#ourCOG Daily Brief [August 8, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 8, 2026.

In today’s U.S. news, President Trump is once again targeting constitutionally-guaranteed birthright citizenship with new executive orders, potentially sending the issue back to the courts. The role of artificial intelligence in education is also a significant talking point, with Khan Academy founder Sal Khan acknowledging its transformative potential for tutoring, despite greater challenges than anticipated. This AI “gold rush” in Silicon Valley comes with risks, as educators and parents grapple with which tools truly help versus harm. On Capitol Hill, scrutiny of Rep. Max Miller over allegations of sexual misconduct or domestic abuse adds to a concerning trend among lawmakers, with some peers calling for his resignation. On a more heartwarming note for classrooms, recent studies suggest that class pets, such as gerbils, can significantly help youth refine social skills and manage emotions, provided they receive proper care. Globally, Iran has issued dramatic new demands regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though Oman reports that talks to manage the crucial waterway are continuing. In Brazil, despite economic growth under President Lula, voters don’t seem to be feeling the positive impact, potentially due to high economic expectations stemming from his past legacy of poverty alleviation. And in an unexpected twist in British politics, a prominent far-right leader could find his electoral prospects upended by a comedic candidate known for wearing a bin, adding a unique spoiler element to the U.K. electoral system.

Our latest video offerings include Perry Stone’s “How, When, and Why, The Earth And Heavens Will Melt With Fire | Episode 1348,” Jentezen Franklin’s “A Glimpse of Heaven: The Return of Jesus,” and a look at “This Week On Jentezen Franklin TV #blessed.”

From the FaithNews RSS feed, we learn that the General Council is actively fighting human trafficking, while also having chosen its Council of Eighteen. Additionally, Ramirez and Charles have been nominated for World Missions Posts, and an International Educators Lunch is set for the General Assembly.

Turning to prophecy news, today, August 8th, President Trump has signed new executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship, adjusting his strategy after a previous Supreme Court decision. Yesterday, August 7th, Trump’s muted response to the Hormuz deal sparked discussions of a potential “declare victory and leave” moment, and we also heard that Christian nurse Vanessa Sivadge secured the first ‘detransitioner clinic’ settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital. Earlier in the week, on August 6th, Central Europe experienced record-breaking heat with Slovakia and Austria seeing intensifying heatwaves, and on August 5th, Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted, prompting evacuations and a red alert.

Finally, in Jewish history, this day, August 8th, marks the naming of Hadrian as Emperor of the Roman Empire in 117 C.E. While remembered for his engineering feats like Hadrian’s Wall and his devotion to Greek learning, Jews tragically recall him as the instigator of Bar Kochba’s Rebellion. Following this ultimately failed revolt, Hadrian waged war against Judaism itself, seeking to build a temple to Jupiter on the Temple Mount and relentlessly hunting down Jewish sages, creating a list of martyrs whose names we still invoke today.