News

West Papua on the verge of further violence

Published

5 years ago

June 9, 2021

Western New Guinea, or West Papua, is part of the island of New Guinea, which Indonesia has controlled since 1962.

The nation lies 200 kilometres from Australia and borders Papua New Guinea. It is home to over 250 tribes, who all speak their own languages. West Papua has a range of mountains, forests and coastal mangrove swamps.

But West Papua is on the verge of a violent crackdown at the hands of the Indonesian military.

Dr Camellia Webb-Gannon is a lecturer at the University of Wollongong. She said the nation has been seeking independence from Indonesia for decades.

“The majority of the independence movement in West Papua are committed to achieving peace with justice and independence through non-violent means.”

Benny Wenda leads the independence movement, which seeks a peaceful transition to independence.

“About three weeks ago, the independence fighters were able to conduct a surprise attack and kill brigadier general Gusti Putu Danny Nugraha. He was head of intelligence in Papua.

“This is the biggest kill they’ve ever been able to do. The act was claimed by the liberation army as a victory but it infuriated Indonesia,” Dr Webb-Gannon explained.

However, this prompted a response from the chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly to the Indonesian military, Bambang Soesatyo.

“Destroy them first. We will discuss human rights matters later.”

This sparked serious concerns that West Papua may be close to another violent repression, at the hands of Indonesia’s military.

West Papua’s diverse environment

West Papua’s diverse landscape is also the home of the Grasberg mine, which has the world’s largest reserves of gold.

The mine reportedly has $40 billion in reserves and provides jobs for around 20,000 workers.

But Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo believes economic development and infrastructure will cease calls for West Papuan independence.

A highway from the highlands to the coast is one area that President Widodo is seeking to develop. But West Papuans currently retain control over these areas.

“He’s trying to build a highway in the hopes that this would open up West Papua to economic opportunities and try and solve some of the poverty.

“It’s simply not working. Economics are not at the crux of this, it’s politics,” Dr Webb-Gannon said.

Regional involvement

Dr Webb-Gannon said Australia and the broader region have a crucial role to play in de-escalating tensions.

“Australia needs to stop training Indonesian military forces until they can prove that they do worry about human rights.

“Vanuatu has always had West Papua’s back. Their government has said ‘we do not consider ourselves truly free and independent until the rest of Melanesia is’,” she said.

Up Next

Operation Ironside: Australian police foil bikie gang assassination attempt

Don't Miss

REVEALED: The U.S billionaires avoiding their taxes

Costa Haritos

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

Click to comment

News

Oil prices surge as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate

Published

14 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.

Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.

#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply

News

Washington Post layoffs: Hundreds of journalists cut as Bezos faces criticism

Published

16 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.

The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.

Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

21 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker