#ourCOG Daily Brief [June 1, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for June 1, 2026.

In today’s top stories, Americans appear more skeptical about the benefits of artificial intelligence compared to other nations, while the race for California’s next governor sees Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, and front-runner Xavier Becerra vying for the top spots, facing significant challenges like housing costs and AI’s economic impact. Meanwhile, Congress continues its search for accountability in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, driven by public demand and survivor calls, though with little criminal culpability to show. Voting rights remain a contentious issue, raising questions about America’s honesty regarding racial inequality, and the Trump administration has announced changes to the green card process that could force many applicants to return to their home countries. On the world stage, despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in April, Israel has expanded its military campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Ukraine is revolutionizing warfare by adding “land drones”—ground robots for reconnaissance, deliveries, evacuations, and mine handling—to its futuristic arsenal, aiming to stand up to its larger Russian foe. Finally, as sanctions continue to squeeze its economy, Russia’s intelligence agencies are reportedly growing more aggressive in efforts to steal Western research and defense technology, deploying cyber spies and building fake companies.

For our video updates, we have an “IMPORTANT UPDATE!” from Perry Stone, “The Church is NOT the Building” from Between Sundays Podcast, and “Matthew 7:6 Explained.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re tracking a “Korean Church Organization Partners with Church of God,” “Cuba Maintains Poor Religious Freedom Conditions,” “U.S. Army Hymn Unveiled for 250th Army Anniversary,” and “Pentecost Sunday Designated ‘Evangelism Sunday’.”

Turning to prophecy news, there’s significant buzz around the Temple Mount. Priests involved in the recent Shavuot offering on the Temple Mount have shared their intricate planning, comparing it to a military operation. This comes as momentum for a Third Temple surges, with Israeli officials and rabbis openly discussing Jewish worship rights and future construction plans. In other news, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the US has seized $1 billion in Iranian cryptocurrency assets, part of an economic offensive. And unfortunately, the UN has controversially placed Israel on a sexual violence blacklist alongside groups like Hamas and ISIS, a move strongly condemned by Israeli officials.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back to June 2nd: We mark the traditional date of death for the prophet and priest Samuel in 876 BCE. In 455 CE, the Vandals plundered Rome, taking the spoils of the Second Temple. 1098 saw the end of the first Siege of Antioch during the First Crusade, leading to more death and destruction for the Jewish people on the road to Jerusalem. And in 1128, Pier Leoni, a son of a Jewish convert and a highly influential figure in medieval Rome, passed away.