CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday said his country was at "maximum preparedness" and ready to respond if attacked by forces that the United States government has deployed to the Caribbean. His comments during a news conference come as the U.S. government this week is set to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels. The U.S. has not signaled any planned land incursion by the thousands of personnel being deployed.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) security forum now bears greater responsibility for safeguarding regional peace and stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping has told about 20 world leaders he hosted for a summit in northern China's Tianjin. Xi also underscored the SCO's mission for the development and prosperity of its member states as he hosted and addressed the high-profile gathering at a banquet on Sunday evening.
If confirmed, the strike would mark the latest blow in a string of hits to Iran's military power since Israel launched its surprise attack last week targeting the country's nuclear capabilities.