#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 13, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 13, 2026.

In today’s top stories, a major shift is underway at the nation’s immigration enforcement agency, ICE, with veteran David Venturella taking the helm, potentially signaling a move towards more targeted, less public enforcement strategies. Meanwhile, the Louisiana primary presents a critical test for GOP Senator Bill Cassidy, whose re-election bid will gauge both former President Trump’s enduring influence and the reach of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, following Cassidy’s past impeachment vote and public health stances. On the political maps, despite earlier predictions, states are actively redrawing gerrymandered districts this primary season, a move with significant implications for control of Congress. In education, three-year bachelor’s degrees are gaining traction in the U.S., offering affordability and quicker career entry, though sparking debate about their ability to provide a well-rounded education. And on a brighter note, women’s professional sports are experiencing a boom, driven by savvy female venture capitalists making long-term investments. Globally, French President Macron is struggling to mend ties and bolster influence in Africa, where its colonial past continues to cast a long shadow over promises of investment and partnership. The delicate balance of trust between the U.S. and Taiwan is in focus, as potential talks between Trump and Xi could influence Taiwan’s willingness to resist coercion from China. And in Brazil, despite some of the world’s toughest anti-racism laws, extreme racial inequality persists, as highlighted by a recent high-profile case involving an Argentine tourist.

Turning our attention to recent video content, you can catch up on “The Arch Discipleship Wed. | Hell’s Spells ch. 10 | Bishop Jason Garner,” get quick wisdom with “Respect isn’t taught, it’s caught #shorts #parenting #fatherhood,” and delve into the unknown with “The UFO Files – Eyewitness Update | Perry Stone & Shane Warren.”

From our FaithNews feed, recent headlines include “Pentecost Sunday Designated ‘Evangelism Sunday’,” “Bibles For The World Set to Give Out 1.4 million copies of John’s Gospel,” the launch of “Moms.Gov on Mothers Day,” and news of “Hundreds Attend Smoky Mountain Gathering.”

In prophecy news, Israel has established a new special court to try Palestinians accused in the 2023 Hamas attack, with the unprecedented power to sentence those convicted to death, a measure passed by a near-unanimous parliament. Fears are also rising that the apparent collapse of high-stakes U.S.-Iran negotiations could prompt senior figures in Tehran’s leadership to flee to Russia, potentially to undermine any new regime. On the cosmic front, solar activity is increasing, with sunspot 4436 turning towards Earth, raising the odds of an Earth-directed solar flare after an M5.7-class flare blew a massive hole in the sun’s atmosphere, with a resulting CME appearing to head our way. And in Iran, new satellite images reveal expanded roadblocks and defensive barriers around the Esfahan nuclear tunnel complex, believed to store highly enriched uranium, with analysts suggesting these defenses are designed to delay or complicate any future actions.

Finally, in Jewish history for this day, May 14th, we look back to 1141 when Yehuda Halevi set sail for Palestine from Egypt, legend holding that he was tragically killed by an Arab horseman upon reaching Jerusalem. Centuries later in 1264, Hagin ben Moses, then Chief Rabbi of the Jews of England, was forced to flee to Europe amidst the riots preceding the Battle of Lewes. The year 1288 marked a dark chapter as thirteen Jews in Troyes, France, were tragically burned at the stake by the Inquisition. And in 1316, we note the birthdate of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, who notably viewed his Jewish subjects as “servi camerae.”