MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has emerged as one of the world’s biggest individual philanthropists after donating $26.4 billion in less than seven years. According to Forbes, Scott gave an estimated $7.2 billion in 2025 alone, the largest amount she has donated in a single year. Through her organisation, Yield Giving, she has supported more than 2,500 groups working in areas including education, healthcare, affordable housing, economic mobility and climate initiatives. Scott received a 4% Amazon stake in her 2019 divorce from Bezos and remains one of the world’s wealthiest women.

Iran plans to announce an “exclusion zone” near the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days or weeks, targeting vessels Tehran believes are attempting to pass through the waterway. Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the zone would extend from the reported US naval blockade toward the strait and into the Persian Gulf. His remarks came after the US struck three Iranian oil tankers following Iranian missile launches at US warships. The US says more than 20 warships are supporting its blockade, which has redirected 92 commercial vessels. Iran’s plans add to tensions around the crucial global shipping route.

Israeli air strikes on the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Remman killed at least nine people, including a child, two women and a paramedic, Lebanon’s health ministry said. One overnight strike destroyed a three-storey residential building, killing eight people and injuring 11 others, including four children. A second strike hit a vehicle carrying paramedics, killing another and injuring two. Israel’s military said it was looking into the reports, while its foreign ministry accused Hezbollah of repeated drone attacks and rebuilding its military capabilities in southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that the escalation could threaten the US-brokered ceasefire. (PC: BBC)

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has scored a major election victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, securing 43.8% of the vote, preliminary results showed. The conservative CDU came a distant second with 17.2%. Despite its strong performance, the AfD is projected to win 39 of the state parliament’s 83 seats, short of the 42 needed for a majority. AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund called the result “sensational” and said the party had received a mandate to govern. However, other major parties have ruled out forming a coalition with the AfD, leaving negotiations over the state’s next government uncertain. (PC: BBC)

Five people were killed after an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane operated by 21 Air overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday. The Boeing 767-300, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft reportedly overran a diagonal runway around 2 p.m. ET, struck several vehicles and caught fire, sending thick smoke over the area. More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded as crews battled the blaze and assessed those affected. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are gathering information and investigating the crash. Amazon said it was supporting those affected. (PC: India Today)

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.