Tag Archives: oceania

Two charity workers still missing after Myanmar 'Christmas massacre'

At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed in the eastern Myanmar state of Kayah on Friday, according to the Karenni Human Rights Group, with two members of international humanitarian group Save the Children still missing.

The "charred remains" were discovered and identified close to Hpruso Township in the state, which is also known as Karenni, on December 25, according to the group.

Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) called it a "Christmas massacre in Karenni state," stating that junta troops "detained an unconfirmed number of [villagers] and travellers and destroyed their properties."

READ MORE: Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid leader and voice of justice, dead at 90

"As the world celebrates Christmas and its message of peace, the NUG repeats its demands on the international community to act immediately and decisively to end the military junta's escalating war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Myanmar people," the NUG statement added.

The Myanmar military, which seized power of the country in a February 1 coup, said it had shot and killed an unspecified number of "terrorists with weapons" from the opposition armed forces in the village, according to state media.

The people were in seven vehicles and did not stop for the military, it said.

The military has not responded to CNN's request for comment.

The Karenni National Defence Force, one of the largest of several civilian militias, told Reuters the dead were not their members but civilians seeking refuge from the conflict.

The international NGO Save the Children said two staff members who were travelling home for the holidays were caught in the incident and remain missing.

"We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out," said the organisation in a statement.

"The military reportedly forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed others and burned their bodies."

Save the Children added that at least 38 people were killed in the attack, and the charity has suspended its operations in Kayah, Chin, and parts of Magway and Kayin in response.

"Save the Children condemns this attack as a breach of International humanitarian law," chief executive Inger Ashing said in a statement

"We are horrified at the violence carried out against innocent civilians and our staff, who are dedicated humanitarians, supporting millions of children in need across Myanmar.

""Investigations into the nature of the incident are continuing but attacks against aid workers cannot be tolerated."

CNN had reached out for more information regarding the attack.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew the previous elected government and detained many top officials — including ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was jailed earlier this month.

Since the coup, the military has tried to assert its power over the people through bloody force.

UN agencies, rights groups and local journalists have documented massacres, mass arrests, torture, forced displacement, men, women and children being murdered with impunity, heavy weaponry used by junta forces to attack villages and root out armed resistance groups, and the blocking of humanitarian aid.

Junta forces have killed more than 1300 people and arrested over 11,000, according to advocacy group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The military has dismissed the AAPP's data, which has been cited by the United Nations, and accuses it of bias.

South Australia introduces new restrictions as Omicron cases rise

South Australia has introduced new restrictions to curb the spread of the Omicron variant as the state recorded 774 new COVID-19 cases.

Crowd numbers will be slashed from 35,000 to 25,000 at the Adelaide Strikers Big Bash League New Year's Eve clash at Adelaide Oval, following today's COVID-19 update.

It comes after Premier Steven Marshall announced today new density limits for hospitality venues and gyms as Omicron cases surge in the state.

READ MORE: NSW sees another rise in COVID-19 cases as Victorian infections drop

South Australia has revealed its roadmap out of the pandemic.

As of midnight tonight, gyms will revert back to one person per seven metres and hospitality venues will also introduce density limits.

One person per four square metres will be allowed for indoor dining while one person per two square metres will be allowed in outdoor settings.

Only seated dining and drinking is allowed in hospitality venues.

https://twitter.com/TomAngley9/status/1474966947221553152

Home-based activities will be capped at 10 people per household, a decrease from the current restriction of 30 people per household.

"We know this is a difficult time of year to be putting these restrictions in place, we would not be doing it if we weren't concerns about the trajectory of the Omicron variant," Mr Marshalls said.

READ MORE: COVID-19 testing in 'meltdown' as clinics close on public holiday

Premier Steven Marshall urged everyone to wear a mask and limit movement.

Mr Marshall also urged people to work from home where possible immediately and to also reduce movement around the state.

"My strong message to everybody in South Australia is to wear a mask, do so in indoors in public areas and do so in your officer environment," Mr Marshall added.

"My strong advice to people is to go and get that vaccination."

READ MORE: 'We're all going to get Omicron': NSW Health Minister expects everybody in NSW will contract virus

Mr Marshall said "well in excess of 80 per cent" of today's infections are the Omicron variant.

"Unfortunately the Omicron trajectory right around the world is very worrying,"

"What we do know is the severity is much lower than delta and other strains the problem with omicron is it is highly transmissible"

There are currently 17 people in hospital with the virus and three people in intensive care.