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Chelsea and Arsenal are watching Brazilian teenager
Arsenal are no strangers to unearthing talent in the Brazilian league, and the Gunners have identified another young player who could shine in European football in the coming years.They have scouts mo...
NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS: September 16, 2026
Siddhi Ventures Inc., based in Ankeny, paid Maples Apartments LLC $1.5 million for property at 1011 SE Third St. in Ankeny, Polk County real estate records show. The property includes an 18-unit multifamily structure built in 1980. The transaction was recorded Sept. 8. Steven and Courtney Lowry paid Timothy and Ambe Bogardus just over $1…
Property owners withdraw 601-acre annexation petition for Amazon's $5B data center
Property owners withdraw Amazon data center annexation petition ahead of Trenton's November referendum on banning such facilities.
Alabama Department of Public Health improperly reimbursed $28M in federal vaccine program, audit finds
$27.94 million of the ADPH’s reimbursements over a five-year period had inadequate documentation or were unrelated to contract purposes.
Study: Why Colder Temps Can Be Better for Removing Ice
By Kim Horner | Mechanical engineering research associate Yao Ren exposes an ice-covered metal surface to dry ice to cool it further. Researchers found that a material’s thermal properties play a critical role in determining whether ice remains attached to a surface — a discovery that may lead to the design of future deicing systems for […]
i-payout Expands U.S. Money Transmitter Licensing Footprint and Advances European EMI Strategy
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expanded regulatory infrastructure is designed to give marketplaces, gig economy platf...
Canada offered status as EU’s first associate member
'This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,' says the European Commission president
Miss Manners: Is it proper to order dessert during a business lunch?
Advice from Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin.
'Too early' - fan views on European football talk
In the meantime, the ride is the best in years and all the fans and pundits who thought Daniel Farke wasn't up to the job need to eat humble pie. Julian: Whilst I am proud with the way we are playing and believe that we have a really strong squad, I think it will be too early to go into Europe next season. John: All the talk about Europe is very premature.
Sunderland v AZ Alkmaar: Our Europa League Predictions Are In
European football is finally back on Wearside, but how do the Roker Report team see Sunderland faring against AZ Alkmaar on this historic night?
Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar predictions: Europa League tips and odds
Sunderland play their first match in European competition since 1973 tonight, when they kick off their Europa League campaign against AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light (kick-off, 8pm).
Man Utd's Gabriel in limbo
Had the situation worked out differently, 15-year-old JJ Gabriel would have been preparing for his Manchester United debut tonight and potentially becoming the club's youngest player. Instead, the young forward is in limbo, having asked United for his registration to be cancelled, which would allow him to join one of the many clubs across Europe who are very keen to sign him.
Europa League opener perfectly timed for Celtic after Ibrox shambles
A European clash before a vital Glasgow Derby is usually seen as a hindrance, but this is one that could benefit Celtic greatly…Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, arrives at the stadium before the...
AC Milan vs Benfica – Match preview and team news
AC Milan will kick off their European journey on Wednesday, facing Benfica in their first Europa League match of the season at the San Siro.AC Milan vs Benfica – Match preview and team newsDate: We...
There Are Worse Things to Do on a Wednesday
Sunderland are about to play in Europe on a Wednesday night - so why not forget the routine, embrace the moment and let yourself dream?
Sunderland’s European Adventure Is About More Than Football
As Sunderland prepare for their first European home game in 53 years, could the Lads and their supporters learn something from a whole new football culture?
Bausch Health (BHC) Expands Probiotic Skincare Bet To Six New Markets
On September 8, Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC) and Belgian skincare innovator YUN announced they are extending their microbiome-focused dermatology partnership into Mexico and five additional markets spanning Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The move builds on a 2025 launch in Poland and lands just weeks after the company raised its full-year guidance […]
See which Westland restaurants failed inspections
Wayne County health inspectors found debris and improper storage at several Westland restaurants this summer.
Homewood board approves tax incentive renewal for business park
Homewood Village Board approved the renewal of a Cook County property tax incentive for the Homewood Business Park condominium complex.
Detroit Tigers Win in Dominating Fashion: Remain 4.5 Games Back
Detroit’s relentless youth movement fueled a sixth straight win, but a heartbreaking Cleveland walk-off keeps the streaking Tigers on the ropes in a high-stakes American League playoff hunt.
Falcom signs agreement with NEOWIZ for development and global release of The Legend of Heroes III: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch for consoles, PC
Falcom has entered into a licensing agreement with NEOWIZ for the development and global release of a PC and console title based on the Falcom-owned intellectual property The Legend of Heroes III: …
Press kit: Alaska Airlines unveils its international Business Class Suites experience - Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air
Alaska Airlines has debuted its all-new International Business Class, a premium long-haul experience launching this spring as the airline expands to Europe and Asia. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in Alaska’s transformation into the West Coast’s global carrier and Seattle’s new leader in international travel — one that now connects guests to over 900 worldwide destinations through the oneworld alliance. International Premium Class also has an elevated guest experience, including an amenity kit designed in collaboration with Filson.
Inside the automotive supply chain: Empirical evidence from Italian business-to-business trade data
Europe’s automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation. This column uses firm-to-firm data to map the Italian automotive supply chain, covering both direct suppliers and firms connected through indirect linkages. Around 40% of the value added of the supply chain is generated by car manufacturers, with the remaining 60% split between direct suppliers and indirect suppliers. The supplier network is diverse across sectors and regions of Italy, reflecting both agglomeration forces and long-standing patterns of industrial specialisation. It estimates that demand shocks to the automotive sector would propagate through the supply chain and lead to large network multipliers.
Opposition grows to redevelopment set to force closure of Columbia business
Former Boone County commissioner is leading local opposition to plans to redevelop the property where Shiloh has operated for 28 years.
Arc System Works are working on a brand new fighting game property as of a few months ago but it kind of slipped under the radar
Today, Automaton Media reported that for the fiscal year which ended May 2026, Arc System Works has returned to being profitable after posting a net loss in the year prior.This in itself is of course good news for the ...
What Is UFC 331's $50K Proper Chaos Bonus?
Dana White will personally select one UFC 331 fighter to receive a one-night $50,000 bonus connected to the return of "MobLand."
Travis County approves Central Health tax rate increase for mental health investments
If you live in Travis County, you are part of the Central Health Hospital District, which makes up part of your property tax bill.
For Those Who Dreamed of Seeing Sunderland in Europe
As Sunderland finally return to European football, one supporter reflects on the people who dreamed of nights like this but never got the chance to see them.
River City Science Academy employee on leave after video echoing antisemitic tropes
A River City Science Academy employee has been placed on administrative leave after posting a social media video containing comments that many people have described as antisemitic.
Arrest made after early morning shooting at Dothan business
The victim got shot in the back while fleeing the property.
The race for points in Europe is starting
Europa League opener at Levski SofiaThe Europa League anthem will sound again this Thursday! Our league phase opener takes us to Bulgaria, where we face Levski Sofia at 18:45. While the club usually p...
Herndon satellite business launches Luxembourg subsidiary
HawkEye 360 on Tuesday announced plans to establish its first European subsidiary, HawkEye 360 Luxembourg, S.à r.l.
WATCH: Blanche justifies Trump bashing Supreme Court over mail ballots: 'He is very frustrated'
Attorney General Todd Blanche said Tuesday it was proper for President Donald Trump to vent about the Supreme Court decision to decline the changes that the president wanted for mail-in voting.
FOCUS Names Mark Phillips Senior Vice President of Business Development
FOCUS, the AI-enabled operations partner that has built and run the operations behind property and casualty carriers and MGAs for more than 25 years, today announced that Mark Phillips has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Phillips will lead the FOCUS sales organization as the company expands its Launch, Grow, and Scale services and its new strategic partnerships, including its new listing in the Accelerant Marketplace.
Can Bournemouth Have Their Europe Cake and Eat It?
Historic European nights beckon for the Cherries, but cautionary tales of domestic collapse loom. Dive into the squad depth dilemma facing Marco Rose as he balances continental glory.
Former Quality Inn on Airline sells for $1.4M
A bank-owned, distressed hotel property at the junction of Airline Highway and Interstate 12 in Baton Rouge has sold for $1,475,000. The 172-room property, formerly a Quality Inn, was built in 1968… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
A 3,700-Year-Old Virus Hiding in a Medieval Book Just Killed 500,000 Animals
Holy manuscripts preserved the genome of a plague that wiped out up to 90% of Europe’s historical sheep herds.
Savannah Guthrie wants to give her missing mom a ‘proper goodbye’
NEW YORK — Savannah Guthrie simply wants a “proper goodbye” for her mother, Nancy, who was reported missing from her Arizona home on Feb. 1. The NBC “Today” anchor made
U.S. cuts military aid to Europe, Mideast to support Trump allies in Americas
The State Department on Tuesday notified Congress that it will reprogram $52 million in foreign military financing
After Allison Janney's Emmys mention, Savannah Guthrie renews plea for mom's return
Savannah Guthrie says she wants to ensure her mother Nancy Guthrie receives a 'proper goodbye.' At the 2026 Emmys, 'The Diplomat' star Allison Janney expressed support for the 'Today' star.
Mental health help: Travis County to vote on 6% tax hike to address growing issue
Central Health is seeking a 6% property tax hike to fund $127.5 million in mental health and recovery services next year as Austin’s tax burden grows.
Spanish scientists find first evidence of Diplodocus dinosaur in Europe
Spanish paleontologists say they have found the first evidence that Diplodocus, the iconic long-necked dinosaur, once roamed Europe, according to research published on Tuesday in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Vega launches two Earth science satellites
A Vega C rocket successfully launched a pair of Earth observation satellites for the European Space Agency and the European Commission on Sept. 14.
Southern Indiana riverfront project risks losing $6.5M in state funding
Indiana officials may pull $6.5 million from the Jeffboat redevelopment if the $1 billion Jeffersonville project fails to show progress by mid-November.
From Blyth to the Basque Country: Cherries break new ground
As Bournemouth rose through the divisions, former manager Eddie Howe would make sure his squad were aware of when new landmarks were being set. Before the Bolton game in 2015 which secured promotion to the Premier League, he showed his players a video of the club's history to that point, inspiring them to take that final step to the big time. A decade later, Andoni Iraola would take great pride as his Cherries side eclipsed Howe's records of their highest top-flight points tallies and league placings, with a sixth-placed finish last term unlocking the door to Europe.
Black Caucus launches effort to boost voting among Black, rural and young voters in midterms
The Congressional Black Caucus Institute is launching a multimillion-dollar campaign to engage lower-propensity voters in key districts before the midterm elections
Perk Brings Fintech Product to US
Expansion of Perk Spend follows launch in Europe
Milan Seeking Ways to Properly Ignite Their Attack
Gonçalo Ramos isn’t off to a roaring start in his Serie A career, as he has scored one goal in four games. While he had been wasteful before eventually hitting the net in the previous two rounds, h...
Bayer Leverkusen Begin Their Europa League Campaign Against Celje
Fresh off a frustrating domestic draw, the German giants must sharpen their clinical edge against goal-hungry Slovenian champions to ignite another deep run toward European silverware.
Morgan Stanley turns more hawkish, forecasts two Fed hikes and ECB move
Morgan Stanley has joined other major Wall Street banks in adopting a more hawkish outlook on interest rates, forecasting U.S. Federal Reserve rate hikes and another European Central Bank increase later this year as inflationary pressures persist.
IMD ranked as Europe’s top business school by Bloomberg Businessweek - IMD business school for management and leadership courses
IMD has reclaimed the top spot in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2026–2027 ranking of MBAs in Europe and the Middle East, returning to the position it held in 2024. Across the four indexes that make up the ranking, IMD led the region in Learning and Networking, placing third for Entrepreneurship and fifth for Compensation. It is the
Sunderland in Europe: For Those Who Endured League One
After years of false dawns, Sunderland are heading into Europe and taking us somewhere new again.
Magical sixth inning propels White Sox to 7-3 win
Stellar pitching and adamant bats in Cleveland secure season series, shrink magic number to 10
Broome County executive delivers 2027 budget address
Jason Garnar says it's the eighth year in a row that the budget lowers the county property tax rate.
Judge strikes down rule changes favored by Brooklyn Democratic Party chair
In a decision Monday, the judge wrote that votes taken in August to approve those changes were “improper.”
Live coverage: Avio to launch spacecraft to monitor plant health and ocean conditions
The mission, with the shorthand VV30, is the second launch of a Vega-C rocket managed solely by Avio without Arianespace. Liftoff from Ensemble de Lancement Vega at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is scheduled for 10:21 p.m. local time (9:21 p.m. EDT / 0121 UTC / 3:21 a.m. CEST).
A Gold Medal and a Breakthrough for Leipzig’s Young Stars
Elite prospects Mirja Kropp and Marie Kleemann secure landmark Fritz Walter Medals, cementing their status as the future of German football following a dominant U17 European Championship triumph.
What’s the proper reaction to a dumb loss?
Should we panic about the result or look a bit deeper?
PDO Chios Mastiha: Ancient Greek Tradition Meets Modern Science
From a legendary ingredient collected since ancient times to a versatile addition to the modern kitchen, PDO Chios Mastiha is bringing a distinctive taste of Greece to Canadian consumers. Produced exclusively in Mastichohora, in the southern part of Chios island, Mastiha owes its unique character to the region's particular soil and climate conditions, while its complex natural composition continues to attract scientific interest. Featured through the "Premium European Products: Better Knowledge,
Downtown River Park hits the market with $12M asking price
A roughly 32-acre tract of undeveloped riverfront property in downtown Baton Rouge just north of The Queen Baton Rouge has hit the market with an asking price of $12 million, according to Clay Furr of… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Swedish elections on a knife-edge
A ‘razor-thin’ victory for the centre-left is forecast but not certain, in a result that tests the temperature of European politics
Íñigo Aznar Named Chief Revenue Officer of Inter Miami CF and Nu Stadium as Club Continues Rapid and Ambitious Growth
Appointment brings 25 years of global commercial experience across fútbol, sports and entertainment properties
Íñigo Aznar Named Chief Revenue Officer of Inter Miami CF and Nu Stadium as Club Continues Rapid and Ambitious Growth
Appointment brings 25 years of global commercial experience across fútbol, sports and entertainment properties
Europe's endocrine community calls for policy action as growing demand puts hormone health workforce under pressure
The Prague Declaration and accompanying white paper, "Endocrine Workforce 2026: Recommendations for a Healthier Endocrine Future," set out 29 recommendations informed by ESE's State of Endocrinology surveys, ...
Sexually Explicit Deepfake Sites Target 100-Plus Politicians in Europe
An analysis of 160 deepfake websites reveals politicians in 22 countries appear on them. Nearly all of them are women.
fiskaly appoints Co-CEO to accelerate European growth
VIENNA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 14, 2026--
Freya Industries raises SEK 6M to expand drone detection business
Swedish drone detection company Freya Industries has closed a SEK 6 million (approx. EUR 500k) round that will fund orders and expansion through Europe. Foundry ventures, Longswan Ventures, Propel Capital, Saminvest AB (via Annexstruktur), Schyssta Änglar, Sting and a small group of private investors contributed to the round. Freya’s sensors are designed to detect drones
Europe must turn health preparedness into true resilience
Europe has strengthened its health emergency preparedness since COVID-19. Now it must build lasting resilience through connected systems, sustained investment, infectious-disease innovation and permanent collaboration across government, healthcare, research and industry.
Juventus target has decided to leave European football
Juventus were desperate to sign a new left-back in the last summer transfer window, and one of the players on their radar was Emerson Palmieri, with the Marseille defender opening the door for the mov...
Europe's Top Performers: key statistics from the weekend
Along with all of the results from UEFA's 'Top 5' leagues, Playmaker is here to provide you with a rundown of the top performers.From the slickest passers enroute to the most tenacious tacklers via th...
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...
Politics live: Fugitive developer Jean Nassif details feud with David Elliott, telling Icac Liberals were ‘rejecting all my properties’
Follow the day’s news live
Franciscan Health Trauma Services hosting free car seat safety events
NORTHWEST INDIANA — Franciscan Health Trauma Services is hosting free car seat safety events for Indiana residents during National Child Passenger Safety Month. The first event is scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Legacy Campus at 301 Homer St. in Michigan City. The next is scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at Munster Fire Station #2, 550 Fisher St. in Munster A nationally certified child passenger safety technician will teach participants how to properly install a car seat.
Even In Defeat, Sunderland Showed They’re No Pushovers
If Sunderland can go toe-to-toe with Arsenal, what does that say about their chances against the rest of the Premier League - and what awaits them in Europe?
Shadows Over CEE: Hybrid Sabotage and the Creeping Political Drift Away from Ukraine
Mysterious blazes at UAV production plants, improvised explosives at critical power grids, and foiled arson plots: hostile hybrid operations across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are no longer a theoretical threat. Yet, as defense supply chains come under literal fire, the region’s political consensus on Ukraine is quietly eroding at the polls, creating a dangerous […]
INTERVIEW: Mamdani shows the way for EU socialists, Athens mayor says
'This is the new model we should follow in Europe: to be bold and to confront the problems head-on,' he told Euractiv
Scientists find evidence for an ancient supercontinent that covered 80 percent of Earth’s surface
Isotope mapping reveals millions of square kilometers of lost Gondwanan crust hidden beneath Asia, Europe and North America.
Leeds United fan Lottie Woad helps Europe reclaim Solheim Cup
Leeds United fan Lottie Woad played a key role as Team Europe reclaimed the Solheim Cup with a 15-13 victory over the United States.Woad defeated Auston Kim in the singles on Sunday, moving Europe to ...
Only Ibrahimović has done as well as Ferran Torres 🦈
The Shark.This Sunday evening, PSG are trying to secure their first Ligue 1 win of the season away at Stade Brestois.The reigning back-to-back European champions made the perfect start to the match, t...
Swedish voters go to polls to choose a new parliament as hard right bids for role in government
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is seeking a second four-year term at the helm of the European Union nation that is also NATO’s newest member. Meanwhile, his predecessor hopes to win the job back.
'I hope for a decent period in politics': views of voters as Sweden goes to the polls
The Guardian's Europe reporter and live blogger Jakub Krupa speaks to voters outside a polling station in the Swedish capital, Stockholm
Family near Checotah says lack of electricity is creating health and food-storage concerns
A family near Checotah says it has been without electricity for months while trying to get service connected to its property.
Family near Checotah says lack of electricity is creating health and food-storage concerns
A family near Checotah says it has been without electricity for months while trying to get service connected to its property.
European Commission backs out of conference after surprise Taiwanese participation
Senior MEP Pina Picerno linked the move to complaints from China
Europe built its medical science around male bodies – and women are paying the price
Just consider this - after almost four decades of EU-funded research, just 10 projects out of 145,983 have focused specifically on endometriosis, a condition affecting an estimated 10-15 percent of women of reproductive age, writes Renew Europe MEP Billy Kelleher.
Iraola Talk: Reds Lacked Freshness in Scoreless Draw
It is not unsual to be fatigued after a European night, but it is something Iraola will have to learn to deal with.
Former Adult Entertainment Venue in South Philly Sold for $2.3 Million, Will Be Repurposed
Show & Tel has closed and been sold. The new owner plans to repurpose the property as storage facility and office space.
Manchester United tracking attacking prodigy amid interest from Europe’s elite
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Norwegian wonderkid Gabriel Rajkovic, while Alejandro Balde could still emerge as an option for the Premier League giants in the coming months.According to TEAMta...
Shift Prem Cup back
I’M not a fan of having the Prem Cup preceding the proper Prem season. As last week showed, some teams treat it like an extension of pre-season, some give the kids a run and a few actually look like they want to win it. I preferred it when August was for pre-season matches and the […] The post Shift Prem Cup back appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Science and Sense: Eating local makes sense
This column has covered home gardens before – the process to get proper soil, things we can and can’t grow, the challenges of dry and wet periods (mostly dry), and
Security stops alleged trespasser on Kamala Harris’ Malibu property
Security stopped an alleged trespasser on Kamala Harris’ Malibu property on Friday night, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and her spokesperson, raising security concerns about the former vice president.
Big Second Half Propels BYU in Win Over Arizona
BYU went into half down 17-14, but shut out the Wildcats in the second half in a 28-17 win over Arizona Saturday afternoon in Provo. After allowing 240 yards to Arizona in the second half, BYU’s defense dominated in the second . Arizona in the second half mustered only 87 total yards, including -2 rushing […]
Editorial | Hong Kong astronaut can help propel the city’s science and tech ambitions
Lai Ka-ying’s achievement should serve as the launch pad of a sustained push that makes science and innovation the new engine of the city’s development.
Crypto billionaires donate millions to Reform UK, raising concerns about money in politics
Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, received £72 million (around €83.9 million) from two cryptocurrency billionaires this weekend, prompting concerns about money’s influence in British politics. Ben Delo, co-founder of the BitMEX platform, donated £36 million, and crypto investor Christopher Harborne matched that amount. Harborne supports Reform UK’s policies, believing they will […]
On-loan Real Madrid star breaks Lionel Messi record
On-loan Real Madrid starlet Franco Mastantuono on Friday secured for himself a noteworthy piece of European football history. This came owing to his exploits in Fiorentina’s Serie A meeting with Ven...
KTAG expands service areas again
As of Sept. 1, KTAG is now compatible with additional agencies through a nationwide interoperability effort, expanding access to even more toll roads across the country. KTAG works with 19
“Newcastle United, Is My Dream Club” Allan Saint-Maximin
The French winger cements his cult hero status by declaring his enduring love for the Magpies, recalling an electric Tyneside spell that fueled the club's European ascent.
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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