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The US is reportedly pushing for a more expansive minerals deal with Ukraine.

That’s according to three people familiar with the ongoing negotiations, who have spoken to the news agency, Reuters.

A deal on Ukraine’s critical minerals has emerged as an apparently key stepping stone towards peace since Donald Trump began his second term in the White House.

A map of rare minerals in Ukraine and Russia-controlled territory. Source: Institute for the Study of War/Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine
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Source: Institute for the Study of War/Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine


The US president has said he wants to claw back some of the money his country has spent helping Ukraine after Russia invaded it in February 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to Washington previously to sign a critical minerals deal, but was told to leave the White House after a row erupted with the president and vice president in front of the world’s media.

On Thursday, Mr Zelenskyy said the US was “constantly” changing the terms of the proposed deal, but he added he did not want Washington to think Kyiv was against it.

Earlier in the week, he said the US had proposed a “major” new deal, and his officials were still reviewing it.

The new proposal is still said to include no security guarantee – something Kyiv has said is vital to ensure a stable peace.

The new terms go well beyond the deal discussed previously, with treasury secretary Scott Bessent said to be leading negotiations.

Trump has claimed the minerals deal will help secure a peace agreement by giving the US a financial stake in Ukraine, therefore discouraging future Russian aggression.

Despite Mr Trump having recently spoken about it, the proposal was said to make no mention of the US taking ownership over Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.

National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt declined to confirm the terms of the latest proposal, but said: “The mineral deal offers Ukraine the opportunity to form an enduring economic relationship with the United States that is the basis for long-term security and peace.”

An earlier version of the deal suggested a joint investment fund, where Ukraine would contribute 50% of the proceeds from future profits of the extraction of the state-owned resources.

The new proposal says that the US is given first rights to buy resources extracted under the agreement and that it will recoup all the money it has given Ukraine since 2022, in addition to 4% annual interest, all before Ukraine begins to gain access to the fund’s profits.

Read more:
What minerals does Ukraine have?
Inside a Ukrainian titanium mine

The new proposal was first reported by the Financial Times.

It comes as developments are moving quickly elsewhere in regards to news around the war in Ukraine.

Here is some of the other latest news:

• Russia and Ukraine both this week agreed to a US-organised Black Sea ceasefire;
• France’s Emmanuel Macron announced plans for an Anglo-French “reassurance” force in Ukraine;
• Vladimir Putin warned the US was “serious” about its intentions over Greenland;
• Fighting between the two sides continues.

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Donald Trump mocks ‘No Kings’ protests with AI video of himself dropping brown sludge on protesters from jet

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Donald Trump mocks 'No Kings' protests with AI video of himself dropping brown sludge on protesters from jet

Donald Trump has responded to so-called “No Kings” rallies with an AI video of himself in a fighter jet, pouring brown sludge over protesters.

Millions of people were expected to take part in the demonstrations this weekend – the second such gathering after an initial nationwide day of protest in June coinciding with the US president’s birthday.

The term “No Kings” reflects the belief by some that Mr Trump is behaving like a “king” and some in his administration are depicting him as a monarch.

A protester in costume as Donald Trump presents the president as a prisoner in chains in Seattle. Pic: AP
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A protester in costume as Donald Trump presents the president as a prisoner in chains in Seattle. Pic: AP

One of the rallies in New York. Pic: Reuters
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One of the rallies in New York. Pic: Reuters

On Sunday, the president shared the AI video on his social media platform, Truth Social.

In the clip, an AI-generated version of Mr Trump is wearing a crown and sitting in a jet with “King Trump” written across it, to the soundtrack of Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone, from the film Top Gun.

The jet then drops thick brown sludge on to AI-generated protesters.

Supporters say the marches are a patriotic defence of free speech, while critics are calling them anti-American.

A large inflatable effigy of Mr Trump in Chicago. Pic: Reuters
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A large inflatable effigy of Mr Trump in Chicago. Pic: Reuters

This protest took place in Washington DC. Pic: AP
Image:
This protest took place in Washington DC. Pic: AP

Mr Trump’s Republican Party has dismissed the demonstrations as “Hate America” rallies.

Many of the events featured marching bands, huge banners and signs, as well as effigies of the president and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes.

Thousands gathered along the waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Pic: AP
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Thousands gathered along the waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Pic: AP

Protesters at the Wyoming State Capitol got creative with their signs. Pic: Wyoming Tribune Eagle/AP
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Protesters at the Wyoming State Capitol got creative with their signs. Pic: Wyoming Tribune Eagle/AP

The protests follow Mr Trump’s return to the White House and come against the backdrop of a government shutdown which has closed federal programmes and services.

There has also been criticism of what some see as an aggressive executive, confronting Congress and the courts, in ways that protest organisers believe are a slide toward authoritarianism.

This event in San Francisco was among thousands taking place across the US. Pic: Reuters
Image:
This event in San Francisco was among thousands taking place across the US. Pic: Reuters

A 'No Kings' sign, outside City Hall in Los Angeles. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A ‘No Kings’ sign, outside City Hall in Los Angeles. Pic: Reuters

So far, the atmosphere at most of the protests appears to have been largely energetic and upbeat, with protesters calling for accountability and protections for civil liberties.

Organisers said events would be peaceful – a direct response to Republican and Trump administration claims that the protests could be unsafe.

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US airstrike destroyed ‘drug-carrying submarine’, says Trump – as survivors repatriated

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US airstrike destroyed 'drug-carrying submarine', says Trump - as survivors repatriated

Two survivors of a US airstrike, targeting what Donald Trump has described as a “drug-carrying submarine” in the Caribbean, have been repatriated to their home countries.

The US president posted footage of Thursday’s operation, part of a recent military campaign targeting boats transporting drugs to America.

“It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“US intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics,” he added.

The US military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors on Thursday after the strike on their semi-submersible
vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics. They were then transported to a US Navy warship.

Two other crew members on board were killed.

The semi-submersible vessel was struck by US forces on Thursday, leaving two dead and two survivors. Pic: @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
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The semi-submersible vessel was struck by US forces on Thursday, leaving two dead and two survivors. Pic: @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

President Trump confirmed the survivors would be returned to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador “for detention and prosecution”. Both countries subsequently confirmed they had been handed over.

More on Colombia

“America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea,” he added.

On Saturday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X: “We have received the Colombian detained on the narco submarine, we are happy he is alive and he will be processed according to the law.”

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Trump sends CIA into Venezuela and threatens land attack

Read more from Sky News:
Venezuela’s president pleads for peace
Is Trump planning to attack Venezuela?
Venezuela’s Nobel Peace Prize winner

The Trump administration has said previous strikes in the Caribbean have killed 27 people, raising concerns among some about the legality of the military operations.

The strikes also come against the backdrop of a US military buildup in the Caribbean that includes guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops as the US president escalates a standoff with the Venezuelan government.

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Venezuelan president: ‘We don’t want a war’

On Wednesday, Mr Trump disclosed he had authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the US is attempting to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Mr Maduro has denied any connection to drug smuggling and claimed the US boat strikes are a pretext for regime change, and violations of sovereignty and international law.

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Protesters join nationwide ‘No Kings’ rallies against Donald Trump’s policies

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Protesters join nationwide 'No Kings' rallies against Donald Trump's policies

Thousands of so-called “No Kings” rallies are being held across the US to protest at what organisers are calling Donald Trump’s “crackdowns on First Amendment rights”.

Millions of people are expected to take part in the demonstrations – the second such gathering, after an initial nationwide day of protest in June, coinciding with the US president’s birthday.

The term “No Kings” reflects the belief by some that the US president is behaving like a “king” and some in his administration are depicting him as a monarch.

Supporters are framing the marches as a patriotic defence of free speech, while critics are calling them anti-American.

Here are some of the pictures emerging from the rallies.

People attend a 'No Kings' protest in New York. Pic: Reuters
Image:
People attend a ‘No Kings’ protest in New York. Pic: Reuters

A Donald Trump is presented as a prisoner in chains in Seattle. Pic: AP
Image:
A Donald Trump is presented as a prisoner in chains in Seattle. Pic: AP

Some protest marches, like this one in Washington DC, have the appearance of a colourful parade. Pic: AP
Image:
Some protest marches, like this one in Washington DC, have the appearance of a colourful parade. Pic: AP

Donald Trump’s Republican Party has dismissed the demonstrations as “Hate America” rallies, but in many places the events looked more like a street party.

There were marching bands, huge banners and signs, effigies of the president and demonstrators wearing inflatable costumes.

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A large inflatable effigy of Donald Trump in Chicago. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A large inflatable effigy of Donald Trump in Chicago. Pic: Reuters

Thousands gather along a waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Pic: AP
Image:
Thousands gather along a waterfront in Portland, Oregon. Pic: AP

Protesters at the Wyoming State Capitol are been creative with their signs. Pic: Wyoming Tribune Eagle/AP
Image:
Protesters at the Wyoming State Capitol are been creative with their signs. Pic: Wyoming Tribune Eagle/AP

The protests follow Donald Trump’s return to the White House and come against the backdrop of a government shutdown which has closed federal programmes and services.

There has also been criticism of what some see as an aggressive executive, confronting Congress and the courts, in ways that protest organisers believe are a slide toward authoritarianism.

This event in San Francisco is among thousands taking place across the US. Pic: Reuters
Image:
This event in San Francisco is among thousands taking place across the US. Pic: Reuters

A 'No Kings' sign, outside City Hall in Los Angeles, represents a protest against what is seen as increasingly authoritarian rule. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A ‘No Kings’ sign, outside City Hall in Los Angeles, represents a protest against what is seen as increasingly authoritarian rule. Pic: Reuters

So far, the atmosphere at most of the protests appears largely energetic and upbeat, with protesters calling for accountability and protections for civil liberties.

Organisers insist today’s events will be peaceful – a direct response to Republican and Trump administration claims that the protests could be unsafe.

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