#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 25, 2026]

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

Today in the U.S., the affordable housing crisis continues to deepen, with even traditionally inexpensive areas like Florida and the South now facing soaring home prices that far outpace wage growth. Politically, President Donald Trump’s emerging proposal to end the Iran war is drawing heavy criticism from within his own Republican party, who argue for a harder line against Tehran. Meanwhile, a hazardous chemical leak from a storage tank in Garden Grove, California, has led to mass evacuations of about 40,000 people and school closures. The fatal shooting at a San Diego mosque this week highlights a concerning rise in anti-Muslim incidents, renewing focus on online radicalization and prevention efforts. Finally, some congressional Republicans are pushing back against President Trump on various issues, including a fund for the wrongly prosecuted, potentially complicating his administration’s legislative agenda. On the world stage, leaders are closely monitoring Belarus for any signs it might offer Russia further support in Ukraine, following Kyiv’s largest missile attack of the year. Amid lingering historical tensions, an unlikely friendship is blossoming between Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, potentially heralding a new era of cooperation. Speaking of South Korea, President Lee Jae-myung views the nation’s skyrocketing property prices, particularly in Seoul, as an existential threat to the country’s future survival.

Turning our attention to the latest video releases, we have “Only The STRONG Will Be STANDING” with Perry Stone, a short message titled “When you feel completely abandoned #shorts #hope #love,” and finally, “Empowered for Greater Works.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, the latest headlines include a “Korean Church Organization Partners with Church of God,” an update on “Cuba Maintains Poor Religious Freedom Conditions,” news about a “U.S. Army Hymn Unveiled for 250th Army Anniversary,” and the designation of “Pentecost Sunday as ‘Evangelism Sunday’.”

In prophecy news, the potential for a new Iran deal continues to dominate headlines. U.S. officials reported yesterday that Iran has agreed in principle to a proposal that would involve disposing of highly enriched uranium, though efforts to finalize the deal are still underway. This development follows intense concern earlier in the week from Israel and Republican hawks in the U.S., who fear that President Trump’s “largely negotiated” agreement might not fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities. A rift has reportedly emerged between Netanyahu and Trump, with Israel excluded from the talks. Meanwhile, on May 23rd, the Director-General of the Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, unveiled a 15-point Gaza roadmap designed to enforce strict disarmament and oversight, aligning with President Trump’s Gaza Comprehensive Peace Plan. And looking at Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel urged Europe on May 22nd to view support for Ukraine not as charity, but as investing in its own defense, calling Ukraine a “defense laboratory” to avoid a “bad peace.”

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back to May 26th: In 1096, the First Crusade brought tragedy with the massacre of Jews in Neuss, Germany. Later, in 1135, Alfonso VII of León and Castile was crowned Emperor of all Spain. Initially, his reign saw a curtailment of Jewish rights, including prohibitions against Jews holding legal authority over Christians and holding them responsible for royal tax collection. However, after a few years, Alfonso adopted a more positive approach, restoring previously granted rights and issuing new ones, such as a special charter in 1136 that allowed the Jews of Guadalajara to outfit themselves like Christian Knights.