Hot political stories for today

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Violence in Iraq is going to bring the status of the nation back into the spotlight during the presidential race. Here's a look at some of the hot political stories for today.

Violence in Iraq

Three separate car bombings in the Iraqi capital Wednesday killed at least 93 people and wounded at least 165.

The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for all three bombings. In recent months, the extremist faction has lost some of the Iraqi territory it conquered in a stunning 2014 blitz. But Wednesday's carnage demonstrates the group's lingering ability to launch significant attacks across the country and in the heart of the capital. More details and new developments

Sanders, Trump win primaries

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

Credit: Anthony Shoemaker

White House dreams fading, Bernie Sanders added another state to his tally against

with a win in West Virginia on Tuesday — a victory that will do little to slow the former secretary of state's steady march toward the Democratic presidential nomination.

Meanwhile, Republican Donald Trump also won there and in Nebraska, a week after he cleared the field of his remaining rivals. They were not victories likely to heal the party's wounds, as some GOP leaders continue to hold off offering their endorsement of the party's presumptive nominee. Get more election details here

Tight U.S. Senate race

Sen. Rob Portman has been in public office for much of the past two decades, but a poll released Wednesday found much of the public doesn’t know who he is.

Quinnipiac University pollsters found that the Senate race between Portman and Democratic former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland — one of the most expensive and closely watched races in the country — is too close to call, with 43 percent supporting Strickland and 42 percent supporting Portman. More poll results here

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