📉 Weapons shortages could mean hard calls for Ukraine’s allies

Weapons shortages across Europe could force hard choices for Ukraine’s allies as they balance their support for Ukraine against the risk that Russia could target them next.

For months, the United States and other NATO members have sent billions of dollars worth of weapons and equipment into Ukraine to help it fight back against Russia. But for many of the smaller NATO countries, and even some of the larger ones, the conflict has strained already-depleted weapons stockpiles. Some allies sent all their reserve Soviet-era weaponry and are now waiting for US replacements.

The US has committed more than $17.5 billion in weapons and equipment to Ukraine since February, raising questions among some members of Congress as to whether it too is assuming too much risk. 

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❗️ President Xi Jinping has been elected as the CCP’s general secretary for the third consecutive term

📹 A resident of Mariupol tells why she voted to join Russia in a referendum

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📹 🇺🇸 Former US president Donald Trump hinted on Saturday that he would be seeking another term in office in 2024.

▪️ During a rally in Robstown, Texas, Trump argued that the 2020 election had been "rigged and stolen," adding that he "will probably have to do it again."

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📹 “I’m ashamed that we trusted this man”: a Ukrainian woman on how Zelensky did not fulfill his election promises

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🇩🇪 Germany cuts plans for rearmament due to inflation.

▪️ According to Handelsblatt, projects to roll out a new K130 corvette, a new Eurofighter combat aircraft, new frigates and self-propelled guns are now at risk of facing funding cuts.

▪️ The Accounts Chamber of Germany noted that the costs of the listed projects exceed the €100 billion allocated by the government. According to the publication, twice as much money is required.

▪️ At the same time, Berlin hasn’t refused to purchase American F-35 aircraft; only their final number may be in question.

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🇷🇺 🇨🇳 President Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to Xi Jinping, who was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of China for a third term, stressing that he [Russia’s leader] would be happy to continue constructive dialogue and work closely together to develop a comprehensive partnership between Russia and China

📹 Russia's MoD has published footage showing Su-25 ground attack jets on sorties

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🤔 Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak have conducted three-hour face-to-face talks amid rumors that they could clinch a deal, according to the Daily Mail.

▪️ The two are the likely contenders in the race to become the UK’s next prime minister and they have yet to declare themselves in the contest to succeed Liz Truss, who announced her resignation on Thursday.

▪️ A new Tory leadership contest unfolds after British Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her resignation on Thursday, admitting that “given the situation”, she “cannot deliver the mandate” on which she was elected by the Conservative Party.

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🇹🇷 Turkey is turning into the major gas hub that foreign countries have hoped for, Erdogan said.

🗣 "If we followed the criticism, then today, like Europeans, we would have to think about how to survive the coming winter. However, Ankara has chosen a different path, and we have no problems with gas," the Turkish president said.

▪️ Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia could transfer the volume of gas transit lost due to the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage to the Black Sea region by creating a transport hub in Turkey.

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😤 Kanye West stated he won't be cancelled or silenced amid businesses cutting ties with him, following anti-Semitism allegations against the musician.

🗣 "I ain't losing no money," he told TMZ. "The day I was taken off the Balenciaga site, that was one of the most freeing days."

▪️ West noted that there are attempts to quash his career, saying that the CEO of Endeavour talent agency Ari Emmanuel is asking people to stop doing business with him.

💬 "That's how this town been running for so so long. They'll mute you at all costs", the rapper said, adding that he won't back down. "We here, baby, we ain’t going nowhere."

▪️ At the same time, he pointed out that the backlash only proves his stance on the issue of silencing the dissidents in the industry.

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❗️Rishi Sunak announces he will stand to be the next prime minister

▪️Rishi Sunak has confirmed that he will be standing to be the leader of the Conservative Party and the next prime minister.

▪️In a statement, the former chancellor said he wanted to help "steer the economy through the toughest times" and "unite" the Tory party.

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❗️Ukrainian troops struck a hotel in Energodar where Rosenergoatom employees live; at the time of the strike they were not in the building, local authorities report.

According to the adviser to the CEO of Rosenergoatom, Ukrainian troops deliberately struck at the hotel where he was supposed to stay with his team.

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❗️ Russia's Shoigu held telephone conversation with France's defense minister: MoD

❗️Russia's Defense Minister and his French counterpart discussed the situation in Ukraine, which has demonstrated a steady tendency towards further, uncontrolled escalation, Russia’s MoD reported.

▪️In addition, Shoigu conveyed his concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a "dirty bomb".

❗️According to preliminary data, a military plane fell on a two-story house in Russia's Irkutsk, the governor said

📹 Footage depicting the exact moment the plane crashed in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, Russia

❗️ What is known so far about the military plane crash in Irkutsk, Russia:

▪️ The Su-30 aircraft crashed in Irkutsk, a city in Siberia near Lake Baikal, during a test flight, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) reports.

▪️ The plane crashed within the city of Irkutsk, and fire and rescue units are working on the spot, according to information provided by EMERCOM.

▪️ The area affected by the warplane's impact measured 200 square meters, and included a private two-story residential building, according to EMERCOM.

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📹 More footage from the scene of the military plane crash in Russia's Irkutksk