Belgium has announced it will accelerate the delivery of surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to Ukraine. Instead of delivering three flyable F-16s before the end of the year, Brussels will ship 10.

It's unclear how many will be flyable. Previously, Belgian officials explained the first seven secondhand F-16s would include just three airworthy examples. The other four would be broken down for spare parts.

It's good news for Ukraine, but hardly cause for nationwide celebration. The handful of flyable F-16s that should arrive in the coming two months could make good recent F-16 losses. But those shipping-soon Belgian F-16s won't actually grow Ukraine's F-16 fleet by much, if at all.

The dozens of supersonic F-16s in action in Ukraine fly often and fight hard. They shoot down Russian drones and cruise missiles, tangle with Russian warplanes, and lob precision glide bombs at Russian forces on the ground. Russia launched about 2,000 jet-powered drones at Ukraine in September, up from some 350 in June, and F-16s are among the few weapons fast enough to catch them, the Wall Street Journal's editorial board noted. Every 300 flying hours, each jet must go abroad for a lengthy inspection.

The main constraint on the pace of F-16 sorties, besides maintenance demands and the availability of trained pilots, is munitions: running low or out of air-to-air missiles and glide bombs, the F-16s routinely aim their 20-mm guns at Russian targets. But even 20-mm ammunition sometimes runs low.

The busy F-16s and their equally busy pilots need reinforcement. But reinforcements are slow coming. Belgium is only slightly accelerating its F-16 shipments amid reports it will eventually give Ukraine all 53 F-16s it's gradually retiring as new Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters arrive to re-equip the Belgian air force.

Further complicating the picture, Norway's six F-16s, promised in 2023, were still being refurbished in Belgium this spring. Some arrived there in pieces.

Yes, Ukraine got 24 fight-ready F-16s from the Netherlands and most of the 19 Denmark promised. But it's lost five of those jets since 2024. And others are so worn out from relentless flying that they're badly in need of maintenance. The Belgian firm Sabena, which services Ukrainian F-16s, has struggled to keep up, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said about half of the jets spend long stretches abroad for repairs. That slows the return of repaired planes and further squeezes the front-line force.

One wing, too few jets

Donor	F-16s promised	Reached Ukraine	Status
Netherlands	24	24	Complete
Denmark	19	At least 12	Further deliveries due
Norway	6	0	Being refurbished in Belgium
Belgium	53	0	10 by end of 2026, the last in 2029
Total	About 100	At least 36, five since lost	Fewer than 40 in service

In short, it's possible the Ukrainian air force's 107th Aviation Wing, its sole F-16 unit, has fewer than 40 ready-to-fight F-16s. Those 53 Belgian F-16s will help grow the wing, but piecemeal. Ukraine should expect a handful of operational jets from Belgium this year. Under a schedule from May, the last 27, half the total, may not arrive until 2029.

To be clear, additional F-16s support the 107th Aviation Wing. The Netherlands sold 18 of its old F-16s to Romania for a token price in order to equip a training squadron, funded by a consortium of Ukraine's allies, that feeds trained pilots to the 107th Aviation Wing. But these 18 jets aren't available for front-line use. They don't even legally belong to Ukraine.

The delays in supplies of combat-ready F-16s matter because the Ukrainian air force is under stress. Its last few dozen ex-Soviet warplanes, including Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighters, are even older and wearier than the ex-European F-16s are. And they've suffered staggering losses in the air and on the ground in nearly 56 months of hard fighting in the wider war.

The air force does have a few ex-French Dassault Mirage 2000s that are at least as capable as the F-16s, but France has donated only a handful of the supersonic jets—and one has crashed. Any further supplies of Mirage 2000s could be complicated by the French presidential election in April 2027. The leading far-right and far-left parties are both friendly toward Russia and hostile to Ukraine.

Some relief is coming, although not quickly. Sweden has pledged 16 surplus JAS-39C/D Gripen fighters to the Ukrainian war effort; the first of these could arrive early next year. Later on, Ukraine also plans to buy 20 newer JAS-39E/Fs. Kyiv has also negotiated to purchase 16 new Rafale fighters from Paris, but the soonest these could arrive is 2028.

For now, F-16s are the main solution to Ukraine's air defense problems. Kyiv surely wishes it had more of them, sooner.

Press TV – October 17, 2026

Iran’s ambassador and chargé d’affaires to the UN has stressed that any arrangements for the Gaza Strip’s future must fully respect Palestinian rights and self-determination, denouncing the United States and the Israeli regime for the current situation affecting the Strait of Hormuz.

Gholamhossein Darzi made the remarks on Friday, addressing a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in West Asia, including the Palestinian question.

He noted that Gaza remained devastated and continued to be subject to military aggression, despite the announcement of a ceasefire last year.

The ceasefire was announced last October as part of a United States-proposed plan to bring an end to two years of Israeli genocide, supposedly.

The Israeli regime has, however, killed more than 1,400 Palestinians during attacks across the territory ever since, in addition to the tens of thousands it had already killed throughout the genocide that began on October 7, 2023.

Darzi called for a permanent end to the Israeli aggression, lifting of the Israeli blockade on the coastal sliver, and realization of a lasting ceasefire in the territory.

He called for unconditional and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory as well as immediate and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid and deployment of relief personnel.

The diplomat called accountability for serious violations of international law a legal obligation, condemning the regime for committing genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

He also denounced expansion of illegal settlements, intensifying settler violence, and Israeli plans for “annexation” of the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians must be able to establish an independent, sovereign, and viable state, with the holy occupied city of al-Quds as its capital and full membership in the United Nations, the official stated.

He also demanded Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and occupied Syrian areas and respect for both countries’ sovereignty.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Darzi slammed the United States and the Israeli regime for launching two rounds of unprovoked aggression against Iran respectively, last June and from February 28 until April 7 this year.

The aggressors, he noted, committed war crimes through deliberate targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.

He also attributed the situation affecting the Strait of Hormuz to the American-Israeli atrocities, including an American naval blockade.

“Our position is crystal clear: The only practical way to restore normal and safe maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is immediate and permanent cessation of US aggression, provision of credible guarantees against its recurrence, respect for Iran’s sovereign rights, and complete lifting of the naval blockade and other unlawful coercive measures.”

Following the US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz to its adversaries. The key waterway has remained largely closed ever since, driving up fuel prices worldwide and increasing the cost of living for millions of people.

Tehran has made it clear that it will not reopen the strait until Washington meets its demands, including a permanent end to the war.

As obras de reabilitação e reforço estrutural a decorrer na Ponte Marechal Carmona (EN10), que liga Vila Franca de Xira ao Porto Alto, estão a causar fortes constrangimentos no trânsito e a gerar uma onda de indignação entre os condutores que utilizam diariamente esta travessia sobre o Rio Tejo.

Nas redes sociais, multiplicam-se os relatos de automobilistas e motoristas de veículos pesados em desespero com as longas filas e com os tempos de espera na travessia da ponte. Percursos habituais de escassos minutos estão agora a demorar cerca de uma hora a hora e meia, afetando gravemente a rotina de quem se desloca para o trabalho ou para deixar as crianças na escola.

O ponto mais crítico apontado pelos utilizadores é a largura extremamente reduzida das vias temporárias de circulação no tabuleiro da ponte. Segundo relatos de motoristas de pesados, o estreitamento dificulta — e por vezes impede — o cruzamento em segurança de dois camiões, fazendo com que os espelhos retrovisores passem a escassos centímetros uns dos outros, aumentando consideravelmente o risco de acidentes.

Perante o cenário caótico na Ponte Marechal Carmona, muitos cidadãos e profissionais do transporte exigem medidas urgentes às entidades responsáveis, nomeadamente à Infraestruturas de Portugal e às autarquias locais. Entre as soluções defendidas pela população estão o condicionamento temporário do trânsito de pesados e a isenção de portagens em alternativas rodoviárias, como a Ponte da Lezíria (A10) ou a A13, enquanto durar a intervenção na travessia.

Por: Dino Frazão

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O conteúdo Obras na Ponte Marechal Carmona geram indignação e caos no trânsito em Vila Franca de Xira aparece primeiro em OS MONHACAS.

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Manifestantes denunciaram os elevados preços das casas no Algarve e exigem soluções que permitam aos trabalhadores viver na região.

© David Oliveira/Observador

UK police say tweet by Sarah Helm, whose husband is Burnham's national security adviser, expressing support for Sally Rooney doesn't meet 'criminal threshold' of backing for proscribed group

Cliftonville 1 Portadown 2

En République démocratique du Congo, l'épidémie d'Ebola continue de s'étendre. Selon les informations de RFI, des cas ont été confirmés dans la province du Nord-Ubangi, dans le nord ouest du pays, zone frontalière avec la République centrafricaine.

Milhares de italianos saíram à rua este sábado. Em algumas cidades, como Milão, houve confrontos entre os manifestantes e a polícia. Em Bolonha, pelo menos sete pessoas foram detidas.

© AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine's State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko has separately reported that equipment based in Belarus helps relay or amplify signals for Russian Shahed and Geran drones heading toward western Ukraine and Poland's border region.

A decisão foi comunicada depois de uma assembleia popular. Ainda, no Desporto, o Presidente da República e o primeiro-ministro felicitaram hoje o ciclista Iúri Leitão pelo título mundial de omnium.

• My daughter and I took the scenic route from Oregon to her college in Missouri.
• We camped near Yellowstone, explored Wyoming, and visited South Dakota landmarks.
• The trip gave us precious time together before she started her independent life.

After buying a car for my daughter to take to college, the problem was getting the little Mazda from Portland, Oregon, to Fulton, Missouri. Maria and I are fun in the car, but awful at driving long distances.

We checked the miles, over 2,000, and groaned.

"Are we doing this?" I asked. "Remember Eugene?"

We laughed, thinking about the time after an exhausting day, we couldn't manage the usual three hours from Eugene, Oregon, to Portland without stopping every 10 to 15 minutes. We took turns saying, "Your turn," as we blasted cold air and chomped Good 'n' Plenty licorice to stay awake. Eventually, we napped at a rest stop. I finished the drive and let Maria sleep.

We took the scenic route to college

"Let's make it an adventure," Maria said when we were debating whether to take the scenic route. She knows I love sleeping in a tent and waking up outdoors. Being in nature would ease my aching heart, already missing her. I savored our time before we even started.

We mapped our route, picking the long way. In Yellowstone, we tented next to a motorhome complete with a satellite and TV. We cracked up as we popped up our two-person tent in the RV's shadow. In the morning, it was a quick coffee and on to gawking our way through the park, pointing at bison, moose, elk, deer, wolves, and more. At a geyser view spot, a tourist tried to touch a bull moose with a huge rack of horns while onlookers poised their phones.

We made so many memories together

We drove across Wyoming with its wide-open spaces and the prettiest blue skies. Then camped at Custer State Park, our tent site flanking a river. In the morning, we plopped on a log and sipped cowboy (unfiltered) coffee. "So much better than flying," I said, surprising myself.

Our awe was mild at Mt. Rushmore, where we snapped bad tourist pictures, pretending to squish the presidents' heads between thumb and index finger as a curly-haired woman in white pointy Keds glared at us.

Then, onto Crazy Horse: a massive monument of Crazy Horse, the Lakota leader, still being carved out of the mountain. I cried at its mass, its beauty, its story. For scale, Mt. Rushmore could fit in the finger that points to his people's land.

Next was the iconic Wall Drug, where we stretched our bodies, then drove on to the Corn Palace. "All corn?" I asked. Yes, beautiful, detailed murals crafted of corn and other grains covered the Moorish building.

The road trip made me less sad to see her go

Endless signs in Kansas enticed us with the World's Largest Prairie Dog, a live five-legged cow, plus rattlesnakes. Even though the prairie dog turned out to be a 15-foot-tall, four-ton concrete statue, it topped our list for fun roadside attractions and included a bonus rattlesnake "pit" in a gift shop where rattlers slept in terrariums. The cashier's nametag said Suzy. She hit the tops of the cages with a cane, startling the snakes to shake their rattling tails. We jumped too.

"It's OK," I told Suzy, my hand up in the universal sign for stop. "Let them rest." "You paid to see 'em," she rasped, whapping another terrarium as Maria gave her the side-eye.

We held our belly laughs in until we reached the car.

We stopped at rest stops and gas stations. Drank sparkling water (me) and soda (her). Snacked on chips and Wheat Thins. Took rinse showers at campsites. The only time we drove semi-sleepily was through Kansas with the obligatory, "Are we there yet?" And "Can you drive?" It wasn't as bad as that haul from Eugene home, but the straight flat is hypnotizing.

"My turn. I got you," Maria said, tightening her ponytail and her resolve. I saw her on the cusp of her grown life as she drove the last leg, singing full tilt, our playlist a mix of Garth Brooks, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Chicks, and more.

Willie Nelson sang us across the country. We played "On the Road Again" every morning, every time we restarted, every time we crossed a state line. Whenever I hear "Making music with my friends" it's my daughter I think of.

Once we reached Fulton, Missouri, I knew I could fly home without my girl. We were both ready. While it was bittersweet to drop my dream-chasing kids — first my son, then my daughter — at college, that year my excitement for her overshadowed my sadness.

We'll always have the rattlesnakes. We've laughed about them ever since.

The Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) will celebrate Cuban Culture Day, (October 20) with a national event titled “Art and Homeland” (in spanish Arte y Patria), scheduled to take place from Monday, October 19, to Friday, October 30. The program includes panel discussions, concerts, exhibitions, exchange forums, and activities centered on artistic creation, history, and the defense of national identity.

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The event draws inspiration from the National Anthem, composed by Pedro “Perucho” Figueredo—a piece whose notes accompanied a decisive moment in Cuban history and remain a symbol of independence and emancipation.

“What better way to celebrate our national identity—that deep-rooted sense of ‘Cubanness’—than through art and music?” stated Magda Resik Aguirre, First Vice President of UNEAC, in remarks to the organization’s communications team.

Representatives from the UNEAC presidency and leadership will participate in the *Fiesta de la Cubanía* (Festival of Cuban Identity) in Bayamo—a city intrinsically linked to the birth and establishment of the national anthem as a patriotic symbol. The gathering will also commemorate the 65th anniversary of the writers’ and artists’ organization.

“Art and Homeland” is part of the Faithful Art (Arte Fiel) campaign, which honors the centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and the 65th anniversary of UNEAC. It also incorporates celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS), an institution dedicated to promoting Cuban culture, social engagement, and artistic excellence.

🎼🥁El espacio Detras de la Portada que mensualmente organizan la Sección de Musicología y la Asociación de Músicos de la Uneac, dedicará su próxima edición al DVD La Familia, de Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.#ArteFiel #65Uneac#MuñequitosDeMatanzas pic.twitter.com/cO5sGAiilb

— UNEAC (@UNEAC_online) October 17, 2026

The text reads, “The “Behind the Cover” (Detrás de la Portada) event, organized monthly by the Musicology Section and the Musicians’ Association of UNEAC, will dedicate its next edition to the DVD La Familia by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.”

The program includes discussions on the fight against racism and racial discrimination. The panel “Fidel and the Cuban Color: Racism and Discrimination 140 Years After the Abolition of Slavery” will be organized by UNEAC’s José Antonio Aponte Commission. Additionally, there will be a panel dedicated to the novel Paradiso by José Lezama Lima, marking six decades since its first publication.

The program will begin on October 19 at Sala Villena with a panel dedicated to Paradiso and the presentation of the DVD La Familia—produced by BisMusic from a concert by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas at the 2023 Jazz Plaza Festival. The group will subsequently give a special performance in the gardens of UNEAC.

On October 21, the printmaking exhibition Roots (in spanish Raíces) will open, followed by a gathering of *trova* musicians celebrating Cuban culture. The following day will feature the presentation of the Domingo Ravenet Curatorial Award and the opening of the exhibition Cartographies of Destiny (in spanish Cartografías del destino) by Santiago Rodríguez Olazábal.

From October 26 to 30, juries will convene to evaluate the admission of new members to UNEAC, both through its various associations and provincial committees. This process is part of the “Fidel Castro Ruz Centenary Special Growth” initiative and will include young creators from the AHS (Hermanos Saíz Association) who have established a solid body of excellent work.

The closing event on October 30 will include a segment titled “Chamber Music in Cuba” and a performance by Ernán López-Nussa alongside the ensemble Raptus, as part of the 15th Chamber Music Festival.

Resik noted that the organization will adjust schedules and venues to maintain its connection with the public and local communities, “We are fulfilling a duty we have as creators—to dedicate ourselves to the people, to our audience, and to the Cuban public”,explaining.

#Cuba | Havana says talks with Washington remain stalled as US oil restrictions worsen fuel shortages and disrupt essential services, including healthcare.
Cuba continues to call for dialogue ahead of the October 29 UN vote on the blockade.#OilBlockade #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/fycySzWm5T

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 16, 2026

Looters on Saturday seized the opportunity to raid and vandalise a host of shops and businesses across France – from bakeries and supermarkets to tech stores – as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest higher living costs and other grievances.

Alors que Moscou a lancé l'une de ses plus grandes attaques contre les infrastructures énergétiques ukrainiennes, le président ukrainien s'est exprimé sur l'alignement américain avec Moscou. Selon lui, exempter la Russie de nouvelles sanctions majeures est un « encouragement ».

Quatro pessoas ficaram feridas na sequência de acidentes rodoviários ocorridos este sábado, dia 17 de outubro, em Portimão.

O conteúdo Quatro feridos em acidentes na cidade de Portimão aparece primeiro em Algarve Marafado.

A 1ª Vara Federal de Porto Alegre determinou que a empresa Meta restabeleça, em até dois dias, as contas no Instagram de entidades estudantis do Rio Grande do Sul que foram bloqueadas. 

Segundo as entidades, no dia 6 de outubro a Meta derrubou, de forma simultânea e sem aviso prévio ou justificativa, as contas do Centro Acadêmico André da Rocha (@caarufrgs), do Serviço de Assessoria Jurídica Universitária (@sajudaufrgs) e do Diretório Acadêmico de Economia, Contábeis e Atuariais (@ufrgsdaeca), todos ligados à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) e também a conta do Diretório Central dos Estudantes da Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (@dceufcspa). 

Notícias relacionadas:

• TSE decide manter ordem para Meta garantir isonomia a candidatos.
• TSE define regras para canais de WhatsApp durante a campanha .
• TSE determina isonomia após IA da Meta barrar imagens de Lula.

O bloqueio aconteceu depois que as contas publicaram conteúdos chamando os estudantes para assembleias universitárias e manifestações públicas a favor da reeleição do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. 

Na tentativa de reverter o bloqueio, o Ministério Público Federal (MPF), em conjunto com o Serviço de Assessoria Jurídica Universitária (Saju) da Faculdade de Direito da UFRGS, entrou com uma ação civil pública contra a empresa de tecnologia. 

O MPF alega que a suspensão das contas configura censura e pode causar prejuízos à organização estudantil e ao acesso à assistência jurídica gratuita.

Apesar da decisão da Justiça, as contas seguiam suspensas até a tarde deste sábado (17). 

IA seletiva

Na quarta-feira (14), a campanha do candidato à reeleição Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) acionou o Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) depois que usuários da inteligência artificial do aplicativo WhatsApp, de propriedade da Meta, constataram que a IA não permitia a criação de conteúdos sobre Lula, mas liberava a criação de imagens relacionadas ao candidato Flávio Bolsonaro (PL). 

A ação também menciona restrições na entrega de postagens aos usuários de plataformas da Meta (Facebook, Instagram e WhatsApp).   

Na sexta-feira (16), o TSE decidiu, por unanimidade, manter a decisão individual do ministro Marco Aurélio Belizze que proibiu a Meta de restringir a entrega de postagens que envolvem os candidatos à Presidência da República. O objetivo é garantir isonomia entre os candidatos. 

Procurada, a Meta disse que não irá se manifestar.

Os aumentos rápidos nos níveis de glicose no sangue. Cinco passos são essenciais para evitar esses picos de glicemia. Os picos de glicemia são um assunto dentro do contexto de alimentação, de saúde; mas são um assunto relativamente pouco falado, sobretudo comparando com calorias, peso, açúcar es gorduras. Um pico de glicemia é um aumento rápido e acentuado da glicose no sangue após a ingestão de determinados alimentos: ricos em hidratos de carbono simples (como pão branco, bolos, refrigerantes ou arroz refinado). A glicose é a fonte de energia para o cérebro, músculos e células do organismo; é importante manter

Army says terror operatives targeted in past few days include a Hamas sniper, Nukhba commander and another 'involved in advancing attacks on troops'