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New Penguins owners hire Astros’ Braithwaite as President of Business Operations
Braithwaite, who will report directly to Penguins Governor & Chair Geoff Hoffmann, said his remit from the Hoffmann Family of Companies includes making improvements to PPG Paints Arena and building relationships to facilitate the development.
Trump suggests AI doesn’t need any more guardrails, only a ‘STRONG AND SMART’ president
President Donald Trump on Monday all but rejected calls from AI industry leaders for more government regulation on their cutting-edge models, making clear he considers outpacing China a higher priority than addressing growing public concerns.
Major CT marketing agency launches healthcare specialty, taps leader from local firm
The agency says CK Health is designed to help healthcare organizations navigate a rapidly changing landscape and build stronger brands.
Trump Rejects Talk of A.I. Regulation and Calls Out Anthropic’s CEO
The president again rejected calls to try to regulate the industry, even as some of its leaders are speaking more openly about the risks of rapidly developing artificial intelligence.
Preferred Behavioral Health Group Names Stacey Shultz as Chief Financial Officer
Experienced nonprofit finance executive brings decades of financial leadership to growing behavioral health organization LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG), a leading provider of behavioral health services throughout New Jersey, today announced the appointment of Stacey G. Shultz, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer. Shultz brings decades of financial management and leadership experience to PBHG, with[...]
Trump downplays need for AI guardrails as industry leaders call for regulation
President Trump is downplaying the need for new guardrails on AI, pushing back against some of the technology’s most prominent leaders who are calling for greater government oversight.
Marquette Business to host free AI training session for business leaders
The event will feature executives and AI experts sharing best practices and success stories. Professionals, alumni, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.
Record donation to NJ hospital — $125M — honors this Jersey Shore leader
An anonymous donor ensured the late John Lloyd, visionary leader of Jersey Shore University Medical Center, was honored with a record $125M donation.
X and Samba Partner to Quantify the Real-World Impact of Entertainment Advertising
Samba Analytics provides insights on X campaigns that drive media consumption on streaming platforms, linear TV and at movie theatersSAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Samba, the global leader in media intelligence, today announced a strategic partnership with X that will provide entertainment marketers with independent, third-party measurement for how advertising campaigns on the X platform influence real-world consumer behavior. Initial results illustrate X's impact in driving t
Philadelphia faces calls for a data center moratorium amid spreading AI fear and talk of a slowdown
The activation in Philadelphia comes as leaders of the nation’s largest AI developers have signaled support for a global slowdown.
Russia continues to divide Italian politics: Why defending Ukraine matters
M5S leader Giuseppe Conte’s call to stop sending weapons to Ukraine has reopened the clash with Elly Schlein’s Democratic Party over an issue that has long cut across Italian politics. Giorgia Meloni, meanwhile, is maintaining a tough line on Moscow despite resistance within the governing coalition and pressure from the far right. With less than [...]
Provost announces leadership appointments, promotions
Eric Barker has been named senior vice president for health affairs and Preeti Sivasankar as interim dean of the College of Pharmacy, two appointments taking effect Oct. 1. Cherise Hall is now senior vice provost for enrollment and student strategy, a promotion that took effect July 1.
UC Irvine selected as new home of UC Global Health Institute
Move reinforces leadership of Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health
'City seemed to enjoy the challenge'
Sunday's result was a statement win for Manchester City's new manager Enzo Maresca, who got his tactics spot on, but his team's performance will have showed him exactly what they are about. City are used to always having most of the ball but they were fine without it against Manchester United. That is down to leadership and communication - not just from the manager, but from the players on the field. Maresca deserves plenty of credit for his decisions too, but he must be thinking he is a lucky man for having the group of players he does, because their intelligence and resilience was key.
Business Leader Briefing with Senator Fischer: What Small Businesses Should Know About the Expanded Paid Leave Tax Credit – September 24 - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
11:00 AM ET September 24, 2026 Providing competitive benefits like paid family and medical leave can be challenging for small businesses, but a recently expanded federal tax credit could help make it more affordable. Join Public Private Strategies on September 24 at 11:00 AM ET for a virtual business leader briefing on the newly permanent […]
Kennedy Center reportedly on brink of bankruptcy and could close as early as Tuesday
Center’s Trump-installed leaders claim putting president’s name on its facade may be only way to avoid ‘fiscal collapse’
Michael Burry says AI leaders' calls for slowdown are 'self-serving'
Michael Burry of "The Big Short" fame said AI companies were helping themselves by calling for slower progress to head off any threats to humanity.
Westminster’s time is ‘coming to an end’, say first ministers of UK’s Celtic nations
Leaders in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland discuss independence and call for ‘constitutional change’ at summit
Canfield Interiors marks 50 years with enhanced services, leadership transition
Happy half a century to Canfield Interiors! They're marking the milestone with not just a celebration but a successful succession.
Furlani hires new CEO
Arist Mastorides brings over 30 years of CPG leadership experience.
ZS named a Leader in 2026 IDC MarketScape for Life Science R&D RWD and RWE
/PRNewswire/ -- ZS, a global management consulting and technology firm, has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Life Science R&D...
Is the UK about to break up for good?
Nationalist leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland sign declaration calling on Westminster to ‘prepare, plan and facilitate constitutional change’
Business Aviation Legend Roger Whyte to Receive NBAA's Doswell Award
NBAA will honor business aviation leader, former industry executive and steadfast industry advocate Roger Whyte with the association's prestigious John P. "Jack" Doswell Award at the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, coming to Las Vegas, Oct. 20-22.
Titans, Browns have work to do even as business looks up
The NFL's first full day of action provided the usual excitement, especially in a high-scoring duel in Charlotte.
Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power
An increasing number of Democratic leaders have begun to push back against their party’s unflinching support for the transgender community this midterm season.
Why global supply chains matter to Sarasota County growth
As Sarasota County grows, local leaders must understand how global trade and supply chains impact local business.
NLR Names Bill Tumas Deputy Laboratory Director of Science & Technology
Tumas will provide strategic leadership for NLR’s research and development portfolio and strengthen capabilities.
Kyndryl completes acquisition of Healthcare IT Leaders, LLC
/PRNewswire/ -- Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today announced it has completed its acquisition of...
Big 12 football rushing yardage leaders after Week 2
TCU's Jeremy Payne leads the Big 12 in rushing yards after Week 2, while Colorado's Micah Welch climbed into the top 10 with a 100-yard game.
Waupun business leaders united to earn WEDC Main Street status
Waupun has joined Wisconsin’s Main Street program, giving downtown leaders access to new revitalization resources.
Artisight Acquires TMG Global to Accelerate Smart Hospital Deployments Across U.S. Health Systems
CHICAGO, September 14, 2026--Artisight, the leader in Smart Hospital technology, acquired TMG Global, a technology services firm with deep expertise in healthcare infrastructure, site readiness, and large-scale technology deployments. The acquisition strengthens Artisight’s ability to integrate smart hospital technology across complex clinical environments in leading U.S. hospitals.
AI apocalypse warnings: Market parallels that offer hope for humanity
As AI leaders warn of catastrophe, public pressure is spurring safety commitments and offering a lesson from post-2008 markets.
CPRIT leaders visit Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center hosted leadership from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas this month on its campus in Lubbock.
EVR Advertising enters new chapter as leadership duo acquire agency
Marking 35 years of creative excellence and strategic communication, EVR Advertising is turning the page on its next chapter. The award-winning agency has been acquired from former CEO, president and
European science calls for ambitious investment in research: "Current decisions determine Europe's future. We are falling behind China and the USA"
"To remain global leaders, a competitive economic power, and a sovereign actor, Europe needs strong science and innovation." Seven scientific organizations, representing...
Why Big Bend businesses should partner with 4-H clubs
Beyond farming 4-H is a vital network for youth leadership and workforce development in the Big Bend region.
Health department seeks opioid settlement money for resource mapping
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has requested up to $500,000 in opioid settlement funds for a health care mapping project.
The GOP’s $50 billion rural health fund is coming up short, hospital leaders say
Hospital leaders were excited about the Rural Health Transformation Fund until they saw the fine print.
Today’s Papers – Juventus madness, Spalletti do something
La Gazzetta dello SportJuventus madnessSassuolo win 3-2 in the 94th minute with Adzic. Spalletti: ‘We lost the point.’Tough at the topIt’s time for the leaders: Inter and Roma against Udinese an...
Focus on agentic commerce as customer data science firm dunnhumby wraps Retail Innovation Forum USA
dunnhumby held its annual Retail Innovation Forum in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA last week, bringing together retailers, brands, technology leaders, scale-ups, startups and investors. In a LinkedIn post, Dave Clements, Chief Strategy Officer at dunnhumby, said: "In many ways an eclectic group to
PNC Business Credit Expands Western Region Leadership
Matt Grimes joined PNC Business Credit as head of originations for the Pacific Southwest region. Based in Los Angeles, he leads sponsor and advisor coverage
Healthcare Procurement: Challenges and Strategies
A new survey of 102 healthcare supply chain and executive leaders explores procurement challenges, emerging strategies and ways to improve efficiency without disrupting care.
Washington leaders are far from being on the same page over AI
Although AI CEO’s Sam Altman and Elon Musk among others agreed with Dario Amodei’s proposal to work together to slow down development of the technology, CNN’s Jake Tapper notes that political leaders seem to be far from being in any sort of agreement. This video has been updated with the city in Ireland where President Trump made his remarks on Sunday.
Dramatic final at the Heritage Classic, Bunch clinched the title
Emma Bunch entered the day with a two-stroke lead, lost the advantage on the front nine and then with three holes to play, Bunch was deadlocked atop the leaderboard with Tiffany Le.
A business leader’s guide to rising political risk in the US
Deborah McNamara is executive director at ClimateVoice The Trump administration is a threat to free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties and rights, and an independent press — and authoritarianism is bad for business
A business leader’s guide to rising political risk in the US
Deborah McNamara is executive director at ClimateVoice The Trump administration is a threat to free and fair elections, the rule of law, civil liberties and rights, and an independent press — and authoritarianism is bad for business
Detroit Tigers Long for Someone Like Todd Jones Again
As Detroit’s bullpen struggles to close the door in 2026, we revisit the dominant, mustachioed reign of franchise saves leader Todd Jones and his unmatched ninth-inning reliability.
Seattle business leaders show how to stand up for their city
Seattle business leaders are offering an inspiring lesson in how to stand up for average citizens — who after all are their employees, customers and neighbors — against a political class...
Jayden Savoury Second in the Big Ten in Receiving Yards
Sophomore sensation Jayden Savoury has emerged as a dynamic weapon for Michigan State, leveraging explosive cross-field plays to climb the conference leaderboards and ignite the Spartans' passing attack.
Lakeland Community Hospital receives new investments to support rural health care access
Leaders gathered Thursday to recognize new investments aimed at strengthening Lakeland Community Hospital, the only hospital in Winston County.
Obama says Democrats should have a ‘very clear plan’ on AI policy
Researchers at AI companies have been warning about safety risks and industry leaders have called for a slowdown in development.
UK PM Burnham to meet business leaders to discuss growth
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will meet the bosses of several major companies on Monday to discuss his plans to generate economic growth, his office said.
What smart people say about calls from AI leaders to slow it all down
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for a slowdown of frontier AI, winning support from Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Demis Hassabis — but not everyone.
California cheerleader diagnosed with narcolepsy after symptoms brushed off as 'teen laziness'
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
Utah business leader shares firsthand 9/11 account 25 years later
Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a Utah business leader is sharing a story he has kept private for a quarter century.
Le Pen homecoming centres on housing ahead of 2027 race
The National Rally leader relaunches her campaign by focusing on domestic economic concerns
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.
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
Political debate over AI intensifies amid warnings about ‘catastrophic risk’
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.
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
CBS News leaders sell staff on return of '60 Minutes' under Bari Weiss
CBS News is getting employees excited about the first full season of "60 Minutes" under Bari Weiss, months after a string of high-profile exits.
Dodgers on Deck: Monday, September 14 at Reds
The Dodgers road trip moves on to Cincinnati, where the Dodgers will face a reeling Reds team they just swept last week in Los Angeles. Since the Reds were swept, they lost their first two road games against another division leader, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers 20-0 on Friday and 13-9 on Saturday. Tarik Skubal […]
Top Lawmakers Agree A.I.’s Risks Are Rising but Say They Have No Quick Fix
House Speaker Mike Johnson warned on Sunday of competitive risks from China, and Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader, said Congress should start regulatory talks this week.
Trump dismisses AI leaders’ calls to slow down, citing Chinese competition
Democrats are increasingly attacking the administration’s hands-off approach to artificial-intelligence regulation as midterms approach.
Donor search: Watertown business leader searching for kidney donor
WATERTOWN – Dave Yelk is a familiar presence around the city. He’s a real estate agent for Realty Executives Platinum, with an office wall filled with dozens of glowing letters
‘Beloved’ Pa. amusement park named Park of the Year
"They’ve been a leader, an innovator, and their accomplishments have made them an inspiration to the industry-at-large.”
California Politics 360 full episode | CA leaders respond to new AI concerns
California leaders are responding after a viral post warned artificial intelligence could end humanity within the next decade.
Futures Loom, Fed Ahead; AI Leaders Urge Slowdown
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei wants to "slow the pace" of improving advanced AI models. Sam Altman and Elon Musk agree.
Business Owners Undervalue Creative Thinking As A Leadership Skill
Employers say 40% of job skills change within five years, and creative thinking is one they can least afford to lose. It is a leadership muscle, not artistic talent.
Russell dismisses wall scare as cause of Madrid qualifying slump
George Russell explained the difficult qualifying session that left him only sixth on the grid for the Madrid Grand Prix, while Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli will start from the front row alongside Lando Norris. The British driver endured a difficult qualifying session, once again losing out to the championship leader in the intra-team battle.
Championship leader endures Madrid nightmare race as rivals pounce
Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic took advantage of a well-timed Safety Car to make his pit stop and rejoin at the front, using track position to secure victory in the Formula 2 Feature Race in Madrid. It was a race to forget for championship leader Nikola Tsolov, who finished well outside the points.
Deepfakes are the latest weapon in Texas’ Senate race
Generating unflattering or even false images of the nation’s leaders is as old as the republic itself. Today, technology can make those spoofs far more convincing.
Why Democrats will turn out even if they dislike their party’s leaders
At a rest stop off Interstate 95, Democratic voters said they are starting to set aside their frustrations to coalesce around the party's midterm candidates.
OPS educators bring statewide science leadership training back to classrooms
Four Owensboro Public Schools teachers and Lindsey Alvey, the district math and science coordinator, were selected as part of the second cohort of the Kentucky Department of Education’s RISE Leadership Academy, a program focused on developing teacher leaders and improving science instruction across the state.
Manchester United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news
Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first Manchester derby of the season, with Enzo Maresca’s league leaders looking to maintain a perfect start to the campaign a...
Ohio Valley Health Center hosts sixth annual kickball fundraiser in Steubenville
A kickball tournament at Bellevue Park in Steubenville brought teams and community leaders together Saturday morning to raise money for patient care at the Ohio
Messi scores but Miami held by Nashville
Lionel Messi extended his incredible scoring streak against MLS-leaders Nashville on Saturday as Inter Miami battled to a 2-2 draw in their top-of-the-table Eastern Conference clash. And Messi could have even improved his goals record against in Saturday's game between the first and second-placed sides in the Eastern Conference.
Amodei, Altman call for slowing AI model development
Leaders of the world’s biggest artificial intelligence platforms said it’s time to slow the development pace of their most advanced — and most lucrative — models, citing escalating risks of
Several HBCU alumni start 2026 season as NFL Cheerleaders
As the 2026 NFL season kicks off, several HBCU graduates are taking the field in a different capacity, representing their alma maters as cheerleaders for teams across the league. From the sidelines of Atlanta to Baltimore to Washington, these women bring the pride and polish of their HBCU experience into one of the most visible roles in […] The post Several HBCU alumni start 2026 season as NFL Cheerleaders appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Amodei, Altman, Musk call for slowing AI model development
Leaders of the world’s biggest artificial intelligence platforms said it’s time to slow the development pace of their most advanced — and most lucrative — models, citing escalating risks of the technology.
Amodei, Altman, Musk call for slowing AI model development
Leaders of the world’s biggest artificial intelligence platforms said it’s time to slow the development pace of their most advanced — and most lucrative — models, citing escalating risks of
Amodei, Altman, Musk call for slowing development of AI models
Leaders of the world’s biggest artificial intelligence platforms said it’s time to slow the development pace of their most advanced — and most lucrative — models, citing escalating risks of
Irish leaders react after Trump says he'd 'love' to see a unified Ireland
President Donald Trump sparked the ire of some Irish leaders shortly after his arrival in Dublin Saturday when he expressed an interest in seeing a unified Ireland.
"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.
The Benefits And Risks Every Business Leader Needs To Understand About AI
Businesses that consciously embrace AI, seizing its revolutionary advantages while skillfully and strategically handling its risks
The Benefits And Risks Every Business Leader Needs To Understand About AI
Businesses that consciously embrace AI, seizing its revolutionary advantages while skillfully and strategically handling its risks
Health Department releases food inspection reports for week of Aug. 30
Scores for the recent Health Department food inspection ranged from 78-100.
Dortmund and Freiburg keep up 100% records in the Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund made it three wins from three in the Bundesliga this season thanks to Fabio Silva's early goal and Felix Nmecha's double in a 3-0 victory at home to promoted Paderborn on Saturday. Freiburg, leaders on goal difference, hammered ten-man bottom side Borussia Mönchengladbach 5-0 in the Black Forest to seal a club record sixth victory out of six games across all competitions this term.
Republican Groups Rush to Paxton’s Aid in Texas After Staying on Sidelines
An organization allied with Senate G.O.P. leaders has booked more than $51 million in ads. Now, Ken Paxton has a financial edge after months of being outspent by his Democratic rival.
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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