#ourCOG Daily Brief [August 21, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 21, 2026.

In today’s top stories, a blend of politics and daily life continues to shape events both here at home and across the globe. In the U.S., the “Freedom 250” IndyCar race in D.C. has fans questioning the intersection of sports and politics, while a cloud of self-dealing allegations hangs over Washington, potentially facing increased scrutiny if Democrats gain control of the House. We’re also watching the Iowa State Fair, a long-time staple for presidential hopefuls, as some wonder if its political significance might be waning. Additionally, the FCC is considering cuts to the vital E-Rate program, which could leave schools and libraries struggling to maintain internet access. And, this primary season has been particularly challenging for pollsters, with an unusual number of misses impacting campaigns and media narratives. Internationally, before the recent devastating earthquakes, Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, was experiencing a surprising decline in violent crime and a new sense of opportunity after the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. In France, parents are grappling with how to protect their children after reports of abuse in after-school programs, while across Africa, the world’s youngest and fastest-urbanizing continent, there’s a growing movement to create more kid-friendly cities.

Turning our attention to recent videos you might have missed, among our latest offerings are “We are Family Not on My Watch,” a powerful message from Jentezen Franklin titled “Why This Storm?,” and Episode 1350 of Perry Stone’s teachings, “God Gave My Dad 7 Secrets To Answered Prayer.”

From the world of Faith News, some of the headlines include the Church of God’s celebration of its 140th Anniversary today. We’re also seeing news that the Christian AI, FlickerFaith, is now free worldwide, and concerning reports indicate Iranian Christians are struggling to survive. Lastly, the General Council continues its fight against human trafficking.

In prophecy news, a significant convergence is noted as Rosh Hashanah and September 11th align this year, marking twenty-five years since the tragic terror attacks, a day when judgment is traditionally written, yet the shofar remains silent. Economically, Iran has lost a key lifeline in the Middle East, as the UAE suspended all trade and financial transactions after accusations of ballistic missile firings. On the political front, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has now distanced herself from the “woke one” label, calling it “crazy” after a study indicated voters perceive Democrats as “woke, weak, and out-of-touch.” Finally, the U.S. has committed a substantial €20 billion to supercharge Tomahawk missile production, aiming to boost annual output above 1,000 missiles and rapidly expand its munitions stockpiles.

And finally, a look back at Jewish history on this day, August 21st. In 1157, Emperor Alfonso died, leading to the division of his kingdom, with Ferdinand II, who notably granted Jews special privileges, receiving León. Then, in 1165, Philip II Augustus was born, a French king infamous for first imprisoning his Jewish subjects, then extorting ransom from them, and eventually banning them from Paris. A much darker event occurred in 1321, when Jews in France were falsely accused of encouraging lepers to poison Christian wells. This grave accusation led directly to even more widespread persecution during the Black Plague, resulting in the deaths of five thousand Jews, with 160 tragically burned in a pit on an island outside Chinon—an island still known today as Ile de Juifs. Eventually, King Philip the Tall admitted the Jews were innocent.

That concludes our Daily Brief for August 21, 2026. Thank you for joining us.