Global Politics Pulse

Illinois US Senate Primary 2026

• Live Election Coverage: NBC Chicago provides live election night coverage and real-time results for the Illinois...

• Election Day March 17: Polls close, triggering live coverage across Chicago outlets.
• NBC Chicago streams 59-min election night results and...

• Verified kill: Iran confirms Ali Larijani, Secretary of National Security Council, killed in Israel's overnight precision strike on March 17 in...

US signals restraint: Trump backed Israel's South Pars gas field strike to warn on Hormuz but opposes more on Iran's energy sites. Open to targets if...

• Israel urges Iranians to rise against the regime, despite fearing a brutal crackdown.
• U.S. cable warns protesters could get slaughtered by the...

Breaking: The US is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2,500 Marines to the Middle East as Iran escalates attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved Central Command's request for deployment near Iran.

• Preemptive crackdown: Tightening internet curbs on the eve of a festival tied to protests.
• Past unrest: The 2025 festival erupted into protests...

Middle East Escalation

• 🔥 Israel Announces New Strikes on Tehran: Israel announced the launch of new strikes across Tehran and Beirut as the...

Tehran warns of a crackdown ahead of the annual fire festival, as users share photos of victims from the Mahsa Amini protests that erupted across Iran in September 2022 after her death—signaling persistent domestic repression amid rising tensions.

• EU stance: Kallas declares 'This Is Not Europe’s War', rejects role in Strait of Hormuz; Europe not consulted on US moves.
• Israeli actions: New...

• Incumbent favored: 82-year-old Denis Sassou Nguesso, in power since 1979, set to extend rule despite six challengers and opposition boycott.
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Key global reactions to escalating US-Israel strikes on Iran and Iran's retaliation:

• Military exchanges heighten regional instability and escalation...

Cuban protesters stormed a Communist Party headquarters as food and fuel shortages intensified. Activist Rosa María Payá calls it a 'humane catastrophe' and demands an end to the dictatorship—clear signs of rising unrest.

Allies Reject Trump's Hormuz Appeals

• 🔥 EU, UK, and others decline participation: US allies including the EU, Germany, UK Prime Minister Keir...

Allied rejections mount as Trump begs for help reopening Strait of Hormuz amid Iran conflict:

• EU outright rejects; Germany: "This is not our...

IDM's new study maps post-election scenarios for Hungary's parliamentary vote, highlighting Fidesz's potential maneuvers.

• Core risks: Tools to...

Middle East escalates as US-Israel strikes kill Iran's Supreme Leader and target regime/oil sites; Iran retaliates by blocking Strait of Hormuz.

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Breaking: Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso announced Monday that the chamber will vote Tuesday to take up the House-passed SAVE America elections bill.

Breaking: US DoD launches Operation Epic Fury, a major military initiative authorized by the Trump administration.

• Warning to Iran: Directly...

Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, targeting Iran's regime infrastructure and military sites.

• Iranian drones...