Hello,
To answer your questions, there are no updates because there is no news on merges; the server merge request thread is there to request server merges; yes, we can and do regularly notify the developers that players would like both merges and cross server access. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the game development that can be done, which is why server merge requests are just that: requests. They are not a guarantee that a server merge will happen. Unfortunately, there is nothing to the process but waiting until enough requests have been received to merit a merge for a particular server, or another requirement has been met.
Thanks for your patience in this matter!