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President Trump defends Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, facing accusations that blocking an election security bill exposes the United States to Russian interference, calling the Washington Post a ‘Russian asset.’ Federal judge dismisses the DNC’s lawsuit against the Russian government, WikiLeaks, and Trump’s 2016 campaign, arguing that WikiLeaks’ publication of hacked emails is protected by the First Amendment. -Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Manager

The most pressing threats and notable goings-on in free expression today

U.S.

Trump, Defending McConnell, Claims the Washington Post Is a ‘Russian Asset’
President Trump, defending Mitch McConnell after a Washington Post opinion piece argued the Senate majority leader was helping Russia by blocking election security legislation, claimed it was The Post that was a “Russian asset.”
WASHINGTON POST

Federal Judge Dismisses DNC Suit against Russia, Trump Campaign, WikiLeaks
A federal judge in New York dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Democratic National Committee against the Russian government, President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, and WikiLeaks that alleged a vast, international conspiracy to tip the scales of the 2016 presidential election.
ABC NEWS

The Anti-Trump ‘Lights for Liberty’ Events Might Be the Most Significant Protests You’ve Never Heard Of.
Two weeks ago, “Lights for Liberty” protests were held throughout the country. Their purpose was “to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants” detained by the U.S. at the southern border. They received limited media attention, but a look at the data shows these protests may be more significant than one might assume.
WASHINGTON POST

What the Hell Is Happening over at Gawker 2.0?
It’s unclear if Gawker will even come to exist: On July 30, the New York Post reported that the entire staff was laid off and the relaunch was postponed indefinitely. Here’s a look back on what the site has undergone in the past few years.
THE CUT

 
Global

Mexican Journalist Found Dead, with Signs of Torture, in Car Trunk: Police
Mexico has been one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in recent years, although it was not immediately clear if the killing of Rogelio Barragan was linked to his work. He was found dead in the trunk of a vehicle with signs he had been shot and tortured, Guerrero police said.
REUTERS

Mauritania Releases Facebook Blogger Convicted of Blasphemy
A Mauritanian blogger who was jailed for more than five years after being convicted of blaspheming the Muslim Prophet Muhammad has been released. Rights groups had waged a long campaign for Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed M’khaitir’s release.
BBC NEWS

Brazilians Show Support for American Journalist Greenwald
Brazilian journalists, artists, politicians, and others gathered to show support for American editor Glenn Greenwald, who was threatened with the possibility of jail by President Jair Bolsonaro for publishing hacked cellphone conversations between the justice minister when he was a judge and prosecutors.
ASSOCIATED PRESS

You Can Read Yuval Noah Harari’s Book in Russian, Except for the Parts About Russia
The New York Times found that the Russian version of the book “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” was heavily censored, with mentions of the fighting in Ukraine and Crimea removed and criticism of the Russian government toned down or cut, among other changes. The Russian version didn’t mention any of the changes.
NEW YORK TIMES

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