On today's podcast:

1) President Trump speaks to Vladimir Putin with hopes of ending war in Ukraine President Donald Trump had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to start negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine, a shift from the previous US policy. The call and subsequent statements from Trump's administration have caused concern among European allies, who fear the US is giving in to Putin's demands without getting anything in return.

2) Trump's buyout offer to federal workers gets green light but may come up short About 75,000 federal employees signed up for a voluntary resignation program, falling short of the White House's goal of 5% to 10% of the 2.4 million civilian federal workforce. The resignation program, known as "Fork in the Road," closed after a federal judge lifted his order freezing the program, with any resignations received after 7:20 p.m. Washington time not being accepted.

3) The Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as next Director of National Intelligence Gabbard won support from key Republicans, including Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton, due to her plans to slim down the organization and cut duplication. Gabbard has promised to "encourage a culture where tough questions, scrutiny and challenging of assumptions is welcome" and has defended her willingness to question US intelligence, citing her military experience and rejection of "regime-change wars".

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