Drone attack near Moscow kills 5, injures 6

Indian digital rights activists and student leaders are challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the Delhi High Court over the deployment of artificial intelligence-powered mass surveillance during recent youth protests in New Delhi. Student activist Aishe Ghosh filed a petition with the Delhi High Court seeking to declare the police’s mass surveillance of demonstrators unconstitutional. The lawsuit requests the immediate destruction of all personal and biometric data collected during the demonstrations and asks the court to establish clear binding guidelines governing the use of surveillance technologies at public gatherings. The controversy intensified after photographs circulated showing a mobile police surveillance unit, branded “Ikshana” and developed alongside security firm CP Plus, deployed at the main protest site. The vehicle featured telescopic masts providing 360-degree coverage, AI-powered cameras, and real-time facial recognition capabilities that displayed face accuracy metrics to match attendees against law enforcement databases. Furthermore, police officers were documented recording the social media handles of arriving participants. Digital rights organisations, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, have formally requested the Delhi Police Commissioner to delete all biometric data gathered during the events. Advocates emphasise that India currently lacks a dedicated legal framework governing police deployment of facial recognition systems, making such intrusive measures disproportionate and illegal. During court proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended law enforcement actions, arguing that expectations of privacy at a public gathering were misplaced and asserting that the security measures were absolutely necessary in the interest of public order. Delhi Police maintained that the technology was used solely to identify individuals with criminal histories and count crowd size without restricting freedoms. The court challenge continues despite the end of the student demonstrations, which were triggered by widespread examination paper leaks in national competitive tests. The protests culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the announcement of a government panel tasked with overhauling the national examination system.

The UK Epstein Survivors Campaign has renewed its call for truth, accountability and justice, urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government to take further action over the Jeffrey Epstein case. The campaign has expressed hope that the new government will be more willing to engage directly with survivors and address long-standing questions surrounding Epstein’s links to influential figures and institutions. A spokesperson for the campaign said survivors believed there was now an opportunity to obtain the truth they had been seeking for years. The group welcomed what it described as Burnham’s willingness to listen to victims and show compassion toward those affected by Epstein’s crimes. The campaign also called for greater transparency over how Epstein was able to gain access to powerful circles and continue his criminal activities for such a long period. The issue has also been raised by the government’s victims minister, whose responsibilities have reportedly been expanded to cover international matters. The minister has said that survivors and victims deserve a complete account of what happened so that those responsible can be held accountable. He has backed the idea of a full statutory public inquiry into Epstein’s access to the British establishment and the circumstances that allowed his abuse and criminal activity to continue. Supporters of the proposed inquiry argue that it should have sufficient legal powers to compel witnesses and obtain relevant communications, including messages and emails. They say such powers would be necessary to establish the full chain of events and determine whether individuals or institutions failed to act when concerns about Epstein were known. The campaign maintains that a comprehensive investigation is essential not only for survivors but also for preventing similar failures in the future. It wants the authorities to examine how Epstein built relationships with powerful people and why safeguards failed to stop his activities earlier. The renewed demand comes as pressure continues for greater transparency surrounding the wider Epstein case. Survivors and campaigners have repeatedly argued that accountability should extend beyond Epstein himself and include any individuals or institutions that enabled or overlooked wrongdoing.

A youth led protest movement in India has vowed to continue demonstrations demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after violent clashes with police in New Delhi left nearly 180 people injured. The movement, known as the Cockroach Janta Party, cancelled plans for another march to parliament but said protests would continue at the Jantar Mantar demonstration site. Organisers said they wanted to avoid further injuries after Monday’s confrontation with security forces. The campaign began as an online satirical movement but has rapidly grown into one of the biggest public challenges facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his third term in office. It has attracted widespread support from young people angered by repeated examination paper leaks and allegations of corruption in India’s education system. Thousands of protesters from Delhi and nearby regions gathered outside parliament on Monday to demand accountability over a national medical entrance examination leak that affected more than two million students earlier this year. The exam had to be conducted again after question papers were leaked, while reports of several student suicides linked to the controversy intensified public outrage. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators after violence broke out during the march. According to Delhi Police, more than 118 police and security personnel, along with around 60 protesters, were injured during the clashes. Most of those hurt received medical treatment and were later discharged from hospital. Authorities also detained around 70 protesters and said legal action would be taken against them. Police accused demonstrators of ignoring restrictions on public gatherings and behaving aggressively despite repeated warnings. On Tuesday, around 500 protesters gathered peacefully at Jantar Mantar despite light rain and heavy security across central Delhi. Paramilitary forces remained deployed while barricades were placed on several roads to prevent further unrest. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke apologised to supporters for the violence they faced during Monday’s protest. He expressed particular concern over female demonstrators who he claimed were assaulted by male police officers during the clashes. Dipke announced that while the movement would continue its campaign, organisers would not attempt another march towards parliament because they feared more young people could be injured. The protest movement gained significant momentum after social activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the campaign with a hunger strike in late June. Wangchuk was later moved to hospital by authorities, a move that further fuelled criticism of the government among supporters. The group’s demands include the resignation of the education minister, the release of Wangchuk and financial compensation for the families of students who reportedly died by suicide following the examination leak. Government officials have indicated they are open to discussions. Health Minister JP Nadda recently met representatives of the movement and requested time to consider their demands. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also called for calm and said ongoing talks should not be disrupted. Opposition parties criticised the government’s handling of the protests and accused authorities of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. Leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party rejected those claims and argued that the violence appeared to have been deliberately provoked. Political analysts believe that even if negotiations reduce immediate tensions, the wider frustration among India’s younger generation is unlikely to disappear. Concerns over unemployment, repeated examination scandals and growing distrust in public institutions continue to drive dissatisfaction, making youth unrest an increasingly important political issue for the government.