ASIA TODAY Netanyahu has dismissed the defense minister, a critic of justice. Clashes broke out last night

Today’s news: Singaporean PM pays official visit to China, first since pandemic; in Kabul, the Taliban block a march by activists for the right of women to study. Myanmar’s coup junta leader denounces “acts of terrorism” by armed groups fighting the army. First “controlled” demonstration in Hong Kong. In five months, more than 25,000 Russians arrived in the United States through the border with Mexico.

ISRAEL

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had criticized the controversial justice reform. In the evening hundreds of thousands of Israelis re-occupied the streets and there were clashes with the police. President Isaac Herzog also called for the termination; after the first reflections of the ultra-orthodox parties -Shas and United Torah Judaism- that make up the coalition.

MYANMAR

In an unusual public speech, the leader of the coup military junta threatened to suppress what he described as “acts of terrorism”, alluding to the armed resistance fighting the coup army that overthrew the democratic government in February 2021. Min Aung Hlaing also accused nations that criticize his government on human rights .

HONG KONG

In the midst of imposing security measures and police controls, yesterday the first protest (authorized) since Beijing introduced the infamous National Security Law in 2020. The march gathered about a hundred people, with previously authorized identification numbers and banners. The reason for the call is a land recovery plan in the eastern sector of the city.

SINGAPORE – CHINA

The Prime Minister of Singapore begins today a official visit a week to China, the first since the pandemic broke out in February 2020. Lee Hsien Loong will meet with Beijing’s top leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang. The city-state leader will also deliver a speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Hainan.

AFGHANISTAN

A group of Afghan activists defied the Taliban regime’s bans and called for a protest march in Kabul to demand the right of women to study. The protesters, about 20, were immediately surrounded and blocked by security agents. Multiple footage and videos posted online show the women, wearing headscarves, holding banners reading “education is our right.”

RUSSIA – UNITED STATES

According to data released by the US Border Patrol, more than 25,000 Russians have entered the United States through Mexico in the past five months, a record number even compared to other nationalities. In 2022, 22,000 had entered, and the previous year only 467. The latest figure represents 63% of all refugees, compared to 28% of Venezuelans and only 5% of Mexicans.

KAZAKHSTAN

Starting April 1, Kazakhstan will introduce a new online system to control all products crossing the country’s borders. The objective is to prevent the parallel import of goods to Russia, circumventing Western sanctions, applying stricter rules than those of the Eurasian Economic Union, where imports are not subject to controls.