PAKISTAN
Fourteen newborns lost their lives in a fire that broke out this morning in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Footage shows rescue workers using ladders to reach the broken windows and gain access to the area. The Islamabad authorities have stated that the fire broke out on the third floor; they added that rescue teams rushed to the scene and that six fire engines and four ambulances were involved in the rescue operation.
MYANMAR
The human rights situation in Myanmar has reached a new all-time low, with widespread abuses against the Rohingya minority and a rapidly expanding illicit economy, fuelled by the illegal mining of rare earths, which is exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population. This is according to the new report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) covering the period from June 2025 to May 2026. The ongoing conflict, military violence and a growing ‘conflict economy’ are exposing civilians to tremendous hardship.
INDIA
Yesterday, Indian students and unemployed young people clashed with the police whilst marching towards the residence of the Chief Minister of the eastern state of Bihar, demanding access to employment and transparency in recruitment examinations. The police used water cannons when several thousand protesters broke through security barricades in the capital, Patna. The protests come a month after youth-led demonstrations in New Delhi forced the Indian Minister of Education to resign.
INDONESIA
In Indonesia, millions of people are suffering from respiratory illnesses due to the spread of haze across the country. Thick fog caused by spreading forest fires has engulfed vast areas, leading to a surge in cases of respiratory illnesses, disrupting daily life and forcing schools to close, whilst the deteriorating air quality is raising concerns for the health of millions of people. PM2.5 levels are more than 15 times the limit recommended by the WHO.
IRAN – OMAN
Iran has stated that it has resumed talks with Oman regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz, whilst facing mounting economic pressure from the United States. For weeks, Iran and Oman have been holding talks on controlling traffic through this strategic waterway. The two countries have stated that they have discussed “a joint temporary navigation corridor” through the Strait and agreed to clear it of mines, whilst diplomatic efforts towards a peace agreement have stalled.
VATICAN – RUSSIA
A bilateral meeting took place in Moscow between the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, and the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov. Points of convergence on international issues were identified, with both sides agreeing on the importance of continuing dialogue between the Russian Federation and the Holy See. “The war in Ukraine must end,” said the Vatican representative at a press conference. Other topics discussed included issues relating to the Catholic community in Russia and humanitarian initiatives.
AZERBAIJAN – UZBEKISTAN
A ceremony was held in Tashkent for the signing of the “Treaty of Eternal Friendship” between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, in the presence of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a memorandum of understanding on the exchange of expertise and cooperation between their respective customs committees in the field of cynology, as well as other agreements covering tourism, cultural exchanges, trade and support for the most vulnerable sections of the population, effectively bringing Azerbaijan into the most significant projects across the whole of Central Asia.
