EXCLUSIVE. Pavel Durov on his arrest in France, Macron, Russia, the FBI — and the fight for Telegram
Who really knows Pavel Durov ? Arrested in France and facing charges as explosive as they are controversial – complicity in drug trafficking, money laundering, organized fraud among others –, the creator of Telegram, the encrypted messaging app used by more than a billion people worldwide, including Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron, denounces a conspiracy, a denial of justice, and claims to be already punished without having been tried.
In this extensive interview, the longest he has ever given, the man who founded VKontakte (the "Russian Facebook") before leaving Russia in 2014 to preserve his independence reflects on his fight for freedom of expression, his categorical refusal to sell Telegram, his concerns about the future of democracy, his deep attachment to France.
He reveals information about several state powers and intelligence services, including the FBI and DGSE. He also shares his views on Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman, the creator of ChatGPT. For the first time, Pavel Durov opens up about his admiration for Malcolm X's battles, the readings that shaped him, the figures that inspire him, and reveals intimate family memories, long kept secret. A hunted man, who claims to be ready to die rather than betray his values.
Le Point: You are charged with 17 very serious counts related to child pornography, drug trafficking, money laundering... Do you understand what you are accused of ?
Pavel Durov: It's totally absurd. Just because crim [...] Lire la suite
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The Hill
40 minutes ago
- The Hill
Spain asks for break on NATO contribution: Report
Leaders in Madrid urged NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to exempt them from a proposed defense spending goal set at 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) ahead of next week's summit at The Hague. 'Committing to a 5% target would not only be unreasonable, but also counterproductive, as it would move Spain further away from optimal spending and would hinder the EU's ongoing efforts to strengthen its security and defence ecosystem,' Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote in a letter to Rutte, according to a copy reviewed by Reuters. 'It is the legitimate right of every government to decide whether or not they are willing to make those sacrifices. As a sovereign Ally, we choose not to,' he added. Spain currently has the lowest military spending among member nations, devoting 1.3 percent of its GDP to defense spending last year, according to reports from Politico EU. Member nations agreed to commit 2 percent of their GDP to defense spending in 2014, with the hope of ensuring NATO can sustain continued military readiness. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has sparked concerns about the possibility of a wider war involving Europe amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's push to obtain more land. However, Spain said the Kremlin poses no current threat to its borders but did not oppose heightened security for other NATO member nations. 'Of course, it is not our intention to limit the spending ambitions of other allies or to obstruct the outcome of the upcoming summit,' Sanchez wrote in the letter. Rutte has suggested that an increase in defense spending levels should ensure that 3.5 percent of GDP is allocated to military expenditures, while 1.5 percent is allocated for defense-related items, such as military mobility and cybersecurity, Politico EU reported. However, Sanchez said the policy would force Spain to purchase off-the-shelf equipment instead of cultivating its own industrial base as recorded in his letter. President Trump has encouraged Rutte's push for growth, citing a mounting concern for the United States' dominant support of the war in Ukraine, a non-member nation designated as a NATO partner country. Although his administration signed a minerals agreement with the country to recoup the financial commitment seeped in weapons packages and the purchase of military equipment, the president has urged other nations to help back the Eastern European ally. 'I didn't see Spain's comments, I'll make sure the president sees them and I can assure you he wants to see all European countries pay their fair share and meet that 5 percent threshold,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during Thursday's press briefing. 'It's only fair considering the American taxpayers have given a significant chunk of money to the tune of billions of dollars to support our mutual interests and our assured defense.' The NATO summit is set to take place from June 24-25 and would require all 32 member nations to approve the increase in defense spending to solidify the objective. 'The NATO Summit is coming at a very precarious moment for the transatlantic relationship, marked by uncertainty about the US commitment to Europe, a relative stalemate in peace negotiations between Russia, and Ukraine and ongoing tensions over transatlantic trade,' Lauren Speranza, a fellow at the Center for European Progress said in a statement. 'As the first NATO summit of President Trump's second term, I do think The meeting will offer us some insight into how the administration will approach the Alliance going forward, following some of the previous criticisms we've heard of NATO and calls for Europe to do more to take greater responsibility for its own defense.'
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Trump starts countdown on Iran
Evening Report is The Hill's p.m. newsletter. Click here to sign up or subscribe below: Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here THE WHITE HOUSE said Thursday that President Trump will make his decision on whether to strike Iran's nuclear sites over the next two weeks, giving negotiators time to reach a diplomatic solution. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump to reporters in the briefing room: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place in the near future, I will make my decision of whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' the statement read. Leavitt said correspondence between the U.S. and Iran about a potential nuclear deal 'has continued' in 'both direct and indirect ways.' 'If there's a chance for diplomacy the president is always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength either,' she added. The White House sidestepped a question on whether Trump could seek regime change in Iran. 'The president's top priority right now is ensuring that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon and providing peace and stability in the Middle East,' Leavitt said. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the U.S. and Israel know where he's hiding but have decided not to kill him 'for now.' Global leaders are pushing for a diplomatic end to the war between Israel and Iran. Officials from Iran and three major European countries are expected to meet Friday in Geneva. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Germany and France, as well as European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. Araghchi said the European countries requested the meeting, which will focus on persuading Iran to guarantee its nuclear program is used solely for civilian purposes. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has spoken to Trump about a diplomatic solution to the war, has offered to broker a deal between Israel and Iran. 'In my view, a solution could be found,' Putin told reporters. When asked about the possibility of Israel or the U.S. assassinating Khamenei, Putin responded: 'I don't even want to discuss such a possibility.' Putin is involved in his own war with Ukraine and has refused to engage in negotiations for a peace deal. Trump will attend next week's NATO summit in the Netherlands. He's expected to depart Monday for the two-day event, after cutting his appearance at the Group of Seven (G7) summit short earlier this week to return to Washington to strategize about Iran. ATTACKS RAMP UP Israel and Iran have escalated their strikes on each other. Iranian missiles hit a major hospital in Israel early Thursday, wounding dozens and causing 'extensive damage' to the complex. Israel vowed to hold Khamenei responsible for 'war crimes,' with its defense chief saying the Supreme Leader 'cannot continue to exist.' Israeli officials promised to intensify air strikes, after recent success with hits on Iran's nuclear and missile sites, as well as targeted assassinations that have decimated Khamenei's inner circle. However, Iran says it's on standby with missiles ready to strike U.S. bases in the region if the Trump administration joins the war. The U.S. has begun evacuations of diplomats and non-essential personnel from Israel, with Americans fleeing on flights headed to Florida. Trump is the wild card in the conflict, perhaps as a designed negotiating strategy. He's said he may authorize U.S. strikes to take out Iranian nuclear facilities or he may not. He's said he'll make a decision at the last possible moment. Trump held another meeting with his senior intelligence and national security officials in the Situation Room on Thursday. He's been in frequent contact with his National Security Council and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president disputed a report in The Wall Street Journal that he'd approved an attack plan but has held back on green-lighting it. 'The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!' Trump posted on Truth Social. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that the Pentagon has provided military options to Trump. Hegseth told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that U.S. troops are providing 'maximum force protection' in the Middle East and that no decision had been reached yet about whether the U.S. would fly B-2 stealth bombers over Iran to drop a 'bunker buster' bomb that could destroy Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, which is hidden beneath mountains. 💡Perspectives: Read more: NEWS THIS AFTERNOON Senate Republican leaders are making overtures to holdouts on President Trump's agenda bill, as they scramble to reach consensus ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is working closely with Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to address GOP concerns about Medicaid and other contentious issues in the 'big, beautiful deal.' The Hill's Alexander Bolton writes: 'Republican senators who have voiced concerns about tough new restrictions on states' ability to use health care provider taxes to collect more federal Medicaid funding say they are working with Thune on proposals to help rural hospitals in their states from going out of business.' The White House is watching closely. 'Republicans in Congress have a mandate to deliver and President Trump demands they send this historic bill to his desk for signature by Independence Day,' press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. Several other issues are also under scrutiny: • Senate Republicans omitted language in their version of the bill providing work requirement exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals and youth that were in foster care who receive food assistance. • The Senate bill would put 2 million acres of public land in 11 states up for sale, drawing criticism from conservationists. • A new report finds the combined trust funds for Social Security will run out in 2034, earlier than previously forecast. 💡Perspectives: Read more: IN OTHER NEWS The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is placing new limitations on lawmakers seeking to visit immigrant detention facilities, after several visits from Democrats have resulted in confrontations, skirmishes and arrests. As part of their oversight duties, members are legally allowed to make unannounced visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. The new guidelines would require lawmakers give 72 hours notice before any visits, while requiring their staff to give 24 hours notice. In addition, lawmakers will not be able to visit ICE field offices. The guidelines also require 48 hours notice for meeting with specific detainees, and limit the size of groups seeking to tour facilities. Democrats blasted the new guidelines. '[DHS Secretary] Kristi Noem's new policy to block congressional oversight of ICE facilities is not only unprecedented, it is an affront to the Constitution and Federal law,' Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said in a statement. Earlier this month, prosecutors brought charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), accusing her of assaulting law enforcement during a scrum outside of a New Jersey detention facility. Charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) were dropped. Separately, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was handcuffed on the ground after disrupting Noem's press conference on anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. This week, Democrat Brad Lander, who is running for mayor of New York City, was arrested and briefly detained for impeding ICE operations at an immigration court. MORE IMMIGRATION NEWS… • White House border czar Tom Homan said Thursday that ICE is focusing on immigration raids in sanctuary cities run by Democrats. 'That's where the problem is,' Homan said. 'They knowingly release public safety threats, illegal aliens to the community every day. So that's why we're sending more resources to sanctuary cities.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed those remarks. 'Illegal aliens who are hiding in America's so-called sanctuary cities will be targeted for removal,' she said. 'Radical Democrats will no longer be allowed to shelter illegals who threaten public safety as part of their cynical effort to expand political power, drain the American taxpayer and artificially lower wages and steal American jobs.' • The State Department will restart interviews and process foreign student visas, but it now will ask applicants to make their social media public for vetting, with potential denial if they refuse. The State Department says it's looking for those who 'pose a threat to U.S. national security.' The Hill's Lexi Lonas writes: 'The announcement comes as a sigh of relief to students who have been accepted to U.S. schools and need to pay their tuition and register for housing. But it also escalates the battle begun under President Trump, with foreign students arrested, visas pulled and Harvard University told it could no longer admit international students.' 💡Perspectives: Read more: Thanks for reading! Check out more newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov plans to leave fortune to his 100-plus children
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, a messaging app, has fathered more than 100 children, all of whom will share in the inheritance of his multi-billion-dollar fortune, he told French magazine Le Point in a wide-ranging interview published Thursday. Durov, who told the magazine that he recently drafted his will, said that his children will inherit his fortune, but not for 30 years from today. He is worth $13.9 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Durov didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from CBS MoneyWatch. "I want them to live like normal people, to build themselves up alone, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create, not to be dependent on a bank account," he told the publication. Durov, who is 40, added that he has six children who were conceived naturally with three different partners, plus at least another 100, whom he's fathered through sperm donations. "The clinic, where I started donating sperm 15 years ago to help a friend, told me that more than 100 babies had been conceived this way in 12 countries," he told Le Point. Durov made clear that his children "will all have the same rights." Based on his current net worth and assuming he has 106 children, each of his offspring would inherit about $131 million. "I don't want them to tear each other apart after my death," he said in the interview. Durov added in the interview that he follows a rigorous daily workout regimen that includes 300 push-ups followed by 300 squats. He said he doesn't consume alcohol, coffee or tea, avoids sugar and is not a smoker. French authorities have charged Durov, alleging Telegram is used for criminal purposes, including the propagation of child sexual abuse material and for drug trafficking. Durov has denied the charges. He told Le Point that he believes the charges are "absurd." "Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn't make those who run it criminals," he told the magazine. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge Iranians evacuate capital Tehran, some say the regime is frightened
