Germany regional elections: Far-right surge in 2 states

AfD surges in two states but fails to unseat governing parties. But its gains will make coalition-building tricky.

A far-right party, the Alternative for Germany or the AfD, has made gains in German state elections in Saxony and Brandenburg, at the expense of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party and her coalition partner.

Analysts say it highlights the growing political gap between East and West Germany and concerns about the immigration influx.

And its rise weakens the ability of the ruling coalition to govern.

Al Jazeera’s Dominic Kane reports from Potsdam in Brandenburg.

New US ambassador to UN yet to take up position

Russia and China have been quick to fill the vacuum left by the United States.

The commitment of the United States to the United Nations is being questioned.

Nine months after Ambassador Nikki Haley resigned, a replacement still has not officially taken up her post.

That has left the US with a significantly lower profile with the UN.

As Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna explains, Russia and China have been quick to fill the vacuum.

India mob lynching: Vigilante victims seek justice

Analyst says mob feels police will not intervene and that there will be no prosecution.

A doctor has been killed in the latest case of mob lynching in India.

Human Rights Watch says at least 44 Indians have died in vigilante attacks between 2015 and 2018.

Most were Muslims accused of slaughtering cows which are considered sacred by Hindus.

Al Jazeera’s Anchal Vohra reports.

Hong Kong workers, students launch strike

Thousands gather in the city centre and on a university campus as mainland China issues more warnings.

Workers and students have begun a strike in Hong Kong as part of ongoing anti-government protests.

Thousands have gathered in the city centre and on a university campus.

The strike coincides with more warnings from mainland China.

Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay reports from Hong Kong.

Trump’s $28 Billion Bet That Rural America Will Stick With Him

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was fielding questions at a farm show in Decatur, Ill., in late August when his boss rang his cellphone. Perdue put the call on speaker and placed it next to the microphone so the crowd could hear Donald Trump speak. During the almost seven-minute call the president defended his handling of the trade conflict with China, which has cut off American farmers from one of their most important export markets. Yet he was quick to remind them that he’s tried to salve their pain. “I sometimes see where these horrible dishonest reporters will say that ‘oh jeez, the farmers are upset.’ Well, they can’t be too upset, because I gave them $12 billion and I gave them $16 billion this year,” said Trump, who then added, “I hope you like me even better than you did in ’16.”

A couple of years ago, a pep talk from Trump might have drawn raucous applause from one of the president’s key constituencies. This time the crowd was subdued. “The aid package that has come in is a relief, and it softens the landing, but it’s not a solution, it’s a Band-Aid,” says Stan Born, a farmer who attended the event. When asked if the payments make him whole, Born, who grows 500 acres of soybeans near Decatur, responds, “Of course not.” He’d rather have free trade, he says.

Elizabeth Warren Surging in Iowa, Leads in Key Poll for First Time

Massachusetts senator and Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is now leading the pack in Iowa. According to a CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll released on Saturday, Warren has jumped ahead of former vice president Joe Biden.

Warren has seen significant gains since June, jumping seven percent points in the same poll as her rivals have dipped. Warren leads with 22 percent followed by Biden at 20 percent. Bernie Sanders, who sits in third place with 11 percent, saw a downward turn of five points since June. However, Pete Buttigieg, who follows Sanders in the poll, saw the biggest drop now polling at nine percent, down sidx points. Kamala Harris held steady and still sits at six percent. The others rank at three percent or lower.

“This is the first major shakeup. It’s the first time we’ve had someone other than Joe Biden at the top of the leaderboard,” said J. Ann Selzer, president of Selzer & Co., who conducted the poll, to the Des Moines Register.

According to CNN, the new results are consistent with Warren’s increased popularity, which has risen to 75 percent in recent polls nationwide. Warren’s campaign is likely thrilled with the candidate’s momentum, but with the Iowa caucuses still months away, things are far from decided. Sixty-three percent of those polled said they could be persuaded to support another candidate. “The leaders [in the poll] aren’t all that strong. The universe is not locked in,” Selzer said.

President Donald Trump Tweetstorm – The Sunday Edition

Two figures that have a propensity for showing up at disasters are being celebrated today.

President Donald Trump heads to flood-ravaged Houston for “Howdy, Modi,” a gathering at NRG Stadium expected to draw 50,000 people. The event celebrates Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was first elected in 2014 and is credited with modernizing India’s economy and addressing climate change. But his military moves in the Kashmir region are controversial, and protesters are expected outside the stadium for him and President Trump.

The Commander-in-Tweet also found time this morning to give a shout-out to The Mothman, a West Virginia legend that purportedly shows up just before major disasters. They’re celebrating the creature today with a festival in that state.

President Trump’s tweetstorm also criticized the Federal Reserve for its interest rate policies, and again raised the Hunter Biden flag as he continues his counter-attack on the whistleblower rumors.

We’ll monitor the postings and update as needed. The tweetstorm so far: