Four mortar shells have been fired into the Green Zone as Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Baghdad.

Al-Qaida’s umbrella group in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the bombings of government ministries in Baghdad last week that killed more than 100 people and left hundreds wounded

Iraqi officials have raised the death toll in a wave of bombings in Baghdad to at least 86 with more than 300 wounded. It is the deadliest toll this year for what appeared to be a coordinated attack.

The White House says President Barack Obama is shocked by news that a U.S. soldier opened fire at a counseling center, killing five fellow soldiers. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday the shooting at Camp Liberty was a “terrible tragedy” and Obama plans to meet with Defense Secretary Gates later in the day to discuss the matter.

The U.S. military says American jets shot down an Iranian unmanned surveillance aircraft last month over Iraqi territory.

Official results from last weekend’s Iraqi election show the prime minister’s allies finished first in races for ruling councils in Baghdad and eight other provinces.

A man threw his shoes at President George W. Bush and was dragged away by security officials during the president’s farewell trip to Iraq. The incident occurred as Bush was appearing Sunday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Bush ducked and wasn’t hit by either shoe.

U.S. prosecutors say Blackwater Worldwide security guards used machine guns and grenade launchers in an attack on unarmed Iraqi civilians, some of whom had their hands up.

Iraq’s Interior Ministry says security is being tightened in Baghdad following bombings that have killed at least 20 people. A government statement says the added security will include more undercover agents on the streets.

About the time Barack Obama was learning of his victory, Tuesday night, Gazan militants were firing rockets into Israel. That is in addition to the ongoing war in Iraq, and Obama will have his hands full in the Middle East. Phil Black gives us the view from Baghdad.