On Monday, the U.S. military reported conducting another strike against a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the death of two individuals. This action is part of an ongoing campaign initiated by the Trump administration aimed at dismantling alleged drug-trafficking operations in Latin American waters.

Since early September, this campaign has led to the destruction of numerous vessels, with at least 188 fatalities recorded so far. These strikes have not been limited to the Caribbean; similar operations have been executed in the eastern Pacific Ocean as well.

Even amidst the tensions of the Iran conflict, the frequency of these strikes has increased recently. This indicates that the administration remains committed to its robust efforts to combat what it labels as “narcoterrorism” within the Western Hemisphere.

The military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.

The attacks began as the US built up its largest military presence in the region in generations and came months ahead of the raid in January that captured then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

He was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.

In the latest attack Monday, US Southern Command repeated previous statements by saying it had targeted the alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes.

It posted a video on X showing a boat moving along the water before a massive explosion engulfs the vessel in flames.

President Donald Trump has said the US is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

Critics, meanwhile, have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Back in 1985, a teenager in New Zealand became enamored with a quirky pair of purple, lip-shaped sunglasses she saw in “Young Miss” magazine. Fast forward to March, and I journeyed 9,000 miles from New Hampshire to finally present them to her, fulfilling a request made by my pen pal decades ago.

The organization that initially connected us, International Youth Service, has long since ceased operations. However, pen pal programs have endured and even thrived in the digital age. Despite the reduction in postal service deliveries in New Zealand, Denmark halting letter deliveries altogether, and Canada heading in a similar direction, there are signs of a revival in letter writing.

“There’s definitely a craving for it,” said Rachel Syme, a writer for The New Yorker who launched a pen pal initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. She later authored a book encouraging others to embrace the art of handwritten letters.

In 2020, over 15,000 individuals joined Syme’s Penpalooza initiative, and each time she organizes a new matchmaking round, hundreds more eagerly participate. Requests for pen pals frequently arise at her book signings for “Syme’s Letter Writer – A Guide to Modern Correspondence,” and the stationery shops she visits in New York are bustling with shoppers.

“People are really drawn to tangible, analog experiences right now,” she noted. “It seems particularly appealing to younger generations, who grew up constantly connected to their phones, to engage in something more tactile, slower-paced, deliberate, and mindful, yet entirely disconnected from the digital world.”

“Yours (hopefully)”

I was still 10 years away from connecting to the internet when I opened my first aerogramme from New Zealand, a sheet of pale blue paper that served as both writing surface and envelope adorned with a 45-cent stamp. That missive ended with a formal “Yours (hopefully) Molly Nunns,” but within a year, she was signing off with “Lots and lots of love” or “Your friend forever.”

In letter after letter, Molly drew little hearts on the tails of y’s in both of our first names, asked for updates on my middle school crushes and shared stories about her classmates and family. I could clearly picture her life, though it was hard in snowy New Hampshire to imagine celebrating Christmas during the summer.

“I am thinking of you heaps and I wonder what you are doing because you’re a SUPER pen friend and I hope that we never stop writing to each other and that one day we will get to meet each other,” she wrote in early 1986.

Julie Delbridge, 65, fostered similar friendships after joining International Pen Friends as a teenager in 1979. Writing to pen pals in more than a dozen countries from her home in Australia was such a positive experience that she began working for the organization as an adult and took over as its president in 2001. While she loved sharing photos, postcards and treats with her pen friends, it also was a therapeutic experience at a time when her parents were going through a bitter divorce.

“It was a pastime that I totally immersed myself into in a positive way and gained a lot of enjoyment from,” she said. “There was an abundance of non-judgmental friendship, fun and different perspectives.”

Over its 59-year history, IPF has provided pen pals to more than 2 million people ages 8 to 80+, she said. Membership peaked in the late 1990s but surged again during the pandemic, and this year, there’s been an increase in people ages 21-26 joining.

Pen pals in the classroom

In 2021, the U.S. Postal Service sent cards and envelopes to 25,000 elementary school classrooms for a pen pal project, but older students also are putting pen to paper.

In Texas, a group of medical students created an anonymous pen pal program to promote peer support and personal reflection. At Villanova University, professor Kamran Javadizadeh requires students to send letters to each other as part of a literature class called “Letters, Texts, Twitter” that examines different forms of epistolary communication in literature.

“I make them put pieces of paper in envelopes and take them to the post office and send them to each other even though they could just as easily hand it to the person in class,” he said. “Something is lost when you have instantaneous communication. So I’m interested in the relationship between synchronous kinds of intimacy and asynchronous forms of intimacy.”

Gordon Alley-Young, dean of communications at New York’s Kingsborough Community College, believes letters are like vinyl records — they’re coming back into fashion as young people explore a tangible medium from the past. He has both studied the history of letter writing and used it to teach students empathy.

In an interpersonal communication class, he noticed that students analyzing case studies about relationship problems offered matter-of-fact, almost insensitive diagnoses. But when he re-wrote the case studies in the form of letters from friends and had students respond in kind, they began sharing their own feelings and offering more open-ended advice.

“We really want students to connect to what they’re looking at,” he said. “And letter writing encourages that.”

Pen pals in the digital age

An app called Slowly seeks to combine modern technology with the old-fashioned anticipation inherent to the pen pal relationship. Users send messages digitally, but delivery is delayed from an hour to several days to mimic snail mail.

“This delay naturally encourages longer, more thoughtful messages because you wouldn’t just say ‘hi’ if you know you have to wait days for a reply,” said cofounder JoJo Chan.

Since 2017, the app has gained 10 million users in more than 160 countries, most in their 20s and 30s. One user said he was curious about pen pals after hearing about them from his grandparents, Chan said.

“Slowly offers a convenient way and a modern way for them to try that experience,” she said.

Syme, however, is all about the tangible aspects of letter writing. Her book includes advice on paper and pens plus all kinds of goodies that can be tucked into envelopes.

“There is joy to be had once you fully embrace the medium’s outdated extravagance,” she writes.

But letter writing, she said in an interview, is like a swimming pool, both shiny and deep. The frippery and embellishments don’t matter in comparison to what you actually put on the page.

“That’s where I think it can get very real, very quickly,” she said.

A special connection

Molly and I had been writing for 15 years by the time we met in person, spending a day together in New York when she toured the U.S. in May 2000. We crossed paths in London a few years later, and in 2018, she and her family visited New Hampshire.

“Who would have thought when we started writing in 1985 that one day you’d be sitting here? It’s quite amazing,” she said during my recent visit. “We’ll always have a special connection, I’m sure.”

In addition to the sunglasses, I also gave Molly a bound book of 200 pages of her letters that I scanned and printed. At age 13, I never could have imagined that someday I’d have searchable PDFs of our teenage scribblings that could be summarized in 10 seconds by artificial intelligence. But what amazes me more is the depth of the connection I felt during our tearful airport goodbye.

We will for sure meet again. Until then, lots and lots of love, Holly.

A Florida man, convicted of a heinous crime involving the death of his girlfriend’s infant, now has an execution date set. Andrew Richard Lukehart, 53, was sentenced to death for the brutal murder of five-month-old Gabrielle Hanshaw back in February 1996.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has authorized his ninth execution this year, signing the death warrant for Lukehart. The execution by lethal injection is scheduled for June 2, 2026.

At the time of the crime, Lukehart was 22 years old. According to court documents accessed by News4Jax, he attempted to change Gabrielle’s diaper. When she resisted by not lying flat, he responded by ‘forcefully and repeatedly’ pushing her head and neck against the floor, resulting in her death.

In an attempt to conceal his actions, Lukehart disposed of Gabrielle’s body in a nearby pond before fleeing the scene.

The murderer then disposed of the infant’s body in a nearby pond and fled the scene.

About 30 minutes later, he called his girlfriend and claimed an individual had kidnapped the girl and that he was chasing them. 

Lukehart told police that Gabrielle was snatched from the front of his partner’s home, but he contradicted his own statement, later claiming the abduction unfolded at a store. 

He eventually admitted to the heinous crimes and the killing of the infant. 

Andrew Richard Lukehart, 53, was convicted and given the death penalty for the murder of five-month-old Gabrielle Hanshaw in February 1996

Lukehart, who was 22 at the time, attempted to change Gabrielle’s diaper, but when she would not lie flat, he ‘forcefully and repeatedly pushed her head and neck to the floor’

Lukehart telling the court he ‘panicked,’ after he realized the baby stopped breathing

During his trial, Lukehart testified and told jurors he handled the baby so violently that she stopped breathing, causing him to ‘panic.’

‘I got scared, and I started to panic, and I ran outside, threw the diaper away, and I jumped into my car and started it up and left,’ he said.

‘I felt bad. I felt guilty,’ he added.

After an hour and a half, the jury declared Lukehart guilty. A month after his conviction, in March 1997, the jury voted 9–3 to recommend the death penalty.

Upon hearing the ruling, an eerily stoic Lukehart sat in court, while his family caused a scene – his mother became distraught and ran out of the courtroom shouting. 

This death sentencing follows another Florida killer who was executed on Thursday after he murdered his brother’s stepdaughter five decades ago. 

James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, was convicted of strangling and beating 13-year-old Cynthia Driggers to death in 1976. 

Hitchcock was executed by lethal injection at about 6:12 p.m. at Florida State Prison after Governor Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant on March 30. 

After an hour and a half, the jury declared Lukehart guilty

Lukehart’s girlfriend, she told the outlet at the time that she wanted the death penalty for her ex

Last year, 47 people received the death penalty and were executed in the US.

Florida had the most executions, with Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas all tying for second with five executions each in 2025.

In Florida, all executions are carried out by lethal injection, with a sedative, paralytic, and a drug that stops the heart all administered to the subject, according to the Department of Corrections.

The United States is currently spearheading the creation of a new United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at addressing Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the administration to bolster its maritime operations with international support.

On Monday, Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stated that the resolution seeks to hold Iran accountable for its actions, which include mining international waters, threatening global shipping lanes, and attempting to disturb one of the world’s most vital trade corridors.

“Under directives from the president and Secretary Rubio, we’ve been tasked to engage with the Security Council, collaborating closely with Bahrain and other GCC nations,” Waltz announced during a press conference. “This resolution is part of a separate but related initiative to Project Freedom, aiming to address these pressing issues at the Security Council level.”

Waltz further explained that the proposed resolution would demand accountability from Iran for its overt breaches of international law. Measures would include requiring Iran to cease laying sea mines, disclose their positions, and cooperate with the United Nations to create humanitarian corridors, which are vital for dozens of U.N. agencies distributing global aid.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Feb. 28, 2026, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)

The diplomatic push comes as U.S. forces moved Monday to secure commercial shipping through the strait under President Donald Trump’s Project Freedom. U.S. Central Command confirmed American forces sank six Iranian small boats threatening vessels, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing risks to global energy flows.

Waltz framed the effort as part of a broader push to set a global precedent.

“We can’t set a standard that if two countries have a conflict … you can then embark on collective punishment for the economies of the rest of the world,” he said.

When asked by Fox News Digital about the broader implications of Iran’s actions, Waltz said the U.S. is working to ensure that international waterways cannot be weaponized.

The United States is advancing a new United Nations Security Council resolution targeting Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.  (AP Photo)

“You can’t start indiscriminately just throwing sea mines out into the ocean to sow doubt and fear into the international maritime community,” he said. “And you certainly can’t see it as a revenue source … no country has a right to punish the rest of the world as part of a conflict.”

He also pointed to the human toll of the crisis, noting that thousands of civilian mariners have been caught in the escalating tensions.

“These are captains, engineers, cooks, deckhands … they had no part in this conflict. They shouldn’t be forced to suffer,” Waltz said, adding that the administration is emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of ensuring safe passage and aid delivery.

Fox News Digital also asked whether the U.S. and its partners should look beyond securing the strait and consider long-term structural solutions to bypass it altogether.

“I know our Gulf partners and allies are seriously thinking through that,” Waltz said, referencing existing infrastructure such as Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and export routes through the Gulf of Oman.

“I know they’re looking at additional alternatives to frankly diversify their pathways and diversify their economies,” he added.

A woman walks past a billboard showing a military hand holding the Strait of Hormuz with Farsi text which reads, “In Iran’s hands forever,” “Trump couldn’t do a damn thing,” “The control of Strait of Hormuz will be Iran’s forever,” in Vanak Square, in northern Tehran, Iran, on April 16, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP)

While the U.S. military effort is focused on immediate stabilization, including guiding vessels and deterring Iranian harassment, Waltz stressed that the U.N. resolution is intended to address the broader international implications and prevent similar crises in the future.

Despite the push, questions remain about whether Russia and China will support the measure after a previous attempt in April failed to pass. 

Waltz said the current proposal is narrower in scope and focused specifically on clear violations of international law, which he argued should make opposition less likely.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Iranian mission to the U.N. fo comment. 

Detectives in Florida are on the hunt for a group of teenagers whose nighttime escapade on a local golf course resulted in severe damage, leaving the manicured greens marred by deep tire tracks and incurring thousands of dollars in repair costs.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:17 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Weston Hills Golf Course, as reported by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO).

Upon responding to reports of suspicious activity, deputies discovered extensive damage to the course’s greens. A witness informed officers that several juveniles had been recklessly riding motorized bikes and a golf cart across the course.

Local authorities released a video capturing the chaos, allegedly showing the teenagers careening through the golf course with little regard for the property, which officials estimate will require substantial funds to restore.

The witness recounted seeing the teens speed up, then stop suddenly, skidding across the greens and leaving noticeable damage in their wake.

At least four teens are seen riding the motorized bikes across the course, while several others are seen driving a golf cart directly on the greens, an area strictly off-limits due to the risk of damage.

Authorities said the behavior caused approximately $3,000 in damage, based on an initial assessment by golf course staff.

The Weston Hills Golf Course, a well-known facility in the area, features two 18-hole championship courses and covers over 300 acres of land.

The sheriff’s department has classified the incident as criminal mischief and is working to identify those involved.

Officials have not released descriptions of the juveniles but say the video evidence may help generate leads.

Anyone with information about the identities of the juveniles is urged to contact BSO Weston District Detective Maria Ropain at 954-626-4005. Tips can also be submitted through the SaferWatch app.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477), visit browardcrimestoppers.org, or dial **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States.