WASHINGTON -- The United States will begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in September at U.S. Air Force bases in two southern states, the Department of Defense announced Thursday.

The training, which will include "several pilots and dozens of maintainers," will start in September with English-language classes to be offered at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told a press briefing.

After the trainees grasp the necessary language skills, they will then be trained on how to actually fly the F-16, and this process will begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, Ryder said. (US-Ukraine-F16 Training)

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KIEV -- Ukraine marked the 32nd anniversary of its Independence Day on Thursday under tightened security measures.

While addressing Independence Day celebrations at Saint Sophia Square in Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced his belief that Ukraine is capable of maintaining its independence. (Ukraine-Independence Day)

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ROME -- The scorching heatwave and drought that have gripped much of Italy this summer are set to give way to rain, hail and flood warnings over the weekend.

Italy has seen record temperatures in multiple cities this summer, resulting in widespread "red alerts" that signify health risks even for young and healthy individuals.

The heat and dry weather have resulted in many wildfires, and the erosion of the country's glaciers. (Italy-Weather)

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UNITED NATIONS -- The situation in Niger has made the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from neighboring Mali more complicated, said a UN spokesperson on Thursday.

The current developments in the region are making an already complex operation even more complex. And the time frame is quite short, said Florencia Soto Nino, associate spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "So, obviously, we are looking at how these could affect operations."

The UN Security Council decided in June to terminate the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and gave the mission six months -- until Dec. 31, 2023 -- to complete its withdrawal. (UN-Mali-Niger)

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