Friday, August 28th

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the Interior Department and Board on Geographic Names to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” in U.S. federal maps, documents, databases and the geographic naming service. The order came after U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed last week and amid new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and planned Canadian retaliatory tariffs. The change applies only to U.S. government usage; Trump cannot require Canada, international bodies, private mapmakers or other governments to adopt the name.

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At least 389 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,300 remain missing after flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday, sweeping through Himalayan valleys. Preliminary assessments point to a glacier collapse that temporarily dammed a river before releasing a surge of water, mud and debris. Nepalese and Chinese authorities are searching by helicopter and ground teams for missing residents and tourists, including about 90 Americans and hundreds of other foreigners. Officials warned a newly formed barrier lake could burst, complicating aid delivery to affected areas.

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U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper questioned the Kennedy Center’s plan to begin adding President Donald Trump’s name as soon as Sept. 8 and indicated it should stay off the building while he weighs legality. The Trump-appointed board voted this month to inscribe “renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump” on the facade and designate the grounds for Trump. Rep. Joyce Beatty is seeking an emergency order blocking the resolution. Justice Department lawyers defended the timeline and tied it to a two-year renovation plan.

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