Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal with U.S. and Hollywood’s biggest night: Morning Rundown

Zelenskyy says he is still ready to sign a minerals deal with the United States after Friday’s tense meeting with Trump. “Anora” is the real star of the 97th Academy Awards. And a look at the measles crisis decades in the making. 

Here’s what to know today.

U.S.-Ukraine relationship can be salvaged, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes he will be able to salvage his relationship with the United States following his contentious meeting in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. 

Zelenskyy said he was still willing to sign a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals, which was the original purpose of his trip to Washington.

“If we agreed that it [the deal] will be signed, from our side we are ready to sign. I honestly think the United States will be ready, as well. Maybe they need time to analyze some things,” Zelenskyy told reporters in London, after a meeting with European leaders where he was warmly received. “As regards salvaging the relationship, I think our relationship will continue,” he added.

During the shouting match at the Oval Office last week, Trump told Zelenskyy he did not have “the cards” to continue the war, adding that Zelenskyy was “gambling with World War III” and was a “tough guy” only because of the United States’ aid to his country. The Oval Office fiasco came amid escalating tensions after Trump falsely accused Ukraine of having initiated the war with Russia and called Zelenskyy a “dictator.” 

Read the full story here. 

More politics news: 

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced $2.8 billion in support for Ukraine. 
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations and information operations against Russia.
• Speaker Mike Johnson said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Zelenskyy may have to resign after the clash in the Oval Office. 
• Sen. Chris Murphy has taken steps to put himself at the center of the aggressive resistance to Trump, telling NBC News that he’s looking to “build a movement all around this country.” 

‘Anora’ wins 5 awards, including best picture at 97th Academy Awards

It was a big night for the sex worker dramedy “Anora.” 

The indie film won big at the 2025 Oscars last night in Los Angeles, including the top prize of best picture. Director Sean Baker won three awards for the film: best original screenplay, best film editing and best director.

“I want to thank the academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” Baker said. “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists. Long live independent film.” 

Stars showed off their glamorous looks on the red carpet outside Dolby Theatre as they headed into the show, which began at 7 p.m. ET (an hour earlier than ever before). Culture & Trends Editor Saba Hamedy and National Reporter Daniel Arkin break down what you might have missed: 

✨Red carpet looks: Ariana Grande wowed viewers at home with a custom Schiaparelli gown that appeared to channel her “Wicked” character, Glinda. Elle Fanning’s retro gown drew comparisons to Grace Kelly. And Demi Moore stunned in a custom Armani Privé silver dress that would make her “The Substance” character Elizabeth Sparkle jealous.

🎦Biggest winners: While “Anora” walked away with the most statuettes, several other big contenders did not go home empty-handed. Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” which had been caught up in an AI controversy in the month leading up to the show, ended up taking home 3 wins, including best lead actor for Adrien Brody, best cinematography and best original score. “Emilia Pérez,” which started awards season as a top contender, won 2 awards, including best supporting actress for Zoe Saldaña. Many speculated that controversial tweets from the film’s lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who was also nominated, hurt its overall Oscar chances.

😮 And a few surprises: The best actress win for Mikey Madison, the 25-year-old star of “Anora,” was probably the most prominent upset of the night, as many expected Moore to win her first Oscar. Moore had gained momentum during the awards season after winning best comedy actress at the Golden Globe Awards and equivalent honors at the SAG Awards and the Critics Choice Awards. Madison had triumphed at the BAFTAs and the Independent Spirit Awards.

Missed all the Hollywood action? Catch up on last night’s Oscar coverage as it happened. 

See a complete list of winners. 

More on the Oscars:

• Morgan Freeman paid his respects to late actor Gene Hackman, praising him as a “giant” of Hollywood and a “dear friend.” 
• Here are the best Oscars looks from Demi Moore, Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet and more. 
• “No Other Land,” a portrait of a West Bank village under Israeli military occupation, won the Oscar for best documentary feature. In their acceptance speech, two of the directors pleaded for an end to Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

Trial begins for accused gunman in Highland Park mass shooting at July Fourth parade

The trial of the man accused of opening fire at a Fourth of July parade in the affluent Chicago suburb of Highland Park more than two years ago, killing seven people and wounding nearly 50, begins today. 

Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III faces 69 counts of murder and attempted murder stemming from the July 4, 2022, mass shooting. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole. Crimo climbed up a fire escape to the rooftop of a building above the parade route and rained bullets onto the spectators below, police said. He disguised himself by wearing women’s clothing during the rampage. 

Prosecutors have turned over some 10,000 pages of evidence along with a videotaped interrogation during which police say Crimo confessed to the mass shooting. His trial is expected to last three to five weeks.  

Read All About It

•  South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency as wildfires in the Carolinas and Georgia scorched thousands of acres and forced people to evacuate.
• South Carolina is poised to carry out its first execution by firing squad next week — a method that has been rarely used in the United States. 
• A Delta flight had to quickly return to Boston after a “smoky odor” was detected in the cabin after takeoff. 
• Chipotle’s CEO said the company will absorb any cost increases from tariffs, instead of passing them onto consumers. 
• SpaceX plans to launch its Starship rocket on its next test flight, after a fiery explosion ended the last one.

Staff Pick: A measles crisis decades in the making

The U.S. officially eliminated measles in 2000, and yet the country is in the midst of a measles crisis marked by the first child death in over 20 years. In any other administration, the Health and Human Services secretary would likely encourage people to get the safe, well-studied and effective vaccination — but RFK Jr. is no ordinary leader.

His life’s work has been dismantling trust in the very vaccines that could have prevented this outbreak, including spreading misinformation, amplifying conspiracy theories and attacking the health system he now runs. Senior reporter Brandy Zadrozny examines how RFK Jr.’s past and present work brought America to this moment. — Kayla Hayempour, platforms intern

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

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 Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both.