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US military kills two suspected narco-terrorists in strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific
The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, killing two suspected narco-terrorists, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
"On April 24, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations," SOUTHCOM said in a post on X.
"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the post continued. "Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action."No U.S. military forces were harmed."
ALLEGED NARCO-TERRORISTS KILLED AS US FORCES STRIKE SUSPECTED DRUG-TRAFFICKING VESSEL IN CARIBBEAN
SOUTHCOM did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved.
The U.S. military has carried out numerous strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.
The strike comes less than a week after SOUTHCOM said it conducted a similar operation in the Caribbean, killing three suspected narco-terrorists.
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Earlier this month, the military struck a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing four alleged narco-terrorists, SOUTHCOM said.
SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.
The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with cartels often using small, fast-moving vessels to transport drugs toward the U.S. and Central America.
Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Matthew Stafford's wife sends message to husband's possible heir apparent, Rams draft pick Ty Simpson
Even at 38, Matthew Stafford remains one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. In fact, he added another trophy to his collection in February, winning his first league MVP award.
Stafford edged New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after throwing a career-best 46 touchdowns. The 2026 season will be his 18th, and with nearly two decades in the league, the Rams appear to be looking toward the future following Thursday night’s first round.
The Rams selected former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 overall pick, potentially positioning him as Stafford’s successor. The decision sparked strong reactions and drew a response from Kelly Stafford, the veteran quarterback’s wife.
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Simpson said Kelly Stafford welcomed him to the team with a message on social media.
"Kelly has actually texted me on Instagram and welcomed me and told me to hit her up if we need anything," Simpson said during his introductory press conference. "But I can’t wait to talk to Matthew. I’m super ecstatic because I just want to pick his brain."
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Simpson was the full-time starter at Alabama, throwing for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2025.
Rams coach Sean McVay shut down any speculation that Simpson was joining the team to compete with Stafford for the starting job.
"There were a lot of players that we liked, but when you do look at it, I think the thing you liked about the body of work is … let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team," McVay said Thursday. "You get a chance to be able to address the backup quarterback."
Simpson's parents visited with Rams general manager Les Snead during Alabama's trip to the Los Angeles area for the Rose Bowl in January, the NFL Network reported. Simpson's father, Jason Simpson, is the head football coach at UT Martin.
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Fernando Mendoza says the Raiders have 'the most Hispanic fan base'
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza claimed his new team has the "most Hispanic fan base" after going No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Mendoza made the statement during his introductory press conference for the team on Friday.
"The history of the Raiders, especially the Hispanic history, is like no other. I believe it's probably the most Hispanic fan base and legends like Mr. [Jim] Plunkett, like Mr. [Tom] Flores. I mean, all those legendary Hispanic idols and cornerstones of the franchise. It means a lot as a Cuban American to come to this franchise and help try to carry the torch. But again, I've got to prove it, and I'm really looking forward to connecting with the Hispanic community here," Mendoza said.
Mendoza himself is Cuban, as the descendant of Cuban refugees.
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After Fidel Castro seized control of Cuba and installed a communist regime, all four of Mendoza's grandparents fled the country and came to America.
"We all thought it was temporary," Mendoza's maternal grandfather, Alberto Espino, previously told The Washington Post. "There was no way the United States would allow a communist regime 90 miles away."
But Castro's reign endured, so Espino and the Mendozas remained in the U.S. and built their lives as Americans.
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Mendoza is coming into the NFL after one of the best seasons by a quarterback in college football history for Indiana.
Now, as the quarterback of the Raiders, he will be under pressure to carry one of the league's historic franchises back to prominence after decades of underachieving.
"It's a huge responsibility, but it's also a huge honor to honor the legacy. The Raiders are a core historic franchise and one of the faces of the NFL, and I feel like, again, I need to prove it and earn it every single day," Mendoza said.
"Especially as a rookie, nothing's given, and my belief in that everything is earned. So, I'm going to come in humble, try to establish myself with my work ethic and lead by example, but at the end of the day, it's all great saying these words, but I've got to do it."
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Eagles' wheeler-dealer Howie Roseman adds pass rusher Jonathan Greenard in trade with Vikings
The NFL Draft isn’t official unless Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is wheeling and dealing to make his team better, even at the expense of others.
Roseman was definitely doing all of that during Friday's second round when he added veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to bolster the team's defense, which had lost Jaelan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
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The Vikings traded Greenard and the 244th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Eagles in exchange for the 98th overall pick in this draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Immediately upon making the trade, OutKick confirmed that Greenard and the Eagles reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension worth $100 million. ESPN reported the extension includes $50 million fully guaranteed.
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So why did the Eagles do this?
Well, they just added a player who collected 27.5 sacks the past three seasons in Minnesota and Houston.
So they're filling the void left by the departure of Phillips, who has 28 sacks in his entire five-year career.
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And the Eagles did it at a cost savings because while they're spending $100 million on Greenard, the Panthers signed Phillips for $120 million over four years with $80 million guaranteed.
The Vikings, it should be noted, aren't typically in the business of trading away talent. But they were in a pickle because Greenard was demanding a raise on a contract that had two years remaining at an average of $19 million per season.
Greenard's contract demands came despite the fact his sack total dipped to only three last season.
The Vikings weren't comfortable giving a player with multiple years left on his contract a raise after a subpar season. They also didn't love the idea of enduring a possible contract holdout the entire offseason and possibly into training camp.
So when Roseman called, they picked up the phone and avoided all that distraction. But it helped make the Eagles better.
Scientists revive ancient 24,000-year-old ‘zombie worm’ from Arctic ice — then it reproduced
Scientists have successfully revived a 24,000-year-old microscopic organism from Siberian permafrost, offering new insight into how life can endure extreme conditions over vast stretches of time.
According to a study published in the journal Current Biology, researchers identified the organism as a rotifer — a tiny, multicellular animal often found in freshwater environments and known for its unusual durability.
The specimen had been frozen deep within Siberian permafrost since the Late Pleistocene, a period that ended roughly 11,700 years ago. Scientists say the surrounding ice-rich soil, known as the Yedoma formation, helped preserve the organism in a stable, frozen state for tens of thousands of years.
After carefully thawing the rotifer under controlled laboratory conditions, researchers observed that it resumed normal biological functions. The organism not only became active again but was also able to reproduce asexually, suggesting that its cellular structures remained intact despite the passage of millennia.
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"Our report is the hardest proof as of today that multicellular animals could withstand tens of thousands of years in cryptobiosis, the state of almost completely arrested metabolism," lead researcher Stas Malavin said in an interview with the Indian Defence Review.
The process that allowed the rotifer to survive is known as cryptobiosis, a biological state in which metabolic activity slows to nearly zero. This enables certain organisms to withstand extreme environments, including freezing temperatures, dehydration and lack of oxygen.
While scientists have previously revived organisms from ice, those examples have typically involved single-celled life forms or simpler structures. The successful revival of a multicellular organism marks a significant step forward, as more complex bodies present greater challenges when it comes to surviving freezing and thawing without damage.
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Ancient microbes, including viruses, have also been preserved in permafrost and are typically easier to revive because of their simpler structure. In some experiments, scientists have reactivated viruses that remained capable of infecting host cells after thawing, though none have been linked to human illness.
Researchers say the findings underscore a separate concern: as rising global temperatures accelerate permafrost thaw, long-dormant microbes could be released outside controlled lab conditions, prompting new questions about potential environmental and health risks.
Rotifers, though microscopic, possess specialized systems such as digestive tracts and rudimentary nervous structures, making their long-term survival in a frozen state particularly notable.
Researchers say the findings could have broader implications for science, including studies on how cells resist damage from ice crystals and radiation over time. The discovery may also inform fields such as biotechnology and astrobiology, where scientists explore how life might persist in extreme or extraterrestrial environments.
Despite the breakthrough, experts caution that the findings do not suggest that larger organisms — such as mammals — could be revived after similar periods of freezing. The complexity of higher life forms makes them far more vulnerable to cellular damage during freezing and thawing processes.
Still, the study expands current understanding of the limits of life on Earth and raises new questions about how long organisms can remain viable under the right conditions, potentially reshaping scientific thinking about survival in extreme environments.
Houston Texans pick Kayden McDonald cries a veritable ocean of tears at 2026 NFL Draft
Kayden McDonald thought he was going to be picked by somebody in the first round of the NFL Draft. But when that didn't happen, he and his family had to decide whether to stay in the so-called green room for the second round or get out of the view of cameras.
McDonald returned to the green room Friday and, judging by what happened when he was picked by the Houston Texans, it was everything for the young man.
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The moment his name was called, McDonald began to weep.
We're talking a stream of tears as he hugged his family. And more tears as he walked to the stage. And even more as he embraced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
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Cool. A release.
But that wasn't all. McDonald could not turn off the faucet in his eyes as he spoke with ESPN stage reporter Laura Rutledge.
It was a veritable ocean of tears.
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And pure joy.
"It's emotional, man," McDonald said during the moving moment. "I know I'm supposed to be here. I'm just so blessed. I'm just so thankful. I'm just so emotional, like, where I came from. It's a blessing."
McDonald is from Suwanee, Georgia, and his neighborhood wasn’t what most would consider rough or impoverished — not affluent, either, but far from it.
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McDonald is also generally described as coming from a stable, supportive family. His parents were actively involved in his recruitment process that led him to Ohio State.
This is a high-character, disciplined prospect, multiple NFL evaluators told OutKick before the draft.
And yet, McDonald's truth is that he rose from the improbable to the second round of the NFL draft. And that moved him.
Then it moved us because it moved him on national television.
And this is where we sometimes forget, as we watch these athletes head toward notoriety, adulation and, yes, riches, that the journey exacts a price.
It can be a trip fraught with hard work and setbacks as well as lined with success and rewards. Either way, it exacts costs.
So reaching the milestone of being selected in the draft is a defining life moment for these men.
They all obviously know this. Some celebrate it with smiles or excitement.
Some celebrate it with tears of joy as a release.
That was Kayden McDonald on Friday night.
Florida Dem filed for re-election days before resignation as House Ethics Committee ramped up pressure
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is still registered to run for re-election despite having resigned from office amid congressional and federal probes for allegedly mishandling disaster relief funding for personal gain.
On April 17, Cherfilus-McCormick submitted a notice of her candidacy to the Florida Department of State as a Democrat just a week before officially stepping down from office.
She resigned on Tuesday.
The filing raises questions about whether Cherfilus-McCormick believes she can still pursue political office despite facing intense scrutiny at the moment.
Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s decision to resign from office came right before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to recommend she be punished for misusing disaster relief funding that she allegedly funneled through several companies into her campaign coffers.
The committee found that she had committed 18 campaign finance violations, five counts of false financial disclosures, three counts of misusing official funds and one count of lack of candor.
Cherfilus-McCormick maintained her innocence but announced that she would defend herself outside of her time in office.
"This was not a fair process. The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished," Cherfilus-McCormick said in a press release.
"Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately."
While Cherfilus-McCormick's departure from Congress halted the Ethics Committee’s authority over her, she also faces federal charges.
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She was indicted by a Miami grand jury in November for allegedly stealing $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has not yet announced a date for a special election to fill her vacant seat.
Riley Gaines, Nick Shirley ask where 'No Kings' protesters are on California bill they say targets journalists
OutKick host Riley Gaines and independent journalist Nick Shirley agreed Friday that the "No Kings" protesters are oddly silent when it comes to a bill they say would punish citizen journalists.
California Democrats are being ripped over a bill that one state assembly member has dubbed the "Stop Nick Shirley Act", which he argues would "criminalize" investigative journalism.
The controversial AB 2624 bill, officially titled Privacy for Immigration Support Services Providers, creates privacy protections for immigration support service providers, employees and volunteers, including hiding their addresses and imposing penalties on those who publish their image on social media. Democratic lawmakers say the legislation is needed to protect people from targeted political violence.
However, critics, including Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, argue the bill would actually work to "silence citizen journalists and shield taxpayer-funded organizations from public scrutiny."
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Shirley, who became a national figure after making videos about fraud in Minnesota and California as he investigated various businesses, blasted the bill during an appearance Friday on Gaines’ show.
"Instead of going after the fraudsters, California is going after the people exposing the fraud," Gaines said, marveling at the situation and asking Shirley to explain the bill.
"And what this will do is it will make it criminal to search and investigate fraud, specifically an immigrant service provider's," and specifically those being funded by taxpayer dollars, he said.
"If you were to go and make a video out front saying how much money this location got, and they said that your visit was unwelcoming, they could then charge you for harassment, and you could then be charged $4,000 for a civil fine or $10,000 for a criminal fine and $50,000 for a felony."
Gaines noted the idea that content would be taken offline for alleging fraud is a violation of the First Amendment.
"They're literally saying you cannot film in public space," Shirley said, noting someone can then give a journalist a piece of paper saying they do not have permission to film and they "would then be able to force your content to be taken down unless you want to receive a $4,000 fine."
"Feels very authoritarian, which, we see in the news cycle all the time, these ‘No Kings Day’ protesters. Where are they when it comes to a bill like this?" she asked. "Do you find hypocrisy in the general public's response, especially those who are on the very radical fringe side of things? Do you notice the hypocrisy there?"
"Oh, 100%," Shirley said. "And what I'm doing is not like a right or left issue. I'm exposing fraud that's taking place, and now they're trying to censor me for exposing fraud. And they're trying to not just censor me. The bill says ‘people.’ It doesn't say ‘journalist.’
"So, where are the people? Why aren't there other people saying anything?" he asked. "Where's all the protesters that are yelling ‘fascist’ this, ‘fascist’ that, when they are actually trying to suppress our speech by trying to pass a bill that it's a direct attack on our First Amendment?"
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A local California station, KCRA, published a fact-check that said California wasn't trying to criminalize investigative journalism, saying it was about "organizations that provide services to immigrants and protecting them from harassment."
It went on to report Democratic California Assemblymember Mia Bonta wrote the bill to "primarily allow people who work or volunteer at immigration support service organizations to be added to the Secretary of State's ‘Safe at Home’ program."
"The program is designed to protect individuals who fear for their safety," KCRA reported. "Supporters have said this is needed in response to the Trump administration's anti-immigration policies that they say have put workers who provide the services at risk.
"Under the proposal, immigrant support service providers who have certified, documented threats of harassment or threats would have their personal information shielded."
Fox News' Elaine Mallon and Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
Morez Johnson Jr declares for NBA draft, maintains college eligibility
Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.
Shortly after the Wolverines captured the program's first title since 1989, Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. announced he would enter the NBA Draft.
Despite declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson has maintained his NCAA eligibility throughout the process. However, he has until May 27 to withdraw if he plans to return for his junior season.
Johnson played for Illinois during the 2024-25 season before transferring to Michigan last offseason.
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After joining Michigan, Johnson quickly emerged as a key contributor, averaging the second-most points on the team. He also led the Wolverines in rebounding, averaging 7.3 per game.
Michigan head coach Dusty May eventually dubbed Johnson "The Enforcer" and "Junkyard Dog," a nod to his tenacity on the defensive end. Johnson was named to the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team.
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But Johnson’s offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat to his defensive strengths. His shooting from beyond the 3-point line showed improvement as the season progressed.
Many early NBA projections gave Johnson a first-round grade. It’s unclear how much name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation he would command if he returns to Michigan or transfers elsewhere.
Johnson has been active on social media, interacting with teammates as they consider returning to Michigan for another championship push.
Michigan added a key piece this week, with Jalen Reed transferring from LSU, On3 reported. Reed was limited during the 2025-26 season by an Achilles injury.
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