RT America -- May 8, 2014

Military personnel expenses are on the chopping block in the Pentagon's proposed budget for fiscal year 2015. With harsher austerity measures being required by Congress, the Department of Defense says it is running out of places to save money. Hardware is harder to replenish and acquire quickly if a security threat arises, so military and Congressional leaders are looking into more controversial areas, such as personnel benefits, to make cuts. RT's Lindsay France discusses the issue with George Ferguson, senior defense analyst at Bloomberg Industries.

Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland continues to cast blame on Russia for the crisis in Ukraine while voicing support for the government in Kiev. Speaking before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Thursday, Nuland said the US has provided tens of millions of dollars in assistance to Kiev to support the upcoming elections and general public relations efforts. Nuland also called on Russia to stop providing all forms of moral and material support for anti-government activists. RT's Marina Portnaya has more details on the US official's statements before Congress.