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One Question For Syracuse Football After Tough Loss vs. Cal
The Orange began ACC play with a disappointing effort on Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Dolph Lundgren and wife Emma Krokdal enjoy date night at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s charity event
Dolph Lundgren and wife Emma Krokdal stepped out for Arnold Schwarzenegger's charity fundraiser, where the "Rocky IV" star mixed cocktails for guests with his Hard Cut Vodka.
Seth Rogen reveals NSFW advice Judd Apatow ‘screamed’ at “Knocked Up” cast
The actor and director explained he’s “gotten a lot out of” the risqué request over the years.
Trump’s $5,000 ‘dividend’ strips another layer of shame from American politics
Among the questions now: just how gullible are American voters, and when will more Republicans realize they’re being made fools of?
MLR Under Pressure: Where Risk Ends and Margin Begins
By the time MLR pressure shows up in your numbers, the margin may already be locked into the quarter. The question is whether you’ll spot the signals
Better Business Bureau shares tips for identifying scams over the phone
As the techniques that scammers use to deceive victims are becoming more elaborate, the Better Business Bureau has tips for consumers to protect themselves.
Dolphins Inactive List Contains Surprise at Wide Receiver
The Miami Dolphins' inactive list contains wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, amid an already questionable wide receiver room.
Zay Flowers exits with hamstring injury
Zay Flowers was off to a big start, but a hamstring injury has him questionable to return
Seattle-area business leaders call on city to halt open-air drug markets, add services
In a letter addressed to the Mayor of Seattle, and the city council, dozens of business minds requested that the city take a hard look at public safety and drug
Ravens Zay Flowers Questionable to Return After Setting Career High
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is now questionable to return after having a career day.
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. leaves with calf injury
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. exited with a calf injury, and he is questionable to return
Jacob Parrish injures back in Week 1
Buccaneers CB Jacob Parrish injures back in Week 1 and questionable to return
Shoulder injury for Brian Thomas Jr.
Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. injures shoulder in Week 1 and questionable to return
Political debate over AI intensifies amid warnings about ‘catastrophic risk’
(CNN) — The debate around artificial intelligence is ramping up in Washington, with Democratic lawmakers sounding alarms on the dangers they say the technology poses and Republican leaders suggesting those concerns are inflated and secondary to winning the AI race with China.Some Democratic lawmakers last week pressured House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene the chamber immediately to work on AI regulation, citing what they describe as the “catastrophic risk posed by advanced artificial intelligence.” But the Louisiana Republican on Sunday resisted those calls, instead saying industry leaders should meet with lawmakers to find “balance” in any potential guardrails.“If Congress just races in and does some sort of emergency session to try to regulate AI, we will lose the race to China, and that is a threat to every single American,” Johnson said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama told Democrats to make artificial intelligence regulation a central part of their agenda during a private fundraiser Thursday, warning that the technology could be dangerous “if we don’t get on top of it.”In a fireside chat with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Obama said whoever runs in the 2028 presidential election should have a “very clear plan” on AI, adding that he saw the need for a “blueprint” on AI guardrails even at the end of his presidency a decade ago.“Certainly, if I were running for president next year, this would be one of my central agendas, and I would have a very clear plan, and I would talk about this, and I would say, ‘Here’s our plan for safety, here’s our plan for making sure our kids are not corrupted by this,’” he said, per excerpts of the remarks provided to CNN by his office. Obama’s remarks were first reported by the New York Times.Concerns over the rapid acceleration of AI reached a fever pitch after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wrote in a 3,800-word essay Saturday that the race to develop artificial intelligence is in dire need of a slowdown. The call to action came after an OpenAI test model breached the Hugging Face online platform, deepening concerns about cybersecurity.In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Saturday, Amodei called on industry leaders to work together to avoid “the wrong paths” and the possibility of AI harming humanity.One Anthropic researcher, Jacob Coxon, resigned from the firm over worries that the industry wasn’t doing enough to prevent AI from destroying humanity by the end of the decade.Obama said Democrats need a plan to get their agenda on AI underway should they win the House majority in this year’s midterms.Speaking to Jeffries, who is presumed to be speaker of the House should Democrats prevail in November, Obama said, “Once you are speaker, I would strongly urge that the Democrats put together a framework for a very public conversation, and you can break it out into three or four or five issues.”Obama stressed that the framework should be centered on the reality that the technology can’t be stuffed “back into a box.”“This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous. If we do get on top of it, I do think it’s beneficial,” Obama said, laying out examples of AI’s potential use in drug development and finding pathways to a clean energy future.“We don’t want to shut off those opportunities, but we have to understand that this is a tool,” he said.Jeffries agreed with the former president in a statement provided to CNN on Sunday.“President Obama is correct that decisive action must be taken on Artificial Intelligence,” he said, adding, “In the majority, we will move urgently on this issue with a legislative response that recognizes the importance of American companies continuing to lead in the Artificial Intelligence area, while putting in place meaningful guardrails that protect the American people from bad actors and the very real damage that can be done to humanity.”Jeffries also accused Republicans of having “abdicated their responsibility to govern” and said Democrats “will not repeat their error.”A source familiar with Obama’s thinking said the former president sees Amodei’s letter and similar reaction from other tech moguls as an encouraging development.But President Donald Trump waved off their concerns, saying he is not worried about any existential threat posed by AI, focusing instead on the US winning in its development of the technology over China.“We’re leading China in AI. We’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way,” Trump said to reporters at the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday.About the concerns expressed by Democrats and others over the technology, the president said, “I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up, and they’re bringing up things that won’t happen.”One of Trump’s top economic advisers, Kevin Hassett, also rejected the calls for slowing the technology down, saying on Sunday the bigger concern is a scenario in which a “malevolent actor has access to an AI that’s better than the one we have that can protect us.”Hassett, the National Economic Council director, said on “State of the Union” the White House may hold meetings this week about addressing Amodei’s concerns, but he did not specify whether Trump had floated greater safeguards.“I have concerns that if we don’t win AI, we’re going to be put in a very bad position,” Hassett said. “We are leading China right now.”CNN’s Alison Main and Molly English contributed to this report.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.THE-CNN-WIRE (TM) & © 2026 CABLE NEWS NETWORK, INC., A TIME WARNER COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Nighttime bathroom trips could reveal hidden health issues
Getting out of bed once during the night to use the bathroom is common, but repeated trips could signal underlying issues, health experts warn.
Nighttime bathroom trips could reveal hidden health issues
Getting out of bed once during the night to use the bathroom is common, but repeated trips could signal underlying issues, health experts warn.
CDC issues advisory on uptick in rabies exposures. See where N.Y. stands
According to data from the New York State Department of Health, around 150 animals across the state have tested positive for rabies this year.
New report examines links between climate, pollution and brain health
A report by the Neuro Climate Working Group reveals that extreme heat and air pollution significantly increase the risks of dementia and mental health issues.
French Scientists Create a New Form of Ice at Temperatures That Would Vaporize Steel
French researchers have created a new form of superionic ice at temperatures above 3,600°F, offering clues about Uranus and Neptune's magnetic fields.
Five-star Brighton crush 10-man Coventry
Brighton dealt 10-man Coventry a crushing 5-0 defeat to condemn them to a fourth straight Premier League loss on Sunday. The promoted Sky Blues have lost those games without scoring a goal and remain the only side in the league still to pick up a point.
She Pays $260 a Month for Plan G. The Same Insurer Sells a Cheaper Version of It, and Getting In Means Clearing Its Health Questions.
She called her insurer's sales line out of curiosity and heard a price for her exact plan that was materially lower than what showed up on her renewal. Getting from one number to the other means clearing health questions she never knew would matter this much.
Penn State Battles Past Temple: Post-Game Link Dump
Penn State had to deal with adversity after several missed opportunities lead to a slow start. The Nittany Lions defense continues to dominate with another tenacious performance. Matt Campbell discussed the time management situation at the end of the first half. The are concerns about Penn State’s rushing attack after the run game failed again […]
Fans raise a ruckus over the paywalling of World of Warcraft Forever’s Skyborne ‘cash elves’
As World of Warcraft Forever continues to dominate the conversation among fans after its BlizzCon reveal, another round of chatter is quickly gaining momentum: the matter of the Skyborne race, or as one fan put called them the "cash elves," which is locked behind a paywall and not included with the upcoming variant or game subscription. [...]
Niclas Füllkrug’s Werder Bremen revival continues apace
Werder Bremen head coach Daniel Thioune praised Niclas Füllkrug’s natural goalscoring instincts after the veteran striker rescued a point in Saturday evening’s 1-1 draw away at Cologne. Füllkrug...
Detroit Lions Have One Final Injury Decision Before Kickoff
Christian Izien is Detroit’s only questionable player for Week 1 as the Lions make one final injury decision before facing the Saints.
Trump, first lady to visit North Carolina
The first lady will be in Ashe County on Tuesday and the president will speak in Gastonia on Wednesday.
Trump, first lady to visit North Carolina
The first lady will be in Ashe County on Tuesday and the president will speak in Gastonia on Wednesday.
Chelsea secure huge victory at Manchester United
Chelsea made easy work of Manchester United as they recorded a 5-0 victory at the Progress with Unity Stadium this afternoon.Five different players got their names on the scoresheet as The Blues colle...
There’s a major flaw in the Protect College Sports Act, athlete advocates say
The bill is the latest attempt at federal regulation of college sports and aims to create a single standard on athlete eligibility, transfers, agent fees, compensation and other issues.
Is Nathan Church the Cardinals’ starting center fielder in 2027?
As Leo Bernal continues to impress and grab a 2027 starting gig, the St. Louis Cardinals are seeing Nathan Church attempt to do the same. While center field did not have the same depth as catcher, Church is looking to take hold of the spot and give the Cardinals some clarity at a position of […]
Marlins' Powerful Prospect Should Contribute in MLB in 2027
Outfielder Dillon Lewis has displayed prolific power in the minor leagues, but will need to make adjustments to emerge as a star for the Fish
An unprecedented El Niño sends scientists scrambling for answers
Scientists hope a fleet of Saildrones will help answer questions about how El Niño forms before the next major climate event.
Leeds v Newcastle: Key stats and talking points
Leeds United host Newcastle United with both teams yet to suffer defeat in this season's Premier League. Leeds' unbeaten start continues the streak of resilience that was evident in the second half of 2025-26, notably after head coach Daniel Farke's much-heralded switch to a back three last winter. The new signings have also bedded in well, in particular Tarik Muharemovic, who has had to fill the sizeable shoes of Pascal Struijk – the Bosnian has made 16 headed clearances so far, joint-top of the Premier League standings alongside Sunderland's Dan Ballard.
China’s FAST telescope maps neutral hydrogen, the cosmic gas for making stars
Survey identifies more than 156,000 extragalactic sources, offering an unprecedented pool for studying the universe’s biggest questions.
Sunday Football Open Thread
So you’re not into Tottenham Women or you don’t subscribe to Paramount+? That’s cool, I guess. There are two other Premier League matches you can watch instead, it’s a free country. This is the place for you to talk about Coventry vs. Brighton, or (more likely) the Manchester Derby. You can use this thread for […]
2026 Vanderbilt Football Mailbag #3: Call For Submissions
Post VANDERBILT Football and/or SEC Football questions in the comments here. In the predictions post before the game, I wrote: I really want to live in a world where we kick off the training wheels of our offense, commit to one QB, have that QB be Curtis E. Bear The Courtesy Bear, and absolutely blow […]
Resilience is not a health care plan: op-ed
The question is not how we can afford to expand Medicaid. Rather, it’s, “how can we not?”
'Encouraging but consistency needed'
Hibs fans, we asked for your views on Saturday's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final victory over Ross County. The Jekyll and Hyde performance of Hibs continues and it will be interesting to see if Thibault Klidje and Ante Suto are afforded more opportunities in next two games against Killie and Aberdeen which we should and must aim for six points in. Jury is still out on this team as consistency has been elusive so far.
An unprecedented El Niño sends scientists scrambling for answers
Scientists hope a fleet of Saildrones will help answer questions about how El Niño forms before the next major climate event.
Will California progressivism crush Newsom presidential hopes?
Gavin Newsom leaves office in a few months, allowing him to devote all of his time to a 2028 presidential run. The question is whether he can sell a progressive agenda outside the comfortable confines of California.
Redshirt freshman Cibastian Broughton impresses as Akron Zips QB
Redshirt freshman Cibastian Broughton impresses as the Akron Zips quarterback while Reese Poffenbarger deals with NCAA eligibility issues.
How Candidates Have Addressed Affordability in the Midterm Campaigns
Inflation and the cost of living have been the biggest drivers of campaigns this year, but the broad term “affordability” breaks down into specific issues, from housing to health care.
Robert Jenrick faces questions after Reform nets £72m in donations in just 24 hours
Reform UK’s economic spokesperson talks to Sky News and BBC after record donations
The formula behind the NFL franchise tag explained
Learn how NFL franchise tag values are determined, why they vary by position and how the formula impacts player contracts and free agency.
Breaking down the dire warnings about AI's risks to humanity — and what experts says should be done about it
A dire warning from an outgoing researcher at Anthropic that AI could "kill all humans" by the end of the decade led to public outcry over the dangers posed by the technology's rapid development. It's raised questions about why some experts believe AI poses such an extreme risk, and how it could lead to the demise of humanity.
Submit a question: What do British businesses need from the Budget?
Take part in a live Ask an Expert Q&A with John Gapper, the FT’s chief UK business columnist, on Thursday September 17 at 1pm BST
Sky Sports expert’s verdict on Newcastle United and a struggle to disagree with much of this
The Sky Sports column ‘Jones Knows’ has given some interesting analysis and commentary on what is currently the position at Newcastle United. The column makes predictions on what will happen at certain Premier League matches and also debates other matters/issues at clubs as well.
Opinion | Murder cases highlight racial disparity in postpartum care
"Unfortunately the federal government is unlikely to address these issues," writes Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, former state secretary of health and human services.
HTF WEEK 4 PLAY OF THE NIGHT
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Vote Now: https://www.tristatehomepage.com/home-team-friday/play-of-the-night/#/questions
How the HOPES Program Strengthens Culturally Responsive Mental‑Health Care
"I thought there was no way I could become a doctor. Now I know I can."As I looked around the room, I noticed heads nodding in agreement.That student's reflection wasn't an isolated experience. One by one, others shared similar stories describing how they had questioned whether they belonged in medi...
Connections: Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for Sept. 13, 2026, puzzle No. 720
Welcome to Connections: Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
Will Joey Porter be available for Steelers in Week1?
As the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons arrives, one big question remains: will Joey Porter Jr. play?
Hinge Health (HNGE) Stock Looks Overvalued On Earnings But Mixed On Broader Checks
Hinge Health stock has nearly doubled year to date, yet the latest valuation checks point to a company that screens as overvalued on market multiples and only delivers a mixed overall value score. For anyone tracking the recent rally, the question is whether the current price already bakes in most of the optimism around the business. Hinge Health is up 94.4% year to date, which puts recent buyers on notice that expectations embedded in the share price have moved a long way in a short...
Broncos Come Up Clean On Injury Report After Early Issues
The Denver Broncos came up clean on their final injury report after some minor problems at the start of training camp.
🤝 René Higuita sends heartfelt message to James Rodríguez
James Rodríguez’s arrival at Atlético Nacional continues to draw major reactions in Colombian football. This time, the club’s legendary former goalkeeper and idol, René Higuita, dedicated an em...
Massachusetts political parties stand by as their membership rolls evaporate
Why Massachusetts parties are allowing the slow-moving self-destruction to continue is anyone’s guess.
Ryan Garcia Controversies: Details of Boxer’s Polarizing Career Issues
Ryan Garcia has rebounded from a turbulent stretch involving a PED suspension, legal trouble and WBC expulsion to become a world champion. The post Ryan Garcia Controversies: Details of Boxer’s Polarizing Career Issues appeared first on HEAVY.
Candidates answer Flock, data center, business questions at NAACP forum
Four local candidates took part in the Henderson NAACP’s “Can We Talk?” forum, answering questions that included topics of data
Getting granular about the rules of the Wild Card Challenge
Help us refine the rules of the 2026 Wild Card challenge by sharing your questions about the rules of the game here!
Bears Make QB Signing Amid Doubts About Tyson Bagent’s Status
The Chicago Bears have made another quarterback signing ahead of Week 1's season opener with backup Tyson Bagent's status in question. The post Bears Make QB Signing Amid Doubts About Tyson Bagent’s Status appeared first on HEAVY.
Should The Miami Heat Pursue Darius Garland?
Following the blockbuster addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami could target Darius Garland to fix backcourt depth issues and solidify a championship-caliber big three.
Scientists gathering in Newport say gray whales won’t go extinct, but declining numbers are a warning
As many questions as answers floated around the Hatfield Marine Science Center this week as researchers drawn from thousands of miles pondered the perilous fate of the Pacific gray whale.
Bouaddi: I'm already learning from the best at City!
Ayyoub Bouaddi says he is only going to further learn and develop from playing and training alongside his new Manchester City colleagues. Men's Team Anderson explains his early love of City The Morocc...
Mbappe at the double as Real Madrid sink Rayo
Kylian Mbappe struck twice to help Real Madrid smash Rayo Vallecano 4-1 on Saturday to pull level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.On Tuesday Real Madrid travel to face Elche, while Rayo Vallecano host Espanyol.
Radar, lanes, and tickets: Inside Albuquerque’s speed camera science
Albuquerque has 40 speed cameras, and the company behind them says radar and three cameras can pinpoint a speeding car even on multi-lane roads.
Tottenham 0-0 Everton: Spurs’ Goalscoring Misery Continues
Tottenham Hotspur are still searching for their first Premier League win and goal of the season after Roberto De Zerbi’s team played out a frustrating 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday afternoon.
Physicists Just Turned The Entire Planet Into a Dark Matter Detector – And Strange Signals Kept Turning Up
Just axion questions.
SB Nation Reacts Results: Play-in for the playoffs
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. There are currently 14 games left in the season, and once again, the D-backs will […]
Jeremiyah Love questionable, what would you do?
What would you do about Jeremiyah Love for game one?
Diego Moreira brace rescues draw for AC Milan at Lazio
Diego Moreira scored twice in three minutes as AC Milan came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Lazio, who dropped points in Serie A for the first time this season. The hosts were well on top in the first half and led through goals from Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin.
"I Feel" – Diogo Dalot Reveals Man Utd Leadership Responsibilities
The Portuguese defender details his evolving role as a dressing room leader, shielding younger teammates from the intense media scrutiny while navigating the club's turbulent transition period.
Füllkrug rescues point as Köln and Bremen share spoils
As Köln looked to claim their second home win of the season and bounce back from the 4-1 defeat against Stuttgart, it was the hosts who made the brighter start against Werder Bremen.After just eight ...
ASU suffers many 1st-half miscues at Texas A&M
Two special teams miscues teed up 10 points for the Aggies, which led 17-10 at the half after ASU's defense forced three three-and-outs.
Bears were imported to medieval England for a brutal form of entertainment
Records, bear bones, and artwork show bear-baiting became more widespread in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Tim Scott frames political divide around American values
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., reacts to 'Morning Joe' hosts mocking his RNC speech. Scott also addresses comments from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on faith and progressive politics.
Chelsea 2-2 Hull City: What Alonso said
Chelsea have conceded 2+ goals in each of their first four matches to start a Premier League season for the first time since 2015-16 (first five games). The Blues' first two Premier League home games in 2026-27 have seen 11 goals (six for, five against), the most in Chelsea's opening two home league matches since 1997-98 (also 11), while they've only once before shipped five goals across their opening two home league games without losing, in 1932-33 (D2 GF6 GA6).
Nighttime bathroom trips could reveal hidden health issues
Nocturia affects half of adults over 50, but experts say frequent nighttime urination could signal sleep apnea, diabetes or an enlarged prostate.
Orange County School Board candidate Diana Moore faced parent and colleague complaints, suspensions as teacher
Her co-workers call her confrontational and combative. Moore says she's just asking questions.
Buena Vista Chamber's Business After Hours Returns on Tuesday, September 15 - by Carly Winchell
The Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce announced that it is bringing back its Business After Hours event from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September
Trump asks Smithsonian to install George Washington statues and exhibit
Trump asked for an exhibit beginning now and continuing through Feb. 22, 2032, the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. For Constitution Day on Sept. 17, Trump asked the institution to install the 11-foot statue of Washington featured at the recent Freedom 250 IndyCar race in the museum's Flag Hall.
A single healthy swap lowers your risk of dying from heart-related issues by 39%: study
Texas A&M Injury Update: Who’s Available vs. Arizona State?
Texas A&M enters its Arizona State showdown relatively healthy, but Daymion Sanford’s status remains the biggest question before kickoff at Kyle Field.
LIVE Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado Results & Highlights
On Saturday the action continues in the West Coast as the leading MMA promotion presents another edition of UFC Fight […]
Qualcomm Lost Apple’s Modem Business. Amazon Just Offered a $60 Billion Escape Route.
Qualcomm is watching Apple walk out the door with its modem business, but a surprise Amazon partnership promises a $60 billion lifeline built on unproven silicon in a market already owned by rivals. Whether that door holds the weight is the real question.
Republican Midterm Convention Was a Delusional Party for Trump
The Republican Party's midterm convention was a delusion celebration of Donald Trump that dismissed many of the issues impacting Americans.
Coventry v Brighton: Key stats and talking points
Coventry City will again attempt to get off the mark for both points and goals as they face a Brighton side who have created more big chances than any other top-flight team so far this season. BBC Sport takes a look at the key themes going into Sunday's fixture. Having lost their first three league games of a season without scoring for the first time in their history, the Sky Blues now host the Seagulls desperate to get the ball in the back of the net and their campaign up and running.
Colin Cowherd Buys Stake in EPL’s Ipswich
Other Ipswich investors include Marques Colston and Ed Sheeran.
How to use AI for health questions, according to a doctor
This internist and AI researcher gives recommendations for how to best use chatbots if you have health questions.
David Pollack predicts winner of Oklahoma-Michigan
David Pollack predicts Oklahoma will beat Michigan 24-17 after questioning the Wolverines' Week 1 performance.
Blizzard Announces World Of Warcraft: Forever, Expanding Vanilla WoW With New Zones, Raids, 1,000 New Quests Set
The long-rumored Classic+ mode also introduces a new playable race. - Game Informer
Researchers find a Wordle strategy that wins 99% of the time
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a mathematical strategy that can solve Wordle with a 99% success rate. Instead of simply guessing words packed with common letters or choosing the most likely answer, the method uses Shannon entropy, a measure from information theory, to identify guesses that reveal the most useful information. Each guess is designed to rapidly shrink the pool of possible answers, even when the guessed word itself seems unlikely to be correct.
Dodgers Post Argues Shohei Ohtani’s Season-Ending Injury, ‘He’s Done’
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar is “done for the season,” argued one prominent voice around the team.
Germany’s Political Tailspin: Your Weekly SPIEGEL Recap
It might be tempting to dismiss the results of last Sunday’s state election in Saxony-Anhalt, in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raked in 43.8 percent of the vote, as a rather unimportant extremist blip in a state that hardly anyone can find on the map. And you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong to do so. The state’s population – around 2.1 million – is a mere 2.5 percent of the German total. And while the state capital of Magdeburg was once the political heart of the Holy Roman Empire back when Otto the Great used to hang out there (more than a millenium … no … milennium … nope … millennium ago), it is today something of a backwater, albeit one with a ginormous cathedral in its center. We wanted to briefly interrupt this week’s newsletter to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our subscribers, both new and old. And to remind you all that a free subscription gets you access to this newsletter every Saturday. A paid subscription, by contrast, gets you one DER SPIEGEL article every weekday, delivered to your inbox. We strive to select pieces that both demonstrate what Europe’s leading newsmagazine has to offer and provide an international audience – namely, you – with an insight into how Germany and Europe view the world. If you haven’t already signed up for a paid subscription, please consider doing so if you can. Our Substack channel relies entirely on reader support and we are excited to continue offering you the best of DER SPIEGEL. Subscribe But even beyond the fact that a huge percentage of the voters in the state decided to place an X next to a party with an ideological lineage that runs rather directly back to the right-wing extremist soup out of which the Nazi Party was born, the results are a perfect example of a phenomenon that has been plaguing German elections in recent years: the lack of an obvious path to a majority. Call it the Balkanization of German politics. There are a number of developments driving the phenomenon, but for the purposes of this newsletter, here are two of the most salient: Persistent voter frustration with the country’s two (former) big-tent parties – the Christian Democrats (CDU) on the center-right (17.2 percent in Saxony-Anhalt last Sunday) and the Social Democrats (SPD) on the center-left (9.3 percent). The presence of parties on the far left (Left Party), the populist left (the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – BSW) and the far right (AfD) with which mainstream parties are reluctant to form coalitions. So what happens now? Stories of the Week A Lack of Leadership The answer for many people in the country, and particularly within the CDU, is clear: pin (some of) the blame on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a survey taken directly after the election in Saxony-Anhalt, 88 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that if the federal government in Berlin were doing a better job, the AfD wouldn’t be as strong. And it is true that the predominant impression of the federal government ever since Merz was sworn in on May 6, 2025, is one of ineffectiveness and bickering. His rather unique combination of bumbling-plus-bravado has also not exactly endeared him to the German public. Indeed, his standing in the country is so shaky that his popularity – according to recent polls – has now dropped even below the historic lows associated with his predecessor Olaf Scholz. The situation is such that the CDU even opted to keep him largely out of the campaign ahead of the Saxony-Anhalt vote. And since then, dissatisfied rumblings within the CDU have grown louder. DER SPIEGEL’s Swantje Karich notes that the problems with the CDU go much deeper than Merz. “The center-right has a trust problem. At a press appearance following the devastating election result in Saxony-Anhalt, Friedrich Merz said that the party wanted to ‘reach people more effectively’ through ‘emotional engagement.’ It sounded as though he were announcing a political program. On the basis of that statement, it is difficult to take his empathy seriously.” “The Chancellor’s chastened appearance did, at least, reveal where he stands: with his back to the wall. Elections will be held in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next week, and the CDU could fare even worse there. The party is polling at between 8 and 10 percent in the state.” “What is at stake is the political tradition that has lent stability to the Federal Republic since 1945: a democratic conservatism that understands what must be preserved, but also how to embrace progress and openness to the world. If the Union continues along its current path, it risks becoming politically irrelevant after the 2029 federal election – and Germany could soon find itself with a government of the far right.” The Trumpification of Political Debate? It is often said in Germany that to understand the political and social trends that will soon be dominant in Europe, one need only look across the Atlantic to the United States. When it comes to political debate, that has certainly proven true. Donald Trump understood early on that triggering mouth-foaming outrage among Democrats is an ideal way to both generate headlines and to secure loyalty among supporters. And he realized that far more quickly than the left side of the political spectrum understood that simply ignoring the old man might be the best recipe. To be sure, there have been signs recently that the US president may be over-relying on the strategy. Earlier this week, in an apparent grandpa-discovers-AI moment, Trump sent out 60 posts in the space of 10 hours, many of them AI-assisted images portraying him as a hero – or showing Iceland as part of the US (outrageous!!!). It was also during that slew of schlock that he explicitly backed the AfD with an “MGGA” post. In Germany, though, the outrage cycle remains in full swing, with much of the focus on those who would dare to vote for the AfD. They are alternately portrayed as being dim-witted, ungrateful, backward, racist or all of the above. That, argues DER SPIEGEL columnist Sabine Rennefanz, is not particularly helpful. “Everywhere on election night, people spoke of a watershed moment, a rupture, a turning point. But what is that supposed to mean in concrete terms? A watershed would imply an interruption, a moment of pause – perhaps even a willingness to rethink and learn. At first, there was little sign of that in the main television panels. Instead, the familiar rituals that had already shaped the election campaign continued: outrage, lecturing and abuse.” “That’s just the tone, one might object. They’re only talk shows. Given that the party’s state branch has been classified by domestic intelligence officials as confirmed right-wing extremist, there are more important problems than hurt feelings on television. Yet although the condescending tone is not the cause of the AfD’s success, it is an expression of the broader mood within the so-called political center – a kind of institutional blindness that too often treats material concerns as a communications problem.” “People have a pretty good sense of whether you like them – whether you approach them with curiosity or merely study, lecture and manage them as a problem group. They notice whether you genuinely want to understand their fears and pain, or whether you are simply waiting for the chance to correct them. They can also tell whether someone still has the energy to change things, or whether they have barricaded themselves behind platitudes and empty phrases.” “Anyone who wants an egalitarian democratic society cannot promise equality only to those whose language, tastes and moral convictions they share. They must also acknowledge the wounds, resentments and fears of those whose political conclusions they consider wrong. Acknowledging them does not mean agreeing with them. But a democracy that communicates with almost half its citizens only through warnings and labels gives up on political debate before it has even begun. An atmosphere must be created in which people can express their opinions without fearing that they will be canceled. We are currently a long way from that.” East-West? One of the clear undercurrents in the election last Sunday was, of course, Germany’s ongoing east-west divide, particularly as it pertains to the success of the AfD. Historically, the party has been far stronger in the former East German states than in former West German states. The fact that this generalization no longer reliably holds is certainly one of the primary concerns that many have about the party’s growth. And yet, there is still a distinct flavor of “stupid easterners, they don’t understand democracy” to the coverage. In the weeks before the vote, there was even a rather interesting back-and-forth in Germany’s culture pages about how ungrateful eastern Germans allegedly are for being pulled out of their pre-reunification backwardness and into the light of the West. DER SPIEGEL’s Jochen-Martin Gutsch has had enough. “Ten years ago, in 2016, elections were also held in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won more than 20 percent, which at the time rightly provoked outrage and incomprehension in western Germany. Today, in 2026, the AfD is also polling at around 20 percent in western German states, but this no longer provokes outrage and incomprehension. Instead, it is now regarded as proof of democratic conviction and civilizational resistance. After all, in the east, it’s 40 percent!” “This allows people to continue feeling morally superior to the East, but the wiser course would be to admit: if something doesn’t happen soon, the West will turn AfD-blue too. Or bluish.” “But will anything happen? The truly depressing thing about election night was not so much the AfD leaders intoxicated by their own success. It was the representatives of the other parties, who once again said that they were utterly shocked, needed some time to digest the result and would, of course, not simply return to business as usual. The SPD, a former big-tent party, celebrated its ‘stable’ result of 9.3 percent. Congratulations!” “For 10 years, the AfD has gone from one electoral success to the next. And still, the established parties remain ‘shocked’ and scratch their heads in astonishment. How long can they keep being shocked? Friedrich Merz says he may need to communicate his reform ideas in a more ‘emotional’ way. So the CDU’s political professionals sit down together after the election, mull over a strategy, and in the end come up with this: Fritz, try to be a little more relaxed, charismatic and emotional – or something. Beyond that: no political plan, no defiance, no promise of a future. That is frightening.” What was good, what was bad for democracy? Good: Voter turnout in Saxony-Anhalt was 77.8 percent, the highest ever recorded in the state. Whatever one thinks of the result, that figure is encouraging. Democracy needs citizens to take an interest. Bad: Although a strong AfD result had been expected in Saxony-Anhalt, many politicians from the mainstream parties – including in Berlin – appeared confused, helpless and overwhelmed in their initial reactions. That is not how they will win back voters’ trust. Last Week’s Highlights: 🗳️ Meet the Germans Who Voted for the AfD: Why would voters in a country like Germany, with its Nazi past, vote for a right-wing party? It’s a question only an editor in Berlin could come up with. On the ground, the view is different. 🟦 How the AfD Wants to Expand Its Power Across Germany: The far-right AfD is planning to decimate public broadcasting in Saxony-Anhalt, revamp education and install extremists in positions of power. And it is eyeing victory on the national stage as well. 🕯️ The Continuing Reverberations of September 11: It was a generational shock, and the consequences can still be felt today - from massive surveillance and significant increases in presidential power to violent excesses at ICE. 🤝 “For Europe, Canada Is the Preferred Partner in Trans-Atlantic Relations”: In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne discusses his country’s failed trade deal with the US and why Canada is looking to Europe. 🏛️ The True Historical Roots of the AfD: During the Weimar Republic in the 1920s, there were numerous parties on the extreme right espousing “Germany first” nationalism. The Nazis may not be the best comparison for today’s AfD. 🌊 AfD in a Landslide: Merz Is the Wrong Leader for Germany: The right-wing Alternative for Germany won in a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt state elections on Sunday. What does that mean for the country at large? Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful week! Subscribe Share Leave a comment Your SPIEGEL Substack Team Compiled and edited by Charles Hawley
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