Violence

Netflix Squid Game schools warning sent to parents

The Netflix South Korean thriller series tells the story of debt-ridden people competing for a huge cash prize in a deadly series of children's games.

Its popularity prompted Central Bedfordshire Council to email parents about "aggressive" primary pupils.

They were advised to "be vigilant", as first reported by The Guardian.

The email said: "There have been some concerning reports recently about children and young people 'playing' Squid Game whilst at school.

Deaths mount as Israel-Gaza violence worsens

Deaths continue to mount, with at least 83 people now killed in Gaza and seven in Israel.

A BBC reporter in Gaza said it had been the "longest and most difficult night since the 2014 war". Israel said it had been targeted with 1,600 rockets.

Israel is now mulling a possible ground operation in Gaza.

It has sent reinforcements to the border.

Hong Kong protest march descends into violence

Police used water cannon, tear gas and truncheons, reportedly removing masks from demonstrators they arrested, and a number of people were injured.

Tens of thousands of protesters had turned out in the rain, spurred to act by a ban on wearing masks at rallies.

The controversial ban was upheld by the High Court on Sunday.

It was introduced by chief executive Carrie Lam who invoked powers dating back to colonial rule by the British.

Vanuatu government concerned about violent protests in West Papua

“While the deployment of military was deemed necessary to quell recent protests in West Papua, actions are disproportionately heavy-handed, and have already resulted in several causalities,” the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement on Thursday.

“Also, and according to early reports received, the Military continues to unfairly target protestors of Papuan origin-through arbitrary arrests and detentions.”

“Although, given the communication ‘blackout’ in West Papua, the human rights situation could be much worse.”

PNG joins global event today

The activation event, led by the National Department of Education and hosted by Jubilee Catholic Secondary School (JCSS) in Port Moresby, is facilitated by UNICEF as part of lead-up activities to the launch of the global campaign that will take place in January 2019.

“Youth engagement is at the heart of this activation. We want to solicit young people’s input to create a global outcry that violence should not be an everyday lesson,” UNICEF Representative, David Mcloughlin said.

Wharf violence escalates

Approximately 450 passengers were stranded aboard their ship after security personnel deemed the situation unsafe.

Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, who happened to witness yesterday's events, quickly assured cruise ship operators that he would guarantee public safety, and instructed the Vanuatu Mobile Force, National and Municipal Police to enforce strict security in the wharf area.

Palestinians and Israel forces clash in Jerusalem, West Bank

And Israeli policemen were injured by firebombs.

In a rare decision, Israeli leaders called up a few hundred border police reservists to beef up security as tensions rise over Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site. One Israeli civilian has been killed in the violence since Sunday.