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The Latest Breaking News from Papua

Indonesia military ready for operation to free NZ pilot, if talks fail

An Indonesian military commander in its restive Papua region on Thursday said a "law enforcement operation" was being prepared to free a New Zealand pilot held hostage by separatists, but only as a last resort if negotiations failed.

Reuters

Indonesia military court jails four soldiers over Papua killings

Four Papuan men were killed and their bodies mutilated after a deal to buy arms from the Indonesian troops fell apart.

Al Jazeera

Indonesian court jails soldiers over brutal Papua killings

An Indonesian military court in the restive Papua region this week handed down jail sentences to four soldiers over their roles in the brutal murder of four civilians, a court document showed.

Reuters

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Bow and arrow-wielding rebels threaten to execute hostage pilot if demands aren't met

Philip Mehrtens' single-engine plane was stormed after it landed in the remote mountainous province of Nduga, in the Indonesian province of Highland Papua by armed rebels

Daily Mirror

Moment pilot is taken hostage by bow and arrow-wielding rebels in chilling video

Rebels stormed Philip Mehrtens's single-engine plane after it landed in the remote mountainous province of Nduga, in the Indonesian province of Highland Papua

Daily Mirror

Papuan separatists armed with bows and arrows surround captured New Zealand pilot in video

Philip Mehrtens says ‘I will remain captive for my life’ if insurgent group’s demands are not met

The Independent UK

Rebels in Indonesia's Papua say images show abducted NZ pilot in good health

Separatists in Indonesia's restive Papua region have released images that they say show a New Zealand pilot taken hostage last week is in good health, but pledged he would not be freed until authorities acknowledge the independence of the area.

Reuters

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Separatist rebels in Papua say kidnapped NZ pilot is safe

Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s restive Papua province have released photos and videos of a man they say is the pilot from New Zealand whom they took hostage last week

The Independent UK

West Papua rebels release photos of captured New Zealand pilot

Phillip Mehrtens was taken hostage last week after landing his small commercial plane in the Papuan highlands.

Al Jazeera

Papua independence fighters release images of New Zealand pilot hostage Philip Mehrtens

Independence fighters in Indonesia's Papua region release videos and photos of a New Zealand pilot they are holding hostage, declaring the images and video are proof of life.

ABC News

Rebels who abducted New Zealand pilot move him deeper into Papua New Guinea jungle

Philip Mehrtens was captured early Tuesday by separatist fighters

Evening Standard

The NZ pilot held hostage in West Papua is the pawn in a conflict only real international engagement can resolve

“Phil Mehrtens is the nicest guy, he genuinely is – no one ever had anything bad to say about him”, says a colleague of the New Zealand pilot taken hostage this week by members of the West Papuan Liberation Army (TPN-PB) in the mountainous Nduga Regency.

The Conversation

Earthquake hits Indonesia, killing 4 as restaurant collapses

A shallow earthquake has shaken Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua, killing four people who were unable to escape when a floating restaurant collapsed into the sea

The Independent UK

Four killed by magnitude 5.4 earthquake in Indonesia’s Papua

Buildings were damaged and at least four people killed when a cafe collapsed into the sea, authorities say.

Al Jazeera

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Reuters

Four dead in 5.2-magnitude quake in Indonesia's Papua

At least four people were killed and several buildings damaged after a shallow, 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's easternmost region of Papua on Thursday, the country's disaster agency said.

The Independent UK

Indonesian security forces search for NZ pilot taken hostage

Indonesian security forces are searching for a pilot from New Zealand who was taken hostage by separatist rebels in restive Papua province

The Independent UK

New Zealand pilot taken hostage by separatist fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region

‘We will never release the pilot we are holding hostage unless Indonesia recognizes and frees Papua’

Bangkok Post

Rebels take New Zealand pilot hostage in Indonesia

JAKARTA: Separatists in Indonesia's breakaway eastern region of Papua have taken a New Zealand pilot hostage after attacking a small passenger plane and setting it on fire at an airport in a remote mountainous area, officials and a rebel group said.

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Reuters

New Zealand pilot taken hostage in Indonesia - Papuan rebel group

Separatist fighters in Indonesia's Papua region have taken a New Zealand pilot hostage after setting a small commercial plane alight when it landed in a remote highland area on Tuesday, a pro-independence group said in a statement.

ABC News

Australia and Papua New Guinea's future relationship evolving from shared colonial past

As the leaders of Australia and Papua New Guinea meet to forge a new relationship, it's worth remembering the shared history of our colonial past.

Reuters

Indonesia president supports plan to scale back troops in restive Papua

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday he supports plans to scale back the presence of troops in the eastern region of Papua, where the country's military has been accused of human rights abuses in tackling a long-running independence movement.

ABC News

PNG singer Danielle Morgan makes history as 'really hard road' leads to major win

In a Port Moresby hotel, Papua New Guinean singer Danielle Morgan had tears streaming down her face as she made history as the first female winner of the region's largest music competition, Pacific Break.

Reuters

Indonesian court clears ex-soldier of all charges in Papua rights abuse trial

An Indonesian court on Thursday acquitted a retired army officer in the fatal shooting of four teenagers in Papua in 2014, crushing hopes the military would be held accountable for alleged abuses in the country's restive easternmost region.

The Conversation

Pro-government disinformation floods Twitter debates on Papuan special autonomy: new study

Online discussion about the conflict over independence in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces — the Papua conflict — is a fiercely contested space.

ABC News

Nipah virus left 100 people and a million pigs dead 20 years ago, and it's on Australia's doorstep

The virus has been found as close as Timor Leste, and a similar one is circulating in Papua New Guinea.

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