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What is Israel’s Herzog doing in Australia – who invited him, and why?

February 2, 2026

ANALYSIS: By Andrew Brown Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, is due to arrive in Australia next Sunday. Why is a foreign Head of State asked to help heal an Australian community after an Australian tragedy? Australia is being asked to accept something extraordinary as if it were normal. Who invited Isaac Herzog in the first place, ... <a title="What is Israel’s Herzog doing in Australia – who invited him, and why?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/02/what-is-israels-herzog-doing-in-australia-who-invited-him-and-why/" aria-label="Read more about What is Israel’s Herzog doing in Australia – who invited him, and why?">Read more</a>

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Mixed reactions over Samoan PM’s proposal to ban non-Christian religions

January 12, 2026

RNZ Pacific A proposal by Sāmoa’s Prime Minister to ban all non-Christian religions from the country is being met with mixed reactions. The Samoa Observer reported church ministers and members of the public voicing views both for and against the proposal. Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt said he raised the issue with Samoa’s Council of ... <a title="Mixed reactions over Samoan PM’s proposal to ban non-Christian religions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/12/mixed-reactions-over-samoan-pms-proposal-to-ban-non-christian-religions/" aria-label="Read more about Mixed reactions over Samoan PM’s proposal to ban non-Christian religions">Read more</a>

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Sāmoa set to become third Pacific nation to open Jerusalem embassy

January 11, 2026

RNZ Pacific Sāmoa is set to become the third Pacific nation to have an embassy in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt told a gathering of the Sāmoa branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem on Tuesday he had instructed the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin work on the opening of an office ... <a title="Sāmoa set to become third Pacific nation to open Jerusalem embassy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/11/samoa-set-to-become-third-pacific-nation-to-open-jerusalem-embassy/" aria-label="Read more about Sāmoa set to become third Pacific nation to open Jerusalem embassy">Read more</a>

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Debunking the theological gaslighting of Israel-supporting Imams

July 28, 2025

Muslims, and the global community, must rally around the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights: to exist, to return home, and to live free from occupation. ANALYSIS: By Shadee ElMasry In our world today, one would be hard-pressed to find a reputable, well-known scholar or group of scholars who support Israel. Of course, the keywords here are ... <a title="Debunking the theological gaslighting of Israel-supporting Imams" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/28/debunking-the-theological-gaslighting-of-israel-supporting-imams/" aria-label="Read more about Debunking the theological gaslighting of Israel-supporting Imams">Read more</a>

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Gaza not a religious issue – it’s a massive violation of international law, say accord critics

July 23, 2025

Asia Pacific Report Groups that have declined to join the government-sponsored “harmony accord” signed yesterday by some Muslim and Jewish groups, say that the proposed new council is “misaligned” with its aims. The signed accord was presented at Government House in Auckland. About 70 people attended, including representatives of the New Zealand Jewish Council, His ... <a title="Gaza not a religious issue – it’s a massive violation of international law, say accord critics" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/23/gaza-not-a-religious-issue-its-a-massive-violation-of-international-law-say-accord-critics/" aria-label="Read more about Gaza not a religious issue – it’s a massive violation of international law, say accord critics">Read more</a>

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Pacific leaders demand respectful involvement in memorial for unmarked graves

July 21, 2025

By Mary Afemata, of PMN News and RNZ Pacific Porirua City Council is set to create a memorial for more than 1800 former patients of the local hospital buried in unmarked graves. But Pacific leaders are asking to be “meaningfully involved” in the process, including incorporating prayer, language, and ceremonial practices. More than 50 people ... <a title="Pacific leaders demand respectful involvement in memorial for unmarked graves" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/21/pacific-leaders-demand-respectful-involvement-in-memorial-for-unmarked-graves/" aria-label="Read more about Pacific leaders demand respectful involvement in memorial for unmarked graves">Read more</a>

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Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’

July 3, 2025

By Reinhard Minong in Port Moresby The Catholic Church has strongly warned against Papua New Guinea’s political rhetoric and push to declare the nation a Christian country, saying such a move threatens constitutional freedoms and risks dangerous implications for the country’s future. Speaking before the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication on Tuesday at Rapopo during ... <a title="Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/03/catholic-church-warns-against-png-declaring-itself-a-christian-country/" aria-label="Read more about Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’">Read more</a>

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Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity for ‘persecuted’ journalists seeking truth, calls for their freedom

May 13, 2025

By Devin Watkins of Vatican News Only four days have passed since his election to the papacy, and Pope Leo XIV has made it a point to hold an audience with the men and women who were in Rome to report on the death of Pope Francis, the conclave, and the first days of his ... <a title="Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity for ‘persecuted’ journalists seeking truth, calls for their freedom" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/05/13/pope-leo-xiv-expresses-solidarity-for-persecuted-journalists-seeking-truth-calls-for-their-freedom/" aria-label="Read more about Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity for ‘persecuted’ journalists seeking truth, calls for their freedom">Read more</a>

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Pacific region hopes for ‘climate-conscious’ pope, says PCC leader

May 10, 2025

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>

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Homage paid to Pope Francis at NZ street theatre rally for Palestine

April 27, 2025

Asia Pacific Report Activists for Palestine paid homage to Pope Francis in Aotearoa New Zealand today for his humility, care for marginalised in the world, and his courageous solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza at a street theatre rally just hours before his funeral in Rome. He was remembered and thanked for his daily ... <a title="Homage paid to Pope Francis at NZ street theatre rally for Palestine" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/04/27/homage-paid-to-pope-francis-at-nz-street-theatre-rally-for-palestine/" aria-label="Read more about Homage paid to Pope Francis at NZ street theatre rally for Palestine">Read more</a>

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Samoan nun tells of ‘like a blur’ awesome meeting with Pope Francis

April 26, 2025

By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific presenter The doors of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican have now been closed and the coffin sealed, ahead of preparations for tonight’s funeral of Pope Francis. The Vatican says a quarter of a million people have paid respects to Pope Francis in the last three days. Sister Susana Vaifale ... <a title="Samoan nun tells of ‘like a blur’ awesome meeting with Pope Francis" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/04/26/samoan-nun-tells-of-like-a-blur-awesome-meeting-with-pope-francis/" aria-label="Read more about Samoan nun tells of ‘like a blur’ awesome meeting with Pope Francis">Read more</a>

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Palestinian solidarity vigil at Easter in NZ as Israeli bombing rages in Gaza

April 20, 2025

Asia Pacific Report Peaceful protesters in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city Auckland held an Easter prayer vigil honouring Palestinian political prisoners and the sacrifice of thousands of innocent lives as relentless Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans in tents killed at least 92 people in two days. Organisers of the rally for the 80th week since ... <a title="Palestinian solidarity vigil at Easter in NZ as Israeli bombing rages in Gaza" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/04/20/palestinian-solidarity-vigil-at-easter-in-nz-as-israeli-bombing-rages-in-gaza/" aria-label="Read more about Palestinian solidarity vigil at Easter in NZ as Israeli bombing rages in Gaza">Read more</a>