In the first acknowledged airstrikes since 2014, the IDF carried out airstrikes on Lebanon in the early hours of Thursday morning in response to three rockets launched into Israel on Wednesday. Previous retaliatory attacks have been limited to artillery shelling. “Overnight (Wednesday), fighter jets attacked the areas from which rockets were fired at Israel on Wednesday as well as terror infrastructure,” the IDF stated. “Additionally, another target from where rockets were fired in the past was struck.” “IDF attacks will continue and even intensify against terror attempts on Israel and its citizens. Lebanon is responsible for actions committed from its territory.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted President Biden on Wednesday telling him to do his job and secure the southern border and not say “blip” about the coronavirus until he does. “Why don’t you do your job?” the Florida Republican said during a press conference Wednesday. “Why don’t you get this border secure? And until you do that, I don’t wanna hear a blip about COVID from you, thank you.” “This is a guy who ran for office saying he’s going to shut down the virus,” DeSantis added. “And what has he done? He’s imported more virus from around the world by having a wide open southern border.” WATCH THESE EXPLOSIVE REMARKS BELOW: (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

A horrific crash on NY Route 17 claimed the lives of two victims, Wednesday night. Sources tell YWN that two vehicles were involved in the crash on Route 17 westbound in the vicinity of Exit 119 at around 7:10PM. One of the vehicles overturned, with victims possibly being ejected. Catskills Hatzolah was on the scene along with Wallkill Vol Ambulance from Orange County, and Mobilemedics from Sullivan County assisting. At least two victims were pronounced dead by Paramedics arriving on the scene, and a third victim in very critical condition. One or two medevacs were requested to the scene. The entire highway is closed in both directions. The NY State Police are investigating the cause of the crash. It did not appear that Misaskim services were needed in this tragic incident.

Traffic was brought to a halt on the eastbound lanes of Route 17 this morning. Sources tell YWN that a passenger vehicle suddenly went up in flames while driving near Exit 100 at around 11:00AM, Wednesday morning. A passing Hatzolah volunteer quickly ran to make sure the occupants were out of the vehicle, and had moved to a safe distance. The Rock Hill Fire Department was called, and required the full closure of traffic in the eastbound lanes as they extinguished the blaze. The D.O.T. responded for an oil spill, and traffic was reopened around 40 minutes later. Video via @Burbach

IDF forces fired artillery shells into Lebanese territory early Wednesday afternoon after three rockets were launched into Israel, with one falling short of the border and two falling in open areas within Israel. Sirens blared in the border towns of Kiryat Shemona, Kfar Giladi and Tel Chai, sending residents running to bomb shelters. One rocket that fell in a field in Kiryat Shmonah caused a large fire. Four Israelis were treated for shock. Channel 12 News reported that Israel transmitted a message to Lebanon through UN personnel that it will strike again in the wake of any other incidents. Israeli security officials believe that the rockets were launched by Iranian-backed pro-Palestinian groups rather than Hezbollah.

Chareidi businessmen seeking to buy property in northern Israel were verbally assaulted by a local resident, who screamed and cursed at them, saying: “We don’t want Chareidim here.” The two businessmen, accompanied by realtors, were in Bustan HaGalik, a moshav near Akko, on Tuesday when one of the residents of the moshav approached them and began screeching: “Get out of here, I’m going to devour you.” When one of the realtors asked him why he was so angry, he responded: “We don’t want Chareidim…we don’t want you here, take these pieces of trash home with you.” He continued to shout: “Did they bear arms? Did they protect us from the Arabs? What are they? Only garbage. Only to give them money.

It was a close game, but the NYPD was victorious in the baseball game against Flatbush Hatzolah on Monday night. The final score was 5-4. Among the many celebrities who attended the game were NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, NYPD Community Affairs Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD Deputy Commissioner Bob Ganley, Brooklyn South Chief Michael Kemper, NYPD Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor, NYPD Lt Ira Jablonsky, Councilman Kalman Yeger, Hatzolah CEO Rabbi Yehiel Kalish and Brooklyn Boro President and Mayoral candidate Eric Adams. Flatbush Hatzolah has been playing weekly summer baseball games against various NYC agencies – such as NYPD and FDNY to foster a spirit of camaraderie and friendship.

President Joe Biden called on Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign Tuesday, following a report that Cuomo harassed 11 women. “He should resign. I understand the state legislature may decide to impeach, I do not know that for a fact,” Biden told reporters at the White House. The response came four months after Biden said that if an investigation confirmed allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo, then the governor should step down. Biden said Tuesday that he stood by his March statement. “I think he’ll probably end up being prosecuted, too,” Biden told ABC News in an interview that aired March 16. (AP)

An investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo harassed multiple women inside and outside state government and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers, New York’s attorney general announced Tuesday in a finding that is certain to renew calls for the Democrat’s resignation or impeachment. The nearly five-month investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers who spoke to 179 people, found that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment” and that it was “rife with fear and intimidation.” People interviewed included complainants, current and former members of the executive chamber, State troopers, additional state employees and others who interacted regularly with the governor.

New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to the gym, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. The new requirement, which will be phased in over several weeks in August and September, is the most aggressive step the city has taken yet to curb a surge in cases caused by the Delta variant. People will have to show proof that they have had at least one dose of a vaccine. “The only way to patronize these establishments indoors will be if you’re vaccinated,” de Blasio said. “The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If we’re going to stop the Delta variant, the time is now.