While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 18
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An Ukrainian trainee gets ready ahead of a flight with an unseen French military instructor onboard an Alpha Jet fighter jet.
PHOTO: AFP
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First Ukraine pilots trained to fly Western jets in France
At a secret location in southwestern France, a young Ukrainian pilot kept a tight grip on the controls of an Alpha Jet trainer aircraft.
The pilot – who was not allowed to speak to journalists – is a part of a 10-strong group of Ukrainians who have been undergoing accelerated six-month training in France using simulators and the twin-engined aircraft.
Aged 21 to 23, the Ukrainians are undergoing the same training as French pilots but in half the time – learning how to navigate, target and shoot.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers withdraw motion for new gun trial
NYT
Lawyers for Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, on Monday withdrew a filing seeking a new trial in his federal gun case, moments after the motion was uploaded to his case’s docket in Delaware federal court, according to a note on a court document website.
“The Motion for a New Trial (formerly DI 233) has been deleted at the request of counsel,” the note filed to the docket website read, describing it as a “correcting entry”.
Biden’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the action. A spokeswoman for government prosecutors declined to comment.
Von der Leyen set for second term as European Commission chief
REUTERS
Ursula von der Leyen was expected to secure informal backing on June 17 for a second term as president of the European Commission, which sets the EU agenda with legislative proposals, trade investigations and competition adjudication.
Back in 2019, the doctor-turned-German-defence-minister was a surprise pick to head the body, a decision that was only reached after marathon talks between EU leaders. This time round she is very much the front-runner.
Born in Brussels and the mother of seven children, she has chosen to live in a small flat next to her office on the 13th floor of the Commission’s Berlaymont headquarters to avoid the Belgian capital’s traffic.
US sues Adobe over subscription plan disclosures
REUTERS
The US government on June 17 sued Adobe, accusing the maker of Photoshop and Acrobat of harming consumers by enrolling them in its most lucrative subscription plans without clearly disclosing important terms.
In a complaint filed in the San Jose, California, federal court, the government said Adobe failed to adequately disclose hefty early termination fees, sometimes reaching hundreds of dollars, when customers sign up for “annual, paid monthly” subscription plans.
The government said Adobe hides important terms in fine print and behind textboxes and hyperlinks, clearly discloses the fees only when subscribers try to cancel, and makes canceling an onerous and complicated process.
Slovakia stun wasteful Belgium as VAR twice denies Lukaku
REUTERS
Ivan Schranz scored Slovakia’s quickest goal at a major tournament to take his side to a gritty upset 1-0 victory over wasteful Belgium in European Championship Group E on June 17.
It was Belgium’s first loss in 16 games under coach Domenico Tedesco and a flashback to their disastrous 2022 World Cup campaign, although they did have two goals ruled out by VAR.
Both were from the boot of Romelu Lukaku, the first for offside and the second a handball in the build-up on a hugely frustrating day for the burly striker in which he also missed several clear-cut chances.
