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Thousands turned out in Iran on Thursday to mark five years since the assassination of Qassim Suleimani.
The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force died along with eight others in a US drone attack in Baghdad. The displays of remembrance come as Iran’s influence in the Middle East wanes. Its so-called Axis of Resistance – a coalition of anti-Israel militias organised for years by Suleimani – has been disadvantaged by multi-front confrontations with Israel.
The Palestinian Authority has shuttered Al Jazeera’s office in the occupied West Bank. It says the broadcaster has disseminated “inciteful materials” and is “interfering in Palestinian internal affairs”.
The Palestinian Authority's interior, culture and communications ministries said the order freezes the Qatar-based network's journalists, crew and affiliates from operating. Al Jazeera has been covering a siege by Palestinian security forces on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, which started on December 5.
The Palestinian Authority says it is cracking down on “outlaws” who have outstanding warrants against them, including for murder, theft and destruction of civilian and military infrastructure.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the first Cabinet meeting of the year at Abu Dhabi's Qasr Al Watan on Thursday.
The Cabinet reviewed the progress made in 2024, with Sheikh Mohammed describing it as the “best economic and developmental year for the UAE since its establishment”.