BAGHDAD // Today, al Qa'eda's umbrella group in Iraq claimed responsibility for a triple suicide bombing outside foreign embassies in Baghdad, which killed more than 40 people.
The group, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, posted a statement on a website that carries al Qa'eda and other militant declarations. The statement said the embassy attacks last Sunday were a "new strike into the heart of the security plan" in the Iraqi capital. It also said "all diplomatic corps, embassies and international organisations" dealing with the Iraqi government are "legitimate targets."
The embassy bombings are part of a wave of recent violence in and around the capital that has killed some 120 people in a week. The bloodshed suggests insurgents are seizing on political uncertainty after March elections to try to destabilise Iraq as US troops prepare to leave.
The US military plans to reduce troop levels from some 96,000 to 50,000 by August 31, when it will end combat operations. As part of an agreement with Iraq, the US will withdraw all forces by the end of 2011.
Today, thousands gathered in the holy city of Najaf, shouting "Iraq is for Iraqis" and "There is no place for occupiers" during an annual march organised by anti-American cleric Muqtada al Sadr to mark the anniversary of the fall of Baghdad.
"If you stay united, you will defeat the occupier and get them out of our sacred land," said Mr al Sadr's aide Sayyid Hazim Al Araji, reading a speech on the behalf of the cleric, who is living in Iran.
"If you divide, the occupier and its supporters will stay in our land," he said.
Speaking earlier this week, US Brig Gen Ralph Baker said that he understands there are "some Iraqis that think the US military will never leave Iraq." But, he emphasised, the drawdown plans were on track and have not changed despite the recent violence.
Extremists seem to be trying to provoke mayhem as Iraq's politicians negotiate to form a stable government after the March 7 parliamentary election that failed to produce a clear winner.
A secular front-runner bloc is currently holding talks with religious Shiite parties - a threatening prospect for insurgents whose stock-in-trade is rage, not peace. The attacks could further stoke sectarian tensions, which in turn may make Shiite parties less likely to join former prime minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite backed by Sunnis.
Mr Allawi's political coalition, Iraqiya, came out ahead in the vote, narrowly edging prime minister Nouri al Maliki's bloc by just two seats. Mr Allawi has raised the prospect that terror attacks will only increase if the negotiations over forming a new government drag on for months.
The Islamic State of Iraq today denied that it had anything to do with another attack earlier this week, when bombs ripped through apartment buildings and a market in mostly Shiite areas of Baghdad, killing 50.
Other recent violence includes the shooting deaths of a Shiite couple and four of their children in their home outside Baghdad on Monday. And one week ago, gunmen went house-to-house in a Sunni area south of Baghdad, killing 24 villagers.
* AP
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Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Teenage%20Mutant%20Ninja%20Turtles%3A%20Shredder's%20Revenge
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ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
Company%20Profile
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
More on animal trafficking