Listen onGermany’s AfD win regional elections; data centre energy use; the fall of rural Irish pubs Listen | 08:31Alternative for Germany members Alice Weidel, Ulrich Siegmund and Tino Chrupalla celebrate on Sunday following state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Photograph: Omer Messinger/Getty Images Mon Sept 07 2026 - 08:11Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has claimed the largest share of the vote in elections in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. New data centres could be offered lower gas connections if they agree to have their supply interrupted during periods of extreme demand.A special cost-recovery team has been deployed to Naas General Hospital amid concerns it could go over budget by as much as €41 million this year.The Irish Times speaks to rural pub landlords fighting for survival.