#ourCOG Daily Brief [February 12, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for February 12, 2026.

In today’s headlines, the U.S. is buzzing with the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, generating significant media attention and a challenge to discern facts from speculation, while thousands of dog lovers found joy at the world’s largest unofficial gathering of golden retrievers in Golden, Colorado. On the political front, Republicans are advancing the SAVE America Act, which aims to significantly alter how Americans vote in federal elections, and prediction markets continue to boom, despite a ban on their ads during major events like the Super Bowl due to their popular yet polarizing nature. We also honor Phillis Wheatley, the 18th-century poet who wrote while enslaved, as she graces a new postage stamp for her revolutionary ideals and inspiring tenacity. Internationally, the ‘Trump effect’ is testing the appeal of Europe’s far-right parties, as seen in Portugal. At the Winter Olympics, Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was prevented from honoring fallen countrymen with a decorated helmet, deemed a violation of IOC rules, while American speedskater Jordan Stolz started his 2026 Winter Olympics with an Olympic record, fueling hopes he could be the next Eric Heiden.

Turning our attention to recent videos, we’ve seen “Chapel,” “Jordan Easley,” “February 12, 2026,” “when God moves everything changes #shorts #faith #prayer,” and “Today On Jentezen Franklin TV.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, the latest updates include a “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13,” a “Church Files Emergency Appeal to Resume Worship,” “‘The Bible Recap’ Hits Top 100 on Apple Podcasts,” and a “Multi Million Dollar Gift Launches New Era for SMCH.”

Regarding the latest prophecy news, recent reports highlight the U.S. seeing its strongest job growth in over a year, propelled by healthcare work, with NATO also set to increase its presence in the Arctic. Intriguingly, satellite images have revealed ancient rivers that may pinpoint the biblical Garden of Eden, offering new insights into a location long dismissed as myth. Domestically, former President Trump pondered his chances at heaven during a recent National Prayer Breakfast, remarking on his “hell of a lot of good for perfect people,” while House Oversight Chairman James Comer has launched an investigation into companies linked to Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband over an unexpected surge in their value.

Finally, in Jewish history, we remember events from February 13th, beginning in 515 BCE with the completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. In 996, the reign of Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim began, notorious for his decree that Jews wear wooden calves around their necks. The Papacy of Honorius II concluded in 1130; while he didn’t directly affect the Jewish people, he played a significant role in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. And sadly, in 1195, we recall the Speyer ritual-murder libel in Germany, where, despite no proof of wrongdoing, a Rabbi’s daughter was dismembered and her body displayed in the marketplace for days.