US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming New Mexico “New America,” posting an image on Truth Social showing “Mexico” crossed out and replaced with “America.” The White House amplified the image on X. Trump said many people had suggested the change and called the proposed name more prestigious and beautiful. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the idea, saying the state’s name was not up for debate and had existed before the United States. She accused Trump of distracting Americans from issues including soaring gas prices. The proposal follows Trump’s recent geographic renaming efforts, including Lake Ontario as “Lake America” and the Gulf of Mexico as “the Gulf of America”.

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, finishing first and moving closer to potentially forming its first state government since World War Two. The result delivered a major setback to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives and added pressure on his ruling coalition. The AfD advocates strict immigration curbs, warmer ties with Russia, reduced support for Ukraine and leaving the euro. With 77% turnout, it remained unclear whether the party could form a government, as mainstream parties have refused cooperation. AfD lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund called the result historic. The party is Germany’s most popular nationally, polling at 28% nationally in a recent INSA poll.

Iran is doubling its third-tier gasoline price to 10,000 tomans per litre from 5,000 tomans, effective September 8, amid economic strain during the escalating war with the United States. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said monthly subsidised allocations will remain unchanged, with motorists receiving 60 litres at 1,500 tomans and another 50 litres at 3,000 tomans per litre. The government said the increase aims to balance supply and demand and strengthen “national resilience.” Iranian households are already facing high inflation, a weakened currency and rising basic-goods costs. The country also has a daily gasoline deficit of around 14-15 million litres. Officials said additional revenue would support household livelihoods, while lawmakers warned the hike could trigger further unrest.

Five people were killed after an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane operated by 21 Air overran a runway and crashed at Miami International Airport on Sunday, according to officials. The Boeing 767-300, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft overran the airport’s diagonal runway at around 2 p.m. ET (1800 GMT), struck multiple vehicles and caught fire, sending thick smoke across the area. The crash led to the closure of all runways and taxiways and a ground stop at the airport. Amazon said it was supporting those affected, while the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident.

Iran will establish a new “prohibited zone” near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, top security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Sunday. The zone will extend beyond the strait into parts of the Persian Gulf, beginning from the US Navy’s blockade line. Rezaei said any ship entering the zone would be placed on Iran’s sanctions list. The announcement comes as the US increases sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran’s economy. Iran also announced a sharp petrol price increase for heavier consumers. The rial has declined further, trading at more than 2.2 million rials per dollar on the black market. Rezaei’s comments come amid tensions surrounding shipping and the strategic waterway.

Iran is reportedly planning a coordinated, multi-front attack on Israel resembling the October 7, 2023 assault, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing intelligence sources. Tehran is allegedly seeking to coordinate Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq in one campaign. Reports cited by the publication suggest Iran is rebuilding its “Axis of Resistance” and renewing coordination. Hamas’ new leader Khalil al-Hayya is reportedly considered close to Iran, while Hamas and Hezbollah have increased coordination with Iran’s assistance. Purported Hamas documents seized after October 7 allegedly showed Yahya Sinwar sought to expand the confrontation, though Iran and Hezbollah were reportedly not informed of the attack’s details beforehand. (PC: AFP)

Indonesia suspended operations at five airports, including Jakarta’s main Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau spread across the region. The eruption produced ash plumes reaching up to 15,000 metres, creating serious risks for aircraft engines and aviation safety. Around 301 flights, including 58 international services, were disrupted, while airlines cancelled or delayed several Jakarta-bound flights. The eruption also affected fishing and school activities as ash caused irritation and reduced visibility. Authorities established a 3-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcano and are monitoring conditions. Officials said there was no immediate tsunami threat, while measures including cloud seeding were being considered. (PC: EPA)

Tucker Budzyn, the golden retriever who became an internet sensation with millions of followers, has died unexpectedly at age 8. His owner, Courtney Budzyn, said Tucker was diagnosed with lymphoma on August 30 and began CHOP chemotherapy under a veterinary oncologist’s care. After a week, he was reportedly in partial remission and continued swimming, walking, visiting parks and spending time with family. However, his family later learned the lymphoma had affected his intestines. As chemotherapy worked against the cancer, it left a hole in his intestine, causing an infection that rapidly worsened. Despite antibiotics and fluids, Tucker’s condition deteriorated, and his family ultimately decided to let him go. (PC: X/@gmanews)

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for talks on ending the Ukraine war. Their visit came a day after they met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.   The White House said the envoys discussed plans for the next steps with Putin. Details of the talks have not been made public.   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the envoys and said Ukraine was ready for talks. Russia and Ukraine have also agreed to pause strikes on Moscow and Kyiv for three days as peace efforts continue. (PC: Reuters)  

US President Donald Trump is reportedly working on a broader strategy for the Middle East after the Iran war ends. The plan is still being developed, according to an Axios report.   The strategy may bring US allies closer together to contain Iran. Washington could also act as a security guarantor in the region.   The plan may include efforts to move forward on Gaza, improve ties between Israel and Syria, and strengthen the Israel-Lebanon agreement.   Another major goal is to expand the Abraham Accords and secure a normalisation deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.