#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 24, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 24, 2026.

In today’s U.S. news, President Trump’s emerging proposal to end the Iran war is drawing significant criticism from Republican hawks in Congress who advocate for a tougher stance against the Iranian government. Meanwhile, in Southern California, a damaged chemical tank has spurred mass evacuations for some 40,000 residents in Garden Grove. The recent fatal shooting at a San Diego mosque has renewed concerns over a spike in anti-Muslim incidents and the online radicalization of young people. Domestically, some congressional Republicans are challenging the President on various issues, potentially complicating paths forward for his party’s priorities. We’re also observing a generational shift within the GOP, with younger conservatives growing more skeptical of U.S. aid to Israel and Jewish political influence. Internationally, an unlikely yet deep partnership is forging between Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, potentially heralding a new era of cooperation. In South Korea, housing affordability in Seoul is viewed by President Lee as an existential threat to the nation’s future. And in Gaza City, the Phoenix Library, which opened just last month, is diligently working to rebuild a culture of reading with books salvaged from over two years of destruction.

Moving on to our video headlines, we have a poignant title, “Never Forget 052426,” alongside two urgent announcements for “Times Square Revival is Tonight!”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, the latest entries include a “Korean Church Organization Partners with Church of God,” updates on “Cuba Maintains Poor Religious Freedom Conditions,” the unveiling of a “U.S. Army Hymn Unveiled for 250th Army Anniversary,” and “Pentecost Sunday Designated ‘Evangelism Sunday’.”

Turning to prophecy news, Israel and GOP hawks are deeply concerned as President Trump indicates an Iran deal is “largely negotiated,” triggering fears that it may not fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and leading to a reported rift between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Trump. Separately, the Director-General of the Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, has unveiled a 15-point Gaza roadmap designed to execute the US President’s Gaza Comprehensive Peace Plan. Meanwhile, the Czech president urged Europe to view support for Ukraine not as a charity case, but as an investment in their own defense laboratory. And in a development some are likening to Joel’s prophecy, an Israeli tech company is preparing to release millions of tons of microscopic particles into the Earth’s upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back to May 25th, we note the passing of Pope Gregory VI in 1085, who famously opposed Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor known for seeing himself as a protector of the Jews. Also in 1085, Alfonso VI of Castile recaptured Toledo from the Moors, transforming it into a tolerant refuge for Jews and liberal Muslims. Tragically, May 25th, 1096, also marked the beginning of the devastating massacre of the Jews of Wor.