#ourCOG Daily Brief [August 19, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 19, 2026.

In today’s top stories, U.S. news highlights include the University of Michigan’s controversial decision to ditch first-semester grades, aimed at helping students acclimate, though critics fear eroding academic rigor. Cyberattacks on U.S. water facilities last month revealed vulnerabilities, particularly in smaller towns, with potential links to Iranian actors. The United Nations is commencing the process of electing its 10th chief, with mounting pressure to finally see a woman shatter the glass ceiling in the role. Meanwhile, the GOP’s signature 2025 legislation, once hailed as a major achievement, is now becoming a liability for them on the campaign trail due to public outcry over its cuts. Finally, America’s missile interceptor stockpile is low following the Iran war, and with China and Russia watching, restocking efforts are expected to take years. On the world stage, a leftist religious group in Israel, Bnei Avraham, is practicing “protective presence” to shield West Bank Palestinians from settler attacks, aiming to display “another face of Judaism.” We’re also seeing a renewed American embrace of Chinese culture, from mahjong clubs to adopting practices like sipping warm water. And President Trump’s recent order to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea signals Washington’s willingness to depart from traditional alliances.

Turning to our digital content, our recent video highlights include “Praise and Worship – August 16, 2026,” a deep dive into “The Inside Story – Why Iran Refuses an Agreement” with Perry Stone, and the thought-provoking “The Grass Isn’t Always Greener.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, recent headlines include the “Church of God Celebrates 140th Anniversary Today,” the announcement that “Christian AI FlickerFaith Now Free Worldwide,” a report on “Iranian Christians Struggling to Survive,” and news that the “General Council Fights Human Trafficking.”

In prophecy news, Democrats are reportedly trying to walk back the “woke” movement, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez herself calling it “crazy” after a study indicated voters perceive Democrats as “woke, weak, and out-of-touch.” The U.S. has also committed a substantial €20 billion to supercharge Tomahawk missile production, aiming to boost annual output above 1,000 as it rapidly expands its munitions stockpiles. Interestingly, Qatar’s state media is predicting that a Muslim President in the White House is “not far” off, citing recent political developments. And finally, Israel has seized a vast terror axis arsenal from Iran, revealing weapons with surprising foreign origins, including Russia, China, Lebanon, Gaza, and even a Nazi-era gun.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at August 19, 43 BCE, Octavian, who would later become the revered Emperor Augustus, compelled the Roman senate to elect him Consul. As the first Emperor, he notably pursued policies of “moderation and accommodation” towards Judea, a precedent set by his uncle, Julius Caesar. Upon his passing in 14 CE, Augustus was remembered by the Jewish people as a comparatively benign ruler. He maintained Judea under a Jewish king, even if it was Herod, and only transitioned it to a Roman province during the turmoil following Herod’s death. Importantly, Augustus instructed Roman governors to avoid antagonizing the Jewish population, specifically forbidding the construction of pagan altars in Jerusalem and prohibiting their troops from parading through the city with standards bearing pagan images.

That’s your #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 19, 2026. Good night.