Nexus

The Philippines has a new President! Ferdinand Marcos Jr - or 'BongBong' - has brought the Marcos family back into the spotlight with a landslide victory. The former dictator's son teamed up with the former President, Rodrigo Duterte's daughter, Sara, and some fear the return of the past rule. Others, however, are celebrating the return of the powerful family legacy from 'the golden age'.

Nexus speaks to Martin Andanar, the Acting presidential spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, who says Marcos Jr won fair and square. Veronica Pedrosa is a journalist whose family left the Philippines in 1971 and she is sure that Marcos Jr's victory was due to misinformation and that many youth don't know the past! And Jim Laurie, an American journalist who covered the Philippines in the 80’s says the Marcos era downfall began with the assassination of his political opposition

It's the Queen's Platinum Jubilee! That's 70 years on the throne, and nearing a record for the longest serving monarch in the world, certainly a record in the UK - and celebrations are grand! But not everyone approves, the monarchy has received a lot of criticism, with some groups even calling for the abolishment of the institution.

Nexus speaks to Dickie Arbiter, the Queen's Former Press Secretary who says the Queen inherited the job and has pledged to serve all her days. Russell Myers, Royal Editor at the Daily Mirror who thinks the Queen's dedication to duty is paramount and Carolyn Harris, Royal Historian who says the monarchy has been a successful form of government and transitioning away from this is complex.

Although Elon Musk is set to take over Twitter, he's still waiting for his $44 billion deal to be passed, and while he waits for his official title, he's facing hostility from media and lobbyists, as well as President Biden's new Disinformation Governance Board or 'Ministry of Truth.'

We speak to Matt Tito, a Republican Political Strategist who's concerned that Biden's Disinformation Board is really just a 'Ministry of Truth', Niam Yaraghi is an Iranian-American who believes the DGB should not exist, Petros Terzis, an expert on internet governance says free of expression is not an absolute right and Filippo Menczer, who through extensive research, has discovered that Twitter actually favours conservatives.

The Wagner Group are Russian mercenaries, a private army best known for their brutal work in Ukraine and various parts of the world - a secretive operation believed to be linked to Vladimir Putin and the Russian military.

To know more, Nexus speaks to Sean McFate, a former officer in the U.S. army turned private military contractor, who says this operation has Putin's blessing. Jelena Aparac, an expert on mercenaries and adviser to the UN says legally the group 'do not exist' and that makes it very difficult to hold them accountable for any atrocities committed. And Andrew Milburn, a former US Marine and founder of a military consultancy group who's currently in Ukraine believes that Wagner should not be so feared as they are not so impressive

Elon Musk is going to be the new owner of Twitter! And while some liberals are concerned about what this means for freedom of speech, many conservatives welcome the move after feeling like the social platform has been censoring them. Will Musk allow Donald Trump back on the platform and would the former president even want to return...

Nexus speaks to Patrick Boyle, a Professor of Finance at King's College London who thinks Musk has no real plan for Twitter, Leon Emirali, a communications adviser and tech investor says the businessman does have a good vision for Twitter. Josh Pasek, an Associate Professor of Communications and Media at the University of Michigan believes that even freedom of speech has to have limitations, and Kris Ruby, a digital media analyst says since free speech is free, Trump should be allowed back on the platform!

More than 16 000 Foreign fighters have made their way to Ukraine! But can they help defend the nation against Russia... and is it legal? Ukraine is not the only one recruiting foreigners, Russia has called upon fighters from the Middle East, including Syria.

We speak to Damien Magrou, the Spokesperson for Ukraine’s International Legion who says foreign fighters are making a difference. Amber Schultz, Journalist for Crikey News who spent time with volunteers along the border says some guys are arriving unprepared and very unsure of the reality of their decision. Jon Barton is a Former US Marine and Hollywood military consultant who has donated nearly $1 million worth of gear to Ukraine's military and the Legion - he thinks there is still a great need for more protective gear. And lawyer Samuel Pitchford believes that

although its technically unlawful for fighters from certain countries like the UK to be foreign fighters, the likelihood of them being prosecuted on return is unlikely.

Ukraine has been putting up a good fight against Russia even though their military is far smaller. The West have supplied Ukraine with top notch gear and weapons - mostly for defence - but have been careful not to overstep, escalating the conflict. But it's not enough according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is calling for more weapons!

Nexus speaks to Liam Collins, a retired US Army Colonel who says there is more to war than weapons, James Maclaren, a former Commanding Officer in the British Army thinks that while Ukraine's weapons are causing damage, they may not be enough to stop Russia. Vincent Castillo, a US army veteran and expert in logistics believes Russia did not plan a sustainable invasion and Justin Bronk, a Senior Research Fellow at RUSI says it's unlikely Russia would use chemical or nuclear weapons but we must keep an open mind.

The Azov Battalion - who are Ukraine's far-right group fighting Russia? The front line warriors even claimed a successful kill of a Russian general last week. They are either heroes or villains depending on who you ask...

We speak with Marko Gasic, international affairs analyst says Azov are a small group but very significant but Adrian Karatnycky, the co-director of the Ukrainian Jewish Encounter disagrees! He says the group are disreputable and do not represent Ukraine! Ivar Dale, from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee - a human rights watchdog group - says we must not be naive about far right groups, but they are minimal around the world. And Adrien Nonjon, an academic whose research focuses on the far right in Ukraine, believes Azov don't represent a threat.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DEBATE: https://youtu.be/BpIRnGk1dMQ

The west has started seizing millions of dollars worth of yachts and properties of rich Russian oligarchs but will taking away their toys have any effect on Putin?

Russian oligarchs have been sanctioned - a punishment by Western countries who have targeted Vladimir Putin's mega-rich friends and allies in the hopes they can influence him enough to stop the conflict. But can these sanctions really make a difference?

Nexus speaks to Sergei Markov, Vladimir Putin’s former Spokesman who says Russia will not bow to outside pressure. Adam Smith, a lawyer and former adviser to the U.S. Treasury Department says sanctions are only as strong as the weakest link. But Anna Matveeva is a Russian Affairs analyst who thinks oligarchs have minimal influence! And Elisabeth Schimpfössl, the Author of ‘Rich Russians: from oligarchs to Bourgeoisie’ believes sanctions are hurting Russia's wealthy