Former congresswoman wins primary to take back former suburban Chicago seat
Melissa Bean, the former congresswoman who represented Illinois’ 8th Congressional District more than a decade ago, has won Tuesday’s primary election to retake the seat from retiring Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., who is running for Senate. Bean entered Tuesday with a reported fundraising advantage of more than $1 million in the primary in the district, a Democrat-friendly zigzag of Chicago suburbs in Cook, Kane and DuPage counties west of the city proper. Bean last represented the district from 2005 to 2011, when she was upset during the Tea Party wave as now-former Rep. Joe Walsh — one of President Donald Trump’s biggest GOP critics — eked out a victory by less than half a percentage point. Walsh was eventually defeated by now-Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who herself was replaced by Krishnamoorthi, a native of New Delhi, India. ILLINOIS DEM SENATE CANDIDATES SPLIT ON BACKING SCHUMER AS LEADER Krishnamoorthi hopes to be the latest senator elected from the district, as he vies to replace the retiring Land of Lincoln Democratic mainstay Sen. Richard Durbin. Prior to Bean’s first tenure, Republican Phil Crane held the seat beginning in 1969, and before him, future Bush Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld — reflecting a marked political lurch to the left in the Chicago area in recent years. IT consultant Junaid Ahmed faced off against Bean and other candidates in Tuesday’s race, running on a more progressive platform. Ahmed’s platform included “realizing self-determination for Palestine and ending the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank,” according to the local CBS affiliate, as well as Medicaid expansion, green energy investments and canceling student loan debt. WEALTHY ELITES BANKROLL DEM SENATE CANDIDATE WHO HAS REPEATEDLY TOUTED ‘GRASSROOTS’ CAMPAIGN Candidate and former Krishnamoorthi aide Yasmeen Bankole was endorsed by Durbin. Bankole is currently a trustee for the village of Highland Park, Illinois, and also supports a Medicare-for-all plan, undoing President Donald Trump’s tariffs and raising the minimum wage, according to the outlet. Other candidates in the race included business executive Sanjyot Dunung, activist Neil Khot, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, Army JAG officer Dan Tully and ex-DOJ counterterrorism staffer Ryan Vetticad. The Democratic victor is expected to be moderately favored in November given the current political makeup of the D+5 district, and will face the winner of the Republican primary. Candidates there included accountant Kevin Ake, software company owner Jennifer Davis, retired Chicago cop Herbert Hebein, and business executive Mark Rice.
Democrat Patty García gains party’s nomination after controversial last-minute dropout by incumbent
Democrat Patty García secured her party’s nomination for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District after a controversial last-minute decision by her former boss, incumbent Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, not to seek re-election allowed her to run unopposed. A heavily Hispanic district situated in Chicago and its suburbs, Illinois’ 4th Congressional District is considered one of the deepest-blue House districts in the country, giving García a marked advantage in the November general election. After serving on Rep. García’s staff since his 2019 election, she is widely considered his handpicked successor. The two are not related. Rep. García sparked controversy last fall when he announced he would not seek re-election two days after the filing deadline had passed. The maneuver left only García on the ballot, forcing progressive candidates Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Mayra Macías to run as independents. PROGRESSIVE GROUP APPEARS TO ADVOCATE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAMS Critics called the maneuver an unfair attempt by Rep. García to tip the scales in his district’s next election. The House later passed a resolution of disapproval against him, led by fellow Democrat Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash. Nearly two dozen House Democrats defied Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to vote in favor of the rebuke. The measure passed 236 to 183, with 23 Democrats joining Republicans to rebuke Rep. García. Four lawmakers voted “present” — Reps. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., and Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio. CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION CALLS FOR SCHOOL SHUTDOWN ON MAY DAY TO PROTEST TRUMP García is a Chicago native and longtime Democratic political strategist who has served as Rep. García’s chief of staff since 2023. She is running on a progressive platform that closely mirrors her boss’s priorities and is pro-union and a staunch opponent of President Donald Trump. Her campaign website states that immigration enforcement is “being used to terrorize working-class communities.” She has pledged to work to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with her website stating, “Patty has confronted abusive tactics head-on and will fight for dignity, due process, and to abolish ICE so families can live without fear.” The general election in District 4 will be a clash among progressives. Sigcho-Lopez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a socialist political group that has seen a resurgence in American politics with the election of figures such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. ILLINOIS GUARANTEED INCOME ADVOCATES PUSH FOR PERMANENT STATEWIDE CASH HANDOUT PROGRAM Meanwhile, Macías states on her campaign website that she is running for Congress “because everything she has fought for is being rolled back and the community that raised her is being directly targeted by the Trump Administration.”
Illinois Republicans select Don Tracy in primary elections for Sen. Durbin’s seat
Illinois Republicans on Tuesday selected Don Tracy as their nominee for the open U.S. Senate seat created by Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement, sending them into a general election race in a state Democrats have long dominated at the federal level. Former Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy entered the race as one of the best-known Republicans in the field and quickly emerged as an early fundraising leader. His campaign focused on lowering living costs through market competition, greater consumer choice and negotiated prescription drug prices. Tracy is seeking the seat being vacated by Durbin, the Senate’s longtime No. 2 Democrat, who announced he would not seek reelection in 2026, ending a Senate tenure that began with his election in 1996 and setting off a scramble in both parties for one of Illinois’ highest-profile offices. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING FROM THE 2026 CAMPAIGN TRAIL The Republican primary field also included attorney Jeannie Evans, businessman Casey Chlebek, R. Cary Capparelli, Pamela Long and Jimmy Lee Tillman. Polls in Illinois closed at 7 p.m. Central on Tuesday. On the Democratic side, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are competing to succeed Durbin. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has thrown his sizable war chest behind Stratton in a primary that is viewed as a test of his political clout in his home state as he likely gears up for a 2028 presidential run. The governor has seen his national profile skyrocket over the past year as he’s become a top Democrat leading the resistance to President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi is the clear fundraising frontrunner in the race and has spent big bucks to run ads. And a super PAC funded by crypto titans has shelled out nearly $10 million to back him. Tracy now advances to the general election, where he will try to compete in a state that has trended decisively Democratic in federal contests. Indeed, whoever wins the Democratic nomination will be considered the clear front-runner in the general election in a state where no GOP contender has won statewide in a dozen years.
As 2028 buzz builds, Pritzker draws Republican challenger in showdown for Illinois governor
As Gov. JB Pritzker aims to make history as the first Democrat to win three terms as Illinois governor, the potential 2028 presidential contender now knows which Republican challenger he’ll face off against in this year’s election. Former state Sen. Darren Bailey on Tuesday topped three rivals to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination, The Associated Press reported. Bailey, a farmer, is a familiar face to Illinois Republicans. The conservative firebrand, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, trounced the competition in the 2022 GOP primary before losing to Pritzker by more than 12 points in the general election. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS COVERAGE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL This time around, Bailey defeated conservative commentator Ted Dabrowski, who was backed by some major Republican mega donors; video gambling magnate Rick Heidner, who was able to self-fund from his personal fortune; and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. Pritzker was unopposed and cruised to the Democratic nomination. PRITZKER FLEXES POLITICAL MUSCLE IN ILLINOIS’ SENATE PRIMARY The governor, a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain and who has launched several venture capital and investment startups, has seen his national profile skyrocket over the past year as he’s become a top Democrat leading the resistance to Trump’s unprecedented second-term agenda. This year’s gubernatorial election, in which Pritzker is the clear favorite in Democrat-dominated Illinois, is seen by political pundits as a tune-up for the governor as he likely gears up for a 2028 White House run. Fox News’ Hannah Brennan contributed to this story
Ex-Planned Parenthood board member beats out former congressman, state senator for Dem House bid
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller beat out former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., and state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Ill., in a Democratic primary race on Tuesday evening, teeing up her bid to represent one of the state’s many reliably blue seats. Miller centered her campaign on healthcare issues like affordability and maternity on her website and social media. “In Congress, I’ll defend reproductive rights and lower costs,” Miller, a former board member for Planned Parenthood, said in a campaign video. She raised $1.9 million, according to FEC records, dwarfing contributions from Peters and Jackson. DHS HITS BACK AT ILLINOIS COUNTY CLERK WHO TOLD ICE TO STAY AWAY FROM PRIMARY POLLING PLACES JESSE JACKSON’S FAMILY SAYS ILLINOIS SENATE ENDORSEMENT RELEASE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED Miller looks to fill the seat of Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., a seven-term incumbent pursuing a bid for U.S. Senate. As one of 17 commissioners, Miller helped manage the affairs of Cook County, including managing its finances, meeting state and federal requirements and overseeing county operations. Miller first joined the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2018. Before her time with Cook County, she served in leadership positions in a number of organizations, including as a board member of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, vice president of Illinois Democratic Women and president of the Democratic Women of South Suburbs, according to her website. ILLINOIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SEEKING US SENATE SEAT RELEASES VIDEO OF PEOPLE SAYING ‘F— TRUMP’ Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District begins at its northernmost point in the heart of Chicago and stretches down about a two-hour drive south along the state’s border with Indiana. The district has been a Democratic stronghold for 70 years. Kelly, its incumbent, last won re-election in 2024 by a 35.1% margin over Republican challenger Ashley Ramos. Its last Republican representative, Richard B. Vail, lost re-election in 1952. Having secured the Democratic nomination for the district, Miller will face off against Mike Noack in November, a truck driver who is running unopposed as the Republican candidate.
Trump calls mail in voting corrupt as Senate begins debate on SAVE Act requiring voter ID
President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted mail-in voting as “corrupt as hell” as the SAVE America Act heads to the Senate floor for debate. Trump made the remarks during the Shamrock Bowl presentation with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, telling the crowd “the biggest thing coming up is the SAVE America Act in the Senate.” He said the legislation focuses on voter identification and proof of citizenship, while also taking aim at “corrupt” mail-in ballots. “We’re the only country in the world that does it that way. Corrupt as hell,” Trump said. “Then we added two more…One is no men in women’s sports. That seems like an easy one. I believe that’s the 99%. And no transgender mutilation of our children. None. That’s only polling at 98%.” REPS. FINE, SELF, HARRIS, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: WE’LL BLOCK THE SENATE UNTIL THE SAVE ACT PASSES “Hopefully the Senate is going to be able to get that. You can’t ask for five better things,” he continued. “It’s so good for our nation. I mean, who would not have voter ID, who would not have, proof of citizenship? And, the only people who would want not to have that or people that want to cheat. It’s very, very simple. We can’t let that happen.” The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and mandate voter identification at the polls, measures Republicans argue are necessary to secure elections. The president’s remarks followed Senate Republicans moving to bring the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor, aiming to force Democrats to take a public position on the Trump-backed measure. TRUMP URGES CONGRESS TO PASS SAVE AMERICA ACT, FULLY FUND DHS AS TSA WORKERS GO WITHOUT PAY Lawmakers voted 51-48 to begin debate on the bill, an initial step forward with Democrats remaining unified in opposition. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was the only Republican to vote against advancing the measure, while all Democrats voted no. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., did not vote. The procedural move opens the door for debate on the legislation, with GOP leaders expected to allow amendments and extended discussion in the days ahead. REPUBLICANS SHRED ‘NONSENSE’ DEM CLAIMS AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED VOTER ID BILL Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to eventually file to end the debate, which would set up a final vote requiring 60 votes to move forward. Republicans would need support from Democrats to reach that threshold, making the bill’s path forward uncertain. Democrats have opposed the legislation, arguing existing laws already prohibit noncitizens from voting and warning the requirements could create barriers for eligible voters. Mail-in voting expanded significantly during the 2020 election and remains widely used in several states, including some led by Republicans.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray: UEFA Champions League – teams, start, lineups
Who: Liverpool vs GalatasarayWhat: UEFA Champions League last 16, second legWhere: Anfield in Liverpool, EnglandWhen: Wednesday at 8pm (20:00 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream. Liverpool’s English Premier League (EPL) title defence may have been left in tatters this season, but the football club still have a shot at the UEFA Champions League if they can produce another memorable Anfield night. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Turkiye’s Galatasaray narrowly lead 1-0 following the first leg, although given the Reds’ travails this season, a comeback on home soil is far from guaranteed. Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at a huge night for Liverpool and their under-fire manager, Arne Slot. Liverpool’s EPL chase for Champions League spots falters Dominik Szoboszlai believes Liverpool are “running out of time” in their bid to secure Champions League qualification via their Premier League position after yet again dropping points late in a match. The Hungary captain said he understood why many fans left Anfield early – as some did even before Richarlison scored in the 90th minute to snatch a 1-1 Premier League draw for struggling Tottenham on Sunday – but urged them to stand by Slot’s side. Many of those who remained inside booed at the final whistle after reigning Premier League champions Liverpool missed a chance to move ahead of Aston Villa into fourth. They did gain one place and one point over Chelsea, but conceding a goal in the 90th minute or later for the eighth time this season proved costly. Advertisement “It’s a good question. If I knew the answer, I would be the first one to go to the team and say it,” said Szoboszlai when asked why Liverpool continue to drop late points. “A couple of weeks ago, we had a talk between each other saying ‘Guys, we don’t have such a lot of time to do this right so we have to wake up and start to go in a way that we want to play Champions League next season’,” added the Hungary captain, whose first-half free kick gave Liverpool the lead against Spurs. “It’s a little bit boring when I say this, but we still need to find a solution because we are running out of time.” Liverpool fans need a lift from their team Szoboszlai accepted that Liverpool did not offer the crowd much to cheer in the Spurs match after he scored his fourth free kick of the season. But he urged them to see games out, as early departures were noticed by players. “I don’t say they have no right to leave the stadium. They can leave if they want,” he said. “We need them, and they should know this. We are one less without them. “It should be normal that in hard times we stick together more because that’s what we need, we need each other. “We want to make them happy; it’s not that we do it on purpose. Last year, it was enjoyable to watch all the games. But this year, maybe it’s not that enjoyable, for sure, I can imagine. “I don’t think it helps us also that after 80 minutes people start to go home; it doesn’t help us at all. Stick with us.” What happened in the first leg between Liverpool and Galatasaray? Galatasaray’s 1-0 home win was secured via an early header from Mario Lemina in what was a compelling contest with both sides having goals disallowed late on. Despite early pressure from Liverpool, Lemina put the Turkish side ahead after seven minutes, diving to head home after Victor Osimhen nodded a corner back across the goal. The hosts maintained the momentum after the early goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili producing several superb saves in the Liverpool goal. Just after the hour mark, Osimhen tapped the ball into an open net, but Liverpool were spared as Baris Alper Yilmaz had been offside in the build-up. Liverpool found the net in the 70th minute, forcing the ball over the line following a goalmouth scramble. But the effort was ruled out following a VAR review, with the ball seemingly striking Ibrahima Konate’s hand before ricocheting in. Head-to-head This will be the seventh meeting between the sides, with Galatasaray winning three. Liverpool have won only one of the encounters. Advertisement Liverpool team news Liverpool are still without Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo, who are all battling injuries. Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Ibrahima Konate were all benched for the game against Tottenham, but are expected to return to the side. Galatasaray team news Enes Buyuk is still absent through injury, while Metehan Baltaci, Gokdeniz Gurpuz and Renato Nhaga are all ineligible after being left out of the club’s Champions League squad. Defender Davinson Sanchez is suspended. Predicted Liverpool starting lineup Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike Predicted Galatasaray starting lineup Cakir; Sallai, Singo, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sara, Lang; Osimhen Adblock test (Why?)
Why aren’t gold prices rising, despite Iran war uncertainty?
As the war on Iran entered its 18th day on Tuesday, the price of gold, usually considered the safe-haven asset in times of uncertainty, has remained unexpectedly steady. Since the United States and Israel first launched strikes on Iran on February 28, the conflict has escalated across the region, sparking concerns about the knock-on effect for the global economy. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list On March 2, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced that the Strait of Hormuz – through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas is transported – was “closed”; a move that sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel. Stock prices have also fallen over the past two weeks amid uncertainty over the war on Iran, but gold prices have remained steady. What are gold prices doing? Gold has remained broadly steady at around $5,000 an ounce in recent days. On Tuesday, spot gold was almost flat at $5,001.36 per ounce at 11:00 GMT. Spot gold is the price at which physical gold is bought and sold for immediate delivery. US gold futures for April delivery rose just 0.1 percent to $5,005.20. Is this unexpected? Yes. This lack of movement is surprising, given that gold prices typically shoot up during economic crises as investors look for safe havens to shelter their cash. This is especially true during periods of global conflict. For example, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, gold prices skyrocketed, Remi Bourgeot, economist at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs in Paris and author of analysis platform Epistelem, told Al Jazeera. Advertisement The subsequent sanctions imposed on Russia by Western nations created “a wave of panic” among central banks and “completely changed the dynamic behind gold prices”, with countries like China embarking on a historic buying streak to reduce their dependence on the US dollar, he said. However, with the US-Israeli war on Iran, there has been a different response. Why have gold prices remained flat? Traders may be anticipating that the US Federal Reserve will halt interest rate cuts and perhaps even raise rates in response to rising inflation, James Meadway, a former economic adviser to the United Kingdom’s shadow chancellor and currently council member of the Progressive Economy Forum, told Al Jazeera. “That makes dollar assets more attractive and gold, which pays no interest, less so,” Meadway explained. He added that investors have expected the US to cut interest rates for some time. Another factor is that gold was already performing well at the start of this year. “Gold had risen so much before that it is reacting less now to the war,” Meadway said. Rebecca Christie, a senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank, echoed this, noting that gold has been trading far above historic levels this year. “There are other factors in play: because the dollar has strengthened, and because gold is traded in dollars, it may be harder for interested investors to push the price up,” Christie said. “Also, a rising dollar provides an alternative safe-haven choice, and higher oil prices probably will lead to higher inflation, which also will make the dollar more attractive.” Is gold still a safe bet? Not at the moment. “It’s not seen as much of a hedge against the uncertainty as it was two years ago,” Bourgeot said. “I think there’s really a great deal of understanding at this point that gold has become a very speculative asset,” he said, adding that typical gold investors, which include central banks, tend to be more risk-averse and may have been spooked by the “volatility” of gold in the current climate. What’s next for gold? Experts say it is difficult to make predictions given the uncertainty in the Middle East. “For now, it seems like the biggest thing holding gold back from rising further is because it has already risen so much,” Christie said. For the price of gold to shift dramatically, Meadway said two things would need to happen. “First would be a clear indication from the Federal Reserve, which will be getting a new, likely more Trump-friendly chair in May, that interest rates may be cut further, despite inflationary pressure,” he said. Advertisement “The second would be a change in perception as to the length of the war; at present, there is still some belief this will be ended fairly quickly, but the longer this drags on, and the more the damage spreads, the more attractive gold will start to appear,” he said. Adblock test (Why?)
What the Iran war looks like from the occupied West Bank
Iran missile shrapnel falls on West Bank Palestinians as settler attacks, Israeli raids and restrictions continue. As the Iran war continues, attention is fixed on missiles flying across the region. But in the occupied West Bank, missile shrapnel falls on Palestinian towns while deadly settler attacks, Israeli military raids and strict limits on daily life continue. With the world looking elsewhere, how do Palestinians in the West Bank view the Iran war, and what does life look like on the ground now? In this episode: Nour Odeh (@nour_odeh), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li with Adhil Veettil Sreechand, El Houssein Chouikhat, Tuleen Barakat, and our guest host, David Enders. It was edited by Sarí el-Khalili. David Enders and Alex Roldan mixed this episode. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. Our editorial intern is Tuleen Barakat. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Published On 17 Mar 202617 Mar 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share plus2googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Delhi Shocker: Chilling video of man shooting himself in chest while his friend records goes viral: ‘Kya kar diya tune’
According to police, the man identified as Pawan hailed from New Ashok Nagar’s Dallupura area. The incident took place when Pawan was handling a licensed pistol belonging to his cousin, Himanshu.