#ourCOG Daily Brief [February 19, 2026]

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

In today’s top stories, U.S. Democratic governors are gaining national attention as potential 2028 presidential contenders, having found ways to challenge the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced court questions regarding social media’s impact on teenagers. President Trump’s “Board of Peace” is convening to address Gaza, drawing participation from Muslim and Arab nations, though Western democracies remain cautious. Closer to home, legal battles in Minnesota are challenging the Trump administration’s interpretation of immigration law, affecting refugees, while Native Americans in Minneapolis are pushing back against what they allege are racially targeted immigration raids. On the global front, reporters like Sophie Neiman in Uganda are navigating internet blackouts during elections, highlighting a growing worldwide conflict where citizens in places like Iran and Uganda fight to stay online amidst government shutdowns. Additionally, U.S. allies in Europe are engaging in “de-risking” strategies in response to President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy overhaul.

We also have a look at some of the latest videos available, including “Forever a Flame Podcast // Jodi Schaffer // Season 1 Episode 2,” “Chapel | Ryan Wekenman | February 19, 2026,” and “Grateful for Your Love and Mercy.”

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

In prophecy news, a new report raises national security concerns, identifying at least 21 Chinese nationals in top U.S. labs with potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, calling for a “New Western Century” and affirming America’s role. On the financial front, a global investor sees Israel as a resilient financial hub, even as California experiences a severe winter storm. And ahead of a peace council meeting on Gaza, President Trump has called for Hamas to disarm immediately.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at February 20th: In 390 AD, Emperors Valentinian II., Theodosius, and Arcadius issued a significant decree preventing Jews and Samaritans from being forcibly conscripted into the “navicularii” or ship-owner associations of Constantinople, protecting their vital role in shipping, particularly in Alexandria. And in 1194, the death of King Tancred of Sicily marked the end of the Norman Kingdom.