#ourCOG Daily Brief [January 25, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for January 25, 2026.

In today’s top stories, U.S. news is dominated by the fallout from the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers. This incident has prompted calls for investigations into ICE tactics and is sparking uncomfortable questions for the GOP regarding gun ownership and federal trust, even as public opinion on President Trump’s overall handling of immigration appears to be shifting. Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel seems to be laying the groundwork for a presidential run, outlining strategies to revitalize the Democratic Party’s image, while the Trump administration faces scrutiny for reportedly exerting influence over the U.S. military’s independent newspaper, Stars and Stripes. Internationally, Iran is actively working to reshape the narrative after thousands died in a recent crackdown, blaming external “agents” and “terrorists” amidst an internet blackout. Syria’s army is advancing in the northeast, demanding integration from the Kurdish-led SDF, a key U.S. ally, with Washington supporting a unified Syria. And in Gaza, a harsh winter is adding another layer of hardship for displaced Palestinians, many living in flimsy tents along the frigid coast.

Turning to our digital content, the most recent video titles available include “Join us now for this morning’s worship experience! [11am EST Service],” repeated as our most recent postings.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we note several important updates: “Black History Celebration Set for February 4,” “‘Religious Freedom Day’ Commemorated,” “Leaders React to Storming of Church in Minnesota by ICE Protestors,” and “General Assembly Website Launches: GA26.org.”

In prophecy news, we’re looking at several interesting developments. There’s discussion around China potentially falling behind in the global chip wars, with U.S. AI chips currently holding a significant advantage that could expand further by 2027. We also hear arguments that, contrary to some media narratives, Americans largely desire immigration enforcement, a key voter concern addressed by President Trump. Meanwhile, a House panel has advanced resolutions to hold former President and Secretary of State Clinton in contempt of Congress, and the “perpetual climate panic machine” is reportedly losing its grip, as global warming concerns have cooled among voters.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at January 26th, we note several significant events. In 1482, the first edition of the Pentateuch with vowel signs and accents was published in Bologna. Moving to 1531, Portugal experienced an earthquake that destroyed many homes in Lisbon, which some, including the Pope, believed confirmed predictions of suffering by Solomon Molcho. A major date in American Jewish history is 1654, when Portugal recaptured Pernambuco from the Dutch, leading thousands of Jews to flee, with 23 eventually reaching New Amsterdam. And in 1664, we remember Rabbi Berechiah Berakh ben Isaac Shapiro of Cracow.