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Arsenal alerted as Barcelona pull out of Julián Alvarez chase
Arsenal have been handed a potential boost in their interest in Julián Alvarez after Barcelona reportedly ruled out a January move for the Atletico Madrid forward.The Argentina international was one ...
Oklahoma's Michael Fasusi ruled out against Georgia in initial report
Oklahoma Sooners football received mixed news from Wednesday's initial availability report ahead of Georgai.
Sunderland Penalty Against Arsenal Ruled Wrong by Premier League Panel
The KMI Panel unanimously rejected the penalty awarded against Ezri Konsa, while backing the other major decisions from Arsenal's 2-0 win at Sunderland.
Dental Affiliate Gets New Chance in Washington Business Tax Case
A Colorado-based company will get another opportunity to argue its connections to Washington are insufficient to justify a state business and occupation tax assessment, a Washington appeals court ruled Tuesday.
Hayden Panettiere's death was caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl and other drugs, ruled 'accidental'
The Greenville County Coroner's Office said that the 36-year-old's cause of death has been ruled as "toxic effects of fentanyl, 4-ANPP, Alprazolam, Methocarbamol and Quetiapine." The manner of death h...
Hayden Panettiere cause of death revealed: Report
The actress’ death was ruled an accident caused by the toxic effect of several drugs, including fentanyl.
Hayden Panettiere's death ruled accidental from drugs, including fentanyl: Coroner
Actress Hayden Panettiere’s death has been ruled accidental from drugs including fentanyl, according to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office in South Carolina.
Jiang Feng: The Unravelling of German & European Politics
A state election in eastern Germany has become a revealing test of the changing political landscapes of Germany and Europe, writes Jiang Feng, Professor and Chairman of the Council of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies (SAGGAS) at Shanghai International Studies University. His analysis follows the decisive victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) (which has been classified as right-wing extremist by German authorities)in the state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September, in which it finished far ahead of its mainstream rivals. Jiang previously served as Minister-Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Berlin. The following article was published on 8 September 2026 on huanqiu.com, the online platform of the Global Times. On 6 September, the results of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, were announced. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as far-right by German authorities, made history by becoming the largest party in the state parliament, winning 43.8 per cent of the vote — twice its share in the previous election. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had governed the state continuously for 24 years, won just 17.2 per cent, its worst result ever in Saxony-Anhalt. On the night the results were announced, the atmosphere at the CDU gathering was unusually calm. There was neither shock nor argument, as if the defeat had long been expected. Several veteran party members who had spent years working in the state government said: “Defeat is not a bad thing. It is time to make changes.” This state election has not only upended Saxony-Anhalt’s political landscape, but also laid bare the deep tensions between Germany’s traditional party structure and model of governance, on the one hand, and an increasingly polarised society on the other. Its repercussions are already being felt at the federal level, making Saxony-Anhalt a useful case study of the broader trend towards political polarisation and realignment in Europe. Governing Difficulties after Electoral Victory The most immediate consequence of the election is a historic setback for the mainstream party order that took shape in post-war Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD has leapt from a peripheral party to the largest political force in the state. Its electoral base has expanded beyond the traditional category of “marginal protest voters” to take on the characteristics of a cross-class coalition. The party has not only consolidated its support in rural areas, but also attracted many middle-class voters and even members of the social elite with stable jobs, their own homes, and substantial incomes. It has thus evolved from a “protest party” into one with the potential to govern. Despite its commanding lead in the vote, however, the AfD faces an institutional obstacle to governing the state: the mainstream parties’ long-standing “firewall” against it. Neither of the two potential routes to forming a government appears likely to break the current political deadlock. The first would be a coalition of establishment parties, led by the CDU and bringing together the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, the Left Party (Die Linke) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in a cross-camp government. In terms of parliamentary arithmetic, such a coalition could prevent the AfD from forming a government and preserve the outward stability of the traditional political order. Yet these parties are fundamentally divided over key issues including immigration, the energy transition, economic management, and cultural and education policy. Coalition negotiations would therefore be extremely difficult, and even if a government could be formed, it would most likely prove short-lived. More importantly, an alliance of establishment parties aimed at keeping the largest party out of government would play directly into the AfD’s narrative that “political elites are suppressing public opinion”. It could deepen perceptions of political unfairness, further strengthening the AfD’s political capital, and creating a dynamic in which “the more it is suppressed, the more people vote for it”. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s candidate for state premier, has said that if efforts to form a government fail because other parties refuse to cooperate, the AfD will push for a fresh election, which he believes could deliver the party an absolute majority of seats. This points to more intense political battles ahead. The second option would be a coalition between the AfD and the BSW. Together, the two parties would command a simple majority in parliament, making this, on paper, the quickest route to forming a government. The BSW is the only elected party that has not ruled out cooperation with the AfD, and the two parties share some common ground, including on policy towards Russia. There is therefore a degree of political basis for cooperation. Were such a coalition to materialise, Germany would see its first state government jointly formed by a party defined as far-right and one with a far-left background, creating what might be called a “bipolar anti-establishment alliance”. Such an outcome would fundamentally break with the ideological boundaries of post-war German party politics. It is worth noting that even if the AfD ultimately fails to enter the state government, its roughly 47 per cent share of parliamentary seats would give it a powerful blocking minority. Without its consent, major decisions requiring a two-thirds majority — including constitutional amendments, significant budgetary adjustments, and state-level institutional reforms — would be extremely difficult to pass. Therefore, whoever ultimately forms the government, the AfD will be an unavoidable force in Saxony-Anhalt politics, with a direct influence on the state’s legislative process. Systemic Failures in Germany’s Governance Model The Saxony-Anhalt election result reflects a systemic failure of Germany’s post-war mainstream-party model of governance to adapt to rapidly changing socioeconomic conditions. It stems from multiple, mutually reinforcing structural tensions and highlights the existing political system’s difficulty in adapting to “an increasingly polarised society First, collective anxiety has replaced individual material hardship as a central driver of political mobilisation. The rise of the AfD can no longer be explained simply by poverty or social marginalisation. Its increasingly cross-class electoral base suggests that what is driving voters towards the party is, above all, concern about the broader direction of society. This anxiety about the future of the political community goes beyond individual gains and losses. In political discourse, economic anxiety has become closely intertwined with immigration, while immigration and refugee issues are, in essence, questions of social fairness. This perception turns conflicts over the distribution of social resources into negative assessments of governing parties, providing a broad social basis for far-right political narratives. Second, regional disparities and East German identity have undermined the strategy of addressing eastern Germany’s structural challenges at the regional level. More than three decades after German reunification, eastern states such as Saxony-Anhalt have experienced periods of economic growth, but their underlying economic structures remain weak, and household incomes and wealth remain significantly below those in western Germany. At the same time, they continue to face population outflow, an ageing population, labour shortages, and other structural challenges. At a deeper level, historical experiences — including the collapse of the former East German economic system, mass unemployment during the transition, and the westward shift of decision-making power over major issues — have left some residents with a sense of being “second-class citizens” and of being excluded. For years, the German government treated the “syndrome” of reunification as a regional problem to be gradually addressed at the local level. That approach is becoming increasingly unsustainable, as regional development disparities emerge as a core structural factor shaping national politics. Third, the erosion of institutional trust is perhaps the most decisive factor. AfD supporters tend to distrust establishment institutions, including parliament, government, and the mainstream media. Their concerns about economic security, pensions, and social fairness are significantly greater than the social average. Increasingly, their support for the AfD reflects not an expectation that the existing system can be improved, but a search for an alternative to the current political order. Such a systemic deficit of trust will be extremely difficult for the traditional parties to repair in the short term. Fourth, a generational shift in political mobilisation has amplified political polarisation. Unlike traditional parties, which rely heavily on offline rallies and mainstream media coverage, the AfD has developed a social-media mobilisation strategy built around “raising an issue — identifying who is responsible — offering a simplified solution — building a shared identity”. It turns complex social tensions into concise political narratives, rapidly channelling public sentiment into political support. The contrast on the eve of the election was particularly telling. The establishment parties, together with trade unions and churches, organised an offline march attended by more than 10,000 people, but its reach was largely confined to those present and to traditional media coverage. The AfD held a much smaller indoor event, yet livestreaming on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms, combined with the involvement of online influencers, gave it a reach and mobilising capacity far beyond that of the march. The contrast illustrates how the traditional parties’ methods of political mobilisation are increasingly struggling to keep pace with a political environment transformed by changes in media technology. A Microcosm of Structural Political Change in Europe The shockwaves from the Saxony-Anhalt election quickly travelled beyond the state to the federal level. Calls for political accountability followed immediately after the results were announced. The governing CDU and SPD are now under enormous pressure, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil face an unprecedented test. Political polarisation in Germany is no longer simply a regional phenomenon. The post-war model of multiparty government by establishment parties is breaking down and being reshaped. Viewed in a broader European context, the Saxony-Anhalt election is part of a continent-wide wave of party polarisation, mainstream-party decline, and rising right-wing forces. Far from an isolated phenomenon, it is a microcosm of the structural political changes unfolding across Europe. Weak economic growth, cultural tensions over immigration, and declining trust in institutions are fuelling the rise of right-wing forces in several countries, challenging the liberal internationalist order established in post-war Europe. As a core member state of the European Union, Germany’s ability to adapt its political system and the direction of its politics will have profound implications for both European integration and the evolution of the international order. Subscribe [ Pekingnology China’s Germany watchers take stock of Berlin’s uneasy turn On 7 December 2025, nearly 50 Chinese scholars and policy researchers gathered in Beijing for the 2025年德国形势年终研讨会 “2025 Year-End Seminar on the Situation in Germany… Read more 9 months ago · 31 likes · 1 comment · YIRUI LI and Yuxuan JIA ](https://www.pekingnology.com/p/chinas-germany-watchers-take-stock?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1151841) [ Jiang Feng on Germany's 2025 and beyond: no easy exit ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond) Yirui LI and Yuxuan JIA · Jan 24 The following is an op-ed by Jiang Feng, published on 29 December 2025 at Shanghai Observer 上观新闻, the digital platform of Jiefang Daily, the official newspaper of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). [ Read full story ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond)
Appeals court orders Missouri to use Trump-backed congressional map, setting up another Supreme Court battle
A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Missouri must use a GOP-friendly congressional redistricting plan for November’s election but put that ruling on hold for a week so the Supreme Court could review the dispute.
Appeals court favors Trump-backed Missouri congressional map, but Supreme Court will have final say
A federal appeals panel has ruled in favor of new Missouri congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump. But there is no immediate impact from Monday’s ruling.
Caleb Williams not ruled out for Week 3
Bears QB Caleb Williams unlikely to practice but has chance to play in Week 3
Jaquet's performance against Bournemouth 'a step forward'
Defender Jeremy Jacquet's performance in Sunday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth was "a step forward" in his development, according to Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola. The 21-year-old centre-back was named player of the match against Iraola's former side after another assured display, completing his third full 90 minutes in a row in the Premier League. A five-year deal was agreed in January to sign Jacquet from Rennes this summer, but he suffered a shoulder injury soon afterwards that ruled him out of the rest of the campaign.
Scientists Just Found Evidence That Ancient Egypt Had a Female King 5,000 Years Ago
Researchers enhanced a decades-old photograph and found a royal emblem suggesting Meretneith ruled as a king, not merely a queen.
Alec Pierce ruled out for remainder of SNF
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce left the Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half due to a left heel injury
Samson Ebukam injures hamstring
Falcons DE Samson Ebukam ruled out of Week 2 game after hamstring injury
Zach Bako-Bewele will not return
Packers OT Zach Bako-Bewele ruled out after suffering knee injury
Aidan O’Connell ruled out for personal reasons
The Las Vegas Raiders will be without Aidan O’Connell because of personal reasons on Sunday
Two BYU football starters ruled out against Colorado State
Injuries to key offensive playmakers force the Cougars to test their depth in Fort Collins as the Rams aim to snap a decades-long losing streak against ranked opponents.
Starting Patriots defender ruled out of Steelers Week 2 matchup
The Patriots will be without a ninth-year veteran when the Steelers roll into Foxborough.
Zay Flowers ruled out for Week 2
Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers officially ruled out against the Saints
Seahawks injury update: Anthony Bradford ruled out of Cardinals game
Christian Haynes, welcome to the starting lineup.
Michael Pittman Jr. ruled out for Week 2
Michael Pittman Jr. downgraded to out following two missed practices with foot injury
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. ruled out vs. Patriots
Per the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Friday injury report, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (NIR/conditioning/back) is out for Sunday’s matchup with the New England Patriots.
Max Dowman: Mikel Arteta admits 16-year-old Arsenal wonderkid could go out on loan in the future
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out loaning out Max Dowman in the future and says the club evaluates the 16-year-old sensations progress every six months.
Ashton Dulin has been ruled out for Week 2
The Colts will be missing Ashton Dulin in Week 2 against the Chiefs.
Omar Cooper Jr. ruled out for Week 2
Omar Cooper Jr. will not be playing in Week 2 for the Jets.
MN Vikings Make Week 2 Quarterback Decision
The Minnesota Vikings have ruled starting quarterback Kyler Murray out for Week 2 and Carson Wentz will go in his place.
Carson Wentz set to start Week 2
Kyler Murray has been ruled out so it will be Carson Wentz in Week 2 for the Vikings.
U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump . . . for now
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump's mail-in ballots executive order. But, Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh left open the possibility of implementation in the future. What does that mean?
Browns' Secondary May Be Shorthanded Against Buccaneers
Only one player has been ruled out for Cleveland Browns showdown with Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while a key member of the secondary is questionable.
USC defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart ruled out for Rutgers game
For the second day in a row, a notable Trojan was ruled out for Saturday’s Big Ten opener
The Ninth Circuit rules Kalshi sports contracts on tribal lands likely violate federal law
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Wednesday that Kalshi is likely violating federal law by allowing users to wager on sporting events from tribal land. The court held that two federa...
Is Trump Demolishing the Kennedy Center? Breaking Down the Legal Fight Over Funding and Naming
President Donald Trump and his allies on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts are engaged in an escalating legal battle over the future of the institution, with the building itself now closed to the public and surrounded by fencing. After a federal judge this week ruled ...
Sam Darnold injury opens major opportunity for Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals were originally 10-point underdogs against the Seattle Seahawks, but that line is down to 3.5 after Sam Darnold was ruled out.
Whatley campaign event featured sex offender + Ruling allows weaker NC governor
A panel of the Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against Stein.
Detroit Lions Final Week 2 Injury Report Reveals Major Problems
The Lions ruled out two starting offensive linemen for Buffalo, while starting CB D.J. Reed is questionable for Thursday Night Football.
Rochester-area man wins lawsuit over critical email sent to former ICE director
A federal judge ruled that David Streever, of Greece, lost his First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
Ballad Health's $65M lawsuit against United Health dismissed; moves to arbitration
Ballad Health's $65 million lawsuit against United Health is moving out of federal court.A federal judge in Greeneville dismissed the suit, but ruled the case n
After curriculum scrutiny, Springfield will keep an eye on fifth grade science proficiency
The district’s choice to put its fifth-grade science scores under the microscope is meant to measure the effectiveness of its new elementary science curriculum after the state ruled the district’s previous science curriculum did not meet state requirements.
10th Circuit clears path for completion of Denver Water reservoir expansion
The Colorado-based federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that Denver Water may complete its long-running project to increase the capacity of its Boulder County dam, disagreeing with a trial judge’s finding that the federal government acted unlawfully in issuing a permit. Six environmental groups challenged Denver Water’s plan to store more water for the 1.5 million […]
Kennedy Center board votes to close, Trump's name addition blocked
The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to immediately close the performing arts venue's main building, a few hours after a federal judge ruled that President Trump's name could not be restored to its facade.
Judge blocks Kennedy Center board from putting Trump’s name on the building or grounds in any way
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge blocked the Kennedy Center on Tuesday from returning President Donald Trump ’s name to the iconic performing arts venue in a move meant to recognize his renovation efforts, saying it would violate an earlier ruling that his name was illegally added to the building. Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that, […]
As election approaches it’s business as usual for JaCo Clerk - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2
EDIT: Late Monday afternoon, the Supreme Court ruled President Trump cannot enforce new mail-in ballot regulations before the November General Election. MEDFORD, Ore.– Only seven weeks from the November 3rd General Election, Jackson County election workers are treating it like any other election. That means they are busy preparing things like the Voters Pamphlet, which was […]
😳 Uproar in the Manchester derby! Haaland winner should've been ruled out
Frustration ran deep at Manchester United after the derby defeat. Not only because they had lost the match against Manchester City 0-1, but also because Erling Haaland’s goal (60') should never have...
Vikings' Kyler Murray Ruled Out After Brutal Hit Against Packers
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray has been ruled out early in the first half against the Green Bay Packers.
12 Classic RadioShack Electronics That Are Pure Nostalgia Today
In late 20th century, RadioShack ruled the roost when it came to consumer electronics, and these products were a big part of why.
Dylan Sampson will not return in Week 1
Dylan Sampson, nursing a knee injury, has been ruled out the rest of the day
Ravens' TJ Tampa Ruled Out With Knee Injury
The Baltimore Ravens have already lost a key player, as cornerback T.J. Tampa is out with a knee injury.
Cardinals injury report: 3 ruled out, Jeremiyah Love questionable
See which Cardinals players will not play or might not play Sunday against the Chargers.
Federal court rejects Trump administration order keeping Michigan coal plant open
In a defeat for the Trump administration, a federal court on Friday ruled that the Energy Department exceeded its authority when it forced a Michigan coal-fired power plant to stay open past its scheduled retirement date last year.
Hereford photographer changes business practices after AI child pornography ruling
A photographer in Hereford is changing her business practices after a federal judge ruled AI-generated child pornography is protected by the First Amendment.
Wrexham’s Max Cleworth Ruled Out For Eight Weeks
Wrexham AFC have a major absence for their upcoming game with West Ham United, as Phil Parkinson has confirmed that Max Cleworth will be out for approximately eight weeks with a hamstring injury.
Skill games could be seized from Pa. businesses in October, state police warn
In June, the state Supreme Court ruled the gambling machines are unconstitutional. Lawmakers must regulate them by Oct. 13.
Preston captain McCann out 'for months' after op
Preston North End captain Ali McCann is ruled out "for months" after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury.
🎾 Y! Sports AM: A dying art
The one-handed backhand once ruled tennis. Now it’s fading away.
Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald Issues Strong Words Amid Sam Darnold Injury
The Seattle Seahawks took a major hit early in the game against the New England Patriots. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold left the game due to a hip injury; he was initially ruled questionable, but the team later ruled him out. Heading into halftime, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald shared a quick message on how the […] The post Seahawks’ Mike Macdonald Issues Strong Words Amid Sam Darnold Injury appeared first on HEAVY.
Sam Darnold ruled out with hip injury
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury and will not return to the season opener
Week 1 inactives for Patriots
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson among players ruled out for opener
The Tate brothers must stay locked up during their UK extradition fight, US judge says
A federal judge in Miami has ruled that social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate must remain in custody as they fight extradition to the United Kingdom.
Rock Creek Entertainment District bond preparations continue after judge denies injunction
Norman’s Rock Creek Entertainment District construction and bond preparation can move forward following a four and a half hours hearing where Cleveland County District Judge Michael Tupper ruled in favor
Judge dismisses ORED Rock Creek Entertainment District lawsuit motions, rules in favor of city
In a four and a half hour hearing Tuesday, Cleveland County Judge Michael Tupper ruled against Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development and in favor of the city of Norman, Norman
Supreme Court rejects Missouri's push to use new Republican-drawn U.S. House map in November
Missouri's new districts were used in the August primaries, but the Missouri Supreme Court ruled in September that the state must revert to districts adopted after the last census.
Supreme Court rejects Missouri Republicans’ request to use new congressional map
Republicans rushed to the high court after the Missouri Supreme Court ruled the state could not use the redrawn map, which was designed to eliminate one Democratic-held seat, this year.
TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for Week 1
TreVeyon Henderson will not be in the lineup for the Patriots in Week 1.
BREAKING: Key Rams Player Is OUT Against The 49ers
Well, so much for seeing Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett together in Week 1. Donald will not travel to Australia with the Rams and has been ruled out for Thursday night’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. That’s a major break for Brock Purdy and the 49ers. Donald recently came out of a two-year…
Fire that destroyed Richmond business ruled welding accident
Welding is to blame for a fire that destroyed a business in Richmond Monday.
Judge Rules Green Party Candidate Accused of Being GOP Plant Can Be Kicked Off Ballot in PA-07
A Commonwealth Court judge ruled Friday afternoon that Andrew Tupone, a hopeful Green Party candidate in the 7th Congressional District, can be removed from the ballot despite collecting sufficient signatures to appear on it. Tupone, however, said he plans to appeal. “The establishment parties are fighting to keep me off…
Six Real Madrid absences put Mourinho’s options under pressure
Real Madrid will be without Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva for Tuesday’s Champions League league-phase opener against Inter Milan, with all three ruled out through suspension, acc...
Pokémon Champions’ director vows to keep turn-based battles as single-player is ruled out
Masaaki Hoshino reflects on Champions’ launch and discusses the future of competitive Pokémon…
Burn's absence has not gone unnoticed
"We're on the telly!" Perhaps not the exact words uttered by Dan Burn Jr, but based upon his big smile and thumbs up once realising both he and his dad had made their way on to the St James' Park big screen on Saturday, I think I'm safe in my assumption. The VIP box was as close as Burn Sr got to the weekend's draw with Bournemouth. Injury has ruled him out of action until after the September international break, and his absence in the heart of the Newcastle defence hasn't gone unnoticed.
Brazil legend Neymar suffers another injury setback with Santos
After suffering an injury in Santos' goalless draw against Palmeiras on Wednesday, Neymar has been ruled out for up to eight weeks.
Michigan Football Makes Decision on TE Hogan Hansen
Michigan tight end Hogan Hansen has been ruled out for Saturday night’s 2026 season opener against Western Michigan.
Forest ‘at a loss’ over controversial VAR decision against Spurs
Nottingham Forest felt they were denied a legitimate goal by VAR after Neco Williams’ finish was controversially ruled out against Spurs on Saturday. The full-back had the ball in the net after Sand...
Glasner and Williams dispute VAR call over Forest handball
Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner and Neco Williams believe VAR should not have ruled out defender's goal against Tottenham.
Notre Dame star LB questionable, WR ruled out vs. Badgers
Notre Dame may have one of their stars back on defense for the season opener.
In boost to GOP, Supreme Court says parties should get lower TV ad rates
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that political parties should get discounted TV ad rates when they coordinate spending with candidates.
49ers’ Key Defensive Lineman Ruled Out Before Week 1 Matchup
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Friday that they ruled out defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.“DL Sam Okuayinonu (foot) has been downgraded to OUT for the Week 1 game against the Rams, the 49ers announced,” Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported. DL Sam […] The post 49ers’ Key Defensive Lineman Ruled Out Before Week 1 Matchup appeared first on HEAVY.
Bologna troubles continue as Orsolini ruled out until international break
Bologna are without a victory after their first two Serie A matches of the 2026-27 season and the troubles for head coach Domenico Tedesco have now increased as Italy international Riccardo Orsolini h...
‘All hell has broken loose’: College football world reacts to LSU ruling
The college football madness continued Thursday night, as a Louisiana judge ruled LSU transfers Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris are eligible to play after spending the summer in NFL training camps. Wright and Harris are among the 42 athletes currently suing the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. Judge William Jorden’s preliminary injunction prevents…
Missouri Supreme Court puts referendum to overturn new congressional map on ballot
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the state's voters will decide the fate of a plan aimed at ousting Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II.
Missouri Supreme Court puts referendum to overturn new congressional map on ballot
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the state’s voters will decide the fate of a plan aimed at ousting Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.
A judge deemed it an illegal monopoly, but ruled Google doesn’t have to sell its ad business
The courts have been letting Big Tech stay big.
Sony and Microsoft say they’re not obligated to pass U.S. tariff refunds to consumers, echoing Nintendo
Back in July, Sony executives told investors that the company expected to receive $508 million in refunds from the U.S. government, after tariffs that the PlayStation-maker paid were ruled mostly in 2025 were found to be illegal. “Most” of the refund would by recouped by Sony’s gaming division, its chief financial officer said. This week, Sony’s lawyers are arguing that the company is not legally obligated to pass those proceeds on to consumers who paid for recently price-hiked PlayStation consoles. That’s in the face of a lawsuit from gamers calling on them to do exactly that. “Paying fair market price for voluntarily purchased consumer goods is not a legally cognizable injury in fact,” the lawyers wrote in a legal motion filed on Monday, as they asked a judge in California’s Northern District to dismiss a potential class action lawsuit over the tariff refunds. Microsoft made a similar argument two weeks ahead of Sony’s lawyers, in a similar lawsuit brought by a gamer in federal court in Washington State. As Microsoft’s legal team put it on August 21, in their request for a dismissal of that lawsuit: “There is nothing unjust about Plaintiff purchasing an Xbox at an advertised price and getting exactly what he paid for—regardless of whatever theory he devised months later about Microsoft’s cost structure.” Both legal fights are set to go on for some time. How things got to this point U.S. tariffs impacting a wide range of imported goods, including game consoles, had kicked off in early 2025. In May 2025, Microsoft raised the price of its Xbox consoles, citing “market conditions and the rising cost of development.” They raised them again that September. In August of that year, Sony raised the price of PlayStation 5 consoles, citing “a challenging economic environment.” Sony later told investors that its tariff fees for the fall quarter were nearly $200 million. in February of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the 2025 tariffs illegal, prompting impacted companies to begin to request refunds. In turn, consumers began suing the likes of Sony and Microsoft to get what they said was their share. The gamers in the Microsoft and Sony lawsuits argue that the 2025 price hikes of PlayStation and Xbox consoles, which added $50 or more to their sticker price, were due to illegal tariffs and should now be returned to consumers. The Sony suit started in May, when a group of gamers sued in federal court in California, saying Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation) would be unjustly enriching itself if it did not pass tariff refunds to its PS5 buyers. “Sony is poised to be paid twice for the same unlawful tariff burden: once by its customers (through elevated prices) and once by the U.S. government (through tariff refunds),” the gamers’ lawyers wrote at the time. They called for Sony to partially reimburse anyone who bought a PlayStation in the U.S. since August 1, 2025. The Microsoft suit, filed by gamer Trevor Hastings against the Xbox giant in July, made similar claims. The console makers push back In late July, Nintendo’s lawyers, facing a similar suit accusing them of double-dipping on tariffs and refunds, replied with arguments that previewed Microsoft’s and Sony’s: “Nintendo or one of its retailers set a price for each product, and consumers decided whether that price was worth paying,” they wrote. Sony has buttressed that Nintendo-style argument this week by saying that the gamers have failed to prove that tariffs were the reason for its August 2025 PS5 price hike. They call thatclaim “speculative and illogical.” Other factors, including “inflation, currency fluctuations, component costs, logistics, competitive dynamics, or demand,” could have played a role. (No, the Sony lawyers do not break down the costs and factors that officially triggered the price increases). Microsoft has also argued that there’s no proof in these lawsuits that tariffs drove all or some of the price increase, as it seeks to dismiss the tariff refund suit it’s facing: “Plaintiff provides no specific allegations that would establish any pricing differential attributable to tariffs or suggest any possibility that Microsoft applied then or could recreate now any dollar-for-dollar calculation of tariff-related pricing—any more than it could any other market factor that affects pricing.” To further skewer the gamer side’s argument in its case, Sony’s lawyers have pointed to what might be a surprising defense: yet another PlayStation 5 price hike from this past spring, after the tariffs were ruled illegal. “If the original price increase were attributable to tariffs, SIE [Sony Interactive Entertainment, aka PlayStation] would have had no reason to raise prices again after the Supreme Court invalidated the IEEPA tariffs.” … “If tariffs were the cause of the price increases, one would expect SIE to lower prices once the tariffs were eliminated—not raise them again. Instead, the timeline confirms that the pricing of PlayStation consoles includes a diverse and dynamic set of input costs.” Judges have not yet ruled on the arguments made by Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. Last week, Panic, the company behind the small, yellow Playdate handheld said it would be passing its tariff refunds on to consumers. It is the only gaming hardware maker to have made such a pledge. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my reporting, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: A reporter’s second Second Life Wagner James Au, who from 2003-2006 was paid by San Francisco-based tech company Linden Lab to be a full-time journalist embedded in their virtual world Second Life, is returning to the company. This time, he’ll be an editorial advisor and business development specialist, he tells Game File. The new role will involve trying to share the stories of people inhabiting Second Life’s ongoing online world with reporters and by extension the public. Au plans to continue to also chronicle some of that through his long-running blog New World Notes. I’ve known Au since the mid-2000s and featured him in a 2007 article for the Columbia Journalism Review about reporters like him opening up virtual news outlets within Second Life. As I wrote at the time: On April 22, 2003, writing as Hamlet Linden for the New World Notes blog on Second Life’s Web site, Au introduced himself. “For the next few months, Linden Lab has invited me to set aside my journalist cap, and instead, don the digital beanie of their in-house virtual correspondent.” He wasn’t paid to keep it positive. He wrote about builders and eccentrics, but then in August of that year, he reported on a tax revolt against Linden Lab (a complaint about the fees it charges users who build stuff) led by a resident whose avatar was a big cat. Second Life has always been less of a video game and more of a virtual world where people can live, hang out, make art, sell virtual items and flirt. Back in 2007, Au described touring it as “sort of like underwater lucid dreaming.” For the past two decades, Au has maintained New World Notes as an independent publication. But he said he’s been drawn back to Second Life and Linden Lab as a place to directly work. The virtual world has around 650,000 monthly active users, he said, “which is actually about what it was during the hype wave.” Au says he’s still finding rich stories in Second Life, the kind that keep him interested 20 years into the beat: “Over the last few months for instance, I wrote about an SL creator in Venezuela whose apartment was destroyed by the earthquakes, so the global SL community rallied to get him back on his feet,” he told me. “Then there’s the woman from a Middle Eastern country who explored her lesbian sexuality in SL, then earned enough from her virtual jewelry to escape her abusive family situation and country.” Au wants to beckon more reporters to give Second Life another look. He argues that it is often ahead of internet trends, noting, for example, an early backlash in the community against AI-made art. Now the platform is drawing curiosity from more of the user-generated content community who’ve grown up with the likes of Roblox, according to Au. “Second Life was too early during its hype wave in 2005-2010, but it now feels right for a new wave of interest,” he told me.
Google Won't Have To Break Up Its Advertising Business, Federal Judge Rules
Google will not have to break up its advertising operations, a federal judge has ruled, though it will have to alter its business practices.
Google avoids adtech breakup in federal judge ruling
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The same judge previously ruled Google maintained a monopoly on online advertising in April 2025.
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A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Google does not have to break up its advertising technology business after finding last year that the search giant held an illegal monopoly over the industry. U…
N.Y.’s plan to charge fossil-fuel producers for climate change struck down
A federal judge ruled that the sweeping law reaches beyond a state’s responsibility and into an area of federal interest.
N.Y.’s plan to charge fossil-fuel producers for climate change struck down
A federal judge ruled that the sweeping law reaches beyond a state’s responsibility and into an area of federal interest.
'Ruled himself out' - Another Long-Expected Celtic Move Close
It looks like another long-expected Celtic move is now very close to happening.
How AOC is upending norms around motherhood and political candidacy
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Vikings Share Major J.J. McCarthy Update After Loss to Broncos
The Minnesota Vikings’ preseason is over after their 34-6 loss to the Denver Broncos on Aug. 28 at Empower Field at Mile High. Moreover, the team ruled J.J. McCarthy out before the game due to injury.With McCarthy fighting for the QB2 job, missing the game against the Broncos wasn’t ideal. After the game, Vikings head […] The post Vikings Share Major J.J. McCarthy Update After Loss to Broncos appeared first on HEAVY.
How Investors May Respond To Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) After Sports Bets Are Ruled Not Swaps
A Ninth Circuit appeals court recently ruled that sports bets are not swaps, easing a potential regulatory burden for sports-betting operators including Flutter Entertainment and its US platform operations. This clarification strengthens the legal foundation for traditional sportsbooks relative to prediction-market platforms, potentially reshaping how different wagering formats are regulated and compete in the US market. We will now examine how this regulatory clarification around sports...
U.S. appeals court rules against prediction markets, sets up likely fight at Supreme Court
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that sports-related event contracts are not swaps, contradicting a Third Circuit ruling from April.
Sandbox Brewhouse gets approval for late-night entertainment
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Trump Administration Will Appeal Harvard Antisemitism Case
A federal judge earlier ruled against Trump officials in a lawsuit accusing the university of allowing persistent antisemitism on campus.