ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 12, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 12, 2025.
Independent Analysis and Reportage
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 12, 2025.

By Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific digital journalist A new Auckland-based kava business has found itself at the heart of a cultural debate, with critics raising concerns about appropriation, authenticity, and the future of kava as a deeply rooted Pacific tradition. Vibes Kava, co-founded by Charles Byram and Derek Hillen, operates out of New Leaf Kombucha ... <a title="‘We’re just doing our best’ – cultural backlash hits Auckland kava business" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/12/were-just-doing-our-best-cultural-backlash-hits-auckland-kava-business/" aria-label="Read more about ‘We’re just doing our best’ – cultural backlash hits Auckland kava business">Read more</a>

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist The escalation of violence in West Papua is on par with some of the most intense times of conflict over the past six decades, a human rights researcher says. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) claims that Indonesia killed at least one civilian and severely injured another ... <a title="‘Fighting more frequent now’ – researcher warns of escalating West Papua conflict" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/12/fighting-more-frequent-now-researcher-warns-of-escalating-west-papua-conflict/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Fighting more frequent now’ – researcher warns of escalating West Papua conflict">Read more</a>

ANALYSIS: By Robert Inlakesh Israel is in a weak position and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s extremism knows no bounds. The only other way around an eventual regional war is the ousting of the Israeli prime minister. US President Donald Trump has closed his line of communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to various ... <a title="‘Cutting off communications’ – did Trump really just turn his back on Israel?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/12/cutting-off-communications-did-trump-really-just-turn-his-back-on-israel/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Cutting off communications’ – did Trump really just turn his back on Israel?">Read more</a>

Asia Pacific Report The Aotearoa Philippines Solidarity national assembly has condemned the National Party-led Coalition government in New Zealand over signing a “deplorable” visiting forces agreement with the Philippine government “Given the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ appalling human rights record and continuing attacks on activists in the Philippines, it is deplorable for the New ... <a title="Philippine advocacy group condemns NZ military pact with Manila, rejects election violence" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/11/philippine-advocacy-group-condemns-nz-military-pact-with-manila-rejects-election-violence/" aria-label="Read more about Philippine advocacy group condemns NZ military pact with Manila, rejects election violence">Read more</a>
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 11, 2025.

ANALYSIS: By Ali Mirin On April 24, 2025, Indonesia made a masterful geopolitical move. Jakarta granted Fiji US$6 million in financial aid and offered to cooperate with them on military training — a seemingly benign act of diplomacy that conceals a darker purpose. This strategic manoeuvre is the latest in Indonesia’s efforts to neutralise Pacific ... <a title="Indonesia’s Pacific manoeuvres – money, military, and silencing West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/11/indonesias-pacific-manoeuvres-money-military-and-silencing-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Indonesia’s Pacific manoeuvres – money, military, and silencing West Papua">Read more</a>

Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – NERMEEN SHAIKH: We begin today’s show looking at Israel’s ongoing targeting of Palestinian journalists. A recent report by the Costs of War Project at Brown University described the war in Gaza as the “worst ever conflict for reporters” in history. By one count, Israel has killed ... <a title="Who killed Shireen Abu Akleh? Film names Israeli soldier but Biden, Israel ‘did best to cover up’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/11/who-killed-shireen-abu-akleh-film-names-israeli-soldier-but-biden-israel-did-best-to-cover-up/" aria-label="Read more about Who killed Shireen Abu Akleh? Film names Israeli soldier but Biden, Israel ‘did best to cover up’">Read more</a>

Democracy Now! NERMEEN SHAIKH: We begin today’s show looking at Israel’s ongoing targeting of Palestinian journalists. A recent report by the Costs of War Project at Brown University described the war in Gaza as the “worst ever conflict for reporters” in history. By one count, Israel has killed 214 Palestinian journalists in Gaza over the ... <a title="Who killed Shireen Abu Akleh? Film names Israeli soldier but Israel ‘did best to cover up’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/10/who-killed-shireen-abu-akleh-film-names-israeli-soldier-but-israel-did-best-to-cover-up/" aria-label="Read more about Who killed Shireen Abu Akleh? Film names Israeli soldier but Israel ‘did best to cover up’">Read more</a>

By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor The leader of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has reacted to the election of the new pope. Pope Leo XIV was elected by his fellow cardinals in the Conclave on Thursday evening, Rome time. Leo, 69, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is originally from Chicago, and has spent ... <a title="Pacific region hopes for ‘climate-conscious’ pope, says PCC leader" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/10/pacific-region-hopes-for-climate-conscious-pope-says-pcc-leader/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific region hopes for ‘climate-conscious’ pope, says PCC leader">Read more</a>

By Gordon Campbell The calls by the Israel Institute of New Zealand for Peter Davis to resign from the Helen Clark Foundation because of comments he made with regard to an ugly, hateful piece of graffiti are absurd. The graffiti in question said “I hated Jews before it was cool!” On social media, Davis made ... <a title="Absurd attack on free speech by Israel Institute over social media comment" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/10/absurd-attack-on-free-speech-by-israel-institute-over-social-media-comment/" aria-label="Read more about Absurd attack on free speech by Israel Institute over social media comment">Read more</a>
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 10, 2025.