Venezuela Standoff, US GOP Wariness, China Inflation Surge...

The Boston Globe reports that while many Republican members publicly backed the recent U.S. strikes on narcotics‑laden boats in the Caribbean, they grew uneasy after President Donald Trump hinted at bombing Venezuela and even hinted at a ground invasion to oust Nicolás Maduro. Interviews cited by Politico reveal that senators such as Josh Hawley warned there is “a difference between striking boats … and landing troops in Venezuela,” underscoring intra‑party tension over expanding military action. This unease reflects broader concerns about U.S. foreign policy direction and the potential for heightened conflict in the region. bostonglobe.com

CNBC notes that China’s consumer inflation has climbed to its highest level in nearly two years, even as producer‑price deflation deepened more than analysts expected. Economists warn that the lingering deflationary pressure could drag on growth into the next year, prompting calls for renewed policy stimulus to revive domestic demand. The mixed price signals highlight the delicate balancing act Chinese authorities face in steering the world’s second‑largest economy toward stable growth. CNBC