#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 12, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 12, 2026.

In U.S. news today, the debate continues over the rise of three-year college degrees, lauded for their affordability and speed to career entry, but raising questions about their ability to provide a well-rounded education. Meanwhile, women’s professional sports are experiencing a boom, driven significantly by long-term investments from female venture capitalists. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the enduring global resonance of the Declaration of Independence’s ideals is being celebrated, even amidst domestic political polarization. However, calls are growing to restrict immigrant children’s rights to public education, challenging a long-standing Supreme Court decision. Internationally, President Trump’s threats regarding Iran disputes are pushing European allies towards more independent defense strategies, as trust in the U.S. partnership wanes. On the global stage, the race for AI supremacy sees the U.S. and China charting distinct paths, while in Ukraine, a surprising shift in the battlefield buoys spirits, with Ukrainian forces, aided by technological prowess, now taking back territory and Russia no longer making major gains. And in the remote northern Philippines, an Indigenous community has found a local, renewable solution to the global energy shock, insulating themselves from the wider crisis.

For our latest video offerings, we have titles such as ‘The Lord is our keeper,’ ‘Arrows,’ and a short piece reminding us to ‘Don’t Sugarcoat God’s Word.’

From the FaithNews RSS feed, recent headlines include ‘Pentecost Sunday Designated ‘Evangelism Sunday’,’ news that ‘Bibles For The World Set to Give Out 1.4 million copies of John’s Gospel,’ the launch of ‘Moms.Gov’ on Mothers Day, and a report on ‘Hundreds Attend Smoky Mountain Gathering.’

In prophecy news, concerns are rising that Iran regime power players might seek refuge in Russia if U.S. talks continue to falter, potentially to fuel future insurgencies. We’re also tracking a solar activity alert, with increasing odds of an Earth-directed solar flare from sunspot 4436, which recently produced an M5.7-class flare and a massive coronal mass ejection. Satellite images show Iran expanding defenses around its Esfahan nuclear tunnel complex, believed to hold a significant portion of its enriched uranium. Finally, there’s a thought-provoking discussion asking if we are witnessing the collapse of the LGBTQ+ movement, citing data on declining identification among young people.

And finally, in Jewish history, looking back to May 13th, we note the birth of Reginald III of Guelders in 1333. Interestingly, in 1349, as Jews faced expulsion from many parts of the Holy Roman Empire due to the Black Death, Duke Reginald authorized them to live in his duchy. Fast forward to May 13, 1497, when Pope Alexander VI excommunicated Girolamo Savonarola. Pope Alexander, known for his worldly pursuits rather than his piety – he was, after all, the father of Cesare and Lucretzia Borgia – inadvertently benefited Jews and Marranos fleeing the Spanish Inquisition by admitting a great number of them into Rome.