambassador to protest over the illegal and brutal treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian aid activists — including three New Zealanders — kidnapped in international waters this week. Peace activists are demanding this in the response to Israel ambassadors being summoned by several host governments over ... <a title="Peace Action demands NZ summon Israeli ambassador over brutal action against activists" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/peace-action-demands-nz-summon-israeli-ambassador-over-brutal-action-against-activists/" aria-label="Read more about Peace Action demands NZ summon Israeli ambassador over brutal action against activists">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report At least 87 people kidnapped by Israeli forces from a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza have begun a hunger strike, say organisers, after Israeli forces intercepted the last remaining vessel in international waters. The group is striking “in protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9500 Palestinian ... <a title="87+ Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by Israel now on hunger strike" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/05/21/87-gaza-aid-flotilla-activists-abducted-by-israel-now-on-hunger-strike/" aria-label="Read more about 87+ Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by Israel now on hunger strike">Read more</a>