July 18, 2023 -- Your Morning Digest

U.S national detained in North Korea, first Wagner convoy arrives in Belarus, inhumane actions by Texas border patrol, and more

1) U.S. national has been detained in North Korea

According to initial reports and a statement from the United Nations command, a U.S. national is now in the custody of North Korea officials after crossing the military demarcation line without permission. The UN command is working with its KPA counterparts to resolve this issue. All we know so far as that this individual was on a tour of the demarcation line, and did not have special authorization to enter North Korea. We will provide you further updates as we learn more.

2) Wagner fighters arrive in Belarus

The first Wagner convoy has arrived at a military base in Belarus, according to initial satellite imagery and social media videos. It is likely that at least two more convoys are moving towards the military base. This Belarusian military base has been vacant for years prior to Wagner arriving today and the convoy includes at least 115 new military vehicles. Learn more here.

3) Texas border patrol accused of cruelty at the border

According to a new report recently published by the Houston Chronicle, Texas troopers were told to push migrant children back into the Rio Grande, deny water to asylum seekers at the border, and more.

Relying on an email from a DPS trooper, the Chronicle details multiple incidences of cruelty at the border including a pregnant woman found having a miscarriage, between barbed wire, and a four year old who passed out from heat exhaustion after trying to go through the barbed wire and being pushed back by Texas National Guard members.

4) Retaliatory strikes on Odesa

In response to Ukraine’s attack on the Kerch Bridge in Crimea, overnight, Russian forces launched significant retaliatory strikes on the town of Odesa. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, it successfully intercepted all six Russian Kalibr cruise missiles launched at the city, along with the “the vast majority” of the Iran-made Shahed attack drones launched by the Russian military. Learn more here.

5) U.S. and China hold climate talks

The United States Climate Envoy, John Kerry, has arrived in China this morning to begin talks with Chinese premier, Li Qiang. The two are scheduled to discuss the two countries’ commitment to fight the impending climate crisis along with the reduction of emissions. This meeting comes at a difficult time for the two countries as they work to amend their relations. Learn more about this meeting here.