#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 16, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 16, 2026.

In today’s top stories, U.S. forces, in a joint mission with Nigeria, reportedly killed an Islamic State group leader, Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki, according to President Donald Trump. Domestically, we’re watching key primary races in Kentucky and Louisiana, where the influence of President Trump and party unity are being tested against independent-minded lawmakers like Thomas Massie and Senator Bill Cassidy. Meanwhile, America’s public libraries are actively reinventing themselves to become essential community hubs amidst budget challenges, and ICE sees a new leader in David Venturella, signaling a potential shift towards more targeted immigration enforcement. On the global stage, Lebanese first responders are showing incredible resolve in the face of unprecedented Israeli strikes, while a high-profile summit in Beijing highlighted China’s increasing willingness to directly challenge the United States. Even Norway, typically insulated, is now grappling with an energy crunch, with its solutions potentially setting a global example.

Our video lineup today features a look at “May 16, 2026,” new country music with “God Heal Our Land #shorts #newmusic #countrymusic,” and an important message from Perry Stone on “The Danger of Just ONE Wrong Turn | Episode 1336.”

Unfortunately, we have no recent faith-based news to report from our RSS feed today.

Turning to prophecy news, there’s a fascinating discussion around the prediction of a Super El Niño in 2026, possibly linked to a solar magnetic event known as “The Terminator.” On the international front, Cuba is facing severe oil shortages and blackouts, sparking protests as Russian oil reserves reportedly run out amid a tightened U.S. embargo. There’s also a stark warning from scripture, referencing Isaiah 24:1 and Jesus’ prophecies, about a coming nuclear apocalypse and the sudden end of our current age. And in Israel, a special court has been established to try Palestinians accused in the 2023 Hamas attack, with the possibility of death sentences.

And finally, in Jewish history, this day, May 17th, marks a significant event in 142 BCE when Simon the Hasmonean captured the citadel of Jerusalem, expelling the Syrian garrison and Hellenized Jews. This victory completed the fight that his more famous brother, Judah, had begun decades earlier. Later, in 1012, Pope Benedict VIII began his papacy, a period during which a number of Roman Jews were executed on the highly debated charge of mocking a crucifix. Contemporary chroniclers suggest this tragic event might have been linked to an earthquake and severe storm on Good Friday, prompting scrutiny of its accuracy.