#ourCOG Daily Brief [March 25, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for March 25, 2026.

We start with today’s headlines. In U.S. news, juries in California and New Mexico have found that social media platforms are indeed harming teens’ health by creating addictive feeds, though Meta and YouTube plan to appeal. On a lighter note, parts of Boston Harbor are now clean enough for recreational shellfishing for the first time in a century, prompting a look into the history of New England clam chowder. However, concerns are rising on college campuses as legal sports gambling, heavily advertised during events like March Madness, targets a younger audience. Meanwhile, ICE personnel have arrived at over a dozen U.S. airports amidst persistent long security lines and a DHS shutdown, with TSA staffers working without pay. Internationally, despite major tactical successes in degrading Iran’s military, U.S. forces still face the challenge of reopening oil trade in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran’s regime remains in place. China, a self-proclaimed friend and lifeline to Tehran, has remained notably quiet on the war front, a move highlighting Beijing’s pragmatic, self-interested approach to foreign relations. In Russia, the Kremlin appears poised to silence online messaging apps in favor of a single super-app, potentially upending many Russians’ lives. And regarding Iran, its asymmetric strategy, including closing the Strait of Hormuz, has given its rulers leverage and confidence to issue demands, shaping the potential endgame and aftermath of the conflict.

Moving on to our video updates, you can catch up on “Today On Jentezen Franklin TV.” Other recent titles include “Protect Your Marriage!”, a short on “#marriage #faith”, and “Faith Wins Every Time | Jentezen Franklin.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, recent headlines include “Church Planting Intensive In Session” and an earlier announcement for the “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13.” We also saw “‘Jesus Wells’ Campaign Focuses on ‘World’s Thirstiest Communities’” and the good news that a “Ministry Wins ‘Best Children’s Feature’ at Movieguide® Awards.”

In the latest prophecy news, today, March 25th, saw the U.S. propose a 15-point plan as Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz to ‘non-hostile’ oil vessels. Former President Donald Trump announced he had sent a peace plan to Iran, expressing cautious optimism about ending the nearly month-long conflict, even as fresh violence underscored the fragile situation. This move by Tehran to allow certain oil vessels through Hormuz is seen as a potential sign of de-escalation.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back to March 26th, we note several historical events. In 1027, the coronation of Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor took place, an event marked by a religious disputation at his court between a bishop and an unnamed Jewish physician. Fast forward to 1147, when the Jews of Cologne, Germany, observed a fast to commemorate anti-Jewish violence. And in 1369, King Pedro of Castile, known for employing Abraham ibn Zaral as his physician and being friendly to the Jews, was tragically beheaded by his rival and brother, Henry of Trastamara. This marked the end of their civil war and a significant shift, as Henry was reportedly as hostile to the Jewish community as Pedro had been supportive.