#ourCOG Daily Brief [October 30, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for October 30, 2026.

We start with a look at today’s headlines. In U.S. news, the expanding influencer economy is now impacting higher education, with colleges beginning to offer content creation programs. Politically, there’s growing concern that young men, who were key to Donald Trump’s return to the White House two years ago, are now either leaning towards Democrats or considering staying home in the upcoming midterms. A case challenging government surveillance of immigrants’ social media feeds faces an uncertain future after the death of a federal judge, and experts are weighing in on the proliferation of potentially misleading political polls ahead of the 2026 elections. Domestically, Pete Hegseth’s controversial tenure is being tested, with tensions with President Trump and backlash over the war in Iran potentially clouding his future. On the world stage, despite talk of building peace momentum in Ukraine, neither Russia nor the United States appears eager to discuss a peace plan. Venezuela’s fragile democratic transition faces a new challenge with the return of opposition leader María Corina Machado, and in China, the Communist Party’s Central Committee wrapped up its annual summit, praising its ‘rigorous self-governance’ after a noticeable reduction in its ranks.

Turning to our video section, you can catch up on recent broadcasts including the ‘Global Prayer Center’ from October 29th, a ‘Chapel’ service featuring La-Juan Bradford and ASL from the same day, and the ‘Dallas Church of God Livestream’.

In faith news, Lee University is preparing to host Celebration 2026 and Homecoming from November 5th to 7th. Hillsong Worship is set to release new live songs on October 23rd, and Great American Media has launched Pure Flix Familia. Additionally, a new initiative is seeking to benefit Native American Ministries.

For the latest in prophecy news, coastal communities in Florida and California have experienced record flooding this week due to exceptionally high king tides, amplified by October’s Hunter’s moon. In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu continues to confound pollsters, leading all parties in his bid to serve a seventh term, with high voter turnout attributed to an awakening regarding threats to the Jewish state. Stateside, the first detransitioner clinic has opened in a notorious Texas hospital, a year after allegations of providing transgender hormones to minors. And in Italy, the Catholic bishops are promoting a new Islamic education program that describes the Koran as the ‘revealed Word of God’.

Finally, in Jewish history, this day, October 30th, brings us two significant events. In 1207 BCE, according to Israeli scientists, an eclipse occurred, matching the description in the Book of Joshua where God made the sun stand still to aid the Israelites against the Amorites. Fast forward to 1270 CE, the Eighth Crusade met an inglorious end in Tunis. Initiated by France’s anti-Semitic King Louis IX, who died early in the campaign, the crusaders ultimately lifted their siege of the Arab capital in exchange for commercial advantages, returning home without further conquest.