March 29, 2023

*) Taiwan president heads to US, Central America amid China's threats Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is set to leave for the United States, a stop on her way to firm ties with Guatemala and Belize. Belize and Guatemala are among just 13 countries that officially recognise democratic Taiwan over China, after Honduras opened diplomatic relations with Beijing on Sunday. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he will meet Tsai in the US, which China's Taiwan Affairs Office called "a provocation". In response, a senior US official said that China should not "overreact" and use a stopover as a "pretext" for aggression against the democratically ruled island of Taiwan. *) Several killed as fire breaks out at migrant centre near Mexico-US border At least 39 people have been killed and 29 others injured when a fire broke out at a facility for migrants in Mexico’s city of Ciudad Juarez. A rescuer explained that there were about 70 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, at the site. Ciudad Juarez, which neighbours El Paso city in Texas, is one of the border towns where numerous undocumented migrants seeking refuge in the United States remain stranded. *) Russia kicks off exercises with Yars missile system Russia has begun exercises with its Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system and several thousand troops. It is likely to be seen as another attempt by Moscow to show off its nuclear strength. President Vladimir Putin has aimed to make the Yars missile system part of Russia's "invincible weapons" and the mainstay of the ground-based component of its nuclear arsenal. "In total, more than 3,000 military personnel and about 300 pieces of equipment are involved in the exercises," according to a statement by the defence ministry. *) Fresh clashes erupt in France in pension protests Fresh clashes have erupted in France between protesters and police as tens of thousands took to the streets to show their anger against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform that has sparked a major domestic crisis. Tuesday's nationwide pr