The international community has condemned the assassination attempt on Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, with the UAE describing it as “cowardly” and the US condemning it as a “terrorist” act.
Although Mr Al Kadhimi escaped with only an injured wrist, images showed the destruction at his home caused by the explosive-laden drone after a week of escalating tension.
Mr Al Kadhimi said after chairing a security meeting on Sunday that those behind an attempt on his life were well known and would be exposed.
"We will pursue those who committed yesterday's crime, we know them well and we will expose them," he said according to a statement from the prime minister office.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” what they called a “cowardly terrorist attack” on Mr Al Kadhimi’s residence.
His home is inside the Green Zone, a secure compound that houses government buildings and international missions including the US embassy.
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack and said those responsible for it “must be held accountable”.
“I am relieved the prime minister was not injured and commend the leadership he has shown in calling for calm, restraint and dialogue to protect the institutions of the state and strengthen the democracy Iraqis so richly deserve,” he said.
“I condemn in the strongest terms those using violence to undermine Iraq’s democratic process.”
Mr Biden said he had instructed his national security team to help Iraq’s security forces to investigate the attack and identify those behind it.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price expressed his dismay at the attack, saying it was “directed at the heart of the Iraqi state”.
US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi to condemn the terrorist attack and convey his relief that the Prime minister was unharmed.
Secretary Blinken underscored this attack was also an attack on the sovereignty and stability of the Iraqi state.
Mr Blinken reiterated that the US partnership with Mr Al Kadhimi and with Iraq is steadfast, and pledged to support the Iraqi security forces as they investigate this attack.
Iran’s senior security official, Ali Shamkhani, referred to the attack as “a new sedition” while Tehran’s Foreign Ministry urged “vigilance to foil plots aimed at the security and development”.
“The attempt … is a new sedition that must be traced back to foreign think tanks,” he said on Twitter.
Iran backs numerous armed militias in Iraq that have been accused of carrying out repeated attacks against US and international forces in Iraq.
A security official with the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia – one of the armed groups most vocally opposed to Mr Al Kadhimi and connected to past attacks – dismissed involvement in the attack.
“According to our confirmed information, no-one in Iraq has the desire to waste a drone on the house of a former prime minister,” Abu Ali Al Askari said on Telegram.
Iran blamed the US for the attack on Mr Al Kadhimi.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said it was relieved Mr Al Kadhimi was not seriously hurt.
“Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq’s stability and derail its democratic process,” it said.
“Unami strongly encourages all sides to take responsibility for de-escalation and to engage in dialogue to ease political tensions, upholding the national interest of Iraq.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson "strongly condemned" the attack targeting his Iraqi counterpart Mustafa al-Kadhemi, his office said Sunday.
Johnson also "offered his sympathies to those injured" after an explosives-packed drone struck Kadhemi's Baghdad residence early Sunday, Downing Street said.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, also condemned the attack and backed Mr Al Kadhimi’s call for calm.
“We condemn the attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi,” she said on Twitter.
“We stand with the Iraqi government, security forces and people in their rejection of political violence and strongly support the Prime Minister’s call for calm and restraint.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack.
Qatar’s state-run news agency carried a statement from authorities that said the country supported the “unity, stability and sovereignty” of Iraq.
Jordan’s state news agency, Petra, quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying it rejected “attempts that aim to tamper with the security and stability of Iraq”.
“The ministry also reiterated Jordan’s supportive stance towards Iraq in the face of whatever threatens the security of its people and in combatting terrorism,” the agency reported.
Bahrain’s Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid called Mr Al Kadhimi and condemned the attack, and expressed Kuwait’s “solidarity with the Iraqi government and its people”.
Masoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdish Regional Government of Iraq, also called Mr Al Kadhimi to give his support.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
NBA Finals results
Game 1: Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114
Game 2: Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103
Game 3: Cavaliers 102, Warriors 110
Game 4: In Cleveland, Sunday (Monday morning UAE)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
