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Apple introduces new chips for performance and AI capabilities

MAC mini and Mac Studio got a fresh upgrade, with Apple debuting M6 and M5 Ultra chips, respectively, that provide extraordinary performance and AI capabilities. M6 for Mac mini boasts a 2-nanometer chip, capable of advanced computer block to deliver better performance across the board. It features a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 170GB/s of unified memory bandwidth.

It is designed to support workflows of students, hobbyists, and developers. It introduces a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, letting its computing power spike 2x more than previous generations to enhance its AI capacity.

The M6 has a brand-new 12-core CPU complex consisting of 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, and 6 efficiency cores. Apple dubs it the ‘world’s fastest single-threaded performance and up to 1.2x faster multithreaded performance as compared to the M5, and up to 2.4x faster than the M1.’

It also delivers a 30 percent increase in peak GPU computation for AI as opposed to its predecessor with its 12-core GPU.

Moreover, it offers advanced graphics capabilities, providing extreme visual realism, faster rendering, and higher frame rates with its shader core architecture, Dynamic Caching, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

The M5 Ultra, on the other hand, was dubbed by Apple as its ‘most powerful chip ever.’ It is designed for professionals who need the maximum CPU and GPU performance and united memory bandwidth. It provides advanced ‘complex 3D rendering, visual effects, scientific analysis, and running compute-intensive frontier AI models on device.’

Meanwhile, it also has Ultrafusion, ‘connecting two dual-die M5 Max chips to form the quad-die architecture-a first for Apple silicon.’ It increases interdie bandwidth by 4.4TB/s. M5 Ultra can be upgraded to a 36-core CPU consisting of 12 supercores and 24 performance cores to deliver faster and better performance than the M3 Ultra by up to 1.3x. Graphics is its main selling point, featuring a next-generation GPU with up to 80 cores. ‘The GPU includes Apple’s latest shader core with second-generation Dynamic Caching, as well as hardware-accelerated mesh shading and third-generation ray tracing, delivering up to 40 percent faster graphics performance than M3 Ultra.’

‘Today, we’re debuting the next giant leap in performance and AI compute for Apple silicon with the incredibly advanced M6 and the most powerful M-series chip yet, M5 Ultra,’ said Sri Santhanam, Apple’s vice president of the Silicon Engineering Group.

Weather Temperature for Cyprus

Department of Meteorology

Today’s weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology

Date 05/09/2026

Station

TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show)

Highest

Lowest

Humidity at

1200 UTC

Nicosia (Athalassa)

Larnaka Airport

Limassol

Pafos Airport

Frenaros

Prodromos

Polis Pafos

US Federal Maritime Commission Chair Laura DiBella to travel to Sri Lanka

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella and Commissioner Robert Harvey will visit Sri Lanka from 6-10 September to advance cooperation on maritime trade, investment, and the shipping networks connecting American businesses and consumers to markets across the Indo-Pacific.

The US Embassy said during her visit, Chairman DiBella and Commissioner Harvey will meet with senior Sri Lankan government and maritime leaders. Chairman DiBella will deliver remarks at the 8th Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference and Commissioner Harvey will serve on a panel.

‘Over 80% of the containers moving through Colombo continue on to destinations around the world-a remarkable illustration of Sri Lanka’s role at the heart of Indian Ocean shipping,’ said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Eric Meyer.

‘Chairman DiBella’s visit recognises the importance of that role and provides an opportunity to deepen our cooperation with the people and institutions that keep this vital trade moving across the Indo-Pacific. Secure and efficient shipping creates opportunities for American businesses, strengthens Sri Lanka’s position as a regional hub, and supports prosperity in both our economies.’

Established in 1961, the Federal Maritime Commission is the independent federal agency responsible for regulating the US international ocean transportation system for the benefit of US exporters, importers, and consumers.

The FMC works to promote a competitive and reliable international ocean transportation system and protect the American public from unfair or deceptive practices in the shipping industry.

Chairman DiBella has led the Federal Maritime Commission since January 2026 following her nomination by US President Donald Trump. Commissioner Harvey was sworn in as a Commissioner on 1 June, 2026.

Total water reservoir storage at 39.3% in early September

Cyprus dam levels stood at 39.3% on September 1, with a total stored volume of 117.9 million cubic metres, out of the 300 million cubic metres total capacity of Cyprus’s 21 dams, according to data published on the website of the Water Development Department.

By comparison, the corresponding reservoir level at the beginning of September last year was only 15.5%, with 46.4 million cubic metres of water stored. Over the past three months, during which evaporation is higher due to elevated temperatures, the total volume stored in the reservoirs decreased by 7 million cubic metres.

For comparison, in September 2022, which was the best hydrological year recorded in the Water Development Department’s data over the past five years, reservoir levels stood at 76%.

Of the 21 dams, four are at an ‘excellent’ level, with capacity above 85%. Specifically, Kalopanayiotis Reservoir, which is also the smallest, is at 100%; Klirou-Malounta-Akaki Reservoir is at 89.7%; Solea is at 88%; and Tamasos at 86%.

Another three reservoirs are at a ‘good’ level, meaning their capacity is between 68% and 85%: Xyliatos is at 82%, Vyzakia at 79%, and Pomos at 70%.

A further four reservoirs are at a ‘moderate’ level (51-68%): Agia Marina Chrysochous at 59%, Arminou at 58%, Argaka at 56%, and Yermasogeia at 52%.

Six dams remain at a ‘low’ level (35-51%): Kannaviou is at 45%, Polemidia at 44%, Evretou at 42%, Kouris and Mavrokolympos at 39% each, and Asprokremmos at 38%.

Finally, the levels of four reservoirs are at a ‘critical’ level, meaning below 35%: Dipotamos is at 29%, Kalavassos at 23%, Lefkara at 18%, and Achna at just 1%.

Recipe of the week: Ghanaian Red Red

Beans and fried plantain are a familiar combination, but there is more than one way to put them on a plate.

In Ghana, beans and plantain come together in a dish called Red Red, a simple bean stew cooked with palm oil, tomatoes, onions and peppers, and served with sweet, fried ripe plantain.

If you have grown up eating Nigerian beans, most of the ingredients will look familiar. The difference is in how they come together. The palm oil gives the beans their deep red colour and a richer flavour, while the fried plantain adds sweetness to the savoury, slightly spicy stew.

So, if you have some beans and a few ripe plantains at home this weekend, here is one Ghanaian recipe worth trying.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the beans

2 cups dried black-eyed beans

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 red bell pepper

1-2 Scotch bonnet peppers

3-4 tablespoons palm oil

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 seasoning cube, optional

Salt to taste

Water, as needed

For the plantain

2 ripe plantains

Vegetable oil, for frying

Salt, optional

Directions

1. Cook the beans

Wash the beans and pick out any stones or damaged beans. Put them in a pot, cover with enough water and cook until tender. This can take about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the beans. Once they are soft, set them aside with some of the cooking liquid.

2. Make the pepper base

Blend the tomatoes, red bell pepper, Scotch bonnet, ginger and garlic until fairly smooth. Heat the palm oil in a pot over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Cook for a few minutes until the onion softens.

Add the blended pepper mixture, season with salt and the seasoning cube if using, and allow it to cook for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally and let the tomato mixture reduce.

3. Add the beans

Add the cooked beans to the sauce and stir gently. If the mixture is too thick, add a little of the reserved bean cooking water. Allow the beans to simmer in the sauce for another 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

4. Fry the plantain

Peel the plantains and slice them diagonally or into rounds. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the plantain on both sides until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

5. Serve

Serve the Red Red hot with the fried plantain.The beans should be soft and rich, with enough sauce to coat them without turning the dish into a watery stew. The sweetness of the plantain is what makes the combination work so well

The Oatside story is about taste and many other things

IF you come across someone’s video of making matcha or coffee on Instagram or TikTok, that person is likely using Oatside.

Oatside is a big deal, online or offline. Supermarket restocks are a big deal. Unfortunately, there are also individuals who hoard Oatside and sell them online.

Oatside, an oat milk brand founded in Singapore, caught the fancy of Gen Z and young millennials because of its quirky meme-friendly branding, playful campaigns, and a culture that appeals to those who are always online.

For example, when Oatside stocks in Thailand ran out in 2023 due to its popularity, the brand went on Twitter to say ‘sorry for being too popular.’

In 2025, Oatside partnered with phone accessories company Casetify on a limited-edition collection of tech accessories. The range featured customizable phone cases, AirPods cases and MacBook covers inspired by nostalgic school lockers, incorporating the Oatside Bearism mascot and playful designs.

To celebrate Earth Day this year, Oatside teamed up with transit ticketing and travel card-related services website SimplyGo for a series of adorable EZ-Link charms.

This year, Oatside also ventured into the soy milk category with a brand called Nobo Soy.

Oatside being plant-based also appeals to Gen Z and millennials.

The brand is the brainchild of Singaporean Benedict Lim who, during the pandemic, experimented by making his own oat milk at home using different ingredients and extraction processes to achieve distinct flavors and texture combinations.

So, aside from these reasons, why is Oatside a cult favorite in Asia? Why is it a Gen Z pantry staple?

If you’ve noticed, Oatside, as a brand, never just talked about the it being healthy. The brand has always focused on taste.

‘We roast our oats instead of steaming them, which most people will never notice and we obsess over anyway. That’s the part that makes it creamy enough to earn a spot in your cup,’ said Mario Dagdag, country head of Oatside Philippines.

Behind every pour is what Oatside calls its ‘nerd-grade’ approach.

”Nerd Grade’ is just our way of admitting we think about oat milk more than any reasonable person should. Roast profiles, oat extraction, texture. We obsess over the details so people can simply enjoy a really good carton of oat milk,’ said Dagdag.

Oatside is also versatile. It’s not just for making coffee or matcha. I personally enjoy the chocolate flavor and drink it on its own. A friend’s pre-school child brings this same flavor to school for snacking.

Oatside also fits into Gen Z’s active routines. It makes a smooth, creamy base for blending protein powder, fruits, and nut butters into a smoothie.

‘The best compliment we can get is when Oatside just becomes part of someone’s routine-whether it’s in their morning coffee, over cereal or in a favourite recipe. That’s when we know we’ve done our job,’ said Dagdag.

Finally, Oatside has no gums or emulsifiers, and no added sugar.

‘The interesting thing isn’t that Filipinos tried oat milk-it’s that they kept at it. It’s quietly moved from the café menu into the weekly grocery run, and that only happens when people actually enjoy the thing, not just the idea of it,’ said Dagdag.

More information can be found at www.oatside.com, or its Facebook and Instagram social media pages.

Agrarian Insurance Board to compensate drought-hit farmers within two weeks

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board is set to compensate farmers whose lands have been adversely affected by the ongoing dry spell, with payouts expected within two weeks, Board Director General I.U.K. Kaluarachchi said yesterday.

Addressing the media, he said around 8,000 acres to 8,500 acres of agrarian land across six to seven districts have been adversely impacted by the prevailing drought conditions.

He said the Board is prepared to process compensation for the affected lands promptly, with payments to be made within a fortnight.

Regarding concerns over funding, Kaluarachchi said Rs. 3,000 million had been allocated for this purpose in the Budget, adding that the sum was sufficient to meet compensation needs arising from the current dry spell.

President hopes convergence document will be ready ahead of Holguin visit

President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides expressed hope that the document recording convergences on the Cyprus problem will be ready by the time UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin visits Cyprus on September 10, adding that the Greek Cypriot side considers the document a basis for the resumption of talks.

Referring to his meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, President Christodoulides said he believes there is a significant degree of common understanding on both substantive issues and methodology.

Speaking after the inauguration ceremony for the redevelopment of the Meniko community center, the President said the document should be given to the two sides and the guarantor powers so that ‘as soon as possible’ the process can move forward.

‘We hope that this document will be ready,’ President Christodoulides said, adding that the Republic of Cyprus considers it ‘a very good way to resume the talks.’

He said that, on the basis of the document and once an agreement is reached, the negotiating acquis should be safeguarded and an expanded conference should be held, during which the resumption of negotiations on the basis of the convergences would be announced.

‘Once we agree on the convergences – we know very well where there are no convergences, where the differences lie – the negotiations should resume from the differences,’ he said.

Asked whether there would be progress by then, the President replied: ‘We hope so. We have a meeting this week with the Turkish Cypriot leader. I believe there is a significant degree of common understanding on substantive issues and on methodology. We also discussed confidence-building measures and I believe we are fully ready, also ahead of the General Assembly.’

Ahead of the UN General Assembly, the President also said he had been informed of the date and time of his bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary-General, who will also meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader.

‘As we will all be there… after the official week of the General Assembly, we should move forward,’ he said.

‘We are ready on our side and I hope there will be the same political will, the same positive response from all the parties involved,’ the President concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

Russia and Ukraine agree to short-term ceasefire during US delegation visit

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a short-term ceasefire that includes a commitment to refrain from striking the capitals of the two countries during the visit of a US delegation to the region led by US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed the agreement in comments to Interfax.

Peskov said the ceasefire would remain in effect from September 5 through September 8.

‘Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed that Kyiv not be targeted for three days starting at midnight tonight,’ Peskov said.

Earlier, it was reported that Witkoff and Kushner had traveled to Moscow to hold consultations with the Russian leadership on efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The US delegation is also expected to hold talks with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv tomorrow.

US President Donald Trump has said that Washington has developed a new idea concerning a possible peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Nigerian Okoko sets pace at Pros Open

Unlike recent editions, the 21st Johnnie Walker Uganda Professionals Golf Open is witnessing some top drawer competition with about 15 men still carrying hopes of lifting this title this weekend.

For a third day running, a new name has climbed to the top of the leaderboard in the pursuit of the biggest share of the Shs150m purse at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) in Kitante.

Action heads into the final round of play on Saturday with Nigerian Godwin Okoko as the man to watch after he epitomized his ascendency with a stellar Day Three round of five-under 67 on Friday.

Chasing five shots at halfway stage on Thursday, the 21-year-old oozed finesse on the tricky Kitante course to assume a two-shot lead and he will be the hunted when the gallery peaks in numbers.

‘Actually when I saw the gap, I told myself it is not yet over. If it’s five holes and two holes to play, it’s still possible. So I said to myself: ‘Okay go onto the course and give yourself a chance, which I did,’ Okoko said after his round on Friday.

Like many have done all week, Okoko charged at the par-5 Holes, birding No.1, No.3, No.5 and No.13 while his eagle on No.8 brought desired colour to his card.

‘I started with five-under par on the front nine. Then I said, ‘Oh okay, just keep your cool and see.’ Then I made a par on No.12 which is one of the difficult holes. Then I said to myself: ‘Now the door is open. Try to go hard and see’,’ he reacted.

He seemed to be headed for a four-shot advantage over the rest of the field only to double-bogey the par-4 Hole No.18. ‘Thank God it is okay and I will see how I can keep the game going’ Okoko added with much trust in his driver.

Since inception in 2006, there is no Nigerian who has ever won the Uganda Professionals Open yet Okoko is pushing to alter that status quo.

He ironically dislodged joint-leaders consisting of Nigerian Sunday Olapade and Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo. Okoko however has a big task, to hold off an expectant field which has the top 15 players separated by just five shots.

Put simply, it is not over. Okoko will tee-off in the main pressure with the company of Kenyan Samuel Njoroge and Malawian Paul Chidale, who are tied on -3 overall.

The second pressure group has record six-time winner Kenyan Dismas Indiza, Phillip Kasozi and Rugumayo all as well tied on -3. Rugumayo capitulated on Day Three with six bogeys in a round of two-over 74.

2024 winner Zambian Dayne Moore, Kenyan Greg Snow and Tanzanian Nuru Mollel make up the third pressure group, all tied at -2 while Cameroonian Fon Pristhy, Ugandans David Kamulindwa and Dennis Anguyo form the fourth pressure group.

The fifth pressure group has pre-tournament local favourite Grace Kasango who shot a recovery round of four-under 68 with seven birdies and three bogeys on Friday, two-time champion Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi and Olapade tied at level-par.

The gallery will be split for the greater part of Saturday afternoon on either ends of Acacia Avenue.

21ST JW UGANDA PROFESSIONALS GOLF OPEN

DAY THREE LEADERBOARD

1 Godwin Okoko (NGR) 76 68 67 211 -5

T2 Paul Chidale (MAW) 72 72 69 213 -3

T2 Samuel Njoroge (KEN) 72 71 70 213 -3

T2 Dismas Indiza (KEN) 72 69 72 213 -3

T2 Phillip Kasozi (UGA) 71 69 73 213 -3

T2 Ronald Rugumayo (UGA) 69 70 74 213 -3

T7 Dayne Moore (ZIM) 76 70 68 214 -2

T7 Greg Snow (KEN) 75 71 68 214 -2

T7 Nuru Mollel (TAZ) 71 71 72 214 -2

T10 Fon Pristhy (CMR) 70 76 69 215 -1

T10 David Kamulindwa (UGA) 74 71 70 215 -1

T10 Dennis Anguyo (UGA) 72 72 71 215 -1