Hungary's opposition flags "New Deal" to kickstart stagnating economy
Hungary’s opposition leader Péter Magyar announced that his Tisza party will introduce a "Hungarian New Deal" to revitalise the country’s slowing...
U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system as part of pressure to secure a critical minerals deal. The discussions come amid growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over repayment for wartime aid.
According to three sources familiar with the matter, U.S. officials mentioned Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink during negotiations after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected an initial minerals proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The issue was again raised in meetings between U.S. special Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg and Zelenskyy on Thursday.
A source briefed on the talks said Ukraine was warned of an "imminent shutoff" if it did not reach a deal on mineral exports. “Ukraine runs on Starlink. They consider it their North Star,” the source said. “Losing Starlink... would be a massive blow.”
Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has been crucial in Ukraine’s war effort, ensuring internet connectivity after Russian attacks destroyed traditional infrastructure. It is particularly vital for Ukraine’s military, enabling communication and drone operations.
Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, described Starlink as a game changer for Ukraine. “Losing Starlink would be a game changer,” she said, emphasizing its role in maintaining Ukraine’s growing parity with Russia in drone warfare and artillery usage.
Musk initially supplied Starlink terminals to Ukraine in 2022 but later curtailed access, reportedly over concerns about its use in offensive operations.
The U.S. is seeking access to Ukraine’s critical minerals—including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—as part of a broader economic arrangement. Trump has embraced the idea, arguing that Ukraine should supply the U.S. with rare earths in return for continued financial aid.
Last week, Zelenskyy rejected a detailed U.S. proposal that would have granted Washington and U.S. firms a 50% share of Ukraine’s mineral resources. The Ukrainian leader has insisted on security guarantees as part of any deal, which the U.S. has not provided.
Since then, tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have escalated. Trump, who is attempting to broker an end to the war, has criticized Zelenskyy, calling him “a dictator without elections.” The Ukrainian president, in turn, accused Trump of being trapped in a Russian disinformation bubble after the U.S. leader suggested Ukraine was responsible for the war.
The White House, Pentagon, and Ukrainian embassy in Washington have not commented on the reported negotiations. SpaceX has also remained silent on whether Starlink access is being used as leverage.
As Kyiv and Washington continue negotiations, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to finalize an agreement that balances economic necessity with long-term security needs.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Dozens of international and domestic flights were cancelled or delayed after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted on Monday, but Bali’s main airport remains operational.
French member of parliament Olivier Marleix was found dead at his home on Monday, with suicide being considered a possible cause.
Hungary’s opposition leader Péter Magyar announced that his Tisza party will introduce a "Hungarian New Deal" to revitalise the country’s slowing economy through major investments and stable policies if it wins next year’s election.
UK authorities have raised an amber heat health alert for much of southern England, warning that the ongoing heatwave could lead to a rise in deaths.
Floods driven by climate change are raising the danger of long-banned toxic chemicals resurfacing in rivers, soil, and food chains, according to a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
Israel is expected to submit a new withdrawal map today during ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar, as talks face challenges over the size of the buffer zone around Gaza.
Widespread wildfires have engulfed the Alawenat Oasis in southwestern Libya, with flames spreading into residential areas and causing panic among local communities, according to state media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment