#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 15, 2025]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 15, 2025.

In today’s top stories, the U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments on a case that could significantly diminish the Voting Rights Act of 1965, challenging whether race can be a factor in drawing congressional maps. Meanwhile, Maryland is tackling its teacher shortage by offering a new training program to laid-off federal workers, giving them an opportunity to transition into classrooms. On the government shutdown front, President Trump announced that funds have been identified to pay U.S. troops on October 15, though other federal employees are still set to miss paychecks, and military families remain stressed by the uncertainty. Internationally, a fragile ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza marks a breakthrough, achieved by decoupling the emotional first phase of the Trump plan from a more complex second, though significant challenges for lasting peace still lie ahead. In other world news, a proposed tungsten mining pact in the Yukon could help mend the strained relationship between the U.S. and Canada, while Estonia’s women are stepping up to volunteer for national defense, keeping a watchful eye on Russia. Finally, Tanzania is poised for an election where authoritarianism is on the rise, with the incumbent president running virtually unopposed after barring major rivals from the ballot.

Shifting to our video content, the latest uploads include “Masterpiece | Jeremiah 18: 1-6 | REBROADCAST,” a thought-provoking message titled “First Peace – Then Sudden Destruction” by Perry Stone, and an exploration of “God of the Brook.”

From our FaithNews RSS feed, the latest headlines cover “Ministry to Israel ‘Lone Soldier Program’ Looks to Welcome One of the Hostages,” a “New Book Examines Generational Shift in Leadership and Discipleship,” “VPN.com Honors TPUSA Founder Charlie Kirk,” and “Intercultural Ministries Hosts ‘Seat at the Table’ Conference.”

In prophecy news, recent reports indicate that deepening scandals involving a statewide candidate in Virginia and voter frustration with far-left policies in New Jersey have suddenly made this year’s highest-profile races more competitive. President Trump has announced the start of the second phase of the peace plan for Gaza, with significant financial and political backing. This comes shortly after Trump thanked the “God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob” in a Knesset speech, following a critical phase where all living hostages were returned to Israel after 738 days, though only four of 28 hostage bodies were expected to be released. These developments unfold as a recent survey revealed that 54% of U.S. adults believe religion should not influence political decisions, highlighting a perceived lack of biblical knowledge and consistency among many evangelicals.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at October 15th through the ages: In 586 BCE, King Zedekiah, the last king of Judea, was blinded and taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar after attempting to flee Jerusalem, ending his life in a Babylonian prison. Centuries later, in 412 CE, the passing of Theophilius cleared the way for Cyril, an anti-Semite who had incited violence against Jews, to become the Patriarch of Alexandria. And in 912 CE, Abdullah ibn Muhammad, Emir of Córdoba, passed away, at a time when Cordoba was on the cusp of becoming a major center for Jewish culture and scholarship.