Insurgent group behind Biden rocket attack

An Iraqi insurgent group claimed responsibility for what it said was a rocket attack on Baghdad's Green Zone during a visit by the American vice president Joe Biden, a US monitoring group said today. The Mujahedeen Army said the rockets were fired into the heavily fortified area as a "reception" for Mr Biden, urging him to deliver a message to the US president Barack Obama to withdraw from the country, SITE Intelligence Group reported, citing a statement posted on websites used by jihadists.

Iraqi security officials said at least four mortar shells landed near the US embassy in the Green Zone yesterday evening, hours after Mr Biden had arrived on a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital. He was unharmed, according to a reporter travelling with him. "The mujahideen were able to shower the Green Zone and the occupation's headquarters in Baghdad Airport with six surface-to-surface rockets," the group said.

"They allege that mortars were fired, but we affirm that they were rockets as stated above." The Mujahideen Army is considered as being close to Ezzat Ibrahim, who served as a top official under the former executed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and is currently on the run. The group is particularly active in the area north of Baghdad and had in January claimed an attack on American base in the city of Taji.

*AFP

Kareem Shaheen on Canada

Canada should look past the US election outcome

There would be no Alphonso Davies without open borders

Hard-hit Canada is springing back to life – or to the already cliched 'new normal'

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.

A German university was a good fit for the family budget

Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600

Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600

The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually

Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated

As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640

Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month

RESULTS

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel