World News: Zelenskyy rejects Trump's minerals deal

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined the Trump administration's critical minerals deal, which suggests that the United States take a 50% stake in Ukraine's vast critical mineral resources, citing a lack of security provisions.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy said the draft minerals deal with Washington did not include any security guarantees, and emphasized that any such agreement must include robust security assurances to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and deter further aggression from Russia.

The U.S. proposal was presented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Kyiv on February 12 and aims to secure half of Ukraine's rare earth mineral rights, as compensation for past military and financial aid as well as payment for future assistance.

Trump has previously said he wanted 500 billion U.S. dollars worth of critical minerals from Ukraine to reduce dependence on China for rare earth materials.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday held a meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, between the two nations.

The Cook Islands said Saturday that it signed a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' deal with China, during the discussions in Harbin.

Premier Li emphasized China's commitment to deepening political mutual trust with the Cook Islands.

He proposed aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the Cook Islands' development strategies, to enhance collaboration in various sectors, including maritime infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, and cultural exchanges.

Prime Minister Brown acknowledged the nearly three-decade-long friendship between the two states and reaffirmed the Cook Islands' adherence to the one-China policy, while assuring that relations with China do not impinge on longstanding ties with New Zealand.

In Austria, a 14-year-old boy was killed and 5 people were injured in a stabbing attack in the city of Villach on Saturday.

The attacker, a 23-year-old Syrian national, was apprehended at the scene.

Authorities have identified the incident as an Islamist attack, and said the suspect had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State.

A local food delivery driver's swift intervention by using his vehicle to impede the attacker, likely prevented further casualties.

The attack follows a series of similar incidents in Europe, and has intensified discussions on immigration and security policies within the country.

Finally in the United States, Marvel Studios' latest release, "Captain America: Brave New World," has delivered box office success during its opening weekend with the highest-ranking domestic debut of the year.

The film garnered 88.5 million U.S. dollars domestically over the three-day period, with projections estimating a total of 100 million dollars by the end of the four-day President's Day holiday on Monday.

Internationally, it accumulated an additional 92.4 million dollars.

This performance also marks the fourth-best President's Day holiday opening on record. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.