Month: March 2025

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We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Zimbabwe due to the threat of crime and the risk of civil unrest. There have been calls for demonstrations on Monday 31 March. Demonstrations and protests in Zimbabwe can be unpredictable and may turn violent quickly. Avoid activities that could be considered political and stay away from protests and demonstrations. During periods of unrest, monitor local media, avoid affected areas and follow advice from local authorities (see ‘Safety’).

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Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on 28 March, there have been tremors and aftershocks in parts of Thailand. There’s damage to some buildings and infrastructure in Bangkok and assessments are ongoing. Check with your accommodation provider. There may be local transport disruptions. Avoid affected areas. If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media updates. Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.

We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall. We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces. Be alert to risks around drink spiking. Don’t leave food or drinks unattended. Stay with people you trust at bars, nightclubs and in taxis. See our advice on partying safely while overseas. There’s an ongoing risk of terrorism in Thailand. Popular tourist areas may be the target of terrorist attacks. Road accidents are a significant cause of injury. Wear helmets on motorcycles and motorcycle taxis.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

St Marys man charged after police seize homemade firearms

Saturday, 29 March 2025 – 7:35 am.

A man has been charged after police seized five homemade firearms during a targeted search at St Marys yesterday.Officers from St Marys, along with members of the Dog Handler Unit and specialist police resources, executed a search warrant at a private residence on Friday 28 March.
During the search police located and seized the illegal firearms – four of which were loaded – along with a quantity of ammunition, and property believed to have been stolen during recent burglaries in the St Marys area.
A 33-year-old St Marys man was arrested and has since been charged with multiple firearms and drug-related offences as well as burglary and stealing.
He was detained to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court today.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: New South Wales – News

Police and paramedics were called to Columba Street, Morphett Vale about 12.45am on Saturday 29 March by reports of a serious assault.

When officers arrived, they located the occupant of the house, a 27-year-old Morphett Vale man, with multiple stab wounds.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but they are no longer believed to be life-threatening at this time.

It will be alleged that four people attended and forced their way into the property and a violent altercation occurred inside the house.

While police were at the scene at Morphett Vale, another man, aged 22 from Port Noarlunga, also presented at Flinders Medical Centre with serious stab wounds, believed to have occurred in the same incident.

Southern District CIB detectives, with the assistance of Major Crime detectives, and forensic response officers, attended and examined the scene overnight.

The investigation is continuing.  This incident is not believed to be random.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation or has any CCTV or dashcam footage from the street that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 0000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

NT Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) are responding to a structure fire in Alice Springs this morning.

NTFRS received a report of an industrial building on fire on George Crescent at approximately 6.10am.

Crews immediately attended the scene, finding the building fully engulfed in flames.

NTFRS crews worked quickly to contain the fire to the main structure, which has sustained extensive damage.

There have been no reported injuries at this stage.

The fire is still burning, and NTFRS crews will remain on scene to bring it under control.

NT Police and St John also attended the scene.

Due to the response, Larapinta Drive westbound from the Stuart Highway was closed, and drivers should follow local traffic directions.  

NTFRS will investigate the cause of the fire.

Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Stephen Hunter, said members of the public should avoid the area.

“If you live or are working in the vicinity of the fire, please stay inside with your windows and doors closed where possible and avoid any outdoor activities.”

Media contact

Elle Conway
(08) 8985 8837

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force would like to commend the efforts of those involved in an emergency response to a motorcycle crash in Herbert yesterday afternoon.

Twelve-year-old Beau in particular stood out when he provided police with a quad bike to gain access to the swampy area in the bushland of Herbert.

Police were able to utilise Beau’s local knowledge of the area to quickly locate the victim.

Members provided first aid in waist deep water while other members stood guard on crocodile watch.

Care Flight deployed to the area and the male was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said, “Emergency response runs in Beau’s family, as his mother is a Senior St John Ambulance Officer and was on duty at the time of the incident, working in the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre.

“He was calm and cool under pressure and sprang into action immediately.

“Thank you, Beau, we hope to work alongside you one day in an official capacity.”

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There’s been a magnitude 7.7 earthquake near Mandalay in Myanmar. There’s also been several large aftershocks, with reports of significant damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure. Avoid affected areas and monitor media for updates. (See ‘Safety’). Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.

We continue to advise do not travel to Myanmar. Violence, including explosions and attacks, can occur anywhere and anytime, including in Yangon. Attacks may be planned against locations that foreigners frequent, including public spaces and civilian infrastructure. Attacks are unpredictable in their location and intensity. Remain aware of the security environment at all times. Minimise movement, especially on anniversaries and days of national significance, and monitor media closely. There’ve been widespread detentions, including of foreigners.

Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention. If local authorities consider you are a citizen of Myanmar, you may be required to serve in the armed forces. In response to the global Mpox public health emergency, you’re required to complete a health declaration form on arrival. If you are an Australian-Myanmar dual national holding an Australian passport, you may not be exempt from this law. Be aware of offers of employment that appear ‘too good to be true’. Foreign nationals have been trafficked into Myanmar (either directly into Yangon or via a neighbouring country) and forced to work in fraudulent activity, with poor pay and living conditions, restrictions on movement, and severe mistreatment. (See Safety).

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police investigating structure fire in New Norfolk

Friday, 28 March 2025 – 5:06 pm.

Police are investigating a deliberately lit fire which damaged a residence in New Norfolk last night.
Emergency Services were called to a home in Back River Road about 9.58pm on Thursday evening (27 March), where a residence was on fire.
All residents had safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Tasmania Fire Service crews extinguished the fire and determined it was deliberately lit.
Anyone with information in relation to the fire or suspicious activity in the area around the time, is asked to contact Bridgewater CIB on 131 444 or provide information through Crime Stoppers Tasmania (this can be done anonymously) at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR770687.

Source: Australian Green Party

NSW Health is warning the community about the dangers of nitazenes following the detection of nitazenes in fake oxycodone tablets in NSW.
The fake oxycodone tablets were found to contain N-desethyl isotonitazene, and have been described as green round tablets, marked ‘OC’ on the front and ‘80’ on the reverse, and lack a film coating.  
Pharmacy-dispensed oxycodone, sold as the brand name Oxycontin, is now marked ‘ON’ instead of ‘OC’ and has a film coating.
Nitazenes are extremely potent synthetic opioids which are more likely to suppress or stop breathing compared with other opioids.
NSW Poisons Information Centre Medical Director Dr Darren Roberts said these drugs are extremely dangerous, as they can be hundreds of times more potent than oxycodone and can cause severe overdose or death.
“Nitazenes are extremely potent and can vary widely in their strength,” Dr Darren Roberts said.
“As they are illicit and unregulated, there is no way of knowing what type of nitazene is present or what dosage is being taken. The strength and contents can vary widely, even within the same batch.
“It is extremely important that people recognise the signs of an opioid overdose, signs to look for include pin-point pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring, and skin turning blue/grey.
“It’s strongly recommended that anyone who uses illicit drugs carry naloxone,” Dr Roberts said.
Nitazenes have been detected in fake tablets, such as oxycodone and benzodiazepines, and in drugs thought to be heroin or MDMA.
Take home naloxone is a life-saving treatment which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including with nitazenes.
Nitazenes can last longer in the body than oxycodone, heroin and naloxone. Higher and repeated doses of naloxone may be required as well as hospital treatment.
Anyone who uses naloxone should call Triple Zero (000) for an Ambulance immediately after use for follow up care. You won’t get into trouble for seeking medical care. If you feel unwell, or if your friend feels unwell, do something about it.
Take home naloxone is available as an easy-to-use nasal spray or injection from some pharmacies and other health services. For more information on the take-home naloxone program visit: Your Room – Naloxone.
Naloxone is available from NUAA via mail in a discreet package. Order via their online shop or call (02) 9171 6650.
Anyone who has concerns about adverse effects from drugs should contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, at any time 24/7.
For support and information on drug and alcohol problems, contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015. This is a 24/7 service offering confidential and anonymous telephone counselling and information.
NSW public drug warnings are available at Public drug warnings.
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Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Glenorchy man charged with murder

Friday, 28 March 2025 – 4:05 pm.

A 23-year-old Glenorchy man has today been charged with murder following an incident at Dickson Street, Glenorchy earlier this month.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.30pm on 11 March, arriving to find a 19-year-old man unconscious and non-responsive outside a property.
He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he died on 22 March.
The alleged offender has been detained to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court tonight.
Detective Acting Inspector Nicholas Bowden said investigations are continuing, and anyone with further information about the incident should contact police.
“Detectives are still particularly interested in anyone with information about a small four door sedan, possibly silver in colour, in the area of Dickson Street at the time,” he said.   
“Any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage should also be provided to investigators.” 
Information can be provided to direct to Glenorchy CIB on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR769213.