Papua and West Papua make up the western half of New Guinea island, with a land area comparable to Sweden and a population of 5.4 million. The east of the island is the nation of Papua New Guinea.

On 12 April, the Indonesian parliament announced plans to establish three new provinces in West Papua. Currently, the western part of the island of New Guinea consists of two provinces: West Papua ...

The Royal New Guinea Constabulary said in a statement Monday that “armed criminals” have taken hostages at the border of Highlands and Hela provinces near Western province.