Asian Horizon Network

A powerful earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto region on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory for parts of Kumamoto Prefecture after the quake reached the highest seismic intensity of 7 on Japan's scale. Japan's Cabinet Office Disaster Management Division urged residents to remain calm and stay updated through official sources. In a statement shared on X, the agency confirmed that the earthquake registered a maximum seismic intensity of 7 in the Kumamoto region and advised people to rely on information from the government, local authorities, television, radio and trusted online platforms.

Following the tremor, officials issued a tsunami advisory for the Ariake Sea and Yatsushiro Sea, warning people in coastal areas to evacuate immediately and remain away from the shoreline until the alert is lifted. According to India's National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 12:57:22 IST on July 28, 2026, with its epicentre located at 32.643°N latitude and 130.985°E longitude, at a depth of 70 kilometres. The NCS measured the quake at magnitude 6.5.

Japanese media reported that the shaking reached Shindo 6 in several locations, including the cities of Yatsushiro and Uto, the towns of Mashiki and Misato, and Minami Ward in Kumamoto City. The earthquake also disrupted electricity supply, leaving around 45,600 households in Kumamoto Prefecture without power, according to Kyushu Electric.

The latest quake comes just over ten years after the devastating 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, which claimed 278 lives, injured nearly 2,800 people, and caused widespread destruction across the prefecture. Among the most severely affected landmarks was the historic Kumamoto Castle, where restoration efforts are expected to continue until 2052.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for closely monitoring the flood situation in the state and extending continuous support as rescue and relief efforts continue. At the same time, the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced that it has rescued 458 stranded people and transported more than nine tonnes of essential relief material across flood-hit areas of Assam and Nagaland during the last 10 days.

In a message shared on X, Sarma thanked the Prime Minister for staying updated on the ground situation and said the Assam government was carrying out relief operations with full urgency. He noted that officials have managed to reach every flood-affected village so far, ensuring timely assistance to those in need. The Chief Minister also said electricity has been restored in most of the affected regions, while those evacuated are staying in relief camps equipped with food, medical care, and dedicated spaces for children.

Sarma assured that the state administration would continue working around the clock to respond to the crisis and later introduce a comprehensive rehabilitation plan based on public participation to help affected communities rebuild their lives. He again acknowledged the Prime Minister's continued guidance and support during the emergency.

The Indian Air Force highlighted its ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission despite difficult weather conditions. According to the IAF, its helicopters have safely evacuated 458 people trapped by floodwaters and delivered over nine tonnes of relief supplies to remote areas of Assam and Nagaland over the past 10 days. The Air Force said the operations are being conducted in close coordination with the Indian Army and civil administration to ensure relief reaches the worst-hit locations as quickly as possible.

The latest developments come after Prime Minister Modi held discussions with Members of Parliament from Assam regarding the flood situation and assured them that the Central government is working closely with the state administration to support relief and recovery efforts. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the floods have affected more than 4.45 lakh people across six districts. Floodwaters have inundated 631 villages, while 184 relief camps and distribution centres are currently sheltering nearly 28,700 displaced residents. The state government and central agencies continue to monitor the situation as rescue, relief, and rehabilitation work remains underway.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

A new generation of young South Asians is emerging as a powerful force in public movements, challenging traditional political systems and demanding greater accountability from authorities. From Nepal’s Gen Z uprising to India’s CJP protests, youth-led demonstrations across the region are drawing attention for their energy, digital organisation and growing influence. Although these movements appear similar at first glance, with young protesters gathering on streets and using social media to amplify their voices, each has developed from different political and social circumstances. The common factor connecting them is a generation that feels increasingly impatient with existing systems and wants a stronger role in shaping its future.

Nepal’s Gen Z movement became one of the most visible examples of youth activism in South Asia. What started with anger over restrictions on digital platforms soon expanded into a broader protest against corruption, political privilege and dissatisfaction with the country’s leadership. Thousands of young citizens took part in demonstrations, using online platforms to coordinate activities and spread their message.

Unlike older political movements that were often controlled by established parties and leaders, Nepal’s youth protests reflected a more decentralised style of mobilisation. Young activists relied on social media networks, online communities and digital campaigns to organise and communicate. The movement showed how quickly a generation connected through technology can transform public frustration into a major political conversation. Nepal’s experience also highlighted the challenges that come after a successful protest movement. Creating pressure on governments is one thing, but transforming public anger into long-term political reforms requires strong institutions, effective leadership and practical solutions.

India’s CJP protests, meanwhile, emerged from a different set of concerns but carried a similar message of youth dissatisfaction. The movement attracted attention as young people raised questions about accountability, fairness and issues affecting students and aspiring professionals. Protesters used both traditional demonstrations and online campaigns to bring attention to their demands.

The protests reflected a wider feeling among many young Indians that institutions must become more transparent and responsive. For many participants, the issue was not only about a specific policy or decision but also about confidence in systems that directly impact their education, careers and future opportunities.

The similarities between Nepal and India’s youth movements are difficult to ignore. In both cases, young people used digital platforms as powerful tools for organisation and communication. Social media allowed information to spread quickly, helped bring more participants into the movements and created a sense of shared identity among protesters.

But the differences between the two movements are equally important. Nepal’s uprising was largely connected to dissatisfaction with the broader political structure, while India’s CJP protests focused more on specific governance concerns and demands for accountability. The scale, political environment and goals of each movement remain distinct.

Across South Asia, young people are facing many common challenges, including employment uncertainty, economic pressures, concerns about corruption and frustration with traditional political systems. With one of the world’s largest youth populations, the region is witnessing a shift where younger citizens are becoming more active participants rather than passive observers.

The rise of digital activism has also changed the way protests develop. Earlier movements often depended on political organisations, unions or influential leaders. Today, young people can build momentum through online communities, viral campaigns and direct communication. This has made protests faster and more flexible, but it has also created questions about long-term organisation and leadership. The biggest challenge for these youth movements will be turning protest energy into lasting change. Public demonstrations can force governments to respond, but meaningful reform requires continued engagement, policy changes and institutions capable of delivering results.

The growing presence of Gen Z in South Asian politics suggests that young citizens are no longer willing to remain on the sidelines. Whether in Nepal, India or other countries in the region, the message from this generation is becoming clearer — they want transparency, opportunities and a voice in decisions that shape their lives. The movements may look “same same” because they are powered by similar frustrations and hopes, but they remain “different” because each country has its own political realities, challenges and paths ahead. The rise of South Asia’s youth movements marks the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s political landscape.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Education experts are increasingly suggesting that future reforms in the education sector should move beyond focusing only on outcomes such as examination scores, rankings, and academic performance. Instead, the emphasis should shift towards improving the overall learning process that shapes how students understand concepts, develop skills, and prepare for real-world challenges.

For many years, education systems have relied heavily on measurable results to judge success. High marks, competitive exam achievements, and institutional rankings have often become the primary indicators of quality. However, educators argue that these measurements do not always reflect a student’s creativity, problem-solving ability, confidence, or practical understanding.

The growing discussion around process-based education highlights the need to look at what happens inside classrooms. Experts believe that the methods used to teach, the environment in which students learn, and the opportunities provided for exploration and experimentation are equally important as the final academic results.

A student’s educational journey involves much more than memorising information for examinations. Learning should encourage curiosity, independent thinking, collaboration, and the ability to apply knowledge in different situations. When students are given opportunities to ask questions, participate in discussions, work on projects, and connect lessons with everyday experiences, they develop a deeper understanding of subjects.

The shift towards process-oriented education also reflects the changing demands of the modern world. Employers and industries today increasingly value skills such as communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and innovation. A system that focuses only on marks may not fully prepare students for these challenges.

Teachers are expected to play a central role in this transformation. A process-focused education model requires educators to move beyond traditional lecture-based methods and adopt approaches that encourage active participation. This includes using technology, practical activities, group learning, and personalised feedback to support different learning styles.

Experts also believe that assessment methods need to evolve alongside teaching practices. While examinations remain an important part of education, a broader evaluation system that includes projects, presentations, practical work, and continuous assessment can provide a more complete picture of a student's abilities.

Education reforms based on learning processes do not mean ignoring academic results. Instead, the idea is that better outcomes should come naturally from stronger teaching methods and meaningful learning experiences. When students develop a genuine understanding of subjects and the confidence to apply their knowledge, improved performance becomes a result of effective education rather than the sole objective.

Implementing such reforms, however, will require addressing several challenges, including teacher training, infrastructure limitations, classroom sizes, and the pressure of competitive examinations. Policymakers will need to create a balanced approach that combines academic excellence with skill development and personal growth. The future of education may depend on how effectively systems can balance results with the journey that leads to those results. By focusing on the process of learning, education reforms can help create students who are not only successful in exams but also prepared to think creatively, adapt to change, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Andy Burnham is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as his first international guest, underscoring the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine. As Burnham unveils his agenda to address long-standing issues such as social care, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot examine whether his proposals can deliver meaningful change.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

India's education minister has stepped down, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is celebrating the development as a significant win. What started as a humorous online campaign has rapidly transformed into one of the country's most closely watched youth-driven movements. By tapping into widespread concerns over unemployment, limited opportunities, and the lack of political representation, the movement has captured national attention. In this discussion, Genevieve Woo speaks with correspondent Neha Poonia about how a campaign centred on the unlikely symbol of a cockroach managed to influence India's political conversation and what it says about a generation determined to make its voice heard despite the odds.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

On the July 24 episode of Open For Business, hosts Andrea Heng and Poh Kok Ing are joined by Santosh Rao, Head of Research and Partner at Manhattan Venture Partners, to break down today's market trends.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.