Ariane 64 Debuts, Launches 32 Amazon Leo Satellites
On 12 Feb 2026, Europe’s Ariane 6 flew in its new four-booster “64” configuration for the first time, doubling its lift capacity and deploying 32 Amazon Leo broadband satellites to low-Earth orbit.
Technology & Science
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Russia Imposes Nationwide WhatsApp Ban, Drives Users Toward State-Run “Max” Messenger
On 12 Feb 2026, Moscow removed WhatsApp from Roskomnadzor’s domain registry, cutting service for about 100 million Russian users and telling them to migrate to the government-backed Max app.
Russia Begins Phased Throttling of Telegram to Push Users Toward State-Backed ‘MAX’ App
Starting 10 Feb 2026, regulator Roskomnadzor began deliberately slowing Telegram nationwide and a Moscow court levied new fines, marking the first formal step toward an outright block since the 2018 failure.
Ariane 64 Four-Booster Debut Delivers 32 Amazon Leo Satellites
On 12 Feb 2026, the Ariane 6 flew in its new four-booster '64' configuration for the first time, doubling its payload capacity and successfully orbiting Amazon’s 32 Leo broadband satellites from Kourou.
Pentagon Brings Custom ChatGPT Online, Signals Next Step Toward Classified-Level AI Access
Between 11–12 Feb 2026 the Defense Department activated a siloed version of ChatGPT for its 3 million-user GenAI.mil network and, a day later, its CTO told tech firms the Pentagon now wants similar frontier models cleared for classified domains.
China Executes First In-Flight Abort and Reusable Stage Splashdown of Long March-10 with Mengzhou Capsule
On 11 Feb 2026, China flew a prototype Long March-10A rocket from Wenchang and, at about 10 km altitude, commanded the uncrewed Mengzhou spacecraft to abort, then recovered both the capsule and the rocket’s first stage at sea—its first live test proving crew-escape and partial reusability for a planned 2030 lunar landing.
Russia Moves to Fully Block WhatsApp, Forcing Users Toward State-Run Messenger
On 12 Feb 2026, WhatsApp announced that the Russian government attempted a nationwide shutdown of the service, jeopardizing access for around 100 million Russian users.
Russia Begins Nationwide Throttling of Telegram to Funnel Users to State-Run ‘Max’ App
On 10 February 2026 Roskomnadzor quietly activated network-level throttling of Telegram across Russian ISPs and announced “successive restrictions” until the foreign-based messenger complies with domestic data and content laws.
India Slashes AI Deepfake Takedown Window to 3 Hours, Mandates Irremovable Labels
On 10 Feb 2026, New Delhi issued binding amendments to the IT Intermediary Rules cutting the deadline for platforms to remove flagged AI-generated content from 36 hours to 3 hours and requiring every piece of synthetic media to carry permanent, non-erasable metadata labels.
Discord Rolls Out Global ‘Teen-By-Default’ Age Verification for March 2026
Discord said every account will be locked into restricted “teen” settings next month unless the user proves adulthood with a selfie-based face scan or a government ID.
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