Iran Press/ Asia: At least 80 people were killed when security forces opened fire on protesters in several parts of Myanmar on Saturday, the Myanmar Now news portal said.
Dead people included 10 in the country's second-biggest city, Mandalay, 9 in the nearby region of Sagaing, and 16 in the commercial capital Yangon.
The Associated Press cited a separate count issued by an independent researcher in Yangon that put the day's death toll at 74, as once again thousands of people staged rallies all over the country.
The embassies of the European Union and the United Kingdom in Myanmar condemned the latest killings of "unarmed civilians", as "indefensible acts."
The US embassy said the killings were "not the actions of a professional military or police force."
The fresh crackdown came as Myanmar's military, the Tatmadaw, held the annual "Armed Forces Day" parade, using the occasion to condemn the opposition and promised elections.
"The army seeks to join hands with the entire nation to safeguard democracy," General Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech broadcast on TV after the parade in the capital, Naypyitaw.
Myanmar's military took over the power on February 1, unleashing a protest movement by government supporters against its rule.
Tatmadaw says that the army had to seize power because of "unlawful acts" and corruption.
But the violent response from the military leaders who are accused of staging a coup has drawn international condemnation and sanctions.
On Saturday, junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing reiterated a promise to hold elections, without specifying a date.
"Violent acts that affect stability and security in order to make demands are inappropriate," he said in an earlier televised speech on Friday evening.
The death toll from the military crackdown reached nearly 400 on Saturday.
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