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Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested
Pavel Durov, the billionaire CEO of the Telegram messaging service, was arrested over the weekend at a French airport. The arrest is reportedly linked to allegations that Durov failed to prevent criminal activities from occurring on the platform. Concerns have been raised for years that private messaging services could be exploited to share illegal content or facilitate criminal communications. The news of Durov’s arrest sparked widespread outrage among tech leaders and public figures from various political backgrounds.
Prominent voices such as Elon Musk, Edward Snowden, Lex Fridman, and Tucker Carlson condemned the arrest, criticizing the French government for what they see as a threat to free speech rights. Meanwhile, Telegram has stated that it complies with European Union regulations and continuously works to enhance its moderation practices.
Meta Accuses Iran of Hacking Attempt
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has accused an Iranian hacking group of attempting to exploit WhatsApp accounts belonging to U.S. officials, including members of teams from President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Meta specifically identified the group as APT42, which is suspected to have ties to Iran’s military and is known for surveilling targets’ phones to access sensitive information.
Meta reported that the suspicious activity was flagged, and the accounts were subsequently blocked before any breaches could occur. The company emphasized that there is no current evidence to suggest the WhatsApp accounts were successfully compromised. This incident is part of a broader pattern of foreign interference by hostile states, such as China, Russia, and Iran, particularly in the run-up to major elections.
India Launches Its First Reusable Hybrid Rocket
India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, Rhumi-1, was successfully launched from a mobile launchpad on Chennai’s East Coast Road. The event was attended by enthusiastic spectators and participants of the ‘Edutech for Space’ program, who had contributed to Mission Rhumi over the past year. Developed by Space Zone India and Martin Group, Rhumi-1 carried three cube satellites for atmospheric data collection and deployed 50 Pico satellites.
Weighing approximately 80 kilograms and standing around 3.5 meters tall, Rhumi-1 is constructed as a single piece and combines the benefits of liquid oxidizer and solid fuel propellant systems. Mission Rhumi aims to be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective compared to traditional rocket technologies.