The IDF announced that the Israeli Air Force has launched a series of intensive airstrikes over the past 24 hours, hitting approximately 220 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. The targets included key terrorist infrastructure sites, rocket launchers responsible for firing projectiles into Israeli territory, Hezbollah militants, and weapons storage facilities. This large-scale operation is part of an ongoing effort by the IDF to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities and dismantle their infrastructure. The strikes are aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s ability to launch future attacks on Israel and are part of a broader campaign to protect Israeli civilians from cross-border threats. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A fire broke out today at the ancient Eshtamoa Shul in the South Chevron Hills, located in the Palestinian town of as-Samu in the southern West Bank. The blaze, which occurred amid the archaeological ruins of the shuls, is being investigated by Israeli authorities. Jewish activists have condemned the incident as a hate crime, alleging that the fire was deliberately set by individuals who arrived at the site early in the morning. A spokesperson for the Israel Police’s Yehuda District confirmed that the IDF had reported a fire in the area and said authorities are investigating the cause. The IDF has not yet commented on the fire’s origin.

A passenger was killed after a gunman hijacked a city bus in Los Angeles early Wednesday, leading to a slow police chase through downtown before the suspect was eventually arrested, authorities said. The armed man boarded the Metro bus with the driver and two passengers aboard shortly before 1 a.m. in South Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers approached the bus as it slowly rolled away. A cavalcade of police vehicles followed it as the driver drove at gunpoint for the next hour. A flashing sign on the front of the bus read: “Emergency. 911 Call Police.” Police deployed spike strips, which punctured one of the tires.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Thursday on charges that he took illegal campaign contributions and bribes from foreign nationals in exchange for favors that included helping Turkish officials get fire safety approvals for a new diplomatic building in the city. Adams, a former police officer, faces conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery charges in a five-count indictment that describes a decade-long trail of crimes. The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan alleges in the indictment that Adams “not only accepted, but sought illegal campaign contributions” to his mayoral campaign.

A rocket fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah militants struck the Mount Hermon ski resort’s cable car, causing extensive damage and forcing the popular tourist site to remain closed for an unprecedented full year. Refael Nave, CEO of the Mount Hermon site, condemned the incident and said he would seek swift repairs to ensure visitor safety. “The impact necessitates a massive and swift fix to provide the necessary security measures on the mount,” Nave stated. The Mount Hermon site released video footage of the rocket strike, showcasing the severity of the damage. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Argentine President Javier Milei delivered a fiery address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, condemning the organization’s anti-Israeli bias. During the General Debate of the Assembly’s 79th session in New York, Milei called out the U.N. for repeatedly voting against Israel, describing it as “the only democracy in the Middle East, which protects liberal democracy.” Milei also criticized the U.N.’s failure to address global terrorism, stating, “The United Nations has simultaneously shown a total inability to respond to the scourge of terrorism.” He further expressed concern over the inclusion of “bloody dictatorships” like Cuba and Venezuela on the U.N.

Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran during a rally in Mint Hill, North Carolina, following reports that U.S. intelligence officials had briefed him on a suspected Iranian plot to assassinate him. The briefing, according to Trump’s campaign, came from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and revealed “real and specific threats from Iran” aimed at destabilizing the United States as Trump runs for president in 2024. Trump addressed the situation directly at the rally, saying if he were still president, he would take decisive action. “If you do anything to harm this person, we are going to blow your largest cities and the country itself to smithereens,” Trump declared, referring to Iran.

Today, the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, visited the 7th Brigade’s military exercise at Israel’s northern border. He was accompanied by senior military officials, including the Commanding Officer of the Northern Command, the Commanding Officer of the 98th Division, the Commanding Officer of the Ground Forces Training Center, and other brigade commanders. During the visit, LTG Halevi addressed the troops, emphasizing the ongoing Israeli Air Force strikes and preparations for a potential ground operation. In his remarks, he stated: “You hear the jets overhead; we have been striking all day. This is both to prepare the ground for your possible entry and to continue degrading Hezbollah.

Rocket sirens blared across Tel Aviv and central Israel early Wednesday morning, prompting residents to rush to bomb shelters as instructed by the IDF Home Front Command. The sirens were heard in several cities, including Tel Aviv and Netanya, following reports of incoming threats from the north. According to an official statement from the Israel Defense Forces, one surface-to-surface missile was detected crossing from Lebanon into Israeli airspace. The missile was successfully intercepted by the IDF’s Aerial Defense Array, preventing any damage or casualties. A video below shows what appears to be the moment of interception over Tel Aviv, with a defensive missile striking the incoming threat in mid-air. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently discussed the pro-Palestinian demonstrations she witnessed at Columbia University last spring, sharing her concerns in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. As students return to campuses, Clinton expects tensions to rise again, with protests likely to reignite. During the interview, Clinton suggested that these protests were influenced by external forces rather than being organically led by students. “There were already existing groups within our country, and particularly on certain campuses like Columbia, who had talking points. They had a plan for protest and disruption.