#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 17, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 17, 2026.

In U.S. political news, Senator Bill Cassidy has been defeated in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary, advancing Trump-backed Julia Letlow and John Fleming to a runoff. Meanwhile, new testimony is expected in the Jeffrey Epstein case, with prison guard Tova Noel set to appear before the House Oversight Committee. President Trump announced a joint U.S.-Nigerian mission killed an Islamic State group leader, Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki, details of which remain scarce. Another congressional primary to watch is in Kentucky, where President Trump’s influence challenges independent-minded Thomas Massie. On a community note, public libraries across America are reimagining their roles to overcome budget cuts and declining donations. Internationally, Lebanese first responders are showing deepened resolve amid unprecedented casualties from Israeli strikes. In a significant display of assertiveness, China’s Xi Jinping sent a clear message to Donald Trump during their Beijing summit, showcasing a growing willingness to directly challenge the U.S. Even Norway, usually insulated by its wealth and hydropower, is now facing an energy crunch, and its solutions could offer a global example.

Turning to our video segment, recent highlights include “TURNING ASIDE,” followed by “When The Fire Gets Your Attention” focusing on Exodus 3:1-6 with Bishop Jason Garner. We also have “Parable of the lost sheep,” and content featuring “guest speaker Pastor Lloyd Smith, Sunday Service.” Finally, there’s information on “Sundays at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM EST” from Citylife Church.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, recent updates include Pentecost Sunday being designated as ‘Evangelism Sunday.’ We also learn that Bibles For The World is set to distribute 1.4 million copies of John’s Gospel, and that Moms.Gov was launched on Mother’s Day. Rounding out the feed, hundreds recently attended the Smoky Mountain Gathering.

In prophecy news, a significant development on Jerusalem Day saw Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and fellow Otzma Yehudit lawmaker Yitzhak Kroizer making strong public calls for expanded Jewish control on the Temple Mount, even suggesting rebuilding the Temple. Shifting to natural phenomena, a super El Niño is predicted to arrive in 2026, with some experts, like Robert Leamon of NASA, linking it to a magnetic event on the sun known as the ‘Terminator.’ We also hear that Cuba’s oil reserves have reportedly run out, leading to widespread blackouts and protests as a tightened U.S. fuel embargo continues. Finally, looking at biblical prophecy, discussions are ongoing regarding the Sixth Seal Judgment, with some interpreting it as a prophecy of a coming nuclear apocalypse, drawing parallels to descriptions in Isaiah 24:1.

And finally, in Jewish history, looking back to May 18th. In 323 BCE, Alexander the Great passed away at the age of 32. While there’s no direct evidence he visited Jerusalem, he did travel through Judea. Alexander was known for leaving the Jewish people in peace to practice their religion, encouraging them to settle throughout Egypt and Asia Minor, and allowing them to govern their own communities. He was seen as an enlightened monarch, much like Cyrus the Great. Fast-forward to the year 363 CE, and May 18th marked the beginning of a series of earthquakes that rocked the Galilee region.