WASHINGTON: US forces have struck another alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, upping the death toll in the contentious anti-narcotics campaign to 80, US media reports said Thursday.
Washington began carrying out such strikes -- which experts say amount to extrajudicial killings even if they target known traffickers -- in early September, taking aim at vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
This week's reported strike took the toll to 80 deaths in 20 strikes in international waters.
The timing of the strike was not clear, with broadcaster CBS reporting the boat was destroyed on Monday and the New York Times reporting the strike took place on Wednesday, both citing an unnamed Pentagon official.
The Pentagon did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, this month urged Washington to investigate the strikes' legality, saying there was "strong evidence" they constitute "extrajudicial" killings.
The US Justice Department said the strikes are consistent with the law of armed conflict and the government has signaled it will continue operations.
A US aircraft carrier arrived off the coast of Latin America on Tuesday, marking a significant increase in Washington's military presence in the region and escalating tensions with Venezuela, which announced a "massive" retaliatory deployment.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday a new phase of the mission to "remove narco-terrorists", which he called "Operation Southern Spear."
The post gave no details of what the operation would entail or how it might differ from military actions already being undertaken.
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New US strike on alleged drug boat kills four in Caribbean: media
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New US strike on alleged drug boat kills four in Caribbean: media
- This week's reported strike took the toll to 80 deaths in 20 strikes in international waters
TikTok to comply with ‘upsetting’ Australian under-16 ban
SYDNEY: TikTok said Friday it will comply with Australia’s imminent ban on under-16s joining social media on the day it comes into force, but told users the changes “may be upsetting.”
Australia’s world-first legislation comes into effect December 10, curbing the world’s most popular social media platforms and websites, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million ($32 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
TikTok will block under-16s in Australia on the day the law comes into effect, it said, meaning they will no longer be able to hold or create an account.
“Teens with an existing account will be notified that they will no longer be able to use their existing account, which will become inactive,” it said.
“If they previously published content, it will no longer be available for others to view on TikTok.”
The social media giant said youngsters who have been blocked can submit an appeal to prove their age, including by facial images, credit card authorization or official ID.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law,” the company said in a statement.
Teens who fall under the law will have a choice of confirming their age, downloading their information, deleting their account, or asking for a reminder to recover their TikTok accounts when they turn 16.
TikTok urged parents to “have conversations” with their teens to ensure they are truthful about their age.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law.”
An Internet rights group last week launched a legal challenge to halt the ban.
The Digital Freedom Project said it had challenged the laws in Australia’s High Court, calling them an “unfair” assault on freedom of speech.
Australia’s restrictions have generated interest around the world as regulators wrestle with the potential dangers of social media.
Malaysia indicated it was planning to block children under 16 from signing up to social media accounts next year, while New Zealand will introduce a similar ban.
Australia’s world-first legislation comes into effect December 10, curbing the world’s most popular social media platforms and websites, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million ($32 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
TikTok will block under-16s in Australia on the day the law comes into effect, it said, meaning they will no longer be able to hold or create an account.
“Teens with an existing account will be notified that they will no longer be able to use their existing account, which will become inactive,” it said.
“If they previously published content, it will no longer be available for others to view on TikTok.”
The social media giant said youngsters who have been blocked can submit an appeal to prove their age, including by facial images, credit card authorization or official ID.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law,” the company said in a statement.
Teens who fall under the law will have a choice of confirming their age, downloading their information, deleting their account, or asking for a reminder to recover their TikTok accounts when they turn 16.
TikTok urged parents to “have conversations” with their teens to ensure they are truthful about their age.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law.”
An Internet rights group last week launched a legal challenge to halt the ban.
The Digital Freedom Project said it had challenged the laws in Australia’s High Court, calling them an “unfair” assault on freedom of speech.
Australia’s restrictions have generated interest around the world as regulators wrestle with the potential dangers of social media.
Malaysia indicated it was planning to block children under 16 from signing up to social media accounts next year, while New Zealand will introduce a similar ban.
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