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Ukraine's Yermak meets senior Trump advisers, source says

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Ukraine's Yermak meets senior Trump advisers, source says

Ukrainian delegation met on Wednesday with senior representatives of President-elect Donald Trump, a source familiar with the meeting said, as Ukraine seeks support from the incoming team in its war to repel Russian invaders.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The group met in Washington with Trump’s choice for White House national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and his Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, the source said, without providing details.

The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment about the meeting.

Trump has vowed to bring about a negotiated end to the nearly three-year-old conflict between Ukraine and Russia, but has thus far not provided details.

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Trump Says He Will Not Try to Replace Fed's Powell

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Trump Says He Will Not Try to Replace Fed's Powell
(Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday he will not try to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell upon taking office in January. “No, I don’t think so,” Trump said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.” He told Welker when …
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New reports claim UNRWA works with terrorists, teaches hate as agency hits back at critics

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New reports claim UNRWA works with terrorists, teaches hate as agency hits back at critics

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Following numerous allegations and charges against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) over its ties to terrorists with involvement in the Hamas terrorist massacre in Israel, the scandal-hit agency is facing new allegations of wrongdoing.

U.N. Watch a Geneva-based NGO, has released parts of a 150-page dossier that Executive Director Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital shows “high-level UNRWA staff who are complicit with terrorists, who meet with them regularly.” 

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Before presenting his documentation to the world, Neuer attempted to address it directly with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. In a letter to Lazzarini, Neuer explained that Lazzarini’s staff have previously complained that U.N. Watch did not submit its reports to UNRWA for comment prior to publishing. Neuer then recounted several attempts to meet personally with Lazzarini to discuss U.N. Watch’s findings and explained that when it released its dossier, Lazzarini would be unable to “claim… that we do not show you the evidence in advance.”

UN, ISRAEL AT ODDS OVER CAUSE OF DECLINE IN AID DELIVERIES: ‘FALSE NARRATIVES BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’

U.N. vehicle enters the UNRWA offices in Jerusalem. Apr 2, 2024. (Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS)

Neuer’s group then released photographs of senior UNRWA staff, including Lazzarini and former UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl, meeting with alleged terror leaders. “You wouldn’t find these photos on [UNRWA officials’] own social media,” he said. “We found them our own ways, but they don’t post them.” 

Neuer pointed Fox News Digital to two undated photos showing Lazzarini meeting with groups that included members of terror organizations, including the Jihadi Islamic Movement, the Islamic Ansar League, and Hamas.

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In another photo dating back to late 2014, multiple UNRWA regional directors met with senior Hamas member Ali Baraka. Neuer said, and reporting from Al Watan Voice confirms, that the UNRWA staff wanted to “to congratulate [Baraka] on Hamas’ anniversary.”

A Palestinian fighter from the armed wing of Hamas takes part in a military parade

A terrorist from Hamas takes part in a military parade. (Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/File Photo)

In another instance, Neuer said he was able to find a photo and transcript from a February 2017 meeting between former UNRWA chief Pierre Krahenbuhl, Baraka, members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and others. According to U.N. Watch, Krahenbuhl reportedly told the assembly that “we are united, and no one can separate us.”

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice announced “terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges” against Baraka and five other Hamas leaders for their roles in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack, which killed 40 Americans and over 1,000 others.

UN ACCUSED OF DOWNPLAYING HAMAS TERRORISTS’ USE OF GAZA HOSPITALS AS NEW REPORT IGNORES IMPORTANT DETAILS

Pierre Krahenbuhl, UNRWA commissioner-general,

Pierre Krahenbuhl, UNRWA commissioner-general, speaks at a press conference in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh, File)

Krahenbuhl and his staff were investigated in 2019 for reports of “sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination and other abuses of authority.” Krahenbuhl resigned from his position, but in April 2024 was named the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Leading congressional voices requested that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power “persuade the ICRC to reconsider this appointment” given Krahenbuhl’s “disastrous tenure” as UNRWA commissioner-general.

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Fox News Digital asked the ICRC about the photos of Krahenbuhl posing with terror leaders, and of congressional concern about his fitness for the position in the Red Cross. An spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the ICRC “was not present in the meeting, so it cannot speak to the full context of the discussion.” 

They also stated that Krahenbuhl “has demonstrated through his work at ICRC and his decades of humanitarian experience that he has one objective: to secure aid to civilians in conflict zones. Meeting with any group that controls access to civilians, is an essential part of the ICRC work and other humanitarian organizations in conflict zones.”

Allegations of hate in UNRWA Education 

U.N. Watch’s latest dossier also includes interviews of UNRWA students taken by local Palestinian film crews over a period of three weeks during the summer of 2024. In one interview, a 14-year-old former student of UNRWA’s Ein Arik co-ed school said that his school taught him “’to fight back and resist’ so that ‘Palestine will be liberated and our lands will return to us by the good grace of Allah.’” The child later explains that the solution for Jerusalem is to “kill the Jews. We get rid of the Jews.”

A second NGO, IMPACT-se has reported extensively on educational materials used in UNRWA schools for over two decades. In a Nov. 13 report, IMPACT-se names 12 high-ranking UNRWA principals, deputies, directors or deputy directors of training centers who held membership in either Hamas or PIJ. The report notes that nine of the 12 participated in the terror attack of Oct. 7, with “some even serving as Nukhba operatives,” members of the special forces units of Hamas. Two of the dual UNRWA- and Hamas-member principals headed schools “under which Hamas tunnels were built.” 

ISRAELI PARLIAMENT BANS UNRWA OVER TERRORISM TIES, FACES INTERNATIONAL BACKLASH

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United Nations terrorism

UNRWA in Gaza on June 20, 2023. (Ahmed Zakot/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The latest IMPACT-se review complements findings from March 2023 that two UNRWA schools headed by Hamas members had “promote[d] violence and terrorism in self-created study material.” Now, IMPACT-se has named three additional schools where Hamas operatives served as UNRWA staff. The NGO found that these schools promoted “libels against and non-recognition of Israel” and “gratuitously insert[ed] content promoting hatred and violence against Israel into grammar exercises.”

IMPACT-se found that UNRWA schools are “shamelessly flout[ing]” UNESCO standards, which include “peace-building, respect for non-Palestinian groups, and avoiding incitement to violence.” 

The group’s report cites intelligence claiming that “over 10% of the 510 [senior] employees in UNRWA’s education system in the Gaza Strip,” are members of PIJ or Hamas. UNRWA members are not allowed to be participants in terror groups designated by the U.N. Security Council. But as Neuer explained, “The U.N. terror list is one of the thinnest lists in the world,” because “Russia and China can block any designation they don’t like.” Neuer said this means “there’s virtually no Palestinian groups” on the list.

Fox News Digital reached out to UNRWA media officials on numerous occasions for its response to the contents of IMPACT-se’s and U.N. Watch’s dossiers, about allegations that UNRWA schools were not adhering to UNESCO standards, and about Lazzarini’s refusal to meet with Neuer. 

Philippe Lazzarini

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini addresses the assembly on the opening day of the Global Refugee Forum, in Geneva. (Jean-Guy Python/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Bill Deere, director of the UNRWA representative office in Washington, told Fox News Digital, “UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has cautioned the spread of disinformation against UNRWA,” which he says “is meant to create chaos and divert attention from the political aims to dismantle the Agency.” Reiterating the content of a statement Lazzarini shared on X in the aftermath of Neuer’s dossier being released, Deere said, “UNRWA recommends before giving oxygen to accusations like these, double-check the source and question the intent to avoid becoming an echo chamber for disinformation and de facto the fueling of hate and putting other people’s lives in danger.”

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Addressing U.N. Watch’s interviews with UNRWA students, he said, “What they don’t tell you is these children were filmed without the knowledge or permission of their parents,” Deere said. “The kids were isolated and asked a series of leading questions designed to elicit a response. This is beyond misleading, it’s twisted and desperate.” 

The U.S. was among numerous countries to pause support to UNRWA in January after the initial proofs emerged of members’ participation in the terror attack of Oct. 7. Congress has halted funding to UNRWA through March 2025.
 

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Taking Syria: The opposition’s battles shown in 11 maps for 11 days

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Taking Syria: The opposition’s battles shown in 11 maps for 11 days

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Syrian opposition fighters announced that they had captured the capital, Damascus, and that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country.

The announcements came hours after the fighters took a fourth strategic city in a lightning offensive that began on November 27.

In just 11 days, the 24-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad came to an end.

The maps below provide a day-by-day overview of territorial control.

Build-up to November 27

Before November 27, Syrian opposition forces were mostly confined to their stronghold in the northwestern governorate of Idlib, following a ceasefire brokered in March 2020 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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The map below shows Syria’s territorial control before November 27.

(Al Jazeera)

On the ground, four main groups were competing for control, including:

  1. Syrian government forces: The army fought alongside the National Defence Forces, a pro-government paramilitary group, and was supported by Hezbollah, Iran and Russia.
  2. Syrian Democratic Forces: This Kurdish-dominated, United States-backed group controls parts of eastern Syria.
  3. HTS and other allied rebel groups: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the largest fighting force, was in control of Idlib for years before this offensive.
  4. Turkish and Turkish-aligned Syrian rebel forces: The Syrian National Army is a Turkish-backed rebel force in northern Syria.

Day 1 – November 27

On Wednesday, November 27, just one day after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect, Syrian opposition forces, led by HTS, launched an offensive from their base in the Idlib governorate in northwestern Syria.

The rebel group said their attacks were in retaliation for recent Syrian government assaults on cities in Idlib, including Ariha and Sarmada, which had resulted in several civilian casualties in recent weeks.

INTERACTIVE - November 27- who controls what in Syria-1733655300
(Al Jazeera)

By the evening, the group had seized at least 19 towns and villages from pro-government forces, including military sites, as they pushed into western Aleppo governorate.

The Syrian regime responded by shelling rebel-held areas while the Russian air force carried out air strikes.

Fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
Fighters from HTS in military vehicles in the eastern outskirts of Atarib, Aleppo, on November 27, 2024 [Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP]

Day 2 – November 28

By Thursday, the rebels had captured more territory and expelled government forces from villages in eastern Idlib, then began pushing towards the M5 highway, a strategic road that leads south to the capital, Damascus, about 300km (186 miles) away.

INTERACTIVE - November 28- who controls what in Syria-1733655306
(Al Jazeera)
A destroyed Syrian army tank sits in the village of Anjara, western outskirts of Aleppo
A destroyed Syrian army tank sits in the village of Anjara, on the western outskirts of Aleppo on November 28, 2024 [Omar Albam/AP Photo]

Day 3 – November 29

By Friday, rebel forces had entered parts of Aleppo city after detonating two car bombs and engaging government forces on the city’s western edge, according to a Syrian war monitor and fighters. Syrian state television said Russia was providing Syria’s military with air support.

INTERACTIVE - November 29- who controls what in Syria-1733655311
(Al Jazeera)

Day 4 – November 30

By Saturday, images and videos began circulating online showing rebel fighters taking photos next to the ancient Citadel of Aleppo as they advanced through the city.

Syrian opposition fighters sweep into Aleppo
Opposition fighters take pictures next to the ancient Citadel of Aleppo on November 30, 2024 [Omar Albam/AP Photo]

After capturing Aleppo, the rebels advanced south, towards Hama.

INTERACTIVE - November 30- who controls what in Syria-1733655317
(Al Jazeera)

Day 5 – December 1

By Sunday, Syrian and Russian jets intensified their air attacks in Idlib city and positions in Aleppo as government forces tried to slow the advance of opposition fighters.

In his first public comments since the start of the offensive, President al-Assad said his forces would continue to defend the government’s “stability and territorial integrity against terrorists and their supporters”.

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INTERACTIVE - December 1- who controls what in Syria-1733655101
(Al Jazeera)

Day 6 – December 2

Fierce battles continued in the outskirts of Hama as Syrian opposition fighters advanced to the strategic central city – Syria’s fourth largest.

As the site of the most brutal politically motivated massacre in Syria’s recent history, the city also held symbolic importance.

INTERACTIVE - December 2- who controls what in Syria-1733655106
(Al Jazeera)

Day 7 – December 3

The Syrian government said its counteroffensive had pushed back opposition fighters attempting to advance into Hama. In contrast, opposition forces said they captured more Syrian troops and Iran-backed fighters in fierce battles.

INTERACTIVE - December 3- who controls what in Syria-1733655111
(Al Jazeera)
Syrian opposition fighters take pictures in the outskirts of of Hama, Syria
Syrian opposition fighters take photos outside Hama on December 3, 2024 [Ghaith Alsayed/AP Photo]

Day 8 – December 4

Opposition fighters continued to push further south as they captured more towns in the Hama governorate.

A regime air strike killed Syrian photographer Anas Alkharboutli, who was working for German news agency dpa, near the city of Hama. Alkharboutli, 32, had long documented Syria’s 13-year war.

INTERACTIVE - December 4- who controls what in Syria-1733655116
(Al Jazeera)

Day 9 -December 5

By Thursday, the rebels announced they had full control of Hama. Seizing the city brought them one step closer to severing the coastal cities of Tartous and Latakia from the rest of the country.

Latakia is a key political stronghold for al-Assad and Syria’s Alawite community, as well as a strategic Russian naval base.

INTERACTIVE - December 5- who controls what in Syria-1733655121
(Al Jazeera)

Day 10 -December 6

The capture of Hama paved the way to Homs, Syria’s third-largest city.

Homs, a key crossroads city linking Damascus to Syria’s coastal areas, lies approximately 46km (29 miles) south of Hama.

Al Jazeera’s Omar al-Hajj said Syrian government forces had conducted several air strikes on the main road in an effort to stop the opposition’s advance.

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INTERACTIVE - December 6- who controls what in Syria-1733655127
(Al Jazeera)

Day 11 – December 7

On Saturday, southern forces started moving and Deraa-based opposition fighters said they seized control of the city, the fourth strategic loss for President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in a week. Deraa, which lies only a few kilometres from the border with neighbouring Jordan, is known as the cradle of the 2011 revolution.

INTERACTIVE - December 7- who controls what in Syria-1733655133
(Al Jazeera)

The same day, rebel fighters came within kilometres of the capital, Damascus. By the evening, they had reached its suburbs, and in the early hours of the morning on December 8, fighters captured the capital.

INTERACTIVE - December 8- who controls what in Syria-1733655290
(Al Jazeera)
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