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- Trump announces U.S. deal with Venezuela to enhance oil reserves
- Businessman dies as storm sinks yachts off Cyprus coast, injures several
- Covenant to produce medium-range missiles near Leipzig from 2027
- Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is regaining top form
- Affordability dominates party discussions on fourth day of Quebec election
- Google alters maps to display Lake America in US following Trump’s order
- Nepal head teacher’s swift response protects over 1,600 students from floods
- Iceland votes against resuming EU membership talks amid mixed reactions
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Trump announces U.S. deal with Venezuela to enhance oil reserves
1:00 am
Get you up to speed: Trump says U.S. deal with Venezuela will boost oil reserves
President Trump announced that the U.S. will start “topping out” its strategic petroleum reserve using Venezuelan oil as part of a recent agreement. This move is expected to have limited impact on high gas prices for Americans.
The U.S. government is set to initiate the topping out of its strategic petroleum reserve with Venezuelan oil as part of a recent agreement. No timeline has been provided for when this initiative will commence or its potential impact on domestic gas prices.
President Trump announced that the U.S. will initiate the “topping out” of its strategic petroleum reserve with Venezuelan oil following a recent agreement. However, analysts suggest this move is unlikely to significantly alleviate the ongoing high gas prices faced by Americans.
What remains unclear — The specific volume of Venezuelan oil to be added to the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve is not disclosed.
Trump announces U.S. deal with Venezuela to enhance oil reserves
Businessman dies as storm sinks yachts off Cyprus coast, injures several
12:00 am
Get you up to speed: Man killed after lethal storm sinks two yachts in Cyprus | News World
A businessman, Dimis Mavropoulos, 77, died after several yachts were forced into rocks by a storm off the coast of Cyprus, where at least six others sustained injuries. A high-speed ferry carrying 260 people capsized near Kyrenia, with emergency services responding to the crisis amid challenging sea conditions.
The search and rescue operations for the capsized ferry involve the TRNC and Republic of Turkey Coast Guard units, as well as other relevant institutions. Public works minister Erhan Arikli stated that rough sea conditions are hindering the ongoing rescue efforts.
Public works minister Erhan Arikli acknowledged that “rough” sea conditions were complicating the ongoing rescue operation in the aftermath of the incidents off the coast of Cyprus. Search and rescue efforts by the relevant authorities, including Turkiye’s vice-president Cevdet Yilmaz, are continuing without interruption to account for any missing individuals following the capsizing of the ferry.
What remains unclear — Authorities have not confirmed the total number of fatalities or how many individuals are still missing from the capsized ferry incident.
Businessman dies as storm sinks yachts off Cyprus coast, injures several
A businessman has died after several yachts were forced into rocks by a storm off the coast of Cyprus.
At least six people have been left injured after a vessel crashed in choppy seas near Cape Greco on the Island’s southeastern coast.
Dimis Mavropoulos, 77, was pulled unconscious from the water by a rescue helicopter before being later pronounced dead.
Two survivors were treated in hospital, Sigmalive reported.
A witness named only as A Panikos told Philenews said he was taking pictures on the coast when disaster suddenly unfolded.
He explained: ‘The first boat was intact, it did not hit the rocks. It was later broken by a huge wave. We tied the rope to a large rock and threw it for the man to catch, because he did not know how to swim.’
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A businessman has died after several yachts crashed into rocks in a storm in Cyprus
The vessel then broke up in the water as police arrived on the scene, he said.
Mr Mavropoulos’s ship tipped sideways into the rocks when two women dived off the decks, Panikos said.
The businessman was reportedly urged by his friends to evacuate the boat, but insisted on staying behind to save it from the rocks.
Heavy rain and strong winds swept across Cyprus on Saturday, flooding streets, triggering landslides and toppling trees.
On the island’s northern coast, a high speed ferry carrying 260 people capsized in the storm near the town of Kyrenia.
Mayor Murat Senkul told CNN Turk that 159 of the 258 passengers on board the vessel were accounted for. That number is thought to have now risen to more than 200.
However, it is understood that the incident caused several fatalities and dozens are still missing.
Survivors arrive on shore after being rescued from the capsized ferry in northern Cyprus (Picture: Reuters)
The vessel, which some reports said was a catamaran, began taking in water about four miles off the shore when emergency services including ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Public works minister Erhan Arikli said ‘rough’ sea conditions were complicating the rescue operation.
‘Our priority is to bring our passengers to land without loss of life’, he said.
Turkiye’s vice-president Cevdet Yilmaz said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news we have received.
‘A catamaran-type passenger ship has sunk after taking on water off the coast of Girne.
‘Search and rescue operations have been launched by the TRNC and Republic of Turkey Coast Guard units and relevant institutions and are continuing without interruption.’
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Covenant to produce medium-range missiles near Leipzig from 2027
11:00 pm
Covenant to produce medium-range missiles near Leipzig from 2027
Missile Production
US defence contractor Covenant plans to start producing medium-range missiles near Leipzig in 2027, with potential output of up to 1,000 missiles annually.
US defence contractor Covenant plans to start producing medium-range missiles near Leipzig in 2027, with potential output of up to 1,000 missiles annually.
Production potential
Covenant’s planned production of up to 1,000 medium-range missiles annually near Leipzig marks a significant increase in Germany’s missile manufacturing capacity and aligns with its strategic military objectives.
Covenant’s planned production of up to 1,000 medium-range missiles annually near Leipzig marks a significant increase in Germany’s missile manufacturing capacity and aligns with its strategic military objectives.
Official Response
Germany’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is seeking proposals to enhance its long-range missile capabilities through potential procurement from the US defence contractor Covenant.
Germany’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is seeking proposals to enhance its long-range missile capabilities through potential procurement from the US defence contractor Covenant.
US defence firm plans medium-range missile production near Leipzig
Published on
US defence contractor Covenant plans to start producing medium-range missiles near Leipzig from 2027, according to sources, with up to 1,000 missiles a year thought to be possible.
The plans could bring a previously little-known cruise missile into greater focus in Germany. But what is actually known about the new weapon?
A reported range of more than 1,500 kilometres
The missiles are expected to have a range of more than 1,500 kilometres, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
So far, however, few other technical details are known.
According to sources, the missiles are set to cost a few hundred thousand US dollars each, making them significantly cheaper than Tomahawks, which cost around $2 million per missile, depending on the version.
Covenant is also developing a cruise missile called “Anthem,” which is seen as the company’s flagship project. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether this is the system that is to be produced near Leipzig.
Germany looking to build deep strike capability
Covenant’s plans come as Germany addresses a growing need for long-range missiles that are relatively inexpensive and that can be produced in large numbers.
According to reports, Germany’s Ministry of Defence has already sent requests for proposals to Covenant as part of plans to build up its deep strike capability.
The company is said to be planning to establish supply chains and production lines in Europe.
Although Covenant is a US company, most of the components are expected to come from Germany and other European countries. For Germany, this could mean less reliance on weapons deliveries from the US.
Who is behind Covenant?
Covenant is a relatively new player in the arms industry. The company was founded in 2024 and is also active in Israel.
The firm is backed by US investor Michael Kaufman, who previously worked for the investment firm Thiel Capital. Its backers are also said to include prominent US technology investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and the Founders Fund.
It remains unclear whether Berlin actually intends to procure Covenant’s missiles and how far any talks with the company have progressed.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is regaining top form
10:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Lamine Yamal getting back to ‘top level’, Barcelona coach Flick says
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated that Lamine Yamal is improving as he works back to his “top level” ahead of the upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano. Yamal, 19, performed better in the second game against Athletic Bilbao after a challenging start to the season, although he did not score.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed that Lamine Yamal played 90 minutes against Athletic Bilbao, indicating improvement following his hamstring injury sustained in April. The club remains focused on strengthening its squad, with sporting director Deco actively working on potential signings ahead of the transfer deadline.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated that Lamine Yamal is recovering his form ahead of the upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, reaffirming the team’s support for the young player. Flick also noted that sporting director Deco is actively working to strengthen the squad, although he expressed confidence in the current roster’s capabilities even without a new striker.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain when Lamine Yamal will fully regain his form following his hamstring injury.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is regaining top form
Sport|FootballLamine Yamal getting back to ‘top level’, Barcelona coach Flick says
Teenager struggled in Barca’s La Liga start at Elche but improves against Athletic Bilbao, according to Hansi Flick.
Published On 30 Aug 202630 Aug 2026
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has indicated that teenage star Lamine Yamal is finding his way back to his “top level” before Monday’s La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano.
The 19-year-old struggled in Barca’s first match of the season at Elche but improved against Athletic Bilbao in the second, Flick said, although he did not find the net.
“I know everyone is worried about how is Lamine, how is he doing. And of course, look at his situation – he played a World Cup after a huge injury,” Flick told reporters on Sunday.
Flick said the Spanish World Cup winner is returning to his best, which Yamal has not hit since suffering a hamstring injury in April.
The winger returned at the World Cup but, despite Spain’s success, had limited individual impact at the tournament.
“Now he’s coming back after three weeks holiday, and also the first game maybe was not his best game.
“But I said this, I was very happy that he starts the game and he worked for the team.”
Yamal disappointed in the first half against Athletic on Thursday but stepped up a gear after the break.
“He played 90 minutes against Bilbao. And for him at the moment, it’s also good to [have] 90 minutes on the pitch,” Flick continued.
“We saw him in some situations really on this top level. And now, you couldn’t see this in the training today, but I saw it, and it was excellent.
“Everyone loves Lamine, and he’s in a good way. And we have to support him, and we do that.”
Yamal seemed in a bad mood after the game against Elche but happier in training before the Rayo clash.
“Of course, it’s always good when the players are smiling, but it’s not every day the same way,” Flick added.
“I’m also not smiling every day. It’s like that.”
Barca won both of their opening fixtures with Raphinha playing as a makeshift number nine after the champions were unable to land top target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
“Of course, I’m happy with my team. [Sporting director] Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don’t have pressure,” Flick said, reiterating he is content with the players available to him if Barca don’t sign a new striker.
Affordability dominates party discussions on fourth day of Quebec election
9:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Affordability the focus for parties on Day 4 of the Quebec election
Party leaders made promises focused on affordability while campaigning across Quebec on the fourth day of the provincial election. The leaders addressed issues ranging from housing to tax cuts.
Party leaders are visiting various locations across the province as they continue to campaign on issues related to affordability in the fourth day of the Quebec provincial election. No details regarding voter turnout or specific polling data have been disclosed at this stage of the election cycle.
Party leaders in the Quebec provincial election campaign have prioritised affordability, with promises ranging from housing initiatives to tax cuts. Voters can expect continued focus on these issues as the campaign progresses through its remaining days.
What remains unclear — The specific details and timelines for the leaders’ affordability promises have not been disclosed.
Affordability dominates party discussions on fourth day of Quebec election
From housing to tax cuts, party leaders made promises focused on affordability as they crossed the province on day four of the Quebec provincial election campaign.
Google alters maps to display Lake America in US following Trump’s order
8:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Google updates maps to show “Lake America” in U.S. after Trump executive order directing name change
Google announced on Saturday that it is rolling out changes to its maps to reflect President Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America”. The updated names will display differently in the U.S. and Canada, with “Lake America” visible in the U.S. while Canadians will see “Lake Ontario”.
Google’s maps update displaying “Lake America” is being implemented alongside the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, highlighted by the U.S. imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. The official name change follows an executive order from President Trump and updates to the Geographic Names Information System by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung announced the official name change on social media, stating, “It’s official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.” In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared, “New York won’t be calling it that,” highlighting the ongoing tensions related to the trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how Canadian officials will respond to the name change on maps.
Google alters maps to display Lake America in US following Trump’s order
Washington — Google announced on Saturday that it had begun rolling out changes to how its maps display Lake Ontario’s name, after President Trump signed an executive order changing it to “Lake America” amid a trade fight between the U.S. and Canada.
The president signed an executive order last week to rename the lake, which sits between Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, and New York state. The move came after he had threatened the change earlier in the week as tense trade dynamics between the historically allied countries came to a head.
People in the U.S. will see “Lake America” on their maps, while in Canada, they will see “Lake Ontario,” Google said in a statement on Saturday. Beyond the U.S. and Canada, people will see both names displayed on their map, with “Lake America” appearing in parentheses.
“These updates follow our long-standing policy for bodies of water with names that vary from country to country, and are starting to roll out now,” Google said.
The U.S. and Canada have been locked in a tense trade fight in recent weeks after negotiators failed to reach an agreement to end the standoff. Earlier this month, the U.S. began imposing 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian goods, prompting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to announce that Canada will begin imposing matching tariffs of up to 50% on billions of dollars of U.S. goods next month.
With his executive order, which came after the president sparred with Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford, Mr. Trump directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System, which works with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to standardize geographic names for federal use. Google cited the formal name change under the GNIS, noting that its maps are updated “to reflect name changes in official government sources.”
The change comes after Mr. Trump also changed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” earlier in his term, which was likewise applied to federal references, while other nations aren’t required to recognize the name.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung celebrated the name change on Sunday in a post on X, saying, “It’s official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said after the president signed the executive order last week, “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Mr. Trump took aim at Canada on the trade front in a Truth Social post on Sunday, claiming its leaders have been “ripping us off for decades, and it’s going to stop.”
“This should have happened long ago with other Presidents, just as stopping Iran should have happened long ago,” the president said. “They want to be treated like a State, but they aren’t one. I deal with the Leadership of many Countries, but I find Canada to be the worst. They are entitled no longer!”
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