#ourCOG Daily Brief [November 29, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for November 29, 2025.

In U.S. news today, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is beginning a wary rapprochement with the city’s influential financial community, with both sides likely needing to make concessions given their differing political ideologies. President Trump has called for a review of Afghan immigrants after a shooting incident in Washington D.C., signaling his intent to reshape immigration policies and increase scrutiny of migrants. This follows a report that two National Guard members were shot just blocks from the White House, with a suspect now in custody and President Trump ordering 500 additional troops to the capital. Meanwhile, a debate in Santa Fe, New Mexico, about a homeless person’s missing dog has sparked conversations around how best to support both pets and their owners living on the streets. On a more positive note, polling suggests that expressing gratitude can help Americans relieve holiday stress and beyond. Globally, Hong Kong officials are investigating the cause of a high-rise apartment fire, focusing on construction materials and scaffolding. In China, experts are pondering what Xi Jinping hopes to gain by praising liberal reformer Hu Yaobang, whose death sparked the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. And the Western alliance is showing signs of strain, with differing Ukraine peace plans emerging, partly due to President Trump’s ambiguous stance on responsibility for the conflict.

Turning to our video segment, you might want to check out “Paul’s Viper’s Failed Attack! I Jonathan Vorce #shorts #bible #faith,” dive into “Kingdom Culture III | Kingdom Keys | Matthew 16:13-19 | Pastor Jason Garner,” or explore “Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and You I Jonathan Vorce #shorts #holyspirit #jesus.”

From the FaithNews RSS feed, we’re seeing headlines like “Smith Honored with Spirit of Azusa Award,” “More Americans Embrace ‘Animal Gifting’ This Christmas,” “Foundation Announces Partnership to Support Military Families in Need,” and “Church of God Publications Releases 75th Anniversary Edition “Red Back Hymnal.””

In prophecy news, for the first time since the Temple’s destruction nearly two millennia ago, Levites returned to the Temple Mount this Thursday, singing the daily psalm in what’s described as an unprecedented restoration. This follows news from yesterday where Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Russia would cease fighting if Ukraine withdraws from areas claimed by Moscow. Earlier in the week, a new PBS documentary on the American Revolution sparked discussion for its “historical revisionism,” highlighting the Six Nations’ democratic system predating the 13 colonies’ governance. And reports from earlier this week indicated that Ukraine had agreed to the core terms of a peace deal to end its nearly four-year war with Russia, with the U.S. reportedly making progress in bringing both sides to the table.

Finally, in Jewish history, this day, November 29th, marks some pivotal moments. In 800 AD, Charlemagne arrived in Rome to investigate alleged crimes against Pope Leo III. Their alliance proved crucial, with Charlemagne ultimately exonerating Leo, who then crowned Charlemagne Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. This period was notably “good for the Jews,” as Charlemagne was protective of his Jewish subjects. However, contrasting events occurred on November 28th, when Louis IX was crowned at Reims Cathedral in 1226. At the Pope’s request, Louis IX later ordered the burning of 24 cartloads of Jewish books, planned to expel Jews after confiscating their property, and mandated them to wear a “Jew’s badge” and attend missionary sermons. Also on November 28th, in 1268, Pope Clement IV renewed prohibitions against Jewish communities.