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Ukraine war briefing: Anti-Putin forces behind raids into Russia speak out. Discharge petition backing Ukraine funding rolls on in US Congress with first Republican signature. What we know on day 758.

In US. Republican congressman Ken Buck has become the first of his party to sign a discharge petition that would force Ukraine aid bill to a vote. Buck is retiring but his signature will remain valid after he appeared on Thursday as 188th signatory out of 218 needed on the Democratic petition to override the House speaker, Mike Johnson, who is obstructing the bill, which would put about $60bn into Ukraine’s defence against Russian invasion.

The International Monetary Fund has confirmed it will pay out $880m to Ukraine in the third phase of a $15.6bn aid package to support the war-torn Ukrainian economy.

In EU leaders at their Brussels summit yesterday agreed in principle to commandeer a large majority of the profits generated from frozen Russian assets and give them to Ukraine – around €3bn this year. Potentially the first transfer would be in July. Ursula Von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, also revealed the EU is looking at increasing tariffs on Russian grain, including stolen Ukrainian grain, entering into the EU market. Latest news...
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/m...-speak-out

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5 Reasons America's Aircraft Carriers Remain Invincible on the High Seas.

United States Navy's aircraft carriers, symbols of American military power, are renowned for their formidable offensive capabilities and unmatched flexibility. Despite concerns over cost and vulnerability, these nuclear-powered giants—integral to the U.S. ability to project power globally—remain virtually unparalleled.

Summary: U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers, symbols of American military power, are renowned for their formidable offensive capabilities and unmatched flexibility. Despite concerns over cost & vulnerability, these nuclear-powered giant integral to U.S. ability to project power globally remain virtually unparalleled. 

The carriers’ robust defenses, including advanced radar systems, Gatling guns, and a protective network of guided-missile warships, ensure their survivability against potential adversaries. Innovations in naval tactics and technology, such as Naval Integrated Fire Control - Counter Air program, further enhance their security. Consequently, the likelihood of these carriers being sunk by anything short of nuclear weaponry is exceedingly low, solidifying their status as indispensable assets in America's naval arsenal.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot...eas-210117

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Putin just Receive news of oil back to back massive fires in Moscow and his home city.
https://youtu.be/k98v_5YTmns?si=6ubugakP0rOKDAdp

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House leaves for a 2-wk break without addressing Ukraine aid is dangerously low on ammo. Speaker Mike Johnson said priority was averting a shutdown & Ukraine is next. WASHINGTON — After avert a govt shutdown Friday. House left for 2-wk Easter without aid for Ukraine dangerously game, he play. Speaker Mike Johnson finish funding govt b4 shifting his attention to foreign aid for U.S. allies. He's rebuffed other leaders to put $95b to Senate-passed aid. 

The house floor delay till Mid-April. He's drafting for lower chamber funding & given no hints how his supplemental aid package as is not a first priority There’s a nos of avenues he's been looking at, he told reporters having work in progress, but it will be delay till mid-April for the Bill be ready.

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Spain to compensate Ukraine's entire loss of Leopard 2A4 tanks with new delivery. Abuden, what?. Happy lehh.
https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news...ivery.html

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It a “breakthrough”. French and German Defence ministers Sébastien Lecornu and Boris Pistorius announced major breakthroughs in bilateral defence collaborations on Friday (22 March), as both countries will officially start to develop a new tank and produce military equipment in Ukraine.

The goal to explore the possibility of producing the first joint Franco-German tank was agreed between French President Emmanuel Macron and then Chancellor, Angela Merkel in 2017. Manufacturers and the modularity of the tank appear to be settled now. “We have achieved a breakthrough today. It’s no exaggeration to describe this as historic for a project like this,” Pistorius told reporters in Berlin on Friday, following talks with his French counterpart.

“We have agreed on the distribution of all tasks for this major project.

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Spain to compensate Ukraine's entire loss of Leopard 2A4 tanks with new delivery. Abuden, what?. Happy lehh.
https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news...ivery.html

According to ABC España on March 20, 2024, the Spanish government plans to increase its military assistance to Ukraine by delivering 19 additional Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks by September 2024. This confirmed, would enable the Ukrainian army to replace all Leopard 2A4 tanks that have been destroyed or damaged by Russian forces since the start of the conflict delivery,  confirmed enable Ukrainian army to replace all Leopard 2A4 tanks have been destroyed or damaged which are being refurbished and produced more swiftly in alternative locations like Zhytomyr, Lviv, the Czech Republic, Poland, due to the logistical constraints faced by Western models like the Leopard 2.

Despite these challenges, Spain's efforts, through the Santa Barbara Sistemas company, signify a notable exception. The company has managed to organize and sustain the restoration of Leopard 2A4 tanks with a significant degree of local production. Achieving 60% local production of the Leopard 2E variant (a modified Leopard 2A6), Spain demonstrates a lesser dependency on German firms for parts compared to other nations. This contrasts with Sweden's localization of its Strv 122 (a variant of the Leopard 2A5), which stands at 30%, showcasing Spain's relatively strong position in maintaining and supplying military hardware amidst broader supply chain challenges.

Spain's support comes at a time when the Ukrainian army has suffered 17 tank losses, with eight Leopard 2A4 tanks destroyed, five damaged, and four abandoned after sustaining damage. In total, 40 Leopard 2A4 tanks have been sent to Ukraine, including eight upgraded Leopard 2A4M CAN, which offers enhanced protective measures.

The decision by Spain to increase military aid to Ukraine was part of broader discussions at a significant meeting convened by Prime Minister Sánchez at the Moncloa Palace. This meeting, which gathered representatives from the national defense industry.
https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news...ivery.html

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Package contains 155 mm shells, contributing to the European Union's initiative to provide one million shells to Ukraine, part of the funding provided by Denmark. The exact volume of ammunition provided has not been disclosed for security reasons. 155mm shells are of crucial importance in conflicts in Ukraine, & depending on volume committed, this could represent significant and strategic aid.

It highlighted crucial importance of ammunition, air defense systems, spare parts, & electronic warfare equipment for Ukraine as summer approaches.

It's a race to who can produce the most of these 155 mm shells, to give an example, the American army revealed a new contract valued at 1.5 billion dollars, aimed at increasing the global production of these artillery munitions to support Ukraine and replenish stocks. 

These pieces of info underline the international importance given to improving ammunition production capabilities. The downside of this announcement is undoubtedly the lack of detail, as neither the type nor number of materials sent to Ukraine is known, only the total aid has been communicated by Estonian defense ministry.

Furthermore, European Commission announced by the end of March 2024, about 500,000 artillery shells will have been delivered to Ukraine.

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Rheinmetall receives EU funding to boost artillery production for Ukrainian war effort. hundreds-of-thousands of artillery shells & new funding from EU will boost company’s manufacturin capability. Rheinmetall will receive €130 mil (US$141 mil) from EU under the Act of Support in Ammunition Production (ASAP).
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landw...roduction/

[Tangsen]

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Close-up of French Rafale fighter jet carrying three AASM guided bombs. Laser guidance pod designed to direct bombs to precise targets as far as 50 km. away is visible between central bomb and a fuel tank on the aircraft’s right wing.

France Doubles Down on Weapons to Ukraine, Top Official Says Russia Leaves No Option but Arms Build-Up. Precision-guided AASM bombs will be rigged for Danish and Dutch F-16 fighter jets Ukraine expects in May or June. Paris also plans to send excellent howitzers and Africa-capable vehicles.

France is fully committed to throwing its military-industrial might behind Ukraine’s war effort, Paris’ immediate priority is arming Kyiv with high-tech precision-guided bombs and advanced artillery pieces, French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu said on Tuesday.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/30172

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Another Russian fighter jet crashes: Crimea

US pushes exporters to cut off clients who might sell weapons parts on to Russia; Zelenskiy insists Putin a threat to Nato countries. What we know on day 765 news.

Poland scrambled planes as Ukraine came under missile attack on Friday morning, the Polish defence force said. The operational command said Polish and allied aircraft were activated due to “intense activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation” related to missile strikes against targets in Ukraine.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/m...off-crimea

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If the words of the French Defense Minister are not just a statement, then we are talking about over a thousand VAB armored personnel carriers, a hundred Leclerc tanks, and dozens of fighter jets. Will he announced a decision to transfer those decommissioned weapons to Ukraine?.

"As we reinvest significant funds on our army according to plan amounting for 413 billion euros for years 2024-2030, there's a lot of equipment still ops & will decommissioned. Instead of throwing away or giving it to other, we can give Ukrainian army," head of French defense agency said.
https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tec...-9999.html

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Will France Giving All Decommissioned Weaponry to Ukraine, Including VAB APCs, Leclerc Tanks, Mirage Fighters?. If these words indeed reflect a genuine commitment to support Ukraine, then it is about an extremely powerful source of weaponry. Words of French Defense Minister are not just a statement. As we reinvest significant funds in our army according plan amounting to 413 billion euros for years 2024 - 2030.

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Ukraine briefing: Ukrainian power firm hit by Russian attacks warns, repairs could take 18-mths. 5 of 6 plants damaged lost 80% capacity. France commits ‘hundreds’ of armoured carriers to Ukraine in new aid package. What we know on day 767

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Russia external debt has been falling steadily and reached $326.6bn in December 2023, compared with $322.3bn in the previous quarter and $383.6bn at the end of 2022. It could pay the entire amount off tomorrow – in cash. (chart)

Kremlin has been paying off its external debt. Low external debt means Russia doesn’t need to tap international capital markets so is not vulnerable to any sort of sanctions on bond issues. Russia’s strong current account surplus, was up to $5.2bn in February from $4.5bn in January, thanks to high oil prices, Russia fund itself easily on profit. (chart)

At same time gross international reserves have been rising and are now hovering around $600bn at the end of the first quarter. Half of these reserves are frozen. About $150bn are in monetary gold (up from $135bn pre-war) and the rest in yuan.

Even counting out frozen funds, Russia can cover its external debt dollar for dollar with cash, whereas everyone in West is massively leveraged, including Ukraine where debt-to-GDP ratio is almost at 100%.

It is these rock-solid fundamentals – no one else in world has even remotely similar metrics – which is the essence of Putin’s Fiscal Fortress.
https://www.intellinews.com/russia-could...sh-319067/

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A Russian court, (Mon) extended pre-trial detention of US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who faces 15 years in prison on charges of spreading “false info,” her employer said. Kurmasheva smiled but complained about the poor state of the cell where she was being held, AFP reporter said. She is journalist at US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was arrested last year for failing to register as a “foreign agent”.

RFE/RL says she was subsequently charged with spreading false info under new censorship laws following Russia’s offensive on Ukraine in 2022. Her pre-trial detention now is extended until 5 June. In 2022, Kurmasheva edited a book titled, “No to War” – a collection of interviews stories from Russians opposed to Moscow’s campaign against Ukraine.

RFE/RL on Monday called her imprisonment “outrageous” and said she had been locked up “simply because she holds an American passport.”
“The charges against Alsu are baseless. It’s not a legal process, it’s a political ploy, and Alsu and her family are unjustifiably paying a terrible price,” RFE/RL head Stephen Capus said.

Kurmasheva, who lives in Prague with her husband &  2-children, had her US and Russian passports confiscated last June after travelling to Russia for a family emergency. She was then arrested for failing to register as a “foreign agent” in October while awaiting the return of her passports.

Rights groups have accused Russia of using oppressive legislation to target regime critics and independent journalists.

Kurmasheva is 2nd US journalist to be arrested in Russia. That charge carries up to 5-yrs in prison while spreading “false info” is maximum of 15 yrs.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...-to-russia

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Why South Asians going to fight for Russia army?. 

Young men from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka are on the front lines of Russia’s war on Ukraine. 
Now, they are being deprived of their salaries and are being killed on the front lines – all escape routes are rife with hurdles. WHere is more about the South Asian men fighting Russia’s war on Ukraine....

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Will Kyiv’s ‘conciliatory’ stance change India’s neutrality on Russia-Ukraine war?. Almost two years after Kyiv accused India of buying Russian oil tainted with ‘Ukrainian blood’, it is seeking deeper diplomatic and trade ties.

Analysts say the move is unlikely to change India’s neutral stance on the war, but say there’s a possibility Delhi could play a mediating role.T he recent visit by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to New Delhi signals a “shift” in country’s stance towards India, but the South Asian nation is likely to maintain its policy of diplomatic neutrality in Russia-Ukraine war, analysts said. 

During his March 28-29 trip, Kuleba held talks with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar & India’s Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri, as he sought to restore bilateral ties and enhance trade cooperation with a country that has increasingly been positioning itself as the leading voice of the Global South. “We agreed to restore the level of cooperation between our countries that existed prior to full-scale war by Russia, as well as identify new promising projects to take relations to next level, said Kuleba.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/...kraine-war

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NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg proposed a 100b-euro ($108-bil), 5yr fund for Ukraine in push to get involved sending weapons to Kyiv, preliminary talks in Brussels for a package for Ukraine They'll discuss and organize NATO's support for Ukraine, to make no final decisions are to be taken at the April ministerial meetings, and discussions will continue as approach to Washington summit in July." NATO's 32 countries to contribute to the fund according to size of their economy.

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As Zelensky’s party falters, Ukrainian parliament drifts to standstill
https://kyivindependent.com/as-zelenskys...nt-stalls/

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Russia has lost 445,900 troops since full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Ukraine's Armed Forces reported April 5, number includes 860 casualties Russian forces suffered just over past day, the report also also lost 7,033 tanks, 13,459 armored fighting vehicles, 14,922 vehicles and fuel tanks, 11,221 artillery systems, 1,029 multiple launch rocket systems, 747 air defense systems, 347 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 8,847 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine.

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Ukraine Faces Key Battle in Chasiv Yar, a 'Door' to Donbas. After a year of mostly-frozen front line, Russian forces are pushing against a Ukrainian army struggling with manpower and ammunition shortages amid delays in Western aid. Ukrainian soldier Anton was ready to go on a new rotation to defend Chasiv Yar, a strategic town for troops fighting for control of the eastern Donbas region.

After a year of mostly-frozen front line, Russian forces are pushing against a Ukrainian army struggling with manpower and ammunition shortages amid delays in Western aid. Determined to build on recent gains, Russian forces are aiming to seize the dominant heights of Chasiv Yar.

The town lies some 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of Bakhmut, which Russia seized last May after months of brutal battles. "If Russians take Chasiv Yar, door to other cities will open,so it's important to block them there," 40-yr-old Anton said.

From Chasiv Yar's heights, they would have a powerful foothold be able target cities downhill: first Kramatorsk then, potentially, Sloviansk.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/30691

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Continued Attacks in Kharkiv
Five high-rise buildings, about ten garages and seven civilian vehicles, were reported damaged.
Explosions rocked Kharkiv city Sunday afternoon in Russian drone and glide bomb attacks.“Kharkiv is now fighting off the invasion of enemy drones. But one of the drones hit a private house. Fire,” Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated in a 1:17 p.m.

Two Russian munitions hit the yard of a residential building in the Shevchenkivsky district of the city, 80 meters (87 yards) from the entrance to the central park, where many people, including children, were at that time of the attack. Three people were reported to have been injured.

Five high-rise buildings, about ten garages and seven civilian vehicles, were damaged as a result of aerial bombardment,” Oleksandr Filchakov, head of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office wrote on Telegram.

Three people sought medical help.

Sunday’s assault was a continuation of a series of Russian attacks on Saturday that killed seven people and wounded a dozen more in Ukraine’s second-largest city.

More than 20,000 buildings have been destroyed in Kharkiv since Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

According to Ukrainian officials, Sunday's attack involved drones and 300mm glide bombs.
Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 04-08-2024

Ukraine to Lose War if US Congress Withholds Aid: Zelensky. Ukraine to Lose War if US Congress Withholds Aid: Zelensk said 
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/30720

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Russia has lost 445,900 troops since full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Ukraine's Armed Forces reported April 5, number includes 860 casualties Russian forces suffered just over past day, the report also also lost 7,033 tanks, 13,459 armored fighting vehicles, 14,922 vehicles and fuel tanks, 11,221 artillery systems, 1,029 multiple launch rocket systems, 747 air defense systems, 347 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 8,847 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Ukraine capable of producing over 2 million drones in 2024. Ukraine is reportedly aiming to transition to drone warfare with is longer range drones war and also short war and not to depend on f-16s by deploying combat UAVs capable of flying into frontiers from few hundred meters to up to 2,500 kilometers  (1,550 miles) to attack Russian targets.


Kiev is designing drone which can fly for up to 3,300 k/m & carry some 300 kilograms (660 pounds). With newer weapons.

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Congress is scheduled to reconvene after a two-week recess. House of Representatives’ Speaker Mike Johnson to bring a Senate bill to the house floor includes some $60 billion in funding for Ukraine.I t has been collecting dust for 55 days.

"Johnson claims to support Ukraine," former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer wrote in an opinion piece in Washington-based The Hill. "He has multiple paths to make that happen. The strategist also told to “further military aid to Ukraine”& promoted “the money should be spent on Ukraine & border.”

British Foreign Affairs Minister David Cameron is scheduled to visit Washington on April 9 on day House convenes again. His office says Cameron would meet with his counterpart, Antony Blinken, and press the bicameral legislature to approve aid for Ukraine. A meeting is expected with Johnson as well.

"A success for Ukraine and failure for [Kremlin leader Vladimir] Putin are vital for American and European security," Cameron said in a statement. 

While adding that it was paramount for Putin to understand that "aggression doesn't pay."

Republicans in House have a slim two-seat majority who could easily topple Johnson from the speakership, like predecessor Kevin McCarthy.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/30795

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WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson rode to power on the wings of the ultra-right coalition in the Republican Party, but now he faces a revolt from one of the most conservative members of his caucus. And the very thing that has made him vulnerable − a willingness to work with Democrats on spending legislation − could be what saves him.

Under threat from Marjorie Taylor Greene, would Mike Johnson need Democrats to save his job?

When House of Representatives returns from 2-wk recess Tuesday, Johnson will face a move to oust him by one same staunchly conservative lawmakers who embraced him just mths ago. Right-wing firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took first step in trying to remove Johnson from his job last mth. She filed what's known as a "motion to vacate," would forcibly eject Johnson from speakership, shortly before lawmakers left Washington for recess last month.

Greene did not try to force a vote on the floor. Instead left a “warning” for speaker.
Her grievances with Johnson escalated after House passed a $1.2 trillion bill to fund govt long-term. The deal failed to win support from majority of Republicans, who object bill's total spending & lack of stricter policy changes to address the crisis at the southern border. 

Look like he (Johnson) had to depend on Democrats to pass bill again, inciting fury from lower chamber’s most conservative lawmakers from the House.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/poli...219025007/

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Russia has lost 445,900 troops since full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Ukraine's Armed Forces reported April 5, number includes 860 casualties Russian forces suffered just over past day, the report also also lost 7,033 tanks, 13,459 armored fighting vehicles, 14,922 vehicles and fuel tanks, 11,221 artillery systems, 1,029 multiple launch rocket systems, 747 air defense systems, 347 airplanes, 325 helicopters, 8,847 drones, 26 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Russia loses 890 soldiers, 13 tanks and 40 artillery systems over past 24 hours. Russian forces have lost 890 troops across war zone in Ukraine in the past day, bringing total of Russia’s combat casualties to 448,400. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook
Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 8 April 2024 are estimated to be as follows (figures in parentheses represent the latest losses)

448,400 (+890) military personnel;

7,087 (+13) tanks;
13,575 (+24) armoured combat vehicles;
11,356 (+40) artillery systems;
1,039 (+3) multiple-launch rocket systems;
751 (+2) air defence systems;
347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;
325 (+0) helicopters;
8,996 (+40) strategic and tactical UAVs;
2,065 (+1) cruise missiles;
26 (+0) ships and boats;
1 (+0) submarines;
15,110 (+39) vehicles and tankers;
1,867 (+3) special vehicles and other equipment.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/04/8/7450182/

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US arms to Ukraine, thousands of seized Iranian guns, rifles & munitions weapons we intercepted between 2021 & 2023 en route to Houthi forces in Yemen, is transferred by US to Kyiv on April 4. thousands of infantry weapons & more than 500,000 rounds of ammunition that were seized more than a year ago as they were being shipped by Iran to Houthi forces in Yemen.

US military said, transfer was made on April 4, the latest military assistance that US President Joe Biden’s administration has provided to Kyiv.

Democrat Biden has been blocked from providing further US weaponry to Kyiv by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to call a vote on $60bn in new security aid. With Ukrainian forces running low on munitions, especially heavy artillery rounds, Washington & allies have been searching for new ways to arm Kyiv.

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U.S. House Republicans are returning from a two-week recess. Tuesday. House Republicans has to struggled to unify for 118th Congress, started with party slogging through more than a dozen ballots to seat Kevin McCarthy at helm, another politician, McCarthy, of California, was ousted infall, a former leader left Congress in December, chipping away at the majority’s margin. Bow House of Representatives elections, it elections to the U.S. House will be held on November 5, 2024. All 435 seats will be up for election.

April 7, 2024, 42 House incumbents are not running for re-election in 2024. As a result of 2022 elections, Republicans gained a 222-213 majority in chamber. Heading into that election, Democrats had a 220-212 majority. There were 3-vacancies. Republicans needed to gain a net of five districts to win a majority in chamber, they gained a net of nine districts. Nine incumbents — six Democrats and three Republicans — were defeated.