U.S. Troops Deployed to Israel Amid Ceasefire Mission

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The Pentagon has confirmed the deployment of approximately 200 U.S. troops to Israel in support of the recently brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Their mission: to establish and operate a civil-military coordination center aimed at managing humanitarian aid, logistics, and monitoring compliance with the ceasefire agreement. While none of the deployed personnel are expected to enter Gaza, the assignment places them squarely in the middle of a complex and high-stakes regional operation.

Defense officials emphasized that the U.S. troops will work closely with Israeli counterparts to facilitate the flow of aid into Gaza and ensure that both sides adhere to the terms of the ceasefire. The center will serve as a critical hub for communication and logistical planning, helping international organizations, NGOs, and military units coordinate efforts in what remains a tense and politically charged environment.

Though not considered a combat deployment, the mission carries real-world risks. The region remains volatile in the wake of months of violence, and infrastructure in Gaza has been severely damaged, making aid delivery and ceasefire enforcement difficult.

This deployment further reflects the long-standing U.S.-Israel military partnership. Since Israel’s founding in 1948, the United States has provided over $130 billion in military and security assistance. Supporters of the relationship argue that American involvement strengthens regional security, deters hostile actors, and reinforces U.S. influence in one of the most strategically important parts of the world.

Critics, however, have pointed to the scale of ongoing military aid and the risks of deeper entanglement in a deeply polarized conflict. The presence of U.S. troops, even in a support role, symbolizes a broader commitment that continues to shape American foreign policy priorities in the Middle East.

For the 200 troops deployed, the task ahead is demanding but vital. They will be responsible for ensuring that life-saving aid reaches civilians in Gaza, that ceasefire terms are properly observed, and that U.S. credibility as a stabilizing force remains intact.

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Former Obama Official Ben Rhodes Can’t Bring Himself To Give Trump Credit For Israel-Hamas Deal

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Former Obama administration official Ben Rhodes brushed off the deal President Donald Trump brokered between Israel and the radical Islamic terrorist group Hamas as “just a cease-fire” Monday during a MSNBC appearance.

Hamas released the 20 surviving hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on multiple locations in southern Israel that killed over 1,200 people on Monday. Rhodes, the architect of then-President Barack Obama’s deal with Iran over its nuclear weapons program, was asked by MSNBC host Ana Cabrera if he thought Trump could see it through.

“I give Trump credit for essentially finally applying some leverage on the Israeli government, on Bibi Netanyahu in particular, in a way that, you know, frankly, we didn’t even see President Biden do when he was in office,” Rhodes claimed. “And I think simultaneously, Qatar and Turkey were applying a lot of leverage on Hamas. And then that got us into the ceasefire. That’s terrific. It’s great that the Israeli hostages are reunited with their families, that aid is getting to Gaza. I would not go as far as to say that this kind of validates a certain, you know, theory of diplomacy, because frankly, it’s just a ceasefire. The problem has not been solved.”

“It’s not really a peace deal in the sense that we still don’t know who’s going to govern Gaza. We still don’t know if Hamas is going to disarm,” Rhodes continued. “We’re at phase one, quite literally, of what would be a very long road to some kind of lasting peace. So, look, I think a transactional — and, you know, it’s interesting to reflect on that quote you put up, I mean, a transactional style of diplomacy, it can get you that kind of short-term win, right? You know, you take care of a piece of business, but it’s not necessarily designed for the kind of patient follow-through and painstaking work that is necessary to address something as deep as the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.” (Read more from “Former Obama Official Ben Rhodes Can’t Bring Himself To Give Trump Credit For Israel-Hamas Deal” HERE)

Plane Crash on Major Highway During Rush Hour Kills 2, Injures Commuter Inside Wrecked Car

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A small plane crashed in a fireball on I-195 during rush hour in Massachusetts early Monday — killing both people on board and injuring a passing commuter in a near-totaled car.

The plane careened toward the highway in Dartmouth around 8:15 a.m., forcing motorists to slam on their brakes or try to speed out of the way as it fell.

“We were coming down the highway, and then all of a sudden everybody locked up the brakes,” commuter Eric Desouza told WJAR. “We all [started] zig-zagging.”

As the plane hit the ground, a silver sedan was thrown from the road and ended up in the median grass with its right side crumpled.

It remains unclear whether the plane hit the car or if it collided with another vehicle to avoid the aircraft. (Read more from “Plane Crash on Major Highway During Rush Hour Kills 2, Injures Commuter Inside Wrecked Car” HERE)

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Trump Receives COVID Booster and Flu Shot During Second Checkup of the Year

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President Donald Trump received both a COVID-19 booster and a seasonal flu shot during a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Friday, marking his second official medical checkup of the year.

In a memo released by the White House, Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean P. Barbabella, stated that the 79-year-old president “remains in exceptional health,” citing strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neurological performance. According to the document, advanced imaging and lab tests confirmed “stable metabolic, hematologic, and cardiac parameters.”

Trump’s decision to receive a COVID booster is notable, given that his own administration has significantly scaled back vaccine promotion and access. Just this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under pressure from the Trump White House, revised its guidance to recommend COVID vaccinations only for people over 65 or those with specific health risks—and even then, only after consultation with a healthcare provider.

Despite receiving the shot himself, Trump has not personally promoted the COVID vaccine in recent months and has rarely mentioned it in public. His administration, meanwhile, has cast doubt on its safety and necessity. Several high-profile officials have made public remarks about the ineffectiveness of the vaccine and suggest it carries a variety significant risks.

Trump’s own relationship with the COVID vaccine has long been complicated. He was initially vaccinated in private before leaving office in 2021 and has at times taken credit for the rapid development of the original vaccine under his Operation Warp Speed initiative. However, he has also avoided strongly promoting it to his base, many of whom are deeply skeptical of the COVID vaccine due to remarkable evidence.

Friday’s checkup was the second of the year for the president, following a physical exam in April. While the White House described this visit as part of Trump’s “ongoing health maintenance plan,” some observers noted the unusual frequency for a sitting president’s full physical evaluations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed concerns, calling the visit “routine” and a responsible part of Trump’s personal health regimen.

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‘Let Me Finish My Thought!’ Trump’s Envoy Shouted Down by Israelis After Hailing Netanyahu

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Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, was shouted down in Israel Saturday after hailing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as being instrumental in the Gaza peace plan that was agreed to, in part, by both Israel and Hamas.

“This moment was made through the tireless dedication of leaders who would not rest until the world saw what could be achieved, one of them standing right here with me, Jared Kushner,” Witkoff said to a crowd of thousands in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Witkoff then proceeded to mention Netanyahu’s name in his round of thanks only to be met with loud boos and jeers from the crowd. . .

“I, I, okay, let me just finish my thought. I was, I was in the trenches… guys, let me just finish my thought,” Witkoff said, as he struggled to tamper down the jeers from the crowd. “I was in the trenches with the prime minister – believe me, he was a very important part here.”

Boos continued to ring out from the audience at every mention of Netanyahu, whose popularity among Israelis has plummeted since Hamas’ attack in 2023, with many Israeli critics accusing Netanyahu of deliberately undermining a hostage deal. (Read more from “‘Let Me Finish My Thought!’ Trump’s Envoy Shouted Down by Israelis After Hailing Netanyahu” HERE)

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Billionaire Investor Issues Ominous Warning of ‘Civil War’ Building Under Trump

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Billionaire Ray Dalio warned Friday that surging U.S. debt and hardening political divides under Donald Trump are pushing the country toward civil war.

The veteran hedge fund manager, 76, warned that borrowing “relative to income” is “like plaque in the arteries that then begins to squeeze out the spending.”

He told Bloomberg the combination of swelling deficits, wealth inequality, and global flashpoints has created “plenty to worry about” and an environment “very much analogous” to the years before World War II.

Asked whether a wider conflict is imminent, he replied that a “civil war of some sort” is developing with “irreconcilable differences” in the U.S. and elsewhere moving toward “tests of power.”

As such, Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, added, it was “crucial” to address the strains now. (Read more from “Billionaire Investor Issues Ominous Warning of ‘Civil War’ Building Under Trump” HERE)

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Malian Woman Sets World Record by Giving Birth to Nine Healthy Babies

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In an unprecedented medical achievement, Halima Cissé, a 25-year-old woman from Mali, has made history by giving birth to nine healthy children at once, setting a Guinness World Record for the most babies born at a single birth to survive. The nonuplets, consisting of five girls and four boys, were delivered via a C-section in Morocco, where Cissé had been flown for specialized high-risk care.

The pregnancy, which occurred naturally without fertility treatments, is considered extraordinarily rare by medical experts. Natural nonuplet pregnancies are almost unheard of, making this birth a remarkable milestone in both obstetrics and human endurance.

Doctors involved in the case reported that all nine infants are thriving and in good health, and they are being closely monitored in a hospital facility in Morocco. Medical teams praised Cissé’s strength and resilience throughout the pregnancy and delivery, highlighting the crucial role of advanced medical care in high-risk pregnancies.

Cissé’s journey has drawn global attention, with international media and medical communities hailing the birth as both a historic and inspirational event. In Mali, the news has sparked widespread celebration, while healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of access to specialized maternal care. (Read more from “Malian Woman Sets World Record by Giving Birth to Nine Healthy Babies” HERE)

Melania Trump Secures Agreement With Russia On Displaced Ukrainian Children

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First lady Melania Trump announced Friday that she secured an agreement with Russia on the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families.

Trump spoke for six minutes, sharing that she had been keeping an “open channel of communication” with Russian President Vladimir Putin over displaced Ukrainian children. She shared that Russia agreed to return Ukrainian children with their families, and in the 24 hours since the agreement, eight children have been returned.

“Each child has lived in turmoil because of the war in Ukraine,” Melania Trump said. “Three were separated from their parents and displaced to the Russian Federation because of frontline fighting. The other five were separated from family members across borders because of the conflict, including one young girl who has now been reunited from Ukraine to Russia.”

The first lady also said she had expressed concern over children who were displaced as minors but have since turned 18 years old. Russia has also agreed to return these children, she announced. (Read more from “Melania Trump Secures Agreement With Russia On Displaced Ukrainian Children” HERE)

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This Trendy Diet May Help Protect Babies Against Stress From the Womb: Study

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There’s been lots of talk lately of what babies should — and shouldn’t — consume early in life.

Now, here’s another suggestion. A new study proposes that infants weaned off breastfeeding should eat a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet to protect themselves from psychological and developmental conditions that may arise from stress in the womb.

“We discovered that feeding young rats a ketogenic diet — a high‑fat, very low‑carbohydrate regimen — right after weaning almost completely protected them from the lasting effects of stress they’d experienced before birth,” lead researcher Alessia Marchesin of the University of Milan in Italy said in a statement.

“The diet seems to have acted like a shield for their developing brains, so preventing social and motivational problems from ever taking root.”

To come to this conclusion, the researchers stressed pregnant rats just before they delivered.

Their offspring were weaned 21 days after birth and given a keto diet — staples include meat, fish, low-carb vegetables, eggs, healthy fats like avocado and olive oil — or a control diet. (Read more from “This Trendy Diet May Help Protect Babies Against Stress From the Womb: Study” HERE)

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Trump Faces MAGA Backlash Over Qatari Air Force Facility in Idaho Amid Renewed Scrutiny of Qatar Ties

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President Donald Trump is facing backlash from his own political base after the announcement of a Qatari-funded air force training facility to be built at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. The project, intended to support training for Qatar’s Emiri Air Force pilots flying U.S.-made F-15 fighter jets, has ignited a firestorm among Trump-aligned influencers and “America First” conservatives.

The plan, unveiled by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, states that Qatar will fully fund the construction of the facility, which will remain under U.S. jurisdiction and control. However, MAGA-aligned critics say it amounts to allowing a foreign military force—one they accuse of sponsoring terrorism—to establish a foothold on American soil.

Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist and a key architect of Trump’s populist message in 2016, told Newsweek that “there should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.”

Far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has claimed significant influence in Trump World and boasts ties to current administration officials, went even further. “Never thought I’d see Republicans give terror-financing Muslims from Qatar a MILITARY BASE on US soil so they can murder Americans,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter), mischaracterizing the facility’s purpose.

Loomer also resurfaced a 2017 clip of Trump himself accusing Qatar of “funding terrorism at a very high level.” She added, “The Qatari influence on the Trump administration is totally out of control,” expressing concerns that the relationship with the Gulf monarchy compromises American sovereignty and security.

The backlash has also reignited scrutiny of Trump’s and his inner circle’s longstanding financial entanglements with Qatar.

In 2018, reports emerged that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, had received a substantial investment from a Qatari-linked fund to bail out the troubled 666 Fifth Avenue property in New York. The timing raised eyebrows, as it came after Kushner had reportedly pressured Qatar unsuccessfully for funds during the property’s financial crisis—only for Qatari-backed entities to later come to the rescue through a roundabout investment. In 2025, scrutiny of Jared Kushner’s Qatar links escalated sharply. His investment firm, Affinity Partners, saw a substantial capital injection from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and other Gulf sovereign wealth funds, contributing to its growth in assets under management. Meanwhile, Kushner played an important diplomatic role behind the scenes in negotiating Israel‑Hamas ceasefire deals, prompting questions over whether his business relationships with Qatar and Saudi Arabia conflict with his influence in foreign policy.

Further complicating the optics, Trump was reportedly gifted a $400 million luxury airplane from Qatar’s government. The gesture, which was not publicly disclosed in required filings for foreign gifts at the time, has raised questions about whether Trump’s post-presidency dealings with foreign powers violate the spirit—if not the letter—of federal ethics laws.

Even outside of the MAGA base, conservative commentators are questioning the strategic rationale of hosting Qatari pilots on American soil.

Noah Rothman of the National Review wrote: “What’s the strategic rationale for this? Either ours or Qatar’s?” He continued, “I’m sure we don’t need to import any more Qatari covert assets into this country.”

Mike Madrid, a GOP political strategist and critic of Trump, compared the move to the Biden administration’s much-criticized response to the Chinese spy balloon. “Joe Biden was criticized for a Chinese balloon flying over our airspace. [Trump’s team is] giving Qatar an entire f’ing air base,” he posted.

In response to the growing uproar, Hegseth clarified via social media that the facility will not be an independent Qatari base. “It will remain a U.S. military installation under U.S. control,” he stated.

Despite the clarification, critics remain unconvinced, pointing to what they say is a growing pattern of influence by Qatar over U.S. policy.

While the Pentagon notes that similar arrangements exist—with Germany, Singapore, and other allied nations conducting military training in the U.S.—the controversy highlights the unique political sensitivities around the U.S.-Qatar relationship, especially within Trump’s own coalition.

As of Friday, the White House has not responded to multiple media requests for comment, and Trump himself has yet to publicly address the controversy. His silence is notable, especially given how vocally he condemned Qatar during his first year in office—only to embrace the nation later as an “important strategic partner.”

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