Anita Roberts & Kizzy Kalsakau – The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders Summit proposed to be held from July 17 to 21 is postponed to another date, which is yet to be confirmed.

Eka Yuda Saputra, Jakarta – The armed criminal group or the Free Papua Movement allegedly opened fire at a Smart Air passenger plane while it landed and took off at Homeyo Airport, Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua Province, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) continues to pledge its commitment to advocate for the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) to become a full member the of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – The Free Papua Movement (OPM) on Sunday, July 16, besieged the Homeyo Police Post and Military Command Post (Koramil) in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, by using stolen firearms.

A West Papua pro-independence leader says Indonesia is ramping up its repression of peaceful activists while people mobilise in favour of the province gaining full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Police has published a vulnerability index for the General Election, indicating that 12 out of 29 regencies and cities in Papua are at risk of conflict during the upcoming elections on February 14, 2024.

Jayapura, Jubi – Press organizations in Papua, including the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) of Jayapura City, the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) of Papua, and the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI) of Papua, lambasted what was reported to be intimidation against Abdel Gamel Naser, a journalist from Cenderawasih Pos.

As people across West Papua mobilise in favour of the ULMWP gaining full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Indonesia is ramping up its repression of peaceful activists.

Susan Price – Indonesian security forces violently cracked down on a peaceful West Papuan National Congress (KNPB) demonstration on July 12, called to show support for West Papua's application to become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

The Australia West Papua Association condemns the arrest of 10 West Papua National Committee (KNPB) members yesterday, 11 July.

The activists were arrested simply because they were handing out leaflets informing people of a rally to be held today, the 12 July to show support for West Papua becoming a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

Dian Erika Nugraheny, Bandung – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo says that there are underground and above ground efforts to free Susi Air pilot Mark Mehrtens who is being held hostage by a Papuan armed criminal group (KKB) – the government's term for the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB).

Enarotali, Jubi – Egianus Kogoya, one of the leaders of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) has denied that he demanded a ransom of Rp 5 billion (US$329,000) for the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens. Kogoya made this statement in a video received by Jubi on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

Jayapura, Jubi – Jayapura will once again host the sixth edition of the Papua Film Festival (FFP VI), scheduled to take place from August 7-9, 2023. The festival's central theme, "Dari Kampung Kitong Cerita" (From Our Village, We Tell Our Stories), was determined by the Papuan Voices committee.

M. Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Chairman of Central Initiative and Senior Researcher of Imparsial, Al Araf, criticized President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's statement calling the situation in Papua a "small conflict, no need to exaggerate". The statement was spoken after his visit to Keerom, South Papua last Saturday.

Jakarta – The Papuan regional police say they never said that the armed criminal group (KKB) led by Egianus Kogoya had asked for a 5 billion rupiah ransom for the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens.

Papua New Guinea and Indonesia say the economic and social ties between them are closer than ever.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo visited Port Moresby last week with trade, border arrangements and education foremost on the agenda.

Church leaders have criticized Indonesian President Joko Widodo after he claimed conditions in Papua are '99 percent safe' despite the Christian-majority region being one of the country's most violence-ridden territories due to decades-old armed insurgency.

Jakarta – The leader of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) or KKB (armed criminal group), Egianus Kogoya, has denied asking for 5 billion rupiah for the release of Susi Air pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who they have held hostage since February 7.

Ima Dini Shafira, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that various efforts are still being carried out by the government to release Susi Air's Pilot Captain Phillip Max Mehrtens, wo are being held hostage by the Free Papua Movement (OPM). A meeting has been conducted last night to discuss the strategy to release the pilot.

Yvette Tanamal, Jakarta – Arriving in Papua on Wednesday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo quickly centered his attention on economic and infrastructure development as part of his long-standing approach to the country's easternmost region, which is beset by various political and security challenges.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Jayapura High Court has found Viktor Yeimo guilty of treason, according to their recent appeal decision. Yeimo, the International Spokesperson of the West Papua National Committee, is sentenced to one year of imprisonment.

Ima Dini Shafira, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo officially opened Papua Street Carnival in Jayapura today, July 7, 2023. The event is orchestrated by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry in tandem with the Papua Youth Creative Hub (PYCH).

Wamena, Jubi – The Jayawijaya branch of the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) is facing a challenge as they have only 150 midwives available to serve the population of 328 villages and 40 districts in Jayawijaya.

Nabire, Jubi – The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) claims to have shot several Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers in Intan Jaya. According to TPNPB leader Ndulamo Aibon Kogoya, the incident took place at Titigi Post, Titigi Village, Sugapa District on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

An Australian human rights author and poet has accused successive federal governments of "deliberately aiding and abetting" the 1969 annexation of West Papua by Indonesia and enabling the "stifling" of the Melanesian people's right to self-determination.

Eka Yudha Saputra, M Zulnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesperson Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono stated that his side is offering figures who would become a mediator for negotiations with the Free Papua Organization (OPM) in the release of New Zealand pilot Philips Max Mehrtens.

Jakarta – In an effort to release New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens, taken hostage by Papuan separatists, the interim Nduga regent Edison Gwijangge will hold negotiations with the rebels, according to the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Adm Yudo Margono.

Bill Birtles and Hellena Souisa – Philip Mark Mehrtens – a pilot for a charter plane company – was ambushed by rebels after he flew to a remote airstrip to drop off some passengers and pick up a group of construction workers.

Today, the 6 July marks 25 years since the Indonesian security forces massacred scores of people in Biak, West Papua. The victims, included women and children who had gathered for a peaceful rally. They were killed at the base of a water tower flying the Morning Star flag. Other Papuans were rounded up and later taken out to sea where they were thrown off naval ships and drowned.

Indonesia's President Widodo's visit to Australia has ignited a pressing demand for an open and honest conversation about the ongoing West Papua crisis. With the 25-year anniversary of the Biak Massacre on 6th July, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for truth and accountability.

Jakarta – The July 1 deadline set up by the Papuan rebels who hold Susi Air pilot Philip Mehrtens has passed and the military operation deployed by the Indonesian Military (TNI) has thus far not born fruit.

Yamin Kogoya – An Indonesian court hearing was held at Tipikor Court, Jakarta, last week when suspended Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe was arraigned before a panel of judges on allegations of bribery and gratification over the Papua provincial infrastructure project.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is attending the 8th Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders Meeting in Sydney before flying on to PNG for a 2 day visit on Wednesday.

Nabire, Jubi – The body of Yalingga Jikwa, one of the victims of the conflict between residents in Topo, was found in Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province, on June 29, 2023. Yalingga Jikwa's body was mourned in Sanoba Village, Nabire, on June 30 and Yalingga's family said that they were ready to undergo a peace rite to end the conflict in Topo.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – As the standoff between the government and Papuan separatists over the release of New Zealand pilot Philip Merhtens continues, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged officials to quickly appoint a negotiator to move the process forward.

Harlyne Joku, Port Moresby – Authorities in Papua New Guinea have clamped down on displays of the West Papuan independence flag ahead of the Indonesian president's visit to the Pacific island country this week.

Jayapura, Jubi – Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Mathius D. Fakhiri believes Egianus Kogoya, the leader of the The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB), will release Philips Mark Mehrtens, the Susi Air pilot who has been held hostage by the group since February 2023.

Fransiskus Salu, Tegar Nurfitra, Manokwari, West Papua – The Regional Police of West Papua will station special troops across all regions of West Papua Province and Southwest Papua Province in a bid to facilitate smooth implementation of the 2024 elections.

Wilson Saeni, Auki – The West Papua International spokesperson for the Free West Papua Campaign has visited the Malaita Provincial capital, Auki, for the first time. Raki Ap, who is based in the Netherlands, arrived in the country on Monday last week.

In anticipation of the upcoming Melanesian Spearhead Group Leader's Summit in Vanuatu this month, there is a growing call for West Papua to be granted full membership in the organisation.

Yamin Kogoya – The name Vanuatu has taken on a sacred significance in Papuan liberation consciousness.

The Free Papua Movement (OPM) elders ignited this consciousness after the declaration of West Papua's independence on 1 July 1971.

The declaration was an act of revolution to reclaim Papuan sovereignty, stolen by Indonesia.

Jakarta – West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organisation (TPNPB-OPM) or KKB (armed criminal group) spokesperson Sebby Sambom claims that they have not asked for a ransom to be paid for the release Susi Air pilot Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage since February.

M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – The Papua Police on Friday announced that the armed separatist group under Egianus Kagoya's leadership had asked for an Rp5 billion ransom for the release of New Zealand Pilot captain Philips Max Mehrtens who had been taken hostage for the past couple of months.

Dio Suhenda, Jakarta – Rescuers have recovered the remains of six people from the site of a SAM Air plane crash in Yalimo regency, Papua Highlands, as authorities focus their efforts on identifying the victims.

Sugapa, Jubi – The Bishop of Jayapura, Msgr. Yanuarius Theofilus Maatopai You, believes that the conflict in Intan Jaya Regency can be resolved through negotiations.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says Indonesia is once again ramping up military operations in its Papuan provinces.

The movement's interim-president Benny Wenda said 19 members of the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) were taken into custody on June 9 and have been charged with treason.

Yamin Kogoya – Last Monday, suspended Papua Governor Lukas Enembe was indicted on gratification, bribery and corruption charges in Indonesia's central Corruption Criminal Court in Jakarta.

BeritaSatu, Jayapura. A small plane with six people onboard crashed in Yalimo Regency in the eastern province of Papua on Friday and it's feared there is no survivor.

Jayapura, Jubi – The Papua Legislative Council believes that stakeholders should work together to address the issue of freedom of expression in Papua. Deputy Chairman III of the Council, Yulianus Rumbairusy, said that various parties have observed a suppression of democratic rights in the easternmost province of Indonesia.

The pro-independence United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has welcomed Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Jotham Napat's comments on West Papua during this week's diplomatic visit to Indonesia.

In a joint press conference with Indonesian Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin, Napat restated his commitment to the "Melanesian way".