Several independent experts from the U.N. issued a statement on Wednesday denouncing the U.S. maritime blockade against Venezuela as "violating the fundamental rules of international law" and constitutes "an act of armed attack".
The experts emphasized that the U.S. has no right to impose unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade, and that, according to international law, such aggression constitutes a crime, granting all countries the power to prosecute the U.S.
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Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday the upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America.
He made the remarks during Christmas greetings to the military.
Trump said the U.S. was "now going after the land" in its fight against drug cartel targets, noting that drug trafficking by sea was down 96 percent.
The U.S. president also extended special congratulations to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, currently deployed in the Caribbean.
The U.S. has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean for almost four months, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking -- a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas.
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
Trump confirms upcoming ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America
The recent 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) Annual Conference in Beijing has impressed international guests with its focus on deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, highlighting how China's innovative advances are reshaping daily life.
The five-day forum, themed "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation," wrapped up in Chinese capital on Sunday after bringing together more than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions around the world.
More than 560 cutting-edge achievements were unveiled at the event, ranging from embodied intelligent robots and brain-computer interfaces to breakthroughs in quantum applications and 6G research and development.
The venue for the forum also showcased a number of these innovative creations to visitors, who were able to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee prepared by a humanoid barista, as well as be throughly entertained by robots performing dances or even playing piano.
Given the presence of these advanced humanoid robots, international participants shared the common view that innovation is no longer confined to laboratories but is now permeating every aspect of daily life.
"The deepest impression is actually to see how much AI is across everywhere," said Anders Karlsson, vice president of Elsevier, a global leader providing advanced information and decision support to accelerate progress in science and healthcare worldwide.
"The Zhongguancun Forum has become a very international window on innovation. We can find out annually how innovation is driving [and a key] component of growth of this wonderful country," said Vincenzo Lipardi, president and co-founder of SPICI, an Italian company assisting businesses and startups with strategic consulting services.
"As a scientist and as a worker of the United Nations system, I'm really pleased to see integration of science, technology and sustainability," said Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia.
One of the forum's key themes was around opening up and striving for greater cooperation, which demonstrated to the wider world that China's innovation aims to break down barriers and share opportunities, so as to enable the global community to advance together.
"It's my first time attending the forum. And I'm very surprised that you have a very high level of innovation. China is open to ideas. Openness is the way to make innovations," said Prof. Hussein Sherief, a member of the International Committee for Scientific and Technical Data (CODATA).
Int'l guests hail integration of technology, innovation at Beijing forum
