#ourCOG Daily Brief [May 29, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for May 29, 2026.

In today’s top stories, we begin in the U.S. where some Southern states are hitting the brakes on redistricting despite a Supreme Court ruling last month, with South Carolina deferring decisions due to the complexities involved. Meanwhile, empty federal buildings present both a growing problem and a unique opportunity for redevelopment into much-needed housing or commercial space, though bureaucratic hurdles persist. On college campuses, artificial intelligence is proving to be the elephant in the classroom, with some students jeering at mentions of AI during graduations, even as universities rush to add majors focused on the technology. Out in Los Angeles, voter discontent and provocative AI ads are fueling an improbable mayoral candidacy by reality TV star Spencer Pratt ahead of the June 2nd election. And in Washington, we’re seeing a profound shift in how taxpayer money is spent, as President Donald Trump works to control more government spending, potentially creating a new normal where Congress cedes some of its power of the purse. Shifting to world news, Colombia is voting for its next president, weighing the future of outgoing President Gustavo Petro’s social welfare policies against a renewed focus on security. Norway continues to show us how to foster community, with events like “dugnads” and even waffles contributing to its high rankings in community spirit. And in Nairobi, electric vehicles are gaining rapid popularity, with passengers queuing for cheaper, quieter electric rides, particularly electric motorcycles, which are seeing exponential growth in sales and use.

Now, let’s turn to some recent spiritual encouragement. The latest video titles include “The Return of Jesus Series: What Will Happen The Day After The Rapture? | Jentezen Franklin,” “Refilling for Wounded Worshipers,” and “This Week On Jentezen Franklin TV #prayer.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we have the latest headlines: “Korean Church Organization Partners with Church of God,” “Cuba Maintains Poor Religious Freedom Conditions,” “U.S. Army Hymn Unveiled for 250th Army Anniversary,” and “Pentecost Sunday Designated ‘Evangelism Sunday.’”

In prophecy news, the United Nations has controversially placed Israel on a sexual violence blacklist alongside groups like Hamas and ISIS, a move swiftly condemned by Israeli officials. Closer to home, prominent Democratic leaders Omar and Ellison have appeared on the show of a controversial streamer known for past statements praising authoritarian governments. Amidst these events, there’s a reflection on how the anticipation of the Rapture fundamentally changes our understanding of current world events. Lastly, former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged more Arab nations, including Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, to join the Abraham Accords as part of an effort to seal a deal with Iran.

Finally, in Jewish history, we look back at May 30th. In the year 70, during the Siege of Jerusalem, Titus and his Roman legions breached the Second Wall of the city, forcing Jewish defenders to retreat, while the Romans devastated the surrounding landscape by cutting down all trees for fifteen kilometers. Centuries later, in 1096, a remarkable act of courage unfolded in Cologne during the Crusades: the local Bishop and some Burghers offered protection to Jews, even escorting them to safety in towns under his protection. This extraordinary effort ensured Cologne’s Jewish community was the only one in the Crusaders’ path to escape total destruction, though tragically, some individuals like Mar Isaac and Rebecca still perished in an act of Kiddush Ha-Shem on the 6th of Sivan.