Italy has officially announced that its Trapani-Birgi Air Base in Sicily will become the first F-35 training school outside the United States, responding to growing demand for pilot training following new European orders of the aircraft. The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed Martin will oversee the development of the facility, with initial ground training set to begin by December 2028 and the completion of the “Lightning Training Centre” expected by July 2029, according to the Italian Defense Ministry.
The €112.6 million ($131.4 million) project, funded by Italian taxpayers, will include two full mission simulators. Trapani-Birgi will also become Italy’s third F-35 base, hosting one squadron of Italian jets and one for international students, alongside existing bases at Amendola and Ghedi. The ministry stated that the new school addresses the increasing training needs driven by NATO and European participation in the F-35 program. It emphasized Italy’s strong political commitment to strengthening its strategic role, highlighting that Trapani will be the first F-35 Pilot Training Center outside the U.S.
Italian defense firm Leonardo was selected by Lockheed Martin to co-develop the school, building on their partnership in the F-35 Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade (MRO&U) hub at Cameri Air Base in northern Italy. Cameri handles final assembly and maintenance for Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, and even U.K.-based F-35s. The new school also builds on Italy’s expanding international pilot training efforts. The Italian Air Force’s training school at Decimomannu in Sardinia operates 22 M-346 jets with 40 instructors and has trained pilots from countries including Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, the U.K., and Saudi Arabia.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Defense News.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the State Election Commission to conduct elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions at the earliest and in any case before April 30, ruling that elected local bodies cannot continue beyond their five-year constitutional term due to administrative delays or disaster-related orders. A Division Bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Romesh Verma passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Dikken Kumar Thakur and another petitioner, who argued that extending the tenure of PRIs beyond January 31 would violate Article 243-E of the Constitution. The petitioners also sought immediate notification of the election schedule and timely completion of the electoral process.
The state government defended the delay by citing an October 8, 2025 order of the State Disaster Management Authority following severe monsoon damage, including cloudbursts, floods and landslides that resulted in 270 deaths and losses exceeding Rs 5,400 crore. The government contended that elections should be held only after full restoration of road connectivity.
Rejecting this reasoning, the Court held that the Disaster Management Act, though a special law, cannot override constitutional provisions or the authority of the State Election Commission. It noted that normal conditions had largely returned, public events were being conducted, and there was no justification for a blanket postponement of elections.
The Bench also dismissed the government’s reliance on pending delimitation, litigation over reorganisation of local bodies and amendments to election rules, observing that delimitation is an ongoing process and cannot be used to delay constitutionally mandated elections. It further pointed out that previous elections were conducted based on the 2011 Census and the same could continue if required. Citing Supreme Court rulings in Kishansing Tomar, Suresh Mahajan and Rahul Ramesh Wagh, the Court reaffirmed that elections to local bodies must be completed before the expiry of their term and cannot be stalled by administrative or legislative delays.
Emphasising that the State Election Commission is an independent constitutional authority, the Court directed the state government to provide full cooperation, staff and logistical support. It also took note of reports that some district officials were instructed not to collect election material despite Commission orders, describing such conduct as harmful to the constitutional process.
While acknowledging practical challenges such as examinations and Assembly sessions, the Court made it clear that elections cannot be postponed indefinitely. It directed the Election Commission, Panchayati Raj Department and the state government to coordinate and finalise a concrete plan to hold the elections expeditiously, preferably by April 2026 and in any case before April 30, 2026. Disposing of the petition, the Court reaffirmed that grassroots democracy cannot be suspended except in the rarest circumstances and that constitutional timelines must be strictly followed.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is set to make an official visit to Japan on January 13 and 14 for a high-level summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee’s office announced on Friday, January 9. The visit reflects continued efforts by both governments to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation on key regional and global issues.
The summit will be held in Nara City on January 13 and will be followed by a formal dinner between the two leaders. According to the presidential office, President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi are expected to engage in detailed discussions on a wide range of topics, including regional security, international developments, and important economic and social matters affecting both countries. Their schedule also includes joint participation in several diplomatic events, underscoring the symbolic importance of the visit. In addition, President Lee will hold a separate meeting with South Korean residents living in Japan, reflecting his administration’s focus on strengthening ties with overseas Korean communities.
The primary objective of the summit is to advance South Korea–Japan relations in a stable and future-oriented direction, the presidential office said, emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue between the two neighbors. Officials indicated that the talks may also cover sensitive regional issues, including the ongoing dispute between China and Japan. Another key topic expected to be raised is the possible participation of North Korean athletes in the Asian Games scheduled for September in Japan. Lee’s national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, noted during a briefing on Friday that such discussions could contribute to easing regional tensions and promoting broader cooperation in East Asia.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
A serious health issue involving one of the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has forced Nasa to bring the affected astronaut and three fellow crew members back to Earth several months ahead of schedule, marking the first emergency return in the ISS’s 25-year history, according to senior agency officials.
Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference in Washington on Thursday (Jan 8), Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman explained that the decision was made because the necessary medical diagnosis and treatment could not be properly carried out in space. He declined to identify the astronaut or reveal the nature of the condition.
Nasa officials also withheld which of the four Crew-11 astronauts was affected, citing medical privacy. James Polk, Nasa’s Chief Health and Medical Officer, emphasized that the condition was not related to any operational activity, meaning it did not occur while the astronaut was working. The agency had already cancelled a planned spacewalk scheduled for Thursday after flagging a medical concern on Wednesday, later announcing that it was considering ending the astronaut’s mission early.
The crew consists of Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke from the United States, Kimiya Yui of Japan, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They launched from Florida in August and were originally expected to return in May. Fincke, the station’s commander, and Cardman, the flight engineer, had been preparing for a 6.5-hour spacewalk to install equipment outside the station.
Medical matters aboard the ISS are typically treated with strict confidentiality, and astronauts rarely discuss such issues publicly. Spacewalks themselves are demanding and hazardous operations that require extensive preparation, bulky protective suits, and precisely coordinated procedures while astronauts remain tethered to the station. Nasa has previously cancelled spacewalks for health reasons, including one in 2024 due to spacesuit discomfort and another in 2021 when astronaut Mark Vande Hei withdrew because of a pinched nerve.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Delhi Police arrested another suspect, Mohd Imran (36), in the Turkman Gate stone-pelting case, bringing total arrests to 12. Security was tightened around the area ahead of Friday prayers, with police and paramilitary forces deployed, drone surveillance in place, and checkpoints set up. Authorities said the situation is under control and urged people to remain calm and ignore unverified messages.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Protests have erupted nationwide following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during the Trump administration’s most recent immigration enforcement campaign. Footage of the shooting of Minnesota resident Renee Nicole Good has circulated widely on social media, triggering demonstrations and candlelight vigils. Lucy Hough discusses the incident with Oliver Laughland, the Guardian US southern bureau chief.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian
Soaring rents are pushing businesses out of Kampong Glam, with many shopowners who recently renewed their leases reporting sharp increases — in some cases nearly double — which they attribute to a growing trend of subletting. Over the years, many vacated spaces have been replaced primarily by souvenir stores and photobooths. Andrea Heng and Elakeyaa Selvaraji analyse the data and discuss its implications with Zaki Maarof, Chairman of the Kampong Gelam Alliance.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Singapore’s “dead birds” hotline recorded its highest number of reports last year, reflecting a growing toll of birds killed after colliding with glass surfaces on buildings. The museum notes that the problem is expanding beyond sheer numbers, now affecting newer and sometimes rarer species as urban development intensifies. The report explores the causes behind these collisions, the reasons bird-friendly architecture has yet to become common practice, and the practical solutions—such as specially treated glass and façade modifications—that could significantly reduce bird deaths. Andrea Heng and Rani Samtani discuss these issues with Dr Tan Yen Yi, Research Fellow at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was controversially taken into custody by US special forces and appeared in a Manhattan courtroom. The arrest followed months of US pressure on Maduro, including strikes against “narco-boats” and oil tanker blockades. Donald Trump has since asserted that the US plans to “take over” Venezuela—but how exactly would that happen?
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
