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Telegram Co-Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in Paris, Heightening EU Scrutiny

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The surprise arrest of Pavel Durov, co-founder of the messaging app Telegram, in Paris last Saturday has intensified scrutiny on the platform. The arrest follows a French investigation into serious allegations including organized crime, child sex abuse images, fraud, and money laundering. This development has put Telegram, known for its massive user base and minimal regulation, under an unprecedented spotlight.

The arrest has raised questions about the effectiveness of the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to regulate large online platforms and ensure the removal of illegal content. Although the European Commission has distanced itself from the French investigation, the charges against Durov underscore the pressure on EU regulators to enforce the DSA effectively. Critics argue that if Telegram’s content moderation issues are serious enough to warrant criminal investigation, it should be addressed under the DSA’s provisions.

Telegram, which has close to a billion global users but reports only 41 million active users in the EU, is now facing potential direct oversight by EU authorities. As the European Commission reviews the platform’s user figures and compliance with DSA regulations, the call for greater transparency and accountability grows louder. Digital rights advocates emphasize that platforms of Telegram’s scale must operate with more openness to ensure regulatory oversight and public trust.

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Jamala: Ukrainian Eurovision winner added to Russia’s wanted list

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Ukrainian Eurovision song contest winner Jamala, whose real name is Susana Jamaladinova, has been added to Russia’s wanted list, according to state media. The accusations against her include spreading fake information about the Russian armed forces, a charge often used by the Kremlin against those critical of Russia’s actions. Jamala, known for openly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was placed on the wanted list last month. The independent Russian human rights website Mediazona reported this, and details of the listing became widely known on Monday.

Russian breaking news Telegram channel Shot claimed that Jamala was added to the list for posting alleged “fakes” about atrocities in the Ukrainian town of Bucha in 2022. The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the Bucha massacre, despite evidence indicating Russian forces’ involvement. Jamala, currently in Australia after fleeing Ukraine with her family following the invasion, responded to the news by posting a photo of herself in front of the Sydney Opera House with a link to an article about it and a facepalm emoji.

Jamala won Eurovision in 2016 with the song “1944,” inspired by the forced deportation of her people, the Crimean Tatars, by Russia during that year. The song, perceived as addressing Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, caused controversy for allegedly breaking the competition’s rule against overtly political songs. However, organizers allowed it, and it ultimately won, defeating Russia. Jamala, in her 40s, has been vocal about using her music to give a strong voice to her homeland, Crimea, and to counter the historical narratives propagated by the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. She emphasized the importance of revealing the truth through her songs in her latest folk album, Qirim.

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Anti-Israel mob storms Dagestan airport in Russia

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Israel has called upon Russia to protect “all of its citizens and all Jews” following a large mob’s assault on a Dagestan airport, with some members shouting anti-Semitic slogans. Video footage circulated on social media depicted a frenzied crowd dashing through the airport in Makhachkala, reportedly targeting individuals arriving from Tel Aviv.

Certain members of the crowd breached the runway and encircled aircraft parked there. Rosaviatsia, Russia’s aviation agency, confirmed that security forces ultimately regained control of the situation. Consequently, the airport was shut down and is expected to remain closed until Tuesday, as confirmed by Rosaviatsia.

According to local interior ministry sources, around sixty alleged participants in the mob have been apprehended. Videos showcased hundreds of individuals storming the airport terminal, some waving Palestinian flags. Reports also emerged of demonstrators stopping vehicles outside Makhachkala’s airport, demanding to inspect documents in a chaotic quest for Israeli passports.

The health ministry of the republic reported that twenty individuals, including several police officers, sustained injuries, with some in critical condition. Dagestan’s government initiated a criminal case for the disorder.

In response to the incident, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office insisted that Russia take decisive action against the incitement of violence targeting Jews and Israelis. The United States similarly condemned the anti-Semitic protests, with the White House National Security Council spokesperson emphasizing solidarity with the global Jewish community and unequivocally denouncing anti-Semitism.

Governor Sergei Melikov of Dagestan condemned the airport invasion in a Telegram post, condemning the mistreatment of strangers and attacks on women with children. He considered the mob’s actions a betrayal of Dagestani patriots, including those serving in the Russian armed forces in Ukraine.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared that the Israeli ambassador in Moscow was collaborating with Russian authorities. The ministry underscored that Israel views attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews with great concern, expecting Russian law enforcement to ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews and take robust measures against the rioters and the unfettered incitement targeting Jews and Israelis.

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Prigozhin: Wagner Shifts Focus to Africa and Belarus, Pauses Fighter Recruitment

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Head of Wagner Mercenary Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced in an audio message released by a Wagner-linked Telegram account that the group will continue its operations in Africa and Belarus but is currently not actively recruiting new fighters. Prigozhin stated that the majority of Wagner fighters are currently on leave due to a period of intense work. The group is in the process of determining its future objectives, which will be undertaken for the benefit of Russia.

While the group remains operational in Africa and maintains training centers in Belarus, Prigozhin did not provide specific details. Wagner is known for its presence in various African regions and its involvement in training Belarusian territorial defense forces. However, he emphasized that they do not plan to recruit new personnel at present. Nonetheless, if the country requires a new group to safeguard its interests, Wagner will initiate recruitment.

Prigozhin also mentioned that some fighters from the group have opted to transfer to other Russian power structures, a move that the group does not restrict. In June, Wagner fighters participated in a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military leadership, and in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, President Vladimir Putin invited non-participating Wagner fighters to sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry.

In recent developments, on Monday morning, four people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, following Russian missile strikes. A drone attack was also reported in Russia’s border region of Bryansk, with a police station being hit. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin accused Ukraine of the drone attack on the Russian capital, resulting in damage to two office blocks. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that war was returning to Russia, and attacks on Russian territory were a natural consequence of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

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