We Deep Dive into the UN General Assembly's impending vote regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. A European-backed resolution demanding Russia's immediate troop withdrawal clashes with a US-proposed resolution for a swift end to the conflict, omitting any mention of Russian aggression. Tensions have arisen between the US and Ukraine due to President Trump's direct negotiations with Russia and his critical remarks towards Zelenskyy. The US also proposed its resolution to the UN Security Council. The Ukraine resolution, co-sponsored by EU members, highlights Russia's full-scale invasion and demands unconditional withdrawal. These competing resolutions aim to gauge global opinion on the conflict.

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We Deep Dive into The Associated Press news article and focus on a controversial mandate issued to US federal employees. Elon Musk, acting as President Trump's "cost-cutting chief", demanded a list of employee accomplishments under threat of job loss, sparking widespread confusion and resistance. Several agencies instructed their employees not to comply, with concerns raised about legality, security and employee rights. The demand has been met with criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, alongside threats of legal action from unions. Amidst this turmoil, there are reports of existing cuts to the federal workforce and concerns about fraudulent activities related to government payments, though evidence remains unconfirmed. The AP provides factual reporting and covers a variety of news topics.

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We deep dive into Donald Trump appointing Dan Bongino as deputy FBI director. Bongino, a former law enforcement officer and media personality known for his podcast and support of Trump, is a controversial choice. The appointment follows the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director, which also faced opposition. Bongino's selection is seen as another unconventional pick by Trump for a high-profile law enforcement role. The article highlights Bongino's previous statements supporting Patel and criticising those who oppose him. Unlike the Director position, the Deputy Director appointment does not need to be approved by the Senate.

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Donald Trump claims to have had productive discussions with Vladimir Putin, but not with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He criticised Zelenskyy, asserting that Ukraine lacks leverage in negotiations and accusing him of being a dictator due to the postponement of elections. Trump blames both Biden and Zelenskyy for the war, and suggests Ukraine should have made concessions. These remarks come as U.S. and Russian officials agreed to collaborate on peace negotiations, excluding Ukraine, a move Zelenskyy criticised. Trump's perspective contrasts with the assessment of a U.S. special envoy, who praised Zelenskyy's leadership. Trump has expressed annoyance with what he sees as Zelenskyy's negotiating tactics, particularly concerning a mineral resources deal.

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Dr John Bruni is an expert in defence, strategy, and international relations, and is the CEO and founder of SAGE International. A recent episode of his podcast The Focus features a discussion with Dr Roy Casagranda about the initial weeks of a hypothetical second Trump presidency (Trump 47). Auscast Network promotes the podcast, highlighting the potential disruption to American and international affairs under this administration. The podcast episode explores potential consequences of Trump's policies, focusing on areas such as NATO, Ukraine, and the Middle East, specifically how key geopolitical dynamics might shift under Trump's leadership. Casagranda expresses concern that Trump's transactional approach and admiration for authoritarian leaders could destabilise established alliances and lead to adverse outcomes for countries like Ukraine. The discussion goes on to explore further ideas, including the economic effect on the US and the influence of people such as Elon Musk.

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