WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — USA News Group News Commentary – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that tests showed Starlink-equipped drones lost their connection when flying faster than about 100 mph inside Ukraine, while Starlink terminals moving at more than 112 mph inside the European Union worked normally. “In other words, this is a planned operation,” he said. No one in Washington or at SpaceX has claimed the decision. Most U.S.-listed space stocks fell sharply last week, while Europe’s only low Earth orbit broadband rival to SpaceX had its best day in 16 months. Active Companies from around the markets with current developments this week include: Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: SPCX), AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB), Eutelsat Communications SA (Euronext Paris: ETL).

The restrictions reportedly cover both Starlink and Starshield, SpaceX’s military-use service, which Ukraine relies on for communications, logistics, live drone video and targeting. The Telegraph reported on Oct. 16, citing four unnamed sources, that Elon Musk approached President Trump with the idea of slowing Starlink in Ukraine and that Trump “agreed.” Musk said on X that speed or usage limits on Starshield “are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.” Trump told reporters, “it wasn’t me, and I don’t think it was Elon.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday, “We had nothing to do with it. Nobody ordered that Starlink speed to be slowed down. It sorta happened.” He also said Starshield was not available to Ukraine, which Yahoo Finance noted conflicts with a late 2024 Pentagon contract that expanded Ukraine’s Starshield access from about 500 to roughly 3,000 terminals. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Zelenskyy said, “Just give us back Starlink.”

Europe is paying close attention. The European Union is working to develop its own alternative to Starlink, and on Sunday the U.S. ambassador to the EU threatened “devastating” retaliation if the bloc advanced a proposal favoring EU-made satellites over companies like SpaceX, Yahoo Finance reported.

CONTINUED… Read this and more news for the space sector at: usanewsgroup.com

In other industry developments and happenings in the market this week include:

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: SPCX)

Shares of SpaceX fell 10.17% last week, from $162.57 at the Oct. 9 close to $146.03 on Oct. 16, according to Stock Analysis data, though they remain above the $135 price of the company’s June initial public offering. Starlink, a core part of SpaceX’s business, has more than 13 million subscribers worldwide, and Yahoo Finance noted this is the first throttling episode since the company went public.

SpaceX has limited service in Ukraine before. In 2023, President and COO Gwynne Shotwell acknowledged the company could restrict how Ukraine used Starlink, saying, “There are things that we can do, and have done.” Musk said on X last week that Starlink “is limited to civilian or defensive activities.”

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS)

AST SpaceMobile, which is building a space-based cellular broadband network that connects directly to standard smartphones, fell 20.23% last week, from $50.97 to $40.66. On Oct. 13, Piper Sandler downgraded the stock to Neutral from Overweight and cut its price target to $54 from $98, citing SpaceX’s direct-to-cell ambitions after its agreement to acquire Grain Management’s 800 MHz spectrum for about $8 billion, subject to regulatory approval.

Piper warned that SpaceX could, in theory, limit launch opportunities for competitors such as AST and pressure pricing by competing with telecom operators. Not every analyst agreed. Deutsche Bank upgraded the shares to Buy on Oct. 12 with a $93 target, and Clear Street reiterated a Buy rating with a $115 target, arguing AST is about six months ahead of SpaceX in direct-to-cell.

Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM)

Iridium announced on Oct. 14 that Altair Semiconductor is adding Iridium NTN Direct to its ALT1350 and ALT1550 cellular IoT chipsets, letting device makers, module makers and mobile network operators add satellite coverage without a separate satellite modem. “Iridium is offering device manufacturers a powerful new way to develop connected products,” said Tim Last, executive vice president at Iridium.

Iridium stockholders approved the company’s acquisition by Rocket Lab on Sept. 24, with about 99.6% of votes cast in favor. Each Iridium share is to be exchanged for $27.00 in cash plus Rocket Lab stock based on an exchange ratio subject to a collar, for a notional value of $54.00 per share, and the deal is expected to close by mid-2027, subject to remaining regulatory approvals. Iridium shares fell 7.82% last week, from $47.47 to $43.76.

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB)

Rocket Lab shares fell 25.47% last week, from $68.21 to $50.84, after founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said in a video posted to YouTube that the first launch of the company’s Neutron rocket would move from late 2026 into 2027. Inspectors found voids in the carbon-fiber layers of a recently made forward propellant dome after curing, according to Space.com.

Beck said the voids “don’t necessarily mean that the dome would fail in flight,” but added, “Possible success isn’t our standard.” Rocket Lab expects to finish a new forward dome by the end of the year and complete first-stage testing in the first quarter of 2027, after which Beck said the company expects to be “in good shape to share a new target launch date.”

Eutelsat Communications SA (Euronext Paris: ETL)

Eutelsat shares jumped 23% on Oct. 14, the stock’s biggest one-day gain in 16 months, Reuters reported, after Ukraine said Starlink had introduced restrictions on its military-grade service. Eutelsat’s OneWeb network has more than 600 satellites in low Earth orbit, compared with about 10,000 for Starlink, and it is the only company besides SpaceX providing space-based internet through a low Earth orbit network. Bernstein analyst Aleksander Peterc said the news put European providers “back in the spotlight as potential alternatives.”

Not everyone sees an easy swap. Existing Starlink users cannot simply switch to OneWeb, since a transition would require new terminals and supporting infrastructure, and independent consultant Christian Freiherr von der Ropp said “considering it as a straightforward substitute overlooks significant operational and infrastructure constraints.”

Space stocks swung hard on headlines last week. Learn to read the charts behind moves like these with the free Stock Preachers guide, plus The Roadmap market reports, at stockpreachers.com.

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Broader MedTech industry at turning point, seeking positioning to optimize portfolios, differentiate technology and improve R&D

Innovation drives increased dealmaking and R&D investment: MedTech saw a resurgence in deal size with M&A value up 160% in the first half of 2026 vs. the same period in 2025, reflecting investments in next-generation technologies, including AI-enabled diagnostics, robotics, structural heart, diabetes care and minimally invasive therapies.AI is reshaping the future of value creation: AI integration in MedTech is unlocking new business opportunities and scalable value creation, alongside a record and growing number of FDA-authorized AI-enabled devices.Industry growth is expanding into alternative care settings: MedTech is increasingly moving beyond traditional care settings and capturing growth in alternative care markets, particularly the rapidly expanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market and direct to consumer/patient.

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 20th edition of the Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Pulse of the MedTech Industry report finds that the global medical technology (MedTech) industry is at a turning point. Following a period of record-setting growth and investment across the US and Europe, the sector finds itself at a revenue high point, even amid challenges, including negative investor sentiment and persistent global trade and supply chain uncertainties.

Despite a challenging operating environment, the MedTech industry saw sustained growth in 2025, reaching approximately US$650 billion in revenue and representing growth of 11%, and continued to demonstrate top-line performance in the first half of 2026, generating $325 billion in revenue, a 7.1% increase compared with the same time period in 2025. Therapeutic devices led industry growth, followed by non-imaging diagnostic, imaging, and lab equipment and tools. However, growth was highly concentrated among commercial leaders, highlighting a widening performance gap across the industry.

“MedTech has rebounded from YTD June lows and has underperformed the broader markets in 2026. The sector has continued to demonstrate resiliency, with record revenue financing and strong M&A activity setting the stage for a bright future,” says John Babitt, EY Global MedTech Leader. “The broader sector players are at a turning point where discipline is essential to convert innovation into profitable growth.”

Other key findings include:

MedTech financing reached a record US$63 billion for the year ended June 30, 2026, up 87% year over year – the highest seen in the last decade. Together, initial public offerings and debt accounted for around 80% of total capital raised, indicating that recovery has been driven primarily by public-market reopening and strategic balance sheet financing rather than broad-based funding strength.MedTech M&A reached its highest level in more than a decade, with total disclosed deal value surging to roughly US$130 billion. However, this recovery was driven by a limited number of blockbuster transactions.Innovation remains at the core of MedTech’s heartbeat, with growth largely driven by a breakout group of high-performing, high-differentiation, high-innovation strategic leaders. Companies that delivered both high R&D productivity and EBIT margin expansion generated an average total shareholder return of approximately 13.8%.AI in MedTech is observing a transformation, with intelligence being deeply embedded into devices and the care pathways around them. Hardware design, clinical evidence and manufacturing quality will remain fundamental and are increasingly being complemented by the quality of the algorithms, data and digital services surrounding the product.Venture capital fundraising remained resilient in 2026, with overall activity skewed toward earlier-stage innovation, highlighting improved investment activity and continued investor conviction in differentiated technologies addressing significant unmet clinical needs.

“MedTech is entering a new era of growth, and today’s challenges are the catalyst for the industry’s next transformations,” says Diana Hoff, EY Americas Life Sciences Sector Leader. “As companies navigate margin pressure, supply chain risk and global trade uncertainty, the leaders of the next decade will be those that embrace AI, make more deliberate portfolio choices and build productive, resilient operating models that turn innovation into sustained growth and value.”

Looking ahead, MedTechs that maintain innovation while also building conviction across capital allocation and portfolio optimization will be best positioned to set the pace of the pulse of the industry in the years to come.

To read Pulse of the MedTech Industry, please visit https://www.ey.com/en_us/life-sciences/pulse-of-medtech-industry-outlook?WT.mc_id=14001805&AA.tsrc=pr.

About EY
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions.

Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multidisciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US.

About EY Consumer and Health
The rise of the empowered consumer, coupled with technology advancements and the emergence of digitally focused entrants, is changing every aspect of health and care delivery. To retain relevancy in today’s digitally focused, data-infused ecosystem, all participants in healthcare today must rethink their business practices, including capital strategy, partnering and the creation of patient-centric operating models.

The EY Consumer and Health architecture brings together a worldwide network of 34,000 professionals to build data-centric approaches to customer engagement and improved outcomes. We help our clients deliver on their strategic goals, design optimized operating models and form the right partnerships so they may thrive today and succeed in the health systems of tomorrow. We work across the ecosystem to understand the implications of today’s trends, proactively finding solutions to business issues, and to seize the upside of disruption in this transformative age.

Media contact: Carol Piering, carol.piering@ey.com 

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the 140th Canton Fair opens, the winners of the 2026 Canton Fair Design Award (CF Award) have also been announced. Winning products are now on display in Area D of the Canton Fair Complex, offering visitors a closer look at some of the latest advances in Chinese manufacturing and industrial design.

Among this year’s top honorees, a domestically developed high-performance sport motorcycle and an intelligent navigation capsule robot gastric endoscopy system received the Best of the Best Award, the competition’s highest recognition.

The Canton Fair also enhanced the visitor experience with a themed showcase area within the award exhibition. Built around four application-oriented concepts, namely Outdoor Pleasure, Smart Living, Cozy Home and Kitchen Elegance, the immersive displays demonstrate how innovative designs can be integrated into everyday life, helping visitors better understand the practical value behind these award-winning products.

This year, 4,218 products from 2,112 companies competed for the award. Following multiple rounds of evaluation, 222 products from 174 companies were selected.

The award-winning products reflect several key trends shaping the next stage of Chinese manufacturing. Innovation remains a defining theme, with breakthrough technologies ranging from upper limb motor function assistance and enhancement system to exoskeleton robots, underscoring the growing momentum of high-end manufacturing.

Meanwhile, intelligent technologies continue to gain traction across industries. Smart products account for more than 30% of this year’s winners, with AI-powered glasses, intelligent conference terminals and smart healthcare devices extending AI applications across home, office, medical and outdoor environments.

Sustainability is also becoming increasingly embedded throughout the product lifecycle. Green products represent over 40% of the winning entries, while innovations such as integrated energy-saving panels and sugarcane paper demonstrate how environmentally conscious practices are being incorporated into product design, materials selection and manufacturing processes.

Established in 2013, the Canton Fair Design Award is widely regarded as a benchmark for design innovation in China’s foreign trade sector. The award recognizes products that combine design excellence with commercial value, promoting the transformation and upgrading of Chinese manufacturing and supporting high-quality trade development. Entries are evaluated across five dimensions: innovation, quality, functionality, aesthetics and sustainability.

For more convenient attendance, please click here for pre-registration:
https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

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