UK Edition - Today's top story: Is Germany’s far right AfD about to take over a state government for the first time? September 3, 2026 UK Edition   When German voters in Saxony-Anhalt head to the polls on Sunday, there’s a real chance they will award the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party control of a state government for the first time. Forecasts suggest the AfD will secure enough votes to top the poll and it’s unclear whether other parties will muster enough support to block it from assuming power. Ed Turner, an expert on German politics at Aston University, explores the reasons for far-right success in areas of eastern Germany such as Saxony-Anhalt. He also sets out what’s at stake should the AfD secure an outright majority there. Freely available satellite radar imaging is being used for the first time to help track colonies of endangered emperor penguins in Antarctica in winter. This creates opportunities to better understand their response to changing environmental conditions. And tech, media, entertainment and religion are the focus of the sixth and final part of our series on how the UK has changed in the past 25 years.   Sam Phelps Commissioning Editor, International Affairs   Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, campaigns in Naumburg, Germany, on August 24. Hannibal Hanschke / EPA Is Germany’s far right AfD about to take over a state government for the first time? Ed Turner, Aston University The far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is poised to top the poll in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. Using a radar satellite to track emperor penguins in winter is changing our understanding of the species Grant Macdonald, Durham University A breakthrough has helped researchers track down penguins living in the dark. The Photolibrary Wales Britain’s quarter century: Netflix, memes and the supposed Christian revival Adrian Bingham, University of Sheffield; Andrew Russell, University of Portsmouth; Chris Rojek, City St George's, University of London; David Voas, UCL; Lincoln Geraghty, University of Portsmouth; Steven Buckley, City St George's, University of London A look at how entertainment, culture and religion have changed since 2001. World The lesson Canada’s prime minister learned from Brexit is helping in its trade rift with US Walaa-Eldeen Bakry, University of Westminster Brexit suggested the importance of diversifying trade partners, while underlining the importance of geography. Politics + Society Why criminal justice shouldn’t just be about what punishment people ‘deserve’ Zoe Stephenson, University of Birmingham Attempts to understand why people offend can clash with deeply-held ideas about responsibility and what punishment someone deserves. Arts + Culture Iraq’s archaeological discoveries have shaped understanding of human civilisation – but its scientists have been sidelined Jaafar Jotheri, University of Al-Qadisiyah; Durham University; Claudia Glatz, University of Glasgow; Daniel Calderbank, University of Glasgow The centenaries of some of Iraq’s most influential archaeological discoveries invite reflection about the role of Iraqi scientists. The music that made Dolly Parton a global icon Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Isabella Podwinski, The Conversation From Appalachian mountain music to bluegrass and gospel hymns, Dolly Parton was no ordinary country singer. Leviticus: deadly desire stalks queer teens in this rural Australian horror Matt Jacobsen, Queen Mary University of London Two queer teens find themselves stalked by their desire in this rural Australian horror film Business + Economy Andy Burnham announces thousands of new homes, but is the government much closer to its target? Jonathan Webb, Sheffield Hallam University The new prime minister is facing a daunting task of achieving 1.5 million new homes. Environment More trees are needed to cool down European cities in heatwaves – but they must be planted nearer to homes Thami Croeser, RMIT University; Simon Hodder, Loughborough University Some European cities have poor tree shade cover and this is ramping up heat for their citizens. Health Giardiasis cases are rising in England: should we be worried? Lewis C. E. Mason, Kingston University Giardia causes hundreds of millions of infections globally each year. Childhood sleep apnoea: when snoring is more than a noisy night Mirja Quante, University of Tübingen Loud snoring, gasping and restless sleep can signal obstructive sleep apnoea. Daytime signs may include hyperactivity and poor concentration. New MRI method could help track Huntington’s disease and its treatments Claudia Metzler-Baddeley, Cardiff University A new technique can reveal cellular changes linked to the disease that were previously visible only in brain tissue after death. Science + Technology Whether you’re an introvert or extravert may decide how you should use AI Paul Jones, Aston University We should adapt AI to how extraverts and introverts think. More newsletters from The Conversation for you: World Affairs Briefing • Imagine climate action • Global Economy & Business • Europe newsletter • Something Good • Politics Weekly • Education Focus About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organisation dedicated to helping academic experts share ideas with the public. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of universities and readers like you. Donate now to support research-based journalism   Featured events View all The Women's Library at 100: celebrating a century of collections 2 March - 30 September 2026 • Winchester School of Art MA Degree Show 2026 2 - 5 September 2026 • Winchester Dynamic Anatomy Lab Launch from 5:15pm 4 September 2026 • Deconstructing the Female Pelvis - from Anatomy to Performance 4 September 2026 • Promote your event