July 29, 2023 - Your Daily Digest

Tensions continue rising between Poland and Belarus, Trump loses in court again, and more in tonight's daily digest

Today is July 29, 2023, and here is all the news you need to know about. If you enjoy my newsletter, please consider a monthly subscription to support my work, and to get access to Q&As, exclusive content, and more.

1) Tensions Continue to Rise Between Poland and Belarus

Tensions are rising between Poland and Belarus as Wagner mercenaries continue moving closer to the Polish border. According to Poland’s Prime Minister, more than 100 Wagner mercenaries have begun to move towards the Suwalki Gap near the town of Hrodna in Belarus. Poland is warning that these mercenaries may be disguised as border guards in an effort to help illegal migrants get into Poland. The Prime Minister is also asserting that mercenaries may try to enter Polish solid disguised as migrants to destabilize the situation within the country. As a result, Poland and Lithuania have begun discussing possibly closing their borders with Belarus over the Wagner threat. Stay tuned for more.

2) Mitch McConnell’s Health Concerns Grow

Politicians on Capitol Hill are quietly raising alarms about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after a recent incident where McConnell froze on camera. According to reports, McConnell has fallen at least three times in the past year: (1) he slipped on ice while on his way to a meeting in Finland; (2) he fell while getting off a plane in Washington, D.C.; and (3) he fell as a hotel in D.C. which led to a concussion and broken ribs. McConnell, however, has remained determined to finish out his term in the United States Senate which ends in 2026.

3) Situation in Niger Worsens

After Niger’s President, Mohamed Bazoum, was removed from office by members of Niger’s security forces, the country’s borders have officially been closed. President Bazoum is still being held by opposition forces, while Niger’s former President, Issoufou, is negotiating with the opposition in an attempt to secure Bazoum’s release. Meanwhile, M62, another opposition party, is now calling for Issoufou's arrest. It looks like the situation in Niger will only be getting worse as residents are bracing for additional unrest. Stay tuned for more.

4) Vladimir Putin Speaks with Reporters

Earlier today, Vladimir Putin held a press conference with Russian reporters discussing the Black Sea grain deal, Ukraine, and the illegal invasion. First, Putin commented on his recent meeting with African leaders asserting that Africa is a storehouse of natural resources, and African countries remember the USSR and all the positive things the Soviet Union did for them. Putin further asserted that a ceasefire cannot be negotiated while Ukraine continues its offensive, but that Russia is open to peace talks to end the conflict. But, peace cannot be achieved until Russia gives back all of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea. Putin further asserted that the peace plan should be based off of the African and Chinese “peace plans,” but gave no further context. In sum, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to losing this war, and, as always, take everything he says with a grain of salt.

5) Donald Trump Loses in Court (Again)

Donald Trump suffered another loss in court, this time in the Southern District of Florida in front of Judge Raag Singhal. One important note, Judge Singhal was appointed by Trump. In this latest loss for Trump, Judge Singhal dismissed Trump’s defamation lawsuit against CNN with prejudice, meaning Trump would not be able to file an amended complaint. In the now frivolous lawsuit, Trump argued that references made by CNN to “the Big Lie” were defamatory because they created a “false and incendiary association” between him and Adolf Hitler. The Court found the claims to be meritless and dismissed the lawsuit completely, handing Donald Trump yet another loss in court.