unrest Archives

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Messaging app Telegram blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya regions

The messaging app Telegram has been blocked in Russia's Dagestan and Chechnya regions due to security concerns, as announced by Dagestan's digital development minister, Yuri Gamzatov. The decision followed recommendations from law enforcement agencies, particularly in response to unrest at Makhachkala airport earlier this year. Since early 2024, users in parts of the North Caucasus have faced service disruptions on Telegram, and Gamzatov suggested considering the VK messenger as an alternative. The unrest at Makhachkala airport on October 29, 2023, was caused by a flight arrival from Israel, leading to mass riots that resulted in over 24 million rubles in damages and injuries to 23 officials.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

Dagestan, Chechnya block Telegram messaging app

Authorities in Russia's Dagestan and Chechnya have banned the messaging app Telegram, citing concerns over its content moderation policies and the proliferation of extremist content. This decision is part of a broader trend of increasing governmental control over online communications in the region. Anton Nemkin from the State Duma expressed that Telegram's lax moderation poses a threat to public safety, and local official Gamzatov indicated there may be potential for the app's reinstatement in the future. The Russian government has previously blocked other messaging services like Signal and is considering actions against WhatsApp, while access to platforms like YouTube has also been restricted. Additionally, Telegram has faced scrutiny outside Russia, including a ban for officials in Ukraine due to national security concerns linked to its founder Pavel Durov.

AppWizard

March 9, 2025

From Minecraft to Superman and 28 Years Later: 20 movies we can’t wait to see

- Disney's live-action musical fantasy "Snow White," featuring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, is set to release on March 20. - The Latvian animated film "Flow," which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, will also be released on March 20. - A CGI-heavy "Minecraft Movie," featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, is scheduled for April 3. - "Death of a Unicorn," a black comedy starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, will be released on April 10. - "The Correspondent," based on the true story of journalist Peter Greste, will premiere on April 17. - Ryan Coogler's horror film "Sinners," set in the 1930s segregated South, will also be released on April 17. - Marvel's "Thunderbolts," the 36th installment in the franchise, is set for May 1. - The musical biopic "Monsieur Aznavour," featuring Tahar Rahim, will be released on May 8. - "Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning," rumored to be one of the most expensive films ever made, will premiere on May 22. - Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme," featuring a star-studded cast, is set for June 5. - The live-action adaptation of "How To Train Your Dragon" will be released on June 12. - "28 Years Later," a sequel to "28 Days Later," will premiere on June 19. - Pixar's "Elio," about an 11-year-old boy mistaken for Earth's leader, is set for June 19. - "Jurassic World Rebirth," starring Scarlett Johansson, will be released on July 3. - James Gunn's new Superman film, featuring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, is set for July 10. - "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," a retro-futuristic origin story, will premiere on July 24. - Paul Thomas Anderson's untitled project, rumored to be based on a Thomas Pynchon novel, is set for August 7. - "The Bride!" directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, featuring Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley, will be released on September 25. - Edgar Wright's remake of "The Running Man" is scheduled for November 6. - The conclusion of "Wicked," titled "Wicked: For Good," featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, will premiere on November 20.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

Telegram messaging app blocked in Russia’s Dagestan and Chechnya

The Telegram messaging app has been restricted in Dagestan and Chechnya due to concerns over its use by individuals considered "enemies" of the state. Dagestan's Minister of Digitalisation, Yuri Gamzatov, linked the app to incidents of unrest, such as at Makhachkala airport, and called for improved content moderation. Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma's Committee on Information Policy, supported the blocking to prevent coordination of civil disturbances, citing its role in recent unrest. Authorities in Dagestan suggested that the ban on Telegram could be lifted in the future.