Japan has been rocked by a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, triggering the country's highest Shindo 7 seismic intensity in parts of the region. The violent quake was followed by a strong aftershock within minutes, prompting authorities to warn residents that even more powerful tremors could follow. Several neighbouring cities also experienced Shindo 6-level shaking as the earthquake was felt across a wide area. The disaster has revived painful memories of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, one of Japan's most devastating seismic disasters in recent history, as residents once again brace for uncertainty amid ongoing seismic activity.

The NEET controversy intensified inside Parliament as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the INDIA Bloc's 'Black Day' protest, with Opposition MPs arriving dressed in black to register their protest against the Centre during the Monsoon Session. Gathering at Makar Dwar in Parliament, Opposition leaders accused the government of failing students and demanded accountability over the ongoing education controversy. The INDIA Bloc renewed its call for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, insisting that justice must be delivered to students affected by alleged examination irregularities. Senior Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge joined Rahul in stepping up the attack on the government. Priyanka Gandhi questioned the Centre over repeated paper leak allegations and raised concerns about the government's priorities in the education sector, while Kharge accused the ruling establishment of weakening democratic institutions. WATCH