#ourCOG Daily Brief [April 18, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for April 18, 2026.

Starting with our top stories, in U.S. news, we’re looking at the closure of Hampshire College, a victim of financial and demographic pressures despite significant fundraising efforts. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is finding it challenging to uphold her moderate image amidst a polarized political landscape and a legislature controlled by her own party. Concerns are also being raised about global perceptions of U.S. power, particularly in the wake of the Iran war, and Congress is currently divided over the surveillance powers granted by the Foreign Intelligence Act, or FISA. We also have a special report on the complex debate surrounding “sheltered workshops” for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Internationally, the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has escalated once more, with Iran re-closing the crucial waterway and firing on ships after the U.S. continued its blockade of Iranian ports, pushing the boundaries of international maritime law. This comes as a new ceasefire in Lebanon has left many Israelis feeling betrayed, with anger directed at the Netanyahu government for its perceived lack of strategic clarity.

Turning to our video segment, we invite you to catch up on our latest offerings, including ‘He is Not Here,’ our recent ‘Sunday Morning Service (10AM),’ and an insightful piece featuring ‘Tom “Pyro” Lyons.’

In FaithNews, we hear that the ‘City of Refuge’ is set to be featured in a new documentary, while a group is advocating for the ‘Historical Accuracy’ of the Role of Faith.’ Also, a ‘New Devotional Helps Readers Break Free from Negative Thinking,’ and we mourn the passing of ‘Robert White, Former General Overseer.’

And finally, for our prophecy news update: It appears Starlink has declared a ‘war on comets,’ with over 10,000 satellites now in orbit, making celestial observations increasingly challenging. Separately, efforts to implement age verification across the internet are gaining traction but are also raising concerns about compliance and data security. The ‘mystery of the March fireballs’ continues to deepen, following several significant celestial events reported across the globe. Lastly, the U.S. has offered a substantial $10 million bounty for the leader of the Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah.

In Jewish history, April 19th is remembered as one of the calendar’s “blackest days,” marked by a tragic series of atrocities stretching from the 11th to the 20th centuries. Notable events on this date include the Cordoba massacre in 1014, the murder of thirty-six Jews in Mayence in 1283 following a blood libel accusation, and the beginning of Emperor Aulus Vitellius’s reign in 69 CE during the Jewish rebellion against Rome.