Salem News Channel

Ukrainian Officials Say Kyiv Ready To Sign Mineral Resources Deal With U.S.

Ukrainian officials say Kyiv is ready to sign an agreement that would give the U.S. access to its valuable rare minerals in the hopes of ensuring continued American support for Kyiv in its grinding war with Russia. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Ukraine’s economy minister and deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in February that he wanted access to the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing U.S. support in the war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the Trump administration stands ready to sign a deal, but that Ukraine made some last-minute changes and work still remains.

U.S. And Ukraine Announce Economic Deal

Palestinian Student At Columbia Is Released After His Arrest At Citizenship Interview

A judge has released a Palestinian student activist who led protests against the war in Gaza as a student at Columbia University and was arrested by immigration officials during an interview about finalizing his U.S. citizenship. U.S. District Judge Geoffrey Crawford in Burlington, Vermont, issued his ruling Wednesday following a hearing on Mohsen Mahdawi. He isa legal permanent resident for 10 years, and was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on April 14. Mahdawi’s lawyers say he was detained in retaliation for his speech advocating for Palestinian human rights.