CBN Afternoon News Roundup for Wednesday 8/12
✡️ JEWISH COMMUNITY
BDE: R’ Meir Turgeman Killed in Accident Near Beit Shemesh, Leaving Nine Yesomim
R’ Meir Turgeman, 42, of Beit Shemesh, was tragically killed in a head-on collision on Route 383 near Tel Azekah, one day after his son’s bar mitzvah. A second driver also died; the Shabbos bar mitzvah seudah is now canceled due to the levayah and shivah.
BDE: Rebbetzin Esther Paler A”H
Wife of Hagaon Reb Binyomin Paler zt”l, was niftar in Lakewood at the age of 99. She was the daughter of the Matesdorf Rav. Levayah at Yeshiva Mekor Chaim in Lakewood; kevurah in Eretz Yisrael.
Electrical Wires Ignite at Camp Shopron in Fallsburg, Three Children Airlifted
Live wires fell and reportedly sparked an explosion at the Route 42 camp Wednesday morning. Three children suffered serious burns and are being airlifted to a trauma center; all are awake and conscious B”H. Catskills Hatzolah, three medevacs, and six buses responded.
🇮🇱 ISRAEL
State Department Preparing Middle East Embassies for Prolonged Reduced Staffing
As the Iran war continues without resolution, the State Dept is directing embassies to prepare for long-term reduced staffing. With the 180-day “ordered departure” limit approaching, embassies unable to resume normal operations will shift to “restricted operations,” capping personnel and keeping most spouses and children from returning.
No Foul Play Suspected as Israeli Mother, Daughter Remain Missing in Vienna
Mali and Liel Yehalomi have been missing since Friday and did not board their scheduled flight home Monday. Police Commissioner Danny Levy convened a high-level assessment Wednesday, ordering all resources used to locate them.
Kever of Fallen IDF Soldier Shlomo Haimson Identified After 78 Years
Haimson was killed in 1948 fleeing a British detention camp in Cyprus; his family will travel to Israel for a military-state ceremony to add his name to his gravesite.
IDF Strikes Hamas Commander in Northern Gaza
The commander was planning attacks on IDF troops. The strike used precise munitions and aerial surveillance to mitigate civilian harm.
IDF Warns of Hamas Torture in Gaza
The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson said Hamas has escalated arbitrary arrests and violence against civilians, including women and minors, since the October 2025 ceasefire, operating from hospitals, schools, and mosques.
IDF Dispatches Infantry Battalion to Judea and Samaria Over Settler Attacks
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered the deployment after settlers besieged Palestinian homes in Qusra for days. Zamir also ordered clearer rules-of-conduct guidance for troops.
Golani Reconnaissance Brigade Concludes 50-Day Operation Near Beaufort Castle
The unit dismantled over 300 terror infrastructure sites in the former Hezbollah stronghold before stepping back for a refresh.
Hezbollah Terrorists Remain Besieged in Fortified Ali Taher Ridge Compound
Dozens of Hezbollah terrorists are trapped in a 20-year-in-the-making underground fortress. Israel has cut power and water and is waiting them out rather than storming the tunnels, per Amit Segal’s analysis.
Defense Minister Katz: “We Will Not Withdraw”
Katz said Israel will not leave security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza, calling it settled policy.
UK, Italy Among States Considered to Verify Hezbollah Disarmament
Israel and Lebanon have agreed on Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia as candidates for a foreign monitoring mechanism, per Reuters, following US-mediated talks in Rome.
Israel’s Diplomatic Winning Streak Continues in South America
Colombia restored ties with Israel and recognized Golan sovereignty, while Venezuela agreed to renew consular relations after 17 years, per Amit Segal’s column.
Outrage as Arrested Bochur Transferred to IDF Military Police
Yeshiva bochur Moshe Steiner was summoned over a driver’s license fraud probe but handed to Military Police after being found wanted for draft evasion, sparking Chareidi community backlash and planned Peleg Yerushalmi protests in Bnei Brak.
Bennett, Liberman, Erdan Blast Eisenkot Party Over Draft Exemption Proposal
Opposition leaders slammed a Yashar party proposal that could exempt up to 30% of the Chareidi population from service, with Bennett insisting universal service is non-negotiable.
🚫 ANTISEMITISM
Irish Tourist Threatens Jewish Couple in France
The man reportedly said he was sorry Hitler “didn’t finish the job” and threatened to shoot the couple after a friendly conversation turned political; video of the confrontation went viral.
Apple to Pay $150K Over Religious Discrimination Against Frum Employee
The EEOC settlement resolves claims that a Reston, VA store manager denied Shabbos accommodations, made antisemitic remarks, and fired the employee, Tyler Steele, under pretext.
Former SPLC Official Arrested on Federal Fraud Charges
Heidi Beirich, who once directed the SPLC’s hate-group tracking project, was arrested over alleged misuse of donor funds to pay informants inside white supremacist groups.
🗳️ U.S. POLITICS
Karoline Leavitt Steps Down as White House Press Secretary
President Trump announced on TruthSocial that Leavitt, 27, is leaving the role to spend more time with her family after having her second child in early May. Trump said she’ll now serve as one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice within the Republican Party.
Milwaukee’s Crowley Beats Back Antisemitic Socialist Hong in WI Primary
County Executive David Crowley narrowly won the Democratic gubernatorial primary over Rep. Francesca Hong, who had accused Israel of genocide and appeared on antisemitic influencers’ shows.
Antisemitic Flanagan Defeats AIPAC-Backed Craig in MN Senate Primary
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who rejected AIPAC money and has accused Israel of genocide, will face Republican Michele Tafoya in November.
US May Model Iran Uranium Extraction on Syrian Nuclear Operation
Israeli officials assess that the IAEA’s removal of nuclear material from Syria could serve as a template for handling Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile amid ongoing tension.
F-16s Deploy Flares to Intercept Aircraft Near Trump Event in Ohio
NORAD jets intercepted a plane that violated restricted airspace during Trump’s visit to the Patriot Games finale, following a string of similar incidents near Bedminster.
Rubio, Bessent Took Decoy Air Force One, Hegseth Flew Secretly With Trump
CBS reports Trump secretly switched planes after the NATO summit due to a security threat, while top officials flew on a decoy flight to preserve the line of succession.
Trump Weighs Capital Gains Tax Cut Ahead of Midterms
Bloomberg reports the administration is considering the first major capital gains cut since 2003, a move that could energize markets but draw criticism over who benefits.
Trump Administration Plans $927 Million White House Construction Overhaul
Plans include an East Wing ballroom, security upgrades, and a helipad, funded largely through a maintenance account and private donations.
DOJ Targets Over 1,000 Sham Marriages in Decade-Long Fraud Scheme
Attorney General Todd Blanche announced 11 arrests tied to the multimillion-dollar immigration fraud operation.
NYC Council Probing Prediction Markets Over Marketing Claims
The council is investigating Kalshi, Polymarket, Gemini Titan, and Coinbase over allegedly deceptive marketing targeting young users.
Defense for Tyler Robinson Moves to Dismiss Aggravating Factors in Kirk Murder Case
Attorneys argue prosecutors failed to prove Robinson knowingly endangered bystanders, challenging reliance on Discord logs and texts as hearsay.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro Convenes Rare Special Grand Jury in DC
The special grand jury will focus on a specific matter and can issue public investigative findings, an unusual procedural move.
US Military Operations Killed 153 Civilians in 2025, Pentagon Assessment Finds
The toll stems from three US strikes in Yemen against Houthi targets, a sharp rise from two civilian deaths reported in 2024.
🗽NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Mamdani Administration Scraps Elizabeth Street Garden Housing Plan
The city will preserve the Nolita garden and shift the planned affordable housing to 22 Suffolk Street, building more units than originally planned.
New Jersey Ranked Second-Best State to Live In
WalletHub cited NJ’s strong marks in affordability, education, health, and safety, with the third-highest median household income nationally.
NJ Supreme Court Rules Daniel’s Law Requires No Mental State for Damages
The unanimous ruling means plaintiffs suing under the privacy statute don’t need to prove intent or negligence to claim actual damages.
Jackson Township Council President Addresses Hatzalah Copycats
Mordy Burnstein said the mayor isn’t signing off on Hatzalas Nefoshos and that lights/sirens should be reserved for serious emergencies.
Jackson, NJ Needs Honest Dialogue, Not Reflexive Hate Crime Labels
A CBN commentary argues Jackson’s leadership must better explain controversial decisions instead of framing every criticism as antisemitism.
💰 BUSINESS & MARKETS
Consumer Prices Rose 0.1% in July, Annual Rate at 3.4%
Inflation matched estimates as the Fed weighs a possible rate hike; core prices rose 0.2% monthly and 2.5% annually.
U.S. Credit Card Debt Reaches $1.26 Trillion
Balances grew $21 billion in Q2, nearing the record set late last year, as auto loans also hit a new high.
Manhattan Average Rent Reaches Record $6,655
Rents rose 10% year-over-year as vacancy hit 1.49%, the lowest since 1968.
US Commercial Insurance Premiums Fall for First Time in Nine Years
Premiums dropped 1.2% in Q1 2026, ending a 33-quarter streak of increases, led by softening property rates.
Trump Administration Offers 81 Million Acres in Gulf Oil and Gas Lease Sale
The auction covers over 15,000 unleased blocks as part of 30 required Gulf lease sales under 2025 tax legislation.
Sephora Denies Opening Stores in Israel, Will Sell via Israeli Retailer
LVMH-owned Sephora Collection signed a temporary resale deal with Glam42, denying reports of standalone stores opening this month.
Josh Kushner and Bob Iger to Purchase LA Lakers in Record $12 Billion Deal
The pair, who previously pursued a Las Vegas expansion franchise, are acquiring controlling interest from Mark Walter.
We Must Get Shira to Denver
Shira requires 24/7 oxygen care and urgently needs evaluation at National Jewish Health in Denver, but no insurance or organization covers the $42,000 air ambulance cost each way. Donate here: https://bit.ly/4wcZFfD
📰 ALSO IN THE NEWS
Solar Eclipse Crosses the Tri-State Area and Europe
A partial eclipse passed over NYC, NJ, and CT Wednesday (peaking 1:54 PM), while London saw over 90% coverage and Iceland and Spain experienced total darkness.
Man Accused of Killing Wife, Child at Minnesota In-Home Daycare
Police say the man killed his wife and child before taking his own life while other children were present; six children were reunited with parents unharmed.
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