#ourCOG Daily Brief [August 11, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 11, 2026.

In U.S. news today, we’re seeing communities across the country grapple with significant changes. Somerville, Massachusetts, offers a success story, having eliminated traffic deaths through dedicated road safety improvements and community engagement. Other towns, however, face challenges, particularly as small private colleges close, depriving them of vital resources—though one Vermont community has found an innovative solution. Civic participation is also evolving in America, prompting communities to adapt their strategies for engagement. Meanwhile, cities like Tulsa are creatively leveraging the post-COVID shift to remote work, offering incentives to attract new residents and revitalize areas like Route 66. Yet, persistent issues remain, as students in Massachusetts are now suing the state, alleging that seventy years after Brown v. Board of Education, they still experience segregated school districts with fewer resources. Globally, tensions are high as Taiwan actively prepares for a potential conflict with China, employing unique resilience tests like intentionally disabling internet access. In Ukraine, one city’s decision to patiently wait before rebuilding a war-damaged university has garnered international support, promising a brighter future. And in a significant geopolitical development, three regional powers—Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan—have formed a new alliance, a strategic response to the prolonged Iran war, a perceived hegemonic Israel, and anticipated reduced U.S. presence in the Middle East.

Turning now to our video segment, we’ve recently highlighted “Find Your Fit,” explored “America And Jerusalem’s 4 year Harbingers” with Perry Stone, and shared a powerful reminder that “Even the Strongest Christian Needs This Daily.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, recent headlines include the General Council’s fight against human trafficking, the selection of the Council of Eighteen by the General Council, the nominations of Ramirez and Charles for World Missions Posts, and the upcoming International Educators Lunch set for the General Assembly.

In prophecy news, the past few days have been eventful. Today, August 11th, Colombia declared a national emergency after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake claimed at least 111 lives, injuring dozens more, as rescue teams frantically search for survivors. On August 10th, Donald Trump’s ex-wife, Marla Maples, revealed that the former president carries mystical Jewish texts, the Book of Pinchas and the Book of Zohar, for spiritual protection. August 9th saw more than 20,000 people evacuated in western Canada as a large wildfire rapidly grew in British Columbia, threatening towns including the entirety of Summerland. And on August 8th, President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at cracking down on birthright citizenship, adjusting his approach after a Supreme Court decision blocked his previous efforts.

Finally, let’s turn to Jewish history for this day, August 11th. In 1284, Arghun Khan, the fourth ruler of the Mongol Ilkhanate division, began his reign. Notably, a Jewish physician named Sa’ad al-Dawla from Abrhar served as his grand vizier during this period. Later, in 1492, Alexander VI was elected Pope. Known as one of the controversial Borgia popes with a reputation for “moral depravity,” Alexander VI was more a politician than a prelate. He defied Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain by allowing many Marranos, fleeing the Inquisition, to find refuge in Rome. While he did reduce the size of the badge worn by Jews under his rule, he also raised their taxes by five percent and lengthened the course that the Jews of Rome were forced to run each year, reportedly so he could view it more comfortably from his castle.

That concludes our digest for today. Thank you for joining us.