US President Donald Trump described the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, as useful and positive, saying the discussions were “very productive and positive.” The meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors took place on August 31 and September 1. Trump also urged countries to follow the US lead by cutting taxes and regulations and boosting oil production.

Donald TrumpG20finance ministersUS economy

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, failed to reach agreement on a joint communique. He attributed the lack of consensus to China’s position and said the United States, as chair, had prepared a final statement.

G20Finance ministersJoint communiqueUnited StatesChina

G20 finance leaders ended two days of talks in Asheville, North Carolina, with broad support for a final statement despite tensions over Russia’s participation and disagreements with China. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Moscow’s presence did not disrupt the discussions, which also covered the Middle East war, tariffs, global trade imbalances and continued support for Ukraine.

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Scott Bessent said China dissented from language in a G20 statement opposing markets being flooded with “cheap exports.” He is leading the Trump administration’s plan to choke off Iran’s economy by threatening its business partners with secondary sanctions.

G20Chinacheap exportsIran sanctions

The two-day G20 Finance Ministers Meeting has ended in North Carolina, where participants sought broad agreement on global economic policies. A separate G20 technology forum held in the state at the same time focused particularly on artificial intelligence.

G20finance ministersglobal economyartificial intelligence

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged G20 members to follow the Trump administration’s approach of using tariffs and other measures to protect domestic industries and jobs from Chinese imports. He said trade distortions were draining global growth, while officials also discussed uncertainty from debt, inflation and tariff disputes. Economists and politicians have criticised US tariffs for raising consumer costs and straining allies.

G20trade imbalancesChinese importstariffs

Venezuela’s ruling party-dominated National Assembly voted on Tuesday to support the country’s oil deal with the Trump administration, ahead of a visit to Caracas by the U.S. energy secretary.

Venezuelaoil dealUS government

Venezuela’s National Assembly approved a 65-billion-barrel oil arrangement even though its terms have not been published. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to visit Venezuela as the Trump administration advances the controversial deal, which would give the US access to part of the country’s proven reserves and involve a partnership to develop 17 oil fields. Critics liken it to agreements imposed by colonial powers.

United StatesVenezuelaoil dealenergy policy

The US and Venezuela have signed a Caracas agreement giving a US-led company 100-year concessions over 17 oilfields containing 65 billion barrels of crude. Donald Trump and interim President Delcy Rodríguez hailed it as historic, but critics called the terms one-sided and colonialist, while experts questioned the proposed timetable and how the oil revenue would be managed.

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The Trump administration is defending an agreement with Venezuela as a means of pushing Chinese and Russian rivals out of oilfields in “our hemisphere”. Chevron is preparing to expand its operations in the country.

United StatesVenezuelaChevronOil

The White House said it is partnering with North American Blue Energy Partners as Donald Trump seeks greater access to Venezuela’s oil industry. The arrangement would give the Pentagon a stake in fields representing about one-fifth of the country’s vast oil reserves. Venezuela’s ruling-party-dominated National Assembly approved the oil deal with the Trump administration on Tuesday.

VenezuelaoilDonald TrumpUS companies

US President Donald Trump announced a new deal with Venezuela on Friday, calling it “the biggest oil deal in world history” and saying it involved “65 billion barrels of oil”. Washington is rumoured to be partnering with controversial Venezuelan oil tycoon Alejandro Betancourt, who built his fortune under the Chavista regime.

Venezuelaoil dealDonald TrumpAlejandro Betancourt

One week after flash floods struck Nepal, the death toll has surpassed 1,000 while mass burials of unidentified victims continue. Many people were angered by the government’s plan for “temporary” mass burials, saying the measure conflicts with traditions followed by Nepal’s largely Hindu population.

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Authorities in Nepal said hopes were fading of finding more survivors among thousands still missing, a week after a Himalayan glacier collapse triggered flash floods that devastated the mountainous country.

Nepal floodsflash floodssearch and rescue

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Vladivostok to begin his program at the Eastern Economic Forum. He is due to discuss Far East development, review the macroregion’s results, launch new enterprises by videoconference and hold talks with officials from China and Mongolia.

Vladimir PutinEastern Economic ForumFar East development

After spending over 280 days on a record-setting mission in the Middle East, the USS Abraham Lincoln called at an eastern Thai port Wednesday. Thousands of U.S. sailors and Marines are leaving the vessel, marking their first time ashore in that span.

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The USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived near Thailand’s Laem Chabang port after more than 270 days at sea. Reports of worsening living conditions and poor mental health aboard the carrier, including attempted suicides, have drawn international attention. Pattaya has increased security and will receive sailors and Marines in groups.

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The nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln has docked in Thailand after 250 days without a port stop, giving nearly 5,000 crew members a break. Its arrival near Pattaya comes as Iran War-related weakness hurts local tourism, while officials seek to limit misconduct and protect the resort’s reputation.

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A US aircraft carrier that has been at the centre of controversy over conditions on board arrived in Thailand on Wednesday, making its first port call in nine months.

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The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has reached eastern Thailand after completing a grueling deployment in the Middle East.

aircraft carrierThailandMiddle East deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier arrived in Thailand on Wednesday, making its first port call in more than eight months. Its extended deployment at sea in the Middle East had raised concerns about the welfare of its crew.

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