Washington & Ukraine reach agreement on minerals-for-recovery pact
After weeks of negotiations, the United States Government and Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko signed a mineral deal that includes a joint investment fund between the countries. The deal gives America the ability to receive revenue from Ukrainian titanium, lithium, and other critical minerals. Both the U.S. and Ukraine will have a say in the management of the investment fund, with Ukraine expected to contribute 50 percent of all future profits from government-owned natural resources into the fund. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the agreement will serve as an avenue to recoup funds the U.S. has provided to Ukraine in its war with Russia. However, the agreement itself does not frame prior aid as a debt to be repaid. The agreement still needs to be ratified by the Ukraine Parliament, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he would not sign off on an agreement “that will be paid off by 10 generations of Ukrainians.”
Israeli ban on UNRWA at World Court
Israel, citing alleged links to the Oct. 7 attacks, passed legislation last year banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which went into effect in January. During the International Court of Justice hearings on humanitarian assistance in Gaza, Joshua Simmons, a legal advisor from the State Department, argued there was “no legal requirement that an occupying power permit a specific third state or international organisation to conduct activity that would compromise its security interests”. Simmons then suggested that other organizations could fulfill the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s mission, despite UNRWA’s insistence that there was no replacement for its role in providing aid. The Russian Federation called UNRWA indispensable as famine warnings grow. Israel is not participating in the hearings, but will submit written arguments.
Trump Faces Low Approval Rating at 100-Day Mark
Despite his administration touting his achievements, a new New York Times/Siena College poll showed that U.S. President Donald Trump maintains a historically low approval rating this early in his term of 42 percent. On the economy, the president’s widespread tariffs were opposed by 55 percent of voters, with only 43 percent approving of his handling of the economy. Only 47 percent of voters approve of Trump’s actions surrounding immigration, with 63 percent saying a president should not be able to deport legal immigrants who have protested against Israel. Analysts say the mix of hardline immigration moves and whiplash trade policy is defining the opening stretch of Trump’s second term.
Venezuelan Men Facing Possible Deportation in Texas Send Out S.O.S. Message
This past Monday a group of 31 Venezuelan men in Texas formed S.O.S letters in the courtyard of Bluebonnet Detention Facility. Bluebonnet Detention Facility is privately run by the Management and Training Corporation under a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ten days prior, detainees were notified by immigration officials that they were alleged to be members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and subject to deportation under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Reuters, denied access to the facility, flew a small plane over the center last week to gather aerial data of the detainees. The Department of Homeland Security released a statement Wednesday framing the story as a “sob story” pushed by the mainstream media. The recent increase in migration from Venezuela can be attributed to the ongoing political and economic turmoil in Venezuela.
Protests in Burkina Faso Start Support of Junta Leader Traoré
After a plot to overthrow junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré was foiled, thousands of people rallied in support of him and his transitional government. Traore was named the transitional president of Burkina Faso after seizing power in a 2022 coup and quickly moved to sever military ties with Western powers such as the U.S. and France, turning to Russia for support. Despite Traoré’s promises to bring security to the nation, the junta has struggled to end Burkina Faso’s security challenges. In early April, three French diplomats were accused of “subversive activities,” declared persona non grata, and asked to leave the country in 48 hours causing tension between the two countries.. Earlier this month, the head of U.S. Military in Africa, Gen. Michael Langley, accused Traore of using gold reserves to benefit the military junta at the expense of the population. Protestors also condemned Langley for his accusations towards the government, increasing tensions between Burkina Faso and the U.S.
Mark Carney Elected Canada’s Prime Minister
This Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won the 2025 federal elections in Canada. The election marked a remarkable change in the political fate of the Liberal Party. Just weeks ago, the Liberals faced the prospect of near-certain defeat under the leadership of former Prime Minister and Party Leader Justin Trudeau. Trudeau left office on March 14 and was replaced by Carney, who had never held elected office but was the former head of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Since Trudeau’s resignation and Carney’s accession to the premiership, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on several sectors of the Canadian economy, and began to claim that the United States should annex Canada as the 51st State of the Union. This hostility from America gave the incumbent liberals a large boost in the polls, with the view that Carney’s financial experience would aid in the standoff with America and the surrounding negotiations. The Liberal party was not able to gain a majority in the Canadian House of Commons, winning only 168 out of 343 seats, but the party earned enough to gain control of Canada’s government. This places the Conservative Party as the second largest party and the official opposition party to Carney’s Liberals. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre — who, just weeks ago, was projected to become Prime Minister — lost his seat in the House of Commons, which he held since 2004.
