President Donald Trump turned heads when he signed arecent executive order promising to defend the state of Qatar from attack and in so doing protect U.S. interests. The language of the order is clear: if Qatar is attacked, "the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military."This move comes after Israel, another close American ally,hit Qatar with airstrikes targeting Hamas officials. Some people who dont understand the full context of the presidents Middle East peace strategy have questioned this order, even though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sinceapologized for the strikes and promised no further action in Qatar.The truth is that Trumps executive order is yet another example of his abiding commitment to protecting American interests in the Middle East. During his first term, hedeclared that "The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level."The Biden administration rewarded Qatars support during its withdrawal from Afghanistan by designating the nation a major non-NATO ally in 2022. We are in a new strategic calculus surrounding Qatar, and this is the context in which Trump has taken such a bold move.FROM OCT 7 CAPTIVITY TO FREEDOM: PRESIDENT TRUMP SAVED ME AND I BELIEVE HE CAN FREE THE REMAINING HOSTAGESPresident Trump is interpreting the strategic moment unlike any United States president before him. The Qatar announcement puts all parties in the region on notice: Israel conducted military strikes against Doha. It wont do that again any time soon. Iran struck Qatar. It will think long and hard about doing anything close. The Saudis have paired up with the Pakistanis for mutual defense. Trump has done a checkmate. The political office of Hamas in Qatar is just less relevant now.Trump is forcing peace by clarifying options and the game for long-standing divisions from the Levant to the Gulf. This is bringing the broader Middle East closer to peace than it has been in years.HOW TRUMP USES SAME STRATEGY TO CURB BIG PHARMA, SECURE MIDEAST PEACEWho else could staunchly support Israels right to defend itself from Hamas and Irans nuclear program while simultaneously being tough on Netanyahu to actively pursue peace? Theres a tremendous amount of nuance in this approach.Here is the presidents goal: A durable peace deal, not just between Israel and Hamas, but one that brings all parties in the Middle East to the table. This is why the United States has been so involved in brokering a deal in the Middle East and has relied on the positive relationships that Trump has built through trade and diplomacy.America has been clear that there is some room for negotiation, but some things wont change. Primary among them is that Hamas must disarm. This is a prerequisite to any lasting peace and Trump knows it. Thats why the 20-part plan is take it or leave it on the condition of disarmament.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONFurther evidence of the genius of this approach is the broad support the plan has received from disparate countries, both in the Middle East and in Europe. It has garnered support from countries that are both for and against Palestinian statehood. The plan has served as a unifying beacon to a region (and a world) that has long wanted peace but has never had a leader courageous and tenacious enough to make that dream a reality.Another outcome of this broad support is the true isolation of Hamas. Theyre the only ones who are for their continued militarization. In effect, by their protracted resistance to peace, they have alienated almost everyone who may be sympathetic to some of their nonviolent goals. That puts Hamas under enormous pressure pressure that is both intentional and calculated to move the Middle East toward lasting peace.All this comes while Trump has doubled down on American and European support of Ukraine to find a way to speed up the end of Europes horrible war, yet another example of the administration keeping promises made during the presidential campaign. The approach should sound familiar.The president provided Russia with every opportunity to end the conflict peacefully. Despite that effort, Moscow refused and has continued its aggression toward Ukraine. Now, as a last resort just like the situation with Irans nuclear program the United States is providing additional support to its allies, all in service of the ultimate goal, which has always been and will always be lasting peace, not just for the Middle East, but for the world. Trump is determined to be the peace strategist.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM KIRON SKINNER

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley warned WNBA players as they appear to be full steam ahead for a labor dispute, while Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has come under scrutiny.Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier amplified the pressure on Engelbert during her final media availability of the season with reporters. She called out what she described as the "lack of accountability from the league office" and alleged Engelbert made scathing comments about rising stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMColliers leadership heading into what will be heated collective bargaining negotiations was lauded among her colleagues around the league. But Barkley suggested the players should be careful to not overplay their hand."They need to be very careful, theyre walking on thin ice right now," he said on "The Rich Eisen Show." "I know theyre doing some great things, but you cant overplay your handas a league that had Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and a hundred great players, I think we went on strike three times. So, this notion, just because you got power and talent these billionaire owners are just gonna give you everything you want, thats not gonna happen."You can overplay your hand. In the NBA, we were like, No, were not gonna strike. They need us. You know what I was doing? Sitting my Black a-- at home, unemployed playing damn tiddlywinks."SHEDEUR SANDERS RESPONDS TO REX RYAN'S 'EMBARRASSMENT' CRITICISMS, EXPLAINS RECENT 'MIME' ACTBarkley added that players have to be a little more cautious when going up against billionaires and the power that they wield."No matter how many millions you got, youre not a billionaire. So, you always have to be careful overplaying your hand. What you do is, you try to make the best deal possible in the moment and keep growing, but you have to be careful overplaying your hand."NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism that a deal between the players and the WNBA would get done, though he acknowledged the relationship between them and Engelbert would need to be repaired as well."We will get a deal done with the players," he said Monday. "Lots of work left to be done, but well of course get a new collective bargaining agreement.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Researchers recently unveiled the faces of ancient Colombians who lived hundreds of years ago.Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in the United Kingdom announced in an August press release that specialists in its Face Lab were able to digitally extract face masks from corpses found in the Cordillera Oriental region of eastern Colombia.The results were presented in August at the XI World Congress on Mummy Studies in Cuzco, Peru.SHOPPERS AT POPULAR MARKETPLACE WALKED OVER 'VILE' DUNGEON AS ARCHAEOLOGISTS CITE 'REMARKABLE' FINDSResearchers analyzed four corpses that are held in the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History's (ICANH) collection.The corpses spanned several centuries of Colombian history, from the 13th to the 18th centuries, the release noted.The earliest individual dates to around 1216, while the "newest" mummy is believed to have died around 1797.The masks were made directly on the decedents' skulls, covering their jaw and face.TREASURES IN ITALY, INCLUDING 2,300-YEAR-OLD TOMB, UNEARTHED DURING SEWER INSTALLATIONUsing volumetric CT reconstructions, X-ray diffraction and DNA analysis among other methods the team digitally removed funerary masks from the corpses and reconstructed their faces.Photos show the four reconstructed faces and corresponding skull scans, revealing what the men may have looked like during their time on Earth.Ancient Colombians crafted intricate funerary masks that were very realistic, according to LJMU."They crafted masks for their dead with such precision that the mummified bodies appear to be alive," the university said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"Masks were made of clay, waxes and resins but often contain gold or other decorative material, telling an untold story of the culture and technology of Eastern Colombia between the 13th and 17th centuries."Researcher Jessica Liu told Fox News Digital the most surprising aspect of the project was the different shapes of the heads."The four heads were quite different in sizes, and their crania were quite different in shape," she said.MORE FROM FOX NEWS LIFESTYLE"After the conference in Cuzco, we donated the 3D replicas to ICANH [and] they were very pleased with the results," added Liu.Researcher Felipe Crdenas-Arroyo of the Academia Colombiana de Historia said the masks were crafted using "extraordinary workmanship.""[They are], so far, the only ones known to exist in Colombia," he observed.

Country star Zach Bryan's new song about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is sparking backlash across Nashville.Bryan previewed his new song, "Bad News," on Instagram this week, featuring lyrics that were a not-so-subtle dig against the actions of ICE under President Donald Trump."My friends are all degenerates, but theyre all I got, the generational story of dropping the plot," the lyrics read. "I heard the cops came, Cocky motherf------, aint they?" and, "And ICE is gonna come bust down your door, try to build a house no one builds no more, but I got a telephone, Kids are all scared and all alone."COUNTRY STAR ZACH BRYAN TEASES NEW SONG 'BAD NEWS' CONDEMNING ICE RAIDS, 'FADING' OF THE RED, WHITE AND BLUESome fellow country artists said they could do without Bryan's new, politically charged single. Singer Buddy Brown began by taking jabs at Bryan's past arrest and making parallels to country artists like The Chicks, formerly The Dixie Chicks, who paid the price for getting political after they publicly criticized President George W. Bush ahead of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003."Hes getting harder for any true country fan to defend," country singer Buddy Brown told Fox News Digital of Bryan. "First time I heard of him, he was getting arrested and mad because he was telling the cops how famous he is. Next, you see him, jumping a fence to fight Gavin Adcock at a concert he reminds me of a middle school desk, inked up and unstable. Now hes bashing President Trump and ICE, the only thing I can think is he must be trying really hard for that Bud Light sponsorship!""Just ask the Dixie Chicks how this behavior played out for them," he continued.DHS HEAD KRISTI NOEM RIPS COUNTRY STAR ZACH BRYAN OVER HIS ANTI-ICE SONG LYRICSWhile some social media users praised Bryan for showing "courage" with his new single, other critics called the controversy his "Bud Light moment." The beer company used transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney as the face of one of its campaigns in April 2023, which led to consumer backlash and a drop in sales."God Bless the USA" singer Lee Greenwood responded to Bryan's new song by reflecting on how his own famous single sought to unite, not divide. The song, released in 1984, experienced a new surge in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, and it is now considered a patriotic American staple."Since my song God Bless The USA' was released in 1984, I have realized how the message of a song can influence people," Greenwood told Fox News Digital. "'God Bless The USA' was intended to celebrate America. The song has become something for all Americans. It helped show support to our troops in Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It helped unite the country after the 9/11 attacks. It has been recorded by Beyonc and Dolly Parton, among others.""I have never thought of using music to divide Americans, yet, the opposite to bring them together," he continued. "My song has been used by every President since Ronald Reagan, including Democrats and Republicans. I was a Presidential appointee under President Bush (43), President Obama, President Trump, President Biden, and now, again, under President Trump. I support our law enforcement, first responders, military and the Trump administration."Country artist John Rich reacted to Bryan's song in posts on X, first lamenting that, "Nashville is full of guys like this." He also asked, "Who's ready for the Zach Bryan-Dixie Chicks tour? Prob a huge Bud Light sponsorship for this one," before wondering if Bryan was trying to tap into a lesser-known wing of the country music fan base."Zach Bryan has every right to record a song bashing law enforcement, and fans have every right to keep supporting his career, or not," Rich later posted. "Capitalism isn't cancellation. Who knows, maybe there's a large anti law enforcement wing of the country music fan base. We'll soon find out."COUNTRY SINGER ZACH BRYAN RELEASES STATEMENT ON CONTROVERSIAL SONG, INSISTING I LOVE THIS COUNTRYFollowing the backlash, Bryan released a statement defending his song and his own patriotic ideals."This shows you how divisive a narrative can be when shoved down our throats through social media," Bryan said, in part. "This song is about how much I love this country and everyone in it more than anything. When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle. Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back."Fox News Digital has reached out to Bryan for comment.Brown told Fox News Digital that, at their core, country music fans love America."Country music fans are very patriotic, and they respond to True GRIT, not temper tantrums," he said. "Ill stick with George Strait."

New Jersey voters remain divided after the final debate between gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill, sparring over crime, immigration and the states high cost of living.Voters from both sides of the political spectrum joined "Fox & Friends" Thursday to share their reactions to the debate and how they plan to vote in the race to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy."I'm a mom of three, and I definitely support law enforcement. I think its incredibly important," Republican voter Alexandra said.NJ MAYOR BREAKS WITH DEMS TO BACK CIATTARELLI FOR GOVERNOR, DEMANDS END TO SANCTUARY POLICIESImmigration, the states sanctuary policies and public safety have become tense issues between Ciattarelli and Sherrill. "My opponent has not said a word about getting rid of sanctuary cities, the Immigrant Trust Directive. She's not said a word about reform and bail reform," Ciattarelli said during Wednesdays debate."Yet cops will tell you all the time that this is one of the things getting in the way of keeping our community safe."BLUE STATE GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEES TRADE BARBS OVER CRUCIAL ISSUE WEEKS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAYDemocratic candidate Sherrill, meanwhile, has worked to tie Ciattarelli to President Donald Trumps policies, criticizing his proposal to deploy the National Guard to cities to aid ICE agents."Military members should not be on our streets. It makes people less safe," said Sherrill, a Navy veteran, during the debate.Voters on the panel remained split on how New Jersey should handle immigration.Angela, a Republican voter, said she supports stronger enforcement against illegal immigrants who commit crimes.CIATTARELLI UNLOADS ON MIKIE SHERRILL IN NJ TOWN HALL, CITING IMMIGRATION AND NAVAL ACADEMY: NOT A CENTRIST"I think Jack Ciattarelli hit the point last night when he said there has to be a pathway to recognition," she said."But it doesn't mean that everybody who's committing illegal acts gets to stay. People who are committing crimes have to go back."A Democratic voter on the panel warned that ending the states sanctuary policies could endanger undocumented workers who contribute to local communities."These are people who pay taxes, who work, whether they're legally here or not," said Democratic voter Stephanie."If they're working here, they're paying taxes here. So to me, there should be something more than recognition."Chris, another Democratic voter, raised concerns about police reform. "It's not really about defunding the police. It's about it teaching new ways and maybe redoing the institution of the police," he said.With Election Day less than a month away, the contests in New Jersey and Virginia are being closely watched as early indicators of how voters are responding to the Trump administration's agenda.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz.Looking for more of a challenge?A California woman removes her clothing at a policy demonstration in last week's News Quiz.Test yourself on farmer's feats and brilliant baseball in this week's American Culture Quiz.If you're looking to play even more, you can find all of our quizzes by clicking here.Check back next week for the latest News Quiz from Fox News Digital. Thanks for playing!

The U.S. Coast Guard is turning to Finland to bolster Americas icebreaking fleet a move driven by growing concern that the United States is falling behind global rivals in the race for Arctic influence and security.For years, military and intelligence officials have warned that the U.S. has only a handful of aging icebreakers compared with Russias fleet of more than 40, including nuclear-powered models. As melting sea ice opens new shipping lanes and access to critical minerals, the Pentagon and Coast Guard say a stronger Arctic presence is no longer optional.On Thursday, President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed a $6.1 billion deal for Finland to sell up to four new icebreakers to the U.S.Defense officials say the Arctic is now the front line of homeland defense where U.S. early-warning systems, missile detection networks, and undersea cables intersect with expanding Russian and Chinese military activity.RUSSIA, CHINA ARE TRYING TO SEIZE CONTROL OF THE ARTIC. WE CAN'T LET THEM SUCCEED"We need these ships very badly because we have a lot of territory, more than anybody. And so, I'm very honored to have this deal. And thank you very much. It's going to be great," Trump said at the White House.The purchase from Finnish shipbuilders, who are world leaders in polar vessel design, is part of a broader plan to close the "icebreaker gap" that has left the U.S. dependent on outdated ships for Arctic patrols and Antarctic resupply. Finland, a new NATO member, has joined the U.S. and Canada in the ICE Pact an agreement aimed at fast-tracking icebreaker construction, sharing technology, and strengthening allied operations in polar waters.The Coast Guards newest polar icebreaker, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis, returned to port in Seattle earlier this week after 112 days at sea, where it monitored Chinese-flagged research vessels Jidi and Xue Long 2.Russia and China held joint naval drills in the Bering Sea off Alaska in recent months.FRANCE WARNS OF GLOBAL BRUTALIZATION AMID TRUMP ARCTIC DISPUTE OVER GREENLANDThe Storis was the first polar ice cutter the Coast Guard had acquired in 25 years when it was purchased in 2024. The service currently only has two others in commission: the 48-year-old Polar Star heavy icebreaker and the medium icebreaker Healy. Coast Guard officials insist they need at least eight polar icebreakers to meet operational needs.The Coast Guard also has 21 domestic icebreakers, designed to clear channels for commercial shipping in waterways like the Great Lakes, 16 ice-capable buoy tenders, capable of breaking up thin layers of ice.One of Russias central goals in the Arctic is solidifying control of the Northern Sea Route, the ice highway along its northern flank connecting Europe to Asia via Arctic waters.Russia has been actively militarizing its Arctic, redeploying air, naval, missile, radar, and anti-submarine assets to forward bases. Because Russias naval nuclear deterrent (especially ballistic missile submarines) relies on Arctic sea lanes for stealthy deployment, Moscow views Western surveillance or military presence in the region as a direct threat.The Arctic is also rich in hydrocarbons, minerals, and rare elements materials that the U.S. and all of its near-peer competitors are trying to secure dominance over. China currently controls most of the worlds supply of rare earth elements and minerals.Though China is not an Arctic state, it labels itself a "near-Arctic" power and is pushing to be a recognized stakeholder in Arctic affairs. China has inserted the Arctic into its Belt and Road vision via the "Polar Silk Road" a conceptual maritime route over the Arctic connecting China and Europe.

A Virginia police association said even the alleged remarks by attorney general hopeful Jay Jones crossed an unforgivable line, calling them "profoundly reckless" and "an affront to fallen officers."In a statement to Fox News Digital, Virginia State Police Association (VSPA) President Tim Confroy said the organization was "deeply disturbed" by the reported 2020 comment, which Jones has denied making.Jones once allegedly suggested that if more police officers were killed, they would shoot fewer people, a former colleague in the state legislature said. Republican Del. Carrie Coyner told Virginia Scope on Monday that during a 2020 conversation about qualified immunity, she told Jones that without the legal protection, police officers would get killed."Well, maybe if a few of them died, that they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people," Jones responded, according to Coyner."There is no place for rhetoric that fuels hostility," Confroy said. "If true, these words are profoundly reckless. The words dishonor every man and woman who has sworn to protect and serve the Commonwealth and undermine the foundation of mutual respect and public trust that effective law enforcement and officer safety depend upon."RESURFACED SOCIAL MEDIA POST COMES BACK TO HAUNT DISGRACED DEM AG NOMINEE: 'DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT'The association noted that 67 Virginia state troopers have died in the line of duty, saying Joness reported statement was "unconscionable" and "an affront to the memory of those whom we have lost.""There is no place for rhetoric that fuels hostility," Confroy said.He said that law enforcement officers, especially amid the current political climate toward law enforcement, need their elected officials to promote "meaningful advocacy that recognizes the inherent risk of public service."JOE SCARBOROUGH TELLS DEM CANDIDATE JAY JONES TO LEAVE RACE OVER VIOLENT COMMENTS AGAINST GOP LAWMAKERThe rebuke comes as Jones faces growing bipartisan backlash following the release of his private text messages in which he appeared to fantasize about violence toward political opponents.The embattled attorney general hopeful allegedly sent text messages suggesting he would shoot thenHouse Speaker Todd Gilbert "over Adolf Hitler."In those messages, he also wrote that Gilbert and his wife should have to watch their "fascist" children die. At one point, Jones wrote, "Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head."WATCH: Revelations about Jay Jones turned the election around, Virginia GOP chairman saysProminent Democrats and Republicans have called Jones' comments disqualifying for someone seeking to become Virginias top cop.Along with the VSPA, the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police sent a letter to Jones, asking him to bow out of the attorney general race immediately, while also condemning his 2022 text messages."The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police is aware of the recent text message scandal involving you, the Democrat candidate for Attorney General. While this incident may have occurred in 2022, this conduct has no place in our society or democracy, especially from an elected official who is running to be the top prosecutor in Virginia," the FOP wrote. "The men and women of the Virginia Fraternal Order unequivocally condemn these violent text messages sent by you about a political opponent and his family."Fox News Digital has reached out to Jones for comment.Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

The executive search firm that helped Iowa's largest public school district hire Ian Roberts, an illegal immigrant, has assisted school districts throughout the country in hiring hundreds of superintendents and other educational leaders.One-Fourth Consulting, which operates under its brand JG Consulting, was sued in the Iowa District Court for Polk County last week by the Des Moines Independent Community School District (DMICSD) for its role in hiring Roberts, who was recently arrested on immigration and weapons charges. The district is suing the executive search firm for breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, general negligence and is also seeking monetary damages.When reached for comment about the lawsuit, legal counsel for the executive search firm pointed out that JG Consulting, during its decade-long tenure helping schools find new leaders, has placed more than 65 new superintendents and more than 200 other educational executives in school districts across the United States.SCHOOL CHIEF TO SUSPECT: ICE ARREST OF DES MOINES SUPERINTENDENT EXPOSES FAKE DEGREES, DRUG CONVICTIONS"In our more than decade-long history of doing this important work, weve worked with schools to complete more than 65 searches for school superintendents as well as more than 200 others in executive roles," JG Consulting's legal counsel, Josh Romero, told Fox News Digital. "At JG Consulting, we are proud of our extensive record of successfullysupporting school districts across the nation in identifying candidates for the position of school superintendent and related executive roles. Educating our young people is a tremendous responsibility and we take very seriously the role we play in that process."In addition to JG Consulting's work with DMICSD, the executive search firm has also helped spearhead candidate search efforts for several other school districts around the country, including in Texas, Virginia and in other districts in Iowa, according to a Fox News Digital analysis of public records.One of those districts, the Eanes Westlake Innovative School District, which is currently using JG Consulting to find a new superintendent, put out a statement following news of the Roberts arrest to assure its community members that it was committed to "high standards" in its search for a new district head."While we are aware of allegations in Iowa, the Board believes JG Consulting is conducting a thorough and comprehensive search for the next Eanes ISD superintendent," district board president, Kim McMath, said. "As we move forward, the Board will require JG Consulting to provide extensive background information on all candidates who advance for consideration. We are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring this process meets the highest standards."EX MICHELLE OBAMA AIDE LEADS DES MOINES SCHOOL BOARD'S DEFENSE OF SUPERINTENDENT ARRESTED BY ICERoberts is currently facing federal charges and is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service in Polk County jail, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement from last week. DHS said in its statement that Roberts "rap sheet and immigration history reveal a long record of criminal conduct in the United States," which the agency said proves "he should never have been serving in a role overseeing children in Iowas largest school district."An immigrant from Guyana, DHS said Roberts first entered the country "classified as a visitor for pleasure" in 1994. The agency said he departed at an unknown date but returned again prior to being arrested on drug charges in 1996. Roberts then re-entered the U.S. on a student visa in 1999 and never left.Subsequently, Roberts filed applications for employment authorizations three times, in 2000, 2018 and 2019, each of which was granted and lasted a year. Roberts did not have a valid worker authorization at the time of his hiring for the Des Moines school district.During his time in the United States, leading up to last month's arrest during which Roberts fled, the former superintendent was previously convicted of reckless driving, unsafe operation and speeding in Maryland in 2012, Homeland Security indicated. The agency also indicated Roberts was convicted in Pennsylvania of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in 2022.Besides those charges, Roberts also has charges of criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell, criminal possession of narcotics, criminal possession of a forgery instrument and possession of a forged instrument from New York dating back to 1996 and charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree weapon charges from 2020.According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, itscivil divisionalso servedRoberts a sealed restraining order from Jackson County, Missouri, in August 2023. It is unclear what prompted the restraining order since it was sealed.Meanwhile, there has also been confusion over the degrees that Roberts claimed to have attained on his LinkedIn page. Among several schools listed on his profile, Roberts claimed to have attended Morgan State University from 2003 to 2007 and to have been an "incoming MBA candidate" at MIT Sloane School of Management. Morgan State University confirmed that he attended. However, it said he "did not receive a degree." The MIT Registrars Office said that it "has no record of enrollment for a person with the name Ian Andre Roberts, and similarly, there is no record of enrollment in the MIT Executive MBA program at the MIT Sloan School of Management."Despite these charges and his illegal status, Roberts has held several high-ranking roles in public education in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, California, Pennsylvania and Iowa.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect at 12:00 p.m. local time, marking the beginning of the end of the brutal war that has gone on for more than two years. The development also brings the hostages one step closer to returning home.U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday morning that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Israel completed the first phase of the withdrawal and that Hamas' 72-hour window to release the hostages had begun.The Israeli government approved and signed the deal overnight, local time, kicking off a 24-hour countdown clock during which time troops had to withdraw to a pre-determined position."Following the political echelons instructions and due to the situational assessment, the IDF has begun operational preparations ahead of the implementation of the agreement. As part of this process, preparations and a combat protocol are underway to transition to adjusted deployment lines soon. The IDF continues to be deployed in the area and prepared for any operational development," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on X.TRUMP PEACE DEAL TRIGGERS 72-HOUR COUNTDOWN FOR HAMAS TO RELEASE 48 HOSTAGES FROM GAZAHours later, the IDF confirmed that the ceasefire commenced and that troops had positioned themselves "along the updated deployment lines."While Israel's presence has decreased in Gaza, the peace agreement stipulates that it will still occupy 53% of the enclave until the next phase.IDF spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee sent out a statement in Arabic regarding the exact situation on the ground. He warned Palestinians against approaching IDF troops, as doing so "endangers your life." Adraee also said that the northern part of the Gaza Strip is still "extremely dangerous," particularly the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, Shejaiya and any other area with a "concentration of troops." Other areas included in the warning were the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor."Do not move toward Israeli territory, and do not approach the security zone. Approaching the security zone is extremely dangerous. For your safety, do not begin moving to these areas until official approval has been granted," Adraee said in his message.Now that the IDF has completed its repositioning, Hamas has 72 hours to release all the hostages, living and dead. This includes the bodies of U.S. citizens Omer Neutra and Itay Chen.WORLD LEADERS PRAISE 'LANDMARK' ISRAEL-HAMAS PEACE DEAL MEDIATED BY US: 'NEW HORIZON OF HOPE'The U.S. is not deploying troops to Gaza; however, two U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News that 200 troops from CENTCOM will be sent to Israel to help oversee the ceasefire. They will facilitate security and humanitarian flow and monitor the implementation of the deal, including transportation, logistics and engineering, the officials said.President Donald Trump said in a Cabinet meeting on Thursday that he expected the hostages to be home on Monday or Tuesday. The president also announced that he would be making a trip over to the Middle East for the official signing of the agreement."We secured the release of all of the remaining hostages, and they should be released on Monday or Tuesday," Trump said, adding that the day the hostages return will "be a day of joy."On Wednesday, hours after the announcement that Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of the deal, Trump spoke with family members of hostages being held in Gaza. The families thanked the president and praised him for securing a deal that would bring their loved ones home after more than two years in captivity.