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Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested In France Over Moderation Policy On The Pro-free-speech Messaging App
August 25, 2024
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Russian-born founder and owner of Telegram was arrested Saturday, at Le Bourget airport outside Paris shortly after landing on a private jet from Azerbaijan. The 39-year-old billionaire who has dual French and UAE citizenship, has been placed in custody as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged wide range of crimes committed on the messaging app due to a lack of moderation, and a lack of cooperation with police.

Authorities have since reportedly extended Durov's detention to another 96 hours.

There was no initial official confirmation from France of the arrest, but police had reportedly spotted he was on the passenger list and moved to arrest him because he was the subject of an arrest warrant in France.

Telegram is famously known to be among the least censored social media platforms, The company says it "is committed to protecting user privacy and human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly." Durov has resisted attempts to get him to censor legal speech on the messaging app.

“We get too much attention from the FBI and other security agencies whenever we come to the U.S," Durov told popular American journalist and podcaster Tucker Carlson earlier in the year. "The last time I was in the U.S., I brought an engineer who works for Telegram. There was an attempt by cybersecurity officers or agents to secretly hire my engineer behind my back. They were curious to learn which open-source libraries are integrated into Telegram's app, and they tried to persuade him to use certain open-source tools that would serve as backdoors. I personally experienced similar pressure in the U.S. Whenever I would go to the U.S., I would have two FBI agents greet me at the airport, asking questions. My understanding is that they wanted to establish a relationship to control Telegram better.”

A cybersecurity gendarmerie unit and national anti-fraud police unit are reportedly leading the French investigation into Telegram and Durov.

In a statement on X, the company writes: "Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving. Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform."

Russia's foreign ministry said it had sent a note to Paris demanding access to Durov.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Durov had misjudged by fleeing Russia and thinking that he would never have to cooperate with the security services abroad.

Russian lawmaker Maria Butina, who spent 15 months in U.S. prison for acting as an unregistered Russian agent, said Durov "is a political prisoner - a victim of a witch-hunt by the West."

Durov arrest drew swift global condemnations with #FreePavel trending on social media, and many comparing France and Europe in general to the totalitarian regimes in China and North Korea where political dissent is not tolerated. Many on X raised concerns over travelling to France as a free-speech-minded tech entrepreneur.

Chris Pavlovski, CEO of YouTube rival Rumble whose platform has been forced to suspend services in France after rejecting regulator's demands to censor some users, wrote on X: "I’m a little late to this, but for good reason -- I’ve just safely departed from Europe. France has threatened Rumble, and now they have crossed a red line by arresting Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, reportedly for not censoring speech. Rumble will not stand for this behavior and will use every legal means available to fight for freedom of expression, a universal human right. We are currently fighting in the courts of France, and we hope for Pavel Durov’s immediate release."

In a earlier post, he noted: "China bans Rumble; France threatens Rumble, we leave; Brazil threatens Rumble, we leave; UK threatens Rumble; Russia bans Rumble; New Zealand threatens Rumble; France arrests Telegram CEO. Free speech is under major assault and I will not stop fighting for it."

X owner and Tesla chief, Elon Musk wrote, "It's 2030 in Europe and you’re being executed for liking a meme." And responding to an X user who asked why Mark Zuckerberg is not facing the same prosecution given the prevalence of prohibited content across Meta platforms like Facebook and Whatsapp, Musk wrote, "Because he already caved into censorship pressure. Instagram has a massive child exploitation problem, but no arrest for Zuck, as he censors free speech and gives governments backdoor access to user data."

Telegram, with close to 1 billion users, is particularly influential in Russia, Ukraine and the republics of the former Soviet Union. The platform is also a political propaganda battlefield used by activists and influential leaders across the world including pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups, the Russian government, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and his officials.

Durov launched Telegram after he was pressured by Russian authorities to sell his social media platform VK. His younger brother, Nikolai, designed the encryption used in Telegram, according to Durov.

"I would rather be free than to take orders from anyone," Durov said in April about his exit from Russia and search for a home for his company, which included stints in Berlin, London, Singapore and San Francisco. He finally settled in Dubai, UAE.

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Former Prince Andrew Arrested Over Latest Epstein Files Revelations

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested Thursday, on his 66th birthday, at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest, carried out by Thames Valley Police, followed revelations from newly released U.S. Department of Justice documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The allegations center on claims that while serving as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment (2001–2011), Andrew shared confidential government information with Epstein during his tenure as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment (2001–2011).

Emails released as part of the Epstein files appear to show Andrew forwarding sensitive reports about his official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, as well as a confidential brief on investment opportunities in post-war Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to Epstein.

The files reportedly show him sending the material to Epstein shortly after receiving it (one just five minutes later; another on Christmas Eve 2010). This is a common-law offence of misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and involves the willful abuse or neglect of public trust by a public official. Police opened the formal investigation after assessing a complaint (partly triggered by anti-monarchy group Republic and new evidence from US files).

Andrew was taken into custody around 8 a.m. GMT, photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk later that evening, and released under investigation—meaning he has not been charged but remains under scrutiny. Police conducted searches at his Sandringham residence and his former home, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire.

The 66-year-old has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He previously settled a civil case with Virginia Giuffre, a prominent accuser who alleged he sexually abused her when she was a minor, though he has consistently denied those claims.

King Charles III, Andrew’s brother, expressed "deepest concern" over the arrest in a statement, emphasizing that "the law must take its course" and affirming full support for the police investigation. Notably, neither the King nor Buckingham Palace was informed in advance of the arrest.

This arrest marks the first time in modern history a senior member of the British royal family has been taken into custody, making it a historic and highly sensitive moment for the monarchy. The incident follows years of scrutiny over Andrew’s ties to Epstein, culminating in the revocation of his royal titles in October 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on Thursday, shortly after Andrew's arrest, describing the arrest as “a shame”** and repeatedly called it “very sad”** and **“so bad for the royal family.” He emphasized that he is an “expert” on the Epstein case, stating he has been “totally exonerated” and “did nothing” wrong.

When asked if American associates of Epstein could face similar arrests, Trump said, “Well, you know, I’m the expert in a way, because I’ve been totally exonerated.” He also referenced King Charles III, who is scheduled to visit the U.S. in April, calling him a “fantastic man, king.”

Trump claimed that “nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive, but now they speak,” and added that Epstein was “against me” and “fighting me in the election.”

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3 Dead After Transgender Gunman Opens Fire At Rhode Island Ice Hockey Game Killing Ex-wife

Robert Dorgan, 56, who used the name Roberta Esposito, opened fire at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school boys’ ice hockey game Monday, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan Dorgan, who was a senior at North Providence High School and playing in the game.

Three others, including a family friend, were critically injured before Dorgan died by suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed the incident was a targeted family dispute. An adult daughter of Dorgan later told reporters, “He shot my family, and he’s dead now,” describing her father as “very sick” and “mentally ill.”

Witnesses described confusion at first, mistaking gunshots for crowd noise. A parent attempted to intervene but was overpowered. Dorgan was armed with two guns, both recovered at the scene.

The shooting reportedly stemmed from a long history of family conflict, primarily tied to Dorgan’s gender transition. In 2020, Rhonda Dorgan filed for divorce, initially citing gender reassignment surgery and narcissistic personality disorder traits as grounds—reasons later replaced with “irreconcilable differences.”

The divorce was finalized in June 2021. Dorgan, who had lived in Florida as a truck driver, reportedly faced threats from his father-in-law, who allegedly demanded he leave the family home after his transition and threatened him with violence, including being “murdered by an Asian street gang.”

Dorgan reportedly had a documented history of mental health struggles and family disputes. He accused his mother of assault in 2020, and court records show he reported threats from his father-in-law, though charges were later dismissed.

In the days before the shooting, Dorgan posted disturbing messages online under the name Roberta Dorgano, including a warning: “Keep bashing us. But do not wonder why we Go BESERK,” in response to anti-trans rhetoric. He also shared a video of a woman loading ammunition while running on a treadmill.

On the day of the shooting, Dorgan posted on social media: “I have a beloved RHONDA too, my friend,” referencing a post by Rep. Thomas Massie about his late wife. The attack unfolded around 2:30 PM during the game.

The shooter's daughter Ava Dorgan (20), who was not at the game, reportedly confirmed the next day that her mother Rhonda and brother Aidan were killed, while her maternal grandparents and her mother's friend were critically injured.

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SpaceX Crew-12 Astronauts Arrive At Short-staffed ISS On Valentine's Day

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"With that gentle contact, we have bridged the legacy of humankind's continuous presence in space. It has been more than 25 years at this very site," radioed Jessica Meir, Crew-12 commander. "The International Space Station is more than a structure, it is a promise kept. Decades in the making, built by nations, sustained by trust and partnerships, and powered by science, innovation and curiosity."

"As we look back at Earth through these windows, we are reminded that cooperation is not just possible, it is essential. Up here there are no borders and hope is universal," she said.

SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched the Crew-12 mission on Friday (Feb. 13), at 1015 UTC from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Also aboard Freedom are mission pilot and NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot; and mission specialist and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev.

“Soft capture complete.” Meir confirmed Dragon's soft capture with the ISS port.

After standard leak checks and pressure equalization, the hatches between the Dragon and the ISS opened at 2030 UTC.

The new crew was welcomed aboard the ISS by the Expedition 74 crew: NASA’s Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev.

The crew unveiled a handmade crocheted zero-G indicator featuring a model of Earth with four connected satellites, each representing a crew member. The Earth was made by Meir’s childhood friend, and the bananas symbolize Adenot.

The crew shared a message of unity: “We’re reminded that we’re all connected. Take care of one another and keep reaching higher.”

After hatch opening, the crew began offloading cargo and transitioning into their new orbital home. Their mission includes two spacewalks (postponed due to Crew-11’s early departure), research on microgravity’s effects on human physiology, pneumonia-causing bacteria, and plant-microbe interactions to support future Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars.

The ISS had been operating with a "skeleton crew" of three after the unprecedented medical evacuation of the Crew-11 astronauts in mid-January 2026 due to a serious health issue. Crew-12 was launched to restore the station’s full crew of seven, ensuring continuity of scientific operations and station maintenance.

The mission follows the Crew-9 return, which saw NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore spend nearly nine months on the ISS after their original Starliner mission was cut short due to technical issues.

Crew-12 mission marks SpaceX’s 12th long-duration crewed flight to the ISS since 2020. The ISS is expected to remain operational until 2030, under a U.S.-Russia-led international partnership.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched the Crew-12 mission on Friday (Feb. 13), at 1015 UTC from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The rocket carried the Crew Dragon 'Freedom' capsule with four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), replacing the Crew-11 team that departed early due to the first-ever medical evacuation from the ISS.

Falcon 9 first stage B1101, previously used in the Starlink 6-88 mission, successfully returned to Earth and landed at Landing Zone 40 (LZ-40) — the first crewed mission to land at the pad adjacent to the launch site.

The Falcon 9's upper stage, meanwhile, continued its course into orbit and separated from Freedom after an orbital insertion burn. The capsule is scheduled to dock with the Harmony module’s zenith port on the ISS at about 2015 UTC on Feb. 14, 2026.

Crew-11 mission was cut short in mid-January 2026 after an undisclosed serious health condition affected one crew member, prompting an emergency return to Earth. This left the ISS operating with a skeleton crew of three: NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.

To restore the ISS to its normal crew complement of seven, NASA and SpaceX accelerated the Crew-12 launch to ensure a timely relief mission.

Aboard Freedom are Commander and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, a marine biologist who is on her second spaceflight, previously made history with the first all-female spacewalk; Mission pilot Jack Hathaway a rookie NASA astronaut and former U.S. Navy fighter pilot; mission specialist and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot a French helicopter pilot on first spaceflight; and mission specialist and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev who is on second ISS mission and replaced cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, who was pulled from the mission in December 2025.

"That was quite a ride," Meir radioed to Mission Control after reaching orbit. "We have left the Earth, but the Earth has not left us."

During their about 8-month stay in space, they will continue research into microgravity's effects on human physiology and technologies supporting future Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars. They will also perform station maintenance, including two spacewalks that were postponed after the emergence of the Crew-11 medical situation.

Crew-12 was the second-ever crewed flight to launch from SLC-40 and the first mission to use SpaceX's new landing zone at that pad, dubbed LZ-40. SpaceX's previous crewed missions have primarily launched from Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, which is a few miles up the coast from the Space Force station. But recent work at LC-39A has prompted SpaceX to move all Falcon 9 launches to SLC-40 going forward.

SpaceX recently removed the crew access arm on the tower at LC-39A and is continuing construction at the pad to support its new Starship rocket, which recently cleared an environmental review for future launches from the Space Coast. The company will continue launching Falcon Heavy missions from LC-39A and is expected to complete construction to support Starship this year.

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