Death toll from Nepal-China floods increases to 633; nearly 3,000 missing
The death toll from severe flooding in the Himalayan region along the Nepal-China border continues to rise.
According to Yonhap News, the Nepalese disaster authorities reported that the number of confirmed fatalities has reached 626. In China's Tibet Autonomous Region, the death toll from landslides related to the flooding has increased from 5 to 7.
Additionally, the number of missing persons in Nepal has surged from 1,924 to 2,426, while 554 individuals are reported missing in Tibet. The total number of missing persons now stands at approximately 2,980, nearing 3,000.
Trump announces oil deal with Venezuela; U.S. gains majority control
On August 28, President Donald Trump announced that the United States has reached an oil trade agreement with resource-rich Venezuela.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "The U.S. has just made the largest oil deal in world history with Venezuela."
He added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have worked closely with Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez to secure majority control over Venezuela's confirmed oil reserves of over 65 billion barrels, without burdening American taxpayers.
However, details regarding the agreement have not been disclosed.
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to meet in Bishkek on August 31; second meeting this year
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31, marking their second meeting this year. They are expected to discuss the 'Power of Siberia-2' gas pipeline project.
According to Yonhap News, the Singapore-based Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to the Kremlin, stated that Xi and Putin are set to meet during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
Ushakov also mentioned that the two leaders will likely discuss finalizing agreements related to the 'Power of Siberia-2' project, which aims to transport natural gas from Russia's Yamal Peninsula through Mongolia to China. Once completed, Russia is expected to export 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China annually.
However, the Chinese government has yet to comment on the matter. Earlier this year, during Putin's visit to China in May, the two leaders held a summit but failed to resolve differences over supply pricing and other details. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on August 28 that Xi plans to engage in in-depth discussions with leaders at the SCO summit on deepening cooperation in various fields and addressing major international and regional issues, but provided only a general stance.
Hegseth denies rumors of 2028 presidential run; calls claims '100% false'
Rumors regarding Pete Hegseth, former Secretary of War, potentially running for the 2028 presidential election have surfaced, but Hegseth has promptly denied them.
According to Yonhap News, NBC reported on August 28, citing multiple sources, that Hegseth has been discussing a potential presidential bid with close associates and has been considering it for several months. He has been viewed by some as a suitable candidate to carry on President Trump's popularity within the MAGA movement.
In response, Hegseth took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert, "100% false. NBC is lying. My only mission is to make the Department of Defense great again."
Meanwhile, President Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. Other potential Republican candidates include Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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